Agenda - 04-17-2012-13 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

3 • Highlights of an overview of Orange County Emergency Services were given by Chief Montes de Oca beginning with the history of two EMS systems that merged in 2005 and how our present system has worked more recently towards making headway into reducing overtime hours as well as response times. One significant help to both problems has been the addition of ten new EMS positions approved by the Board of County Commissioners and the implementation of the Paramedic Academy in partnership with Durham Tech Community College, which allows Emergency Services to release medical personnel trained and ready two to three months ahead of previous training programs. • Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert briefed the workgroup on the fire tax and fire insurance district issue: Orange County is divided into Fire Districts, Fire Tax Districts with different rates of tax and Fire Services Districts. • Chief Dan Jones reported that the Orange County Fire Chief's Association has been working with the UNC School of Government since November 2011 on an initial draft of a strategic plan for solutions to the problems within Orange County. With help from a UNC graduate student,this draft is nearing completion and will possibly be presented to the Board of Commissioners in March, 2012. • Commissioner McKee asked the thoughts of the Committee regarding meeting frequency and time. The Committee agreed that the Emergency Services Workgroup would meet bi- weekly on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm beginning on February 14, 2012 at the Link Center. • Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert indicated that a consultant Solutions for Local Governments Inc. has been asked to develop a matrix of data points to analyze service delivery and other needs within the Orange County Emergency Services system to determine recommended solutions. Documents from the November 17th Board meeting were handed out to allow the Committee to review the proposed scope of services. • The Committee discussed prioritizing the list of six items. Dr. Brice suggested that the first two items be prioritized to allow for proper discussion and consideration, which would allow more accurate determination for the prioritization of the remaining list items. • The Committee determined that solutions related to Fire Protection Districts, Fire Insurance Districts and Fire Tax Districts with be the number one priority at the February 14th meeting. • VIPER system improvements will be number two priority. • The remaining functional areas are expected to fall into proper succession as time goes on. • Commissioner McKee adjourned the meeting at 5:35 pm.