Minutes 06-08-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 o Public Safety-Graph: Average Response Time Commissioner Price said there were cuts to the Department's request and the Manager's recommendation, and asked if this could be clarified. Travis Myren said three telecommunicator positions were not funded, and an updated scheduling study will be completed before adding any full time employees (FTE). He said the last study was completed in 2013. Commissioner Price said she is somewhat concerned, because if the department needs more staff something should be done. She said maybe one or two of the positions could be funded. Dinah Jeffries, EMS Director, said the Department's request was made in order to comply with the last completed study from 2013; however, the Department can manage as is for another year or two. She said the Department is trying to keep up, as well as create a more attractive and robust business to keep people. She said the retention rate is bad. Commissioner Burroughs asked if the upcoming study can also include a review of the pay scale. Bonnie Hammersley said in the three budgets that she has done, this is the first time that the telecommunicators are fully staffed. She said the improving data regarding response times reflects this fact. She said she is hopeful that scheduling changes will lead to staff retention. Chair Dorosin asked if there is a plan to update this study. Travis Myren said yes. Commissioner Price asked if, after reworking the schedule, if it is still deemed necessary to have more staff, can more staff be hired. Travis Myren said a budget amendment can always be done, if need be. Dinah Jeffries said community paramedics were also requested, but went unfunded. She said she would like to keep this request on the table, as well as Emergency Management Services (EMS), which helps the entire County as well as the municipalities. Bonnie Hammersley said Community Paramedics was a new program, which was unable to be funded; and said she would prioritize the telecommunicators over a new program. Commissioner Rich asked if the response time goal could be identified. Kim Woodard, EMS Operations Manager, said there is not a national or state standard for response time. She said her department considers response times by looking at how partner agencies are being taxed. She said their goal is a fractal measurement, which is 12 minutes, and they are not close to that at this time. Chair Dorosin asked if more clarification could be provided. Kim Woodard said the difference is that there are both rural and urban areas to serve, and she said the 8:59 average is typically used in urban settings. She said rural settings take longer, and the goal takes both environments into account. She said the 2013 study showed that it would be very costly to be able to reach that goal. Commissioner Burroughs said she has a heart for telecommunicators, and she asked Dinah Jeffries to express the Board's appreciation to these staff. She said if it would encourage these employees to be recognized by the Board at a meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) would be most willing to do this. Commissioner Price referred to the proposed community paramedics program, and asked if the number of requested staff could be identified. Dinah Jeffries said the request was for three Community Paramedics. Kim Woodard said this was a continuation of the "Stay Up, Stay Active" Program with the Department of Aging, and she said falling is their number 2 response right now. She said the falls are mainly focused on their geriatric population, which is the fastest growing