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2002 03 06 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN March 6, 2002 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on March 6, 2002, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance: Ronnie Anderson Council Member Coleman Godwin Council Member Calvin Mundinger Council Member Don Murray Council Member Mercedes Renteria III Council Member Scott Sheley Council Member Pete C. Alfaro Mayor Monte Mercer City Manager Ignacio Ramirez City Attorney Gary W. Smith City Clerk The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was conducted: Discuss Fire Department Staffing. City Manager Monte Mercer outlined the topics for the meeting, to review the methods considered to address the mandates of Senate Bill 382; deliver the additional information requested during the work session held on the same topic on February 14, 2002; review the insurance service organization rating information; and discuss real -life impacts from SB 382. On September 1, 2001 when SB 382 became law, members of paid fire departments were required to work in teams of two or more. If one team entered a structure fire, one team was required to remain outside the structure. The four options previously presented were to remain with the status quo (3 staffing), 4 staff two outlying stations, create a flying squad, or 4 staff each engine. Another option considered was using our EMT's as fire fighters. However, availability could not be assured for responses to fires. Therefore, that option was not presented. Prior to the effective date of SB 382, 10 fire fighters were dispatched to each structure fire and included two engine companies, a ladder truck and the Battalion Chief. Since the effective date of SB 382 we have dispatched 13 fire fighters, including three engine companies, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief. A structure fire presently requires a response from four of our five stations. Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the Work Session —March 6, 2002 The change in the time to begin an aggressive attack of the fire is as follows: Pre -SB 382 4.41 minutes Post -SB 382 5.59 minutes. The second responding unit must arrive before the aggressive attack on the fire can begin. This can lead to the first unit responding and not being able to take action to suppress the fire until the arrival of the second unit. In the years 2000 and 2001, the fire losses were approximately $1,000,000. The City averages about fifty fires per year. Cities in Texas with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 were surveyed. Of the 23 paid departments, 80% did not have 4 staffing, and Odessa, Lewisville, Richardson, and Sugarland have 4 staffing. From our conversations, at least one -half of the eighteen departments with 3 staffing will have some increase to staffing due to SB 382. The average response times for the surveyed cities are as follows: First unit 4.67 minutes Second unit 6.24 minutes. The Insurance Service Organization rating for fire insurance is based 40% on water supply, 50% on fire operations, and 10% on communications. The rating for Baytown is presently 4. If we begin 4 staffing, the rating could go to 3. To have the rating at 2 would require an additional station and a new ladder company. If the ISO rate goes from 4 to 3, a homeowner might receive a savings of 2 %. If the rate were at 2, the homeowner might have a savings of 10% from the current rates. Only Plano has a 1 rating. Assuming the average home value to be $60,000, the potential savings would be $20. Council Member Murray requested information that would reflect potential insurance savings, based on set assumptions, if the ISO ratings were changed. Council Member Sheley requested a similar schedule for tax costs that could result from the proposals to change the ISO rating. Mr. Mercer calculated, based on the average home value of $60,000 and 15,000 single - family residential structures, that the best -case insurance savings would be approximately $300,000 for all homeowners in Baytown. Mr. Mercer also indicated that the actual savings realized could be substantially different based on the individual premium calculations. Mr. Mercer related the experiences of two recent structure fires. On February 28 a fire in the early morning hours occurred at 5405 Bayless. The first unit arrived in six minutes. The second unit arrived three minutes later. The fire fighters were required to forcibly remove the homeowner from the residence. He was attempting to suppress the fire by use of a garden hose. Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the Work Session —March 6, 2002 On February 21 at about 6:00 p.m. a fire occurred on East Fayle. The first unit arrived in 3 minutes. The second unit arrived two minutes later. The aggressive fire attack was delayed until the second unit arrived. With 4 staffing, the aggressive fire attack can begin at time of the arrival of the first unit. Fire Chief Dale Palmer explained that due to the wood frame construction in many parts of town, there is a significant amount of fuel available for a fire. The fire grows by 20% in two minutes and doubles every two minutes. Delay in beginning the aggressive attack will have a significant impact on property damage. Mr. Mercer continued that the decision on response to SB 382 is local. Mayor Alfaro stated that the only way to maintain the service level of fire protection previously provided in the City is to go to 4 staffing. Council Member Anderson inquired about the means to obtain further review of the ISO rating. Chief Palmer responded that due to improvements in the water supply and if the decision were to go to 4 staffing, the evaluator indicated that the rate would be 3. Mr. Mercer continued that the rating system employs a divergence factor. Improvements in one area are offset if corresponding improvements are not made in other areas. Chief Palmer explained that SB 382 has seven components. The City complies with five of the components presently. Staffing is one area of non - compliance. The other area is the acquisition and implementation of software to track the condition of equipment. Council Member Murray asked if the proposed increase in staffing of fifteen fire fighters would provide around -the -clock 4 staffing for Baytown. Mr. Mercer replied that it would cover all scheduled leave. Unscheduled leave would be covered by overtime. Council Member Renteria inquired about the plans for the 18 paid departments that use 3 staffing. Chief Palmer responded that many were waiting to see what happens in Baytown. Council Member Mundinger asked, if the decision were made to go to 4 staffing, when would the change begin? Mr. Mercer replied that two decisions are required. The first would require a decision to get through this budget year. The second decision would be made during the budget sessions, in May, June and July, on how to handle the recurring costs. Mayor Alfaro requested the City Manager to provide Council with the information needed to implement 4 staffing this year. Council Member Murray questioned whether an action by City Council would impact, or be impacted by, the proposed Charter amendment. After discussion, the general conclusion was that if the amendment were not approved, it would be difficult to determine Page 4 of 4 Minutes of the Work Session —March 6, 2002 !p� whether the voters opposed additional staffing or opposed a Charter amendment as the method of requiring staffing in the Fire Department. Council Member Godwin reminded Council that Baytown has a good response time. 2001 had fewer responses than 2000 (an average of 5.6 fewer responses per district), but had an average of $20,000 greater losses per district. Adjourn. Council Member Renteria moved that the meeting be adjourned. Council Member Godwin seconded the motion. The vote follows: Aye: Council Members Anderson, Godwin, Mundinger, Murray, Renteria and Sheley Mayor Alfaro Nay: None. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m. G W. Smith City Clerk