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7 <br />Memorandum <br />TO: Board of County Commissioners <br />Laura Blackmon, County Manager <br />FROM: Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager <br />F. Rojas Montes de Oca, Director, Emergency Services <br />RE: Re-Engaging "The Sage Report" -Additional Background for <br />.. the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) <br />DATE: February 25, 2009 <br />Fire protection in the unincorporated areas of Orange County_ is provided in <br />twelve tax supported fire districts. Coordination of these services is provided by <br />Orange County Emergency Services. In most districts fire services are provided <br />under contract with various unincorporated volunteer fire departments. In two <br />cases service is provided to district residents under agreements with municipal <br />fire departments. In addition to fire protection many of these departments provide <br />first responder and early defibrillation to medical emergencies within their district. <br />Due to the passage of time and degree of controversy attached to the most <br />recent iteration of a fire/rescue study, we thought it helpful to convey additional <br />background and perhaps greater context as the BOCC considers this item again <br />on March 3. Our close review of previous BOCC agenda materials and minutes <br />(dating back to FY04-05) permit us to provide the following chronology of events <br />and conclusions we hope will assist the BOCC in its decision-making. <br />IVlay 2005 <br />BOCC received a report from Emergency Management Director on "Emergency <br />Fire and Rescue Services" -the current structure of fire and rescue services; <br />challenge and opportunities; areas for exploration regarding enhanced County <br />support; and opportunities for increased efficiencies. (Attachment A is a copy <br />of the work session agenda item,. attachments, and minutes.) <br />The report stated: "A strategic plan could be developed to identify how the <br />increased demand far services will be met.in the coming years. Any strategic <br />plan should be developed through a coordinated effort from the volunteer fire <br />departments and county representatives, but moderated through an independent <br />agent that has experience and knowledge in transitions of public safety systems. <br />The plan should address where we have been, where we are and where we <br />