1. City of Dania Beach
Fire-Rescue Department
“Advancing Service Through Caring “
To: J.R. Fernandez, Fire Chief
From: Michael Cassano, Deputy Fire Chief
Date: August 16, 2010
Re: Monthly Report – July 2010
Chief Fernandez, provided herein is the monthly report for July 2010. I have additionally provided within this report,
comparative July data over the previous several years. These comparatives, provide jurisdictional understanding that
emphasizes the tremendous individual and collective workload currently placed on this fire rescue organization. The
month of July 2010 represents continued advancements within service related performance benchmarks, especially
regarding personnel training hours, Fire Prevention inspected properties, overall call volume, and unit hour utilization
of personnel’s time.
At a current call volume rate, of nearly 23 (911) calls daily, the department is taxed even in what used to be referred to
as the “slow summer season”. Coupling these figures, with the fact that nearly 75% of those 911 calls are for medical
emergencies, it becomes obvious that each emergency call
BLS & ALS Ratios
requires an elongated time to handle. Additionally, a more
100%
77% thorough review indicated that, there is a growing medical
80% 73%
64% 66% 65% 66%
60% protocol propensity for 911 calls to be treated with
35% 33% 34% 32% Advanced Life Support care levels. This BLS to ALS
40% 26% 21%
20% differential seen to the left, strongly indicates that each call
1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2%
0%
is requiring additional “treatment to transport” time and
FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010
thereby making individual unit apparatus autonomy, a
BLS ALS1 ALS2
necessary system expectation.
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2. PILLAR: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT
The department is currently engaged in a number of fiscal challenges and efforts. Bulleted below are a number of those
current issues, underscoring the need to quickly codify a new and fiscally sound, collective bargaining agreement. The
hiring of personnel under the SAFER Grant award, and the replacement of three open paramedic firefighter positions,
due to mid-year retirements, are apparently tied to a new agreement and thus exponentially burden the overall process.
Additionally, the fiscal year 2011 budget has been presented to the CM and Finance Director. Many budget documents
indicated the need for personnel, vehicles and apparatus, equipment, and program modifications, and did receive the
initial support necessary to have it as part of the CM’s, City of Dania Beach recommended budget for FY11.
Current fiscal responsibility challenges:
Ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement discussions
Finalization of new hire recommendations submitted to HR for SAFER Grant compliance
Finalization of the Fire Assessment Fee Study / recommendations
Review of Transport Fees; local survey completed; resident policy, assessment of costs, charges, and payers
Review of Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division fees for service
GRANT AWARD STATUS:
SAFER GRANT: Personnel screenings, oral and written testing has all been completed for over 180 applicants.
Final selections in ranked order have been provided to the Human Resource Department for processing once
CBA is finalized.
Video Laryngoscopes: Received product / commencement of “Competency Based Training” (CBT) for all
paramedic personnel through the regional training representative, Ambu with an August completion date.
(2) Field/Event Medical Transport Carts: Chassis received, lighting packages and finishing body work
through August with delivery by the end of September.
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3. PILLAR: OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
EOC Readiness Initiatives: The City of Dania Beach approved the purchase of Satellite Systems, Phones,
Data Lines, TV’s, and various equipment used to improve the readiness, resiliency, and redundancies between
our two EOC locations. All equipment has been ordered, and waiting to be installed, creating phone line
capacity & communication resiliency as part of the initial steps towards Emergency Management improvements.
Communication Efforts: GETS Cards – Government Emergency Telecommunication System Cards were
applied for and received, Verizon Cellular Redundancy Phones: Contact lists and phone lists set into every
phone pending emergency events. CC – Alert: Activated the Dania Beach, mass communication device used
to send messages to all essential personnel as disaster / important events take place.
FIRE PREVENTION & LIFE SAFETY DIVISION: Presented below are the Fire Prevention Division productivity figures
for July 2010, with previous year comparatives for trending assessment purposes.
Inspected Properties:
2010: 304
2009: 244
2008: 264
2007: 231
Square Footage Reviewed # Plans Time Spent Turn-around Time Back to Customer
2010: 713,295 50 37 hrs 1.2 Days
2009: 823,358 43 37 hrs 1.7Days
2008: 771,493 45 59 hrs 1.6 Days
2007 821,946 21
Fees:
Submitted July to Finance (without impact fees / matches H.T.E.):
2010: $30,515.00
2009: $23,921.00
2008: $27,335.00
2007: $13,370.00
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4. Emergency Responses
Total Calls For Service July 2010 =673
Total Calls For Service July 2009 = 627
Emergency
Medical
73%
Fires and Service/Good
Hazards Intent
Fire Alarms
4% 15%
8%
Automatic Aid
July 2010 Given 129 Received 108
July 2009 Given 138 Received 106
160
140
120
100 Given
80 Received
60
40
20
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
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5. FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING RECORD
DOCUMENTATION GRAPHIC FOR JULY 2010
Total Monthly Personnel Training Hours
2010:1483
2009: 891
2008: 990
JULY TRAINING
Operational Improvement
Pillar: Professional Development
Customer Service / Community Outreach
2009: Total Hours: 891 2010: Total Hours: 1483
Fire/ISO Fire/ISO
61% 77%
Other
Other EMS 9%
EMS
10% 29% 14%
Fire EMS Other Fire EMS Other
Advanced Computer Airway Computer
Hose Lays Haz Mat
Airway Training Management Training
Mutual Aide Probationary
CEU’s FPL Training LP 15 Rescue Jack
Airport Drill Employee
New Rescue
Eo Training Other EMS Shift Meeting MSA Make-up Vehicle
Training
EO Training
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7. Transport Comparison by Month
350
300
250
FY 2007
200
FY 2008
150
FY 2009
100 FY 2010
50
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Monthly Collection Comparison for FY05 - Present
$120,000
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
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FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010
BLS & ALS Ratios
100%
73% 77%
80% 64% 66% 65% 66%
60%
35% 33% 34% 32%
40% 26% 21%
20%
1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2%
0%
FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010
BLS ALS1 ALS2
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8. Charge Mix
Medicare
Self Pay 24%
34%
Medicaid
19%
Insurance
23%
Payor Mix
Self Pay
6%
Medicare
30%
Insurance
53% Medicaid
11%
The July 2010 Report is submitted herein for your review and comment.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Cassano, Deputy Fire Chief
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