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4 <br />The suggested strategy divides an overall comprehensive study of the fire/rescue service <br />system in Orange County into three separate, sequential phases designed to. provide <br />clear and defensible answers to three basic questions: (1) Where are we now? (2) Where <br />do we want to go? (3) How do we get there? A successful study will adhere to the <br />principles and priorities articulated by the 6000 and the Fire Chiefs Council. It will: <br />Initiate an actionable strategic plan <br />® Involve critical stakeholders <br />® Include Northern Chatham and Southern Orange <br />Employ recognized industry standards . <br />Factor six-mile districts <br />® Address fire insurance ratings <br />® Critique economies of scale and/or shared use -staffing; facilities, equipment <br />Examine efficiencies and services enhancements <br />® Calculate long term sustainability and fire district financing <br />® .Strengthen support and connections; i.e., fire inspections and prevention. <br />County staff believes the suggested strategy would enable all stakeholders fo coalesce <br />around the following sef of commitmenfs: <br />® Commitment to a clear purpose <br />Commitment to established priorities <br />Commitment to a factual study tied to industry norms and professional standards <br />Commitment to openness and objectivity in choosing a highly qualified consultant <br />® Commitment to continuous communication and collaboration between the consultant and <br />County/Fire Chiefs <br />® Commitment to instilling and maintaining trust and transparency throughout all phases <br />and through public participation <br />Phase One: "Where are we now?" <br />Phase One is a thorough review of the current status of fire/rescue services'in Orange County, <br />examining organizational structures, staffing, resources, operating and capital budgets, and <br />current service delivery profiles. <br />The resulting data would be analyzed compared to Federal and state laws and regulations that <br />apply to fire~and rescue operations, such as: <br />Fire Prevention and Protection Act, 1997 <br />State Public Fire Safety Guidelines <br />National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 and 1720 pertinent to the organiza#ion <br />and deployment of fire suppression ,operations, emergency medical operations, and <br />special operations to the public by career and volunteer fire and EMS departments <br />Data collected will parallel to the greatest extent practicable that necessary for any fire/rescue <br />organization choosing to work towards achieving national accreditation. The approved final work <br />product from Phase One would become the baseline for determining Phases Two and Three. <br />2 <br />