Agenda - 06-12-2008 - 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fire Districfs -continued • The department's five-year plan includes request ISO re-evaluation with the target of reducing from an 8' (if achieved in FY 2008-09) to a 7, station consolidation -reducing from 2 stations to 1 new station, develop new strategies to recruit and retain firefighters within the County, and purchase a new 1800 gallon elliptical tanker for in-district and mutual aid. Orange Grove Fire District $259,666 • The tax rate for this district is recommended to increase by .30 cents (from 3.90 to 4.20 cents) for FY 2008-09 to meet increased operating expenses for fuel and utilities and to implement a pay per call program to help members cover the rising cost of fuel. • In FY 2007-08, the department purchased a thermal imaging camera to help find hot spots and to facilitate rescue in fire responses, added 5 additional water points, and received grant funds from the Assistance to Fire Fighters program to purchase an exhaust removal system for the truck bays, 17 new self contained breathing apparatus, and purchased 800 MHz mobile radios for their trucks. This, coupled with their purchase of handheld radios, allows the department to be ready for the County's conversion to the new radio system. • In FY 2008-09, the department will continue to recruit volunteers and will implement a pay per call program as an incentive in recruitment, and apply for two (2) Assistance to Fire Fighters grants for the purchase of personal protective gear for all members, as well as replacement of a twenty-five year old tanker. • The department's five-year plan is to continue switching to the 800 MHz radio system, cantinue to seek and develop water points throughout the district, and whenever possible, link them. with neighboring departments to .improve .water availability, begin writing specifications for a replacement tanker, which they are planning to tentatively purchase in FY 2009-10 (if grant funds are unsuccessful), and continue to monitor call volume and trends to determine when to add additional career staff. Orange Rural Fire District $641,640 • The tax rate for this district is recommended to increase by .70 cents (from 5..60 to 6.30 cents) for FY 2008-09, as well as an appropriation of $18,071 from their available fund balance, to cover increased fuel and utilities costs, increased maintenance cost due. to aging buildings and apparatus, and costs associated with staffing two stations 24 hours, seven days per week in order to reduce response time and improve coverage. • In FY 2007-08, the department replaced a 1983 rescue truck, staffed station #2 with two (2) firefighters for better coverage in the northern section of the .district, added three (3) new .firefighter positions, completed application with the County for rescue charter in the district, applied for FEMA grant to replace outdated turn out gear, paid off debt on 2005 tanker, reduced response times in northern district, continued to have officers level 1 certified, and implemented automatic three department mutual aid on structure fires. • In FY 2008-09, the department plans to purchase aerial truck with the Town of Hillsborough, replace aten-year old vehicle, train all officers to Rescue Technician level, implement a comprehensive risk management plan, place mobile computers on fire engines for pre-plan inforLna_t~on, replace exist~g dr~~i_ydrant connections, lower response times to five minutes 6-4