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The formal presentation by SOG staff will consist of two parts - first, a review of State statutes <br />governing County roles and responsibilities relative to fire protection services; and second, an <br />overview and analysis of The Sage Group methodology and findings. <br />County staff attended the Orange County Fire Chiefs Council meeting on November 7th to <br />provide an update and receive comments and concerns about work to date and proposal in <br />progress. The members present raised questions about the purpose, need, and cost for <br />continuing the study, and discussed providing the County Manager and the BOCC with a <br />"counterproposal" whereby they would undertake themselves, with expert facilitation like that <br />provided through the School of Government, completion of a study and development of a <br />strategic plan. This was opposed to the County, at this point, contracting with another consulting <br />firm such as The Sage Group. <br />The Fire Chiefs Council members have been invited to the BOCC work session and understand <br />that the BOCC does not make decisions or hold public hearings at work sessions, and that the <br />BOCC is not being asked to adopt either the SOG or Sage Report as the factual basis for any <br />future decision making at this point, and any technical errors or omissions can and will be <br />addressed as part of any future action. Council members have received copies of both <br />documents and their comments to date are summarized in Attachment D. <br />County management recommends that the BOCC receive the SOG presentations and provide <br />feedback and direction, with consideration of the following: <br />® Continuing to affirm and support the need for a thorough, objective, and timely review <br />and recommendation of a strategic plan for fire and rescue services to guide operational <br />and financial planning. <br />® Using the School of Government to facilitate a consensus building session among the <br />Orange County Fire Chiefs Council to identify and prioritize issues to be examined and <br />ultimately endorsed by the BOCC in any renewed study. <br />For example, the SOG technical analysis cited five items that warranted further work: <br />^ Methods of financing recommended improvements <br />^ Effectiveness, appropriateness, demand, and response capabilities <br />^ Service demand (call volume, etc.) and current level of service <br />^ Long term plans, both needs and financing sources <br />^ Countywide public education programs on public safety <br />Waiting until the next Emergency Services Director is in place to learn firsthand through <br />the proposed group facilitation process the challenges and concerns, and participate in <br />bringing back to the BOCC a recommendation, based upon input and assistance through <br />the Fire Chiefs Council, for prioritizing. and implementing the remaining work to be <br />accomplished in creating a strategic plan for Fire/Rescue services in Orange County (1St <br />Quarter, 2008) <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the presentation <br />and providing direction and feedback to staff on desired outcomes/next steps. Framework, <br />timelines, and cost projections for a renewed and revamped study will be determined and <br />brought back during the first quarter of 2008. <br />2 <br />