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94 <br />resources at each call is becoming more apparent. Due to increased guidelines and <br />government requirements, it is no longer acceptable for just 2 -3 fire trucks, a couple of <br />tankers, a medic unit and - supervisor responding to a structure fire. <br />The need for Rapid Intervention Teams, Scene Rehabilitation, qualified Incident Safety <br />Officers and trained - commanders is necessary- to minimize .risk and liability, address_ <br />safety concerns and sometimes rescue the rescuers. <br />As the weather becomes more unpredictable,. North Carolina will experience events that <br />other states (California, North Dakota and Florida) deal with regularly. Add to the <br />uncertainty of events affecting homeland security, a community's local defense -forces <br />must be prepared and capable to respond to, mitigate and recover from large-scale <br />events — floods, wildland interface fires (North Carolina has the 2nd highest potential for <br />Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) events), hurricane and ice and winter storms. <br />Each department possesses the capability_ to - address the singular event as the County <br />does 24,00.0 times - annually. However, the large -scale event must bring to bear a <br />coordinated, comprehensive response that may require the utilization of every first <br />responder in Orange County. Following the development of a process by which all the <br />stakeholders can provide input into the matrices of requirements and capabilities, the <br />County is responsible to develop and manage the plan to address and mitigate those <br />extraordinary disasters to ensure safe, effective service delivery to all citizens of and <br />visitors to Orange County. <br />In early 2012, OCES will facilitate a full - scale, field disaster exercise that will include all <br />players to determine the first response community's ability to safely and effectively <br />respond to a-staged event. Based on lessons - learned, additional training and planning <br />will take place to address identified gaps. <br />Summary <br />Fire, rescue, medical and emergency response requires a coordinated effort to ensure <br />effectiveness, efficiency, economies -of scale and most importantly — safety to the citizen <br />as well as the responder. All stakeholders must play a part in developing a plan that <br />addresses current needs as well as future threats. That requires change, <br />communication and the willingness to embrace best practices and realize that the <br />protection of the community is everyone's responsibility. <br />61 Page <br />