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2. Authorize the County to conduct an informal solicitation of the four qualified <br /> technical/research organizations in the fire/rescue profession to submit competitive <br /> proposals to perform Phase One: Assessment of the Fire/Rescue Services System in <br /> Orange County <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked for an analysis of the previous study so that the same <br /> mistakes are not made. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that UNC gave an opinion about the last study, and he will <br /> get this to the Board. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that he wants to look at all emergency services along with <br /> fire and rescue in the first phase. <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed that it is a good idea to say fire, rescue, and emergency <br /> services. She said that on a parallel track, she would like to update the addressing system. <br /> She said that it concerns her that phase one is not definite and she would like a more detailed <br /> proposal as to what the firms are being asked to look at and the lessons that have been <br /> learned from the last study. She is also concerned that each phase is so long. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that the first study was done very quickly and he wants a <br /> better quality study. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that staff is only asking for approval of the strategy tonight. <br /> Commissioner Foushee asked that the Board be able to see a draft of the RFP prior to <br /> it going out. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Earl McKee lives in the Caldwell Community and he helped organize the fire <br /> department there. He said that he takes a different angle. He said that this assessment is a <br /> bad idea and a fire and rescue study should include all departments involved in emergency <br /> response and narrowing it down to just fire and rescue is not right. He said that any concerns <br /> can be addressed through the Fire Chief's Council. He asked if this effort was more about <br /> control of independent contract entities than problems with those departments. He said that <br /> there is also a cost factor, and $25,000 was already wasted with the last study. He thinks that <br /> this would be a waste of time and money. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that his point is well taken. She asked about the services <br /> that were covered in the study and Frank Montes de Oca said that they are covering all <br /> services except the Sheriff's Department. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked if the first phase could be done, looking at additional <br /> costs for the other phases. Frank Montes de Oca said that there would most likely be a report <br /> after phase one and the Board would decide if it wanted to continue. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that phase three would build on community values, <br /> including volunteer fire departments. She does not want to see the County take over the <br /> volunteer fire departments. She wants to clarify the role of the volunteer fire departments. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that the County could not afford to pay for all of these fire <br /> departments, and there will be an analysis of the volunteer fire departments. <br /> Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that after phase one, the report comes <br /> back to the Board and then there is a session with the public about community values before <br /> moving to phase two. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the Board should only commit to the first phase to see <br /> what comes of that. <br />