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Orange County Fire-Rescue Study Oversight Committee Preliminary Recommendations June 7, 2006 Page 4 of 5 Emergency Medical Services The EMS delivery organization is over-burdened and human resources over-worked. It is not unusual for a paramedic to work more than 80 hours in a work week and more than 320 hours in a 28 day cycle. This is well above the FLSA maximum prior to overtime of 56 hours per week and 216 hours during a 28 day cycle. Research has shown, and continuing research is confirming, that when emergency services workers are on duty consistently more than the above standard, their mental acuity and skill functioning are compromised. Orange County has~been fortunate to have dedicated personnel who have been willing to work these hours. But the strain is evident and it is a matter of time before a serious lapse of judgment or less than acceptable standard of care results in a tragic outcome. We recommend several short-term actions be taken to rectify this situation. They are: - Change the work shift schedule from a four shift to a three shift rotation. - Change the 24 hour shift to a split shift arrangement of no more than 14 hours. - Increase the number of "IRV" Medics from the current 5 per shift to 8 per shift, including a shift supervisor. - Increase the number of EMTs per shift from 6 per shift to 10 per shift and the number of active on duty ambulances from 3 to 5. T'he operational aspects of these recommendations will be explained in detail in out final report. Note however that the change from four shifts to three will make five medics and six EMTs available for reassignment to the new shift rotation. However, this still leaves a need for four additional paramedics and six additional EMTs. This will require approgimately $195,000 for paramedic compensation and approzimately $252,000 for EMTs (including benefits). Our fmal report will note the additional personnel needed in subsequent years to meet the service delivery required throughout the planning horizon. Fire Prevention/Fire Department Support As we look at the planning projections for the growth of the County, it appears that the current OfFice of the Fire Marshal is understaffed to handle plan review, inspections, fire investigations, and support to the County volunteer departments. We believe 2 additional personnel are required to fulfill these functions at an adequate level for the next year and subsequent years. One position is to be allocated to plan review and inspections. The second position is to be allocated to support and coordinate the County volunteer departments. Functions include: ., i