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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 19, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 1. <br />SUBJECT: Presentation and Discussion: 2006 Fire Rescue Study (The Sage Group <br />Report) <br />DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Emergency Services <br />ATTACHMENT(S): (Under Separate Cover) <br />A. UNC School of Government - NC <br />Counties and Fire Protection <br />Services <br />B. UNC School of Government - <br />Analysis of The Sage Group Report <br />C. Sage Group Final Working Draft <br />D. Notes/Comments from Fire Chiefs <br />Council on The Sage Group <br />Working Draft and SOG Report <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager <br />245-2300 <br />Mike Tapp, Fire Marshall, Co-Interim <br />Director, Emergency Services, 968-2050 <br />PURPOSE: To receive a presentation from UNC School of Government (SOG) staff on <br />statutes governing NC counties and fire protection services, technical analysis of draft report <br />provided by The Sage Group in 2006, and discussion of next steps in developing a strategic <br />plan for fire/emergency medical services in unincorporated Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: At a work session in November 2005, the BOCC reviewed and approved a <br />scope of service for a Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Rescue Assessment and <br />Plan for Orange County. The scope of work included evaluation of existing and planned fire <br />stations, EMS facilities, rescue squads; location and adequacy of facilities, including volunteers <br />and equipment; identification of strategies for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and <br />enhancing overall operational issues in the volunteer fire departments (i.e.; ISO ratings, <br />paperwork, administration); and recommendation of a plan "to meet the needs of the County <br />and its citizens giving consideration to overall costs benefits and best practices". <br />Eight companies responded to the Request for Proposals and the BOCC awarded a contract to <br />The Sage Group in late January 2006. Periodic reports from The Sage Group resulted in an <br />assessment list of preliminary recommendations to the County in early June 2006 and a first <br />draft of a final report in mid August 2006. A revised Working Draft was submitted to the County <br />Manager in mid December 2006 and circulated among stakeholders for their critique and <br />comment. Given concerns and criticisms surrounding the accuracy and application of the <br />Working Draft, the County engaged the UNC School of Government in late autumn to perform a <br />technical analysis and also be available to provide consultation and facilitation services. <br />