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

Browse Search

The discussion of tax revenues and fire protection coverage continued as it was noted that North Chatham would need to continue to receive the same amount tax money that it is has been getting for its operation. Chief Jones stated that it will be important to define exactly who is covering an area and who is receiving the revenue. Chief Montes de Oca added that keeping track geographically of who is primary and who is secondary is an issue. As the areas and maps are changed it will result in a patchwork of CAD zones making it increasingly difficult to maintain consistent dispatching of primary, secondary units. Chief Jones said that Chapel Hill's Station 5 could cover the Southern Triangle area with the purchase of another apparatus and the addition of six new personnel. Dr.Jane Brice asked about the possibility of North Chatham constructing a station to serve that area. Michael Talbert pointed out that a new station built by North Chatham in Orange County would have to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Chief Montes de Oca stated that North Chatham is already struggling with the addition of other new stations. Commissioner McKee would not be comfortable with another county constructing a fire station inside Orange County. It is only a matter of time before Chapel Hill annexes that area of Orange County per Chief Jones. There is a need to obtain exact figures of tax values/revenues in the Southern area of Orange County. OWASA has priced new fire hydrants at a cost$6,000 each if added to a water main water that is already in place. It is not known if the needed hydrants are in areas where mains already exist. No progress can be made at this point without financial information. Chief Montes de Oca presented an overview of the VIPER system and shared with the workgroup the location of current towers and channels needed to bring all sites up to a minimum of 8 channels. The addition will reduce busy signals and assist in transmissions through county peripheral towers that are used by Orange County. The next Emergency Services Workgroup meeting will be March 27 at 4:00 PM. Chief Jones said the Chief's Association will present its strategic plan on March 22 to the BOCC and will be sharing this report with this workgroup at its next meeting. The agendas for the workgroup meetings are sent out on Fridays before the regularly scheduled meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM.