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3 <br />December 1, 2008 <br />Orange County Rescue Squad, Incorporated Returning to Service <br />Rather than attempting to find fault, both entities have agreed to move forward. <br />Failure existed at both ends of the responsibility spectrum. However these <br />recent efforts to bring a community asset back in service has illustrated the need <br />for OCES to do a better job of maintaining the fidelity of a system that resembles <br />a quilt of first responders, career and non-career people dedicated to protecting <br />the community. <br />Shortly after the first of the year, I will bring to you for consideration language that <br />will update the franchise ordinance, which has not been updated since 1993. As <br />Staff discussed recently, the North Carolina Office of EMS is reported to be <br />updating complete rules of system operations and compliance within the next 60 <br />days. Once apprised of how the changes will affect the County's system, <br />franchise language updates will be necessary to ensure compliance by all <br />agencies. <br />Chief Matthews indicated the .future focus and goals of OCRS may transition <br />from "heavy rescue" provider to one in which they will offer an array of services <br />from special events medical support, incident management. support and land <br />search-and-rescue. OCRS's also would like to be affiliated with other like <br />agencies such as the Civil Air Patrol. This evolution will most certainly require <br />constant communication and compliance oversight to ensure the safety of OCRS <br />members and of competent service delivery to the community., One of the <br />troubling aspects of this series of discussions has been the fiscal health of <br />OCRS. While this may be considered an internal issue, further discussion is <br />necessary on this matter. In the unfortunate event OCRS became insolvent, that <br />may have negative effects on the entire system. <br />There are logistical issues to address prior to placing OCRS back in the <br />computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system such as making sure proper procedures <br />of data collection and related operations are in place. On November 18, 2008, <br />staff met with Chief Matthews, to discuss several topics including returning. <br />OCRS to service and the future of OCRS. I advised Chief Matthews OCRS <br />would be brought back online to provide special events coverage and medical <br />surge transport backup but would need to continue working on rescue <br />capabilities. Chief Matthews agreed that with every fire department providing or <br />soon to be providing extrication service the need for another similar service <br />would be duplicative. I was encouraged by Chief Matthews' candor and <br />willingness to explore ways in which OCRS could reinvent itself. OCES is <br />committed to assisting OCRS in finding ways to keep their membership engaged <br />as it discovers new ways to serve the community. <br />Page 3 <br />Care • Serve • Survive <br />