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ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 3, 2009 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. Co -(a <br /> SUBJECT: Phase One: Assessment of the Fire/Rescue Services System in Orange <br /> County <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> F. Rojas Montes de Oca, Jr. <br /> Background Memo to the BOCC and Emergency Services, 245-6100 <br /> County Manager Gwen Harvey, Assistant County <br /> Manager, 245-2307 <br /> Pam Jones, Purchasing/Central <br /> Services, 245-2650 <br /> PURPOSE: <br /> To present a strategy for re-engaging a fire/rescue study and request BOCC authorization for <br /> an informal solicitation of competitive proposals from qualified organizations to conduct Phase <br /> One: Assessment of the Fire/Rescue Service System in Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> Since arriving in the spring of 2008, the new Emergency Services Director has been very aware <br /> and actively working with the Fire Chiefs and other County staff to develop a thoughtful and <br /> thorough approach for initiating a new fire/rescue study. Attached is a memo offering an <br /> historical perspective on the last study and the reasons there is sustained interest. <br /> Conceptual outlines and updates on a new study were provided to the BOCC by the Director <br /> during September 2008. In November 2008 the Fire Chief's Council participated in a free and <br /> open discussion of what they felt a new fire/rescue study could encompass as well as related <br /> steps to ensure "history would not repeat itself'. This session was facilitated by the Purchasing <br /> and Central Services Director and attended by the Emergency Services Director and Assistant <br /> County Manager. The Chiefs Council named three primary members (and three alternates) to <br /> serve on the project steering committee who will also serve as evaluators of responses to a new <br /> request for proposals. <br /> Based upon this groundwork and further review with County management and Purchasing on <br /> procedural steps, Emergency Services in conjunction with the steering committee recommend <br /> the BOCC consider a modified strategy and approach for moving a new study forward. <br />