Minutes 10-14-2025-Joint Meeting w/Fire Department

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9 Commissioner McKee asked Chief Cabe to explain why that rating is challenging for more rural districts. Chief Cabe explained that rural departments face challenges with water systems not extending beyond municipal areas, requiring them to haul water to fire scenes. He explained that hauling water requires more people on the scene, which is difficult with limited volunteers. He added that an ISO rating of 1 requires six people per truck, which is also difficult for smaller departments. He said that the county's practice of dispatching four departments to structure fires in unincorporated areas helps address water supply needs. Chief Potter added that deployment analysis, examining station locations and response times, significantly helps municipal departments achieve better ratings. He shared that Carrboro Fire-Rescue has 40 staff members total. Slide #14 Chapel Hill Fire `"APE` �k Department FIRE RESCUE Fire Chief: Jay Mebane Insurance District(ISO Rating): Town of Chapel Hill (2) Greater Chapel Hill (2) Aerial and engine on order • Beginning construction documentation for Chapel Hill Station 4 replacement • Beginning site feasibility study for Chapel Hill Station 3 replacement in partnership with Orange County EMS • Call volume on track to increase approximately 15-20% in 2025 • Discussion initiated for relocation of training center currently located beside Chapel Hill Station 4 on Weaver Dairy Road 14 Commissioner Greene asked where stations 3 and 4 are. Chief Potter said Station 4 is on Weaver Dairy Road Extension and Station 3 is on Elliot Road. He said Chief Mebane was unable to attend, but he will ask him to answer any questions after the meeting. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the increase in these calls is also medically related. Chief Potter said they had across-the-board increases generally. He explained that in the municipal fire department space, 60 to 70%of calls are EMS-related. He said Chapel Hill is seeing an increase in EMS calls, as well as fire alarms and other fires calls. He explained that some of the increase has to do with population density, while some can be attributed to aging populations. Commissioner Greene said she believes the training center on Weaver Dairy Rd. has been an ongoing conversation. Chief Potter explained that there are two training sites: one on Millhouse Road (Orange County Chiefs' Association training site) and the Chapel Hill training center beside Station 4 on Weaver Dairy Road Extension. He said there were discussions some years ago about demolishing the latter training center. He asked Chief Cabe to provide additional context.