Agenda - 09-09-2008- 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• OCRS responding to a call in June 2008 of an auto accident failed to secure the equipment door on their unit, many pieces of equipment fell out of the unit along South Churton from the station to the interstate, causing an unsafe road hazard and reducing the units' capability to render aid. • Sixteen incidents of self dispatching between May 30, 2007 and March 30, 2008, in violation of Orange County Protocols and thereby reducing the efficiency and capability of the Emergency Management System. • In May 2008, on three different occasions when questioned about equipment location, tool capacity and capabilities members of the rescue squad responses indicated a lack of rudimentary knowledge of equipment, capabilities and limitations. • May 2008 when responding to a shortness of breath call on Orange Grove Road, the unit left the station in an unsafe manner, crossing the intersection causing cars to stop suddenly and preceded at a rate of speed that was unsafe for the road conditions. Additionally, in the eight weeks prior to July 1, 2008, staff reported many instances of unprofessional behavior by the OCRS. Most of the complaints related to problems associated with Station 1 on Churton Street, where Emergency Services has rented space for several years. The County rents space at the building for $2,249 per /month and $20,000 per /year in in -kind services. Staff maintains that the facility continues to be dirty, in disrepair and has little security. OCRS regularly puts personal vehicles in the bay, displacing Emergency Services units; members and employees of the squad bring their children to building, staying until 11:30 pm and running up and down the halls. In June 2008, OCRS members pulled vehicles out of the bay to create a wresting ring for horseplay. Following the wrestling match, members began using the emergency self- contained breathing tanks to air squirt each other, rendering the tanks unusable for immediate emergency calls. As a result of the complaints, in order to ensure the safety of the EMS personnel who slept at the facility, the Emergency Services Department had to make arrangements at a local motel so that staff could remain in their response district and get adequate sleep. Prior to the June 27th stand down order, Staff talked to all of the Orange County Fire Chiefs to find out their view of OCRS and their capabilities in a potential stand down order. A majority of the Chiefs were supportive and, it was their viewpoint, that the services provided by the OCRS were redundant because the fire departments were providing the service in a more efficient and effective manner. The Chiefs were advised on June 27th of the stand down order and they all agreed that with the services they currently provided there would be no lapse in emergency capabilities. A majority of the Orange County Fire Chiefs continue to believe that they can provide equivalent of superior services than can be rendered by the OCRS. (See Attachment 3, Letter from Orange County Fire Chiefs) Steps taken after the Stand Down Order Following the stand down order, the County Manager, the Emergency Services Director and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board meet with the Orange County Rescue Squad to discuss a process to move forward. It was decided that Emergency Management Services would conduct an assessment of OCRS, similar to the assessment that was being conducted of the Fire Departments. This would enable EMS to assess OCRS capabilities as determined by standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Service, the North Carolina Association of Rescue Squads and Emergency Medical Services (NCARSEMS), the State and Orange County as well as provide a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners as to whether, or not, the OCRS was performing up to standard as provided in the Franchise Agreement.