Laserfiche WebLink
Orono Fire Needs Assessment <br />4 | Page <br /> <br />1.0 Executive Summary <br /> <br />This needs analysis was compiled by the Orono Fire chief with assistance from the rest of the <br />Orono staff and in consultation with the Orono Fire Negotiating Committee. The purpose of <br />the analysis is to establish the future needs of Fire and Emergency Services for Orono residents <br />and review various means of meeting those needs. This report provides analysis on the current <br />state of Fire and Emergency Services in Orono and looks at how the city should prepare for the <br />future. <br /> <br />Staff recommends the establishment of an Orono Fire Department based on the following: <br />• Establishment of a Suburban Response Standard <br />• An organizational structure consisting of a combination of full time, duty crew and paid <br />on call firefighters <br />• A capital investment plan with sufficient funding to meet National Fire Protection <br />(NFPA) guidelines within 10 years and then maintain the fleet and facilities into the <br />future. <br />• Establish contracts with partner cities to provide them service were mutually beneficial <br />but using a cost distribution model that is equitable. <br /> <br />The review of the current system identifies issues with systemic underfunding of capital and <br />staffing deficiencies. The revenues set aside for capital investment have not kept pace with <br />inflation. Due to this lack of funding, the department finds itself with an aging fleet and <br />facilities that need many updates but no funding for either. Staffing has not kept pace with <br />demand nor the expectations of the cities and citizens. <br />1.1 Response Guidelines <br />The first item Orono should address is establishment of response guidelines. Staff recommends <br />that Orono Fire strive to achieve the Suburban Area Demand Zone, per NFPA 17201 or better, <br />per NFPA 17102 if staffing stations. By adopting a response guideline, staff can better <br />recommend staffing models that will meet and or exceed the guideline. Currently, there are no <br />formally adopted response guidelines. <br /> <br /> <br />1 NFPA 1720: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical <br />Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments; NFPA <br />2 NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical <br />Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments; NFPA