AGENDA REPORT. FOR: City Council February 10, TO: Dave Zabell, City Manager Regular Meeting: 2/16/16

Transcription

1 AGENDA REPORT FOR: City Council February 10, 2016 TO: Dave Zabell, City Manager Regular Meeting: 2/16/16 FROM: SUBJECT: Bob Gear, Fire Chief Fire Department I. REFERENCE(S): - Executive Summary - PowerPoint Presentation II. ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL / STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: MOTION: I move to establish a within the Pasco Fire Department. III. FISCAL IMPACT: $200,000 first year (Capital, training and equipment) $35,000 to $45,000 per year after start up (training and operations) IV. HISTORY AND FACTS BRIEF: Over the past four years, the Tri-Cities area has experienced over 30 drowning incidents in the area of Columbia River, Snake River, and Yakima River within the area of the McNary pool. In 2015 three drownings occurred within waterways of the city. Further, much of the tourism economy of the greater Tri-Cities involves activities such as; fishing derbies, Water Follies, lighted boat parade, water skiing, hunting and similar acitivites. The City of Pasco encompasses 3.58 square miles of waterway and approximately 13 river miles of shoreline. V. DISCUSSION: Marine assets currently operating in the area include boats operated by various Law Enforcement Agencies, United State Fish and Wildlife, State Game Department and

2 Columbia Basin Dive Rescue; however, none of these organizations have boats or trained rescue swimmers immediately available during the winter. The Coast Guard Station in Kennewick is an "Aids to Navigation" station and does not provide search and rescue services. They respond with a helicopter from Astoria for search and rescue work in the McNary pool. Seeing a critical need for water rescue capabilities, in 2015 Pasco Fire Department employees initiated a conversation with senior department management on the topic and together explored in earnest the possibility of forming a. The program was brought forward and the adopted Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included a rescue boat. Program costs, with a boat, were included in the 2016 preliminary budget; however, the boat was pulled from consideration prior to final adoption upon word that an anticipated grant was not going to materialize. As discussed with City Council during the CIP and 2016 budget processes, the Pasco Fire Department would be focused on prevention, preparedness and response for water related safety and incidents in collaboration with Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Columbia Basin Dive Rescue and other boating organizations. Lacking the hoped-for grant, Fire staff spent the last several weeks looking for ways to reduce the originally anticipated initial equipment cost of the rescue boat and evaluating available resources to find a way in which the program could go forward within current resource limits. With the additional costs that came with the grant shed, and the specifications for the boat tightened considerably, the estimated cost for the boat was reduced by approximately $75,000. In addition, a review of department fleet inventory revealed an overage of funds set aside for the replacement of an existing piece of equipment sufficient to fund the now estimated cost of the boat. The equipment life cycle has been extended appropriately making these funds available for use. With sufficient funding available to implement a surface, swift-water rescue service for water related incidents within the City of Pasco limits and/or within existing auto/mutual aid boundaries, the Department is poised to move forward. The will not significantly increase the river related incidents to which the Pasco Fire Department responds. Currently, when there is an incident on the Snake or Columbia Rivers, fire/ems agencies from both sides of the river are dispatched to standby on the bank in the event assistance can be rendered from shore. For incidents on the Columbia due to prevailing winds water craft and boaters in distress almost always end up on the Pasco side. Having a boat to access the river may serve to reduce the total time devoted to a water based incident. The Department is required to provide water rescue training to our personnel in accordance with WAC Presently, they enter the water to recover victims, or may utilize the Sheriff's boat or available privately owned boats. Additional training will be in operations of the rescue boat, and accomplished in a normal on-duty status to

3 the extent possible. The current water rescue technicians (5 members) attended technician level training on their own time with the City paying only their registration costs. The additional needed technicians (4) will also attend on their own time with the City paying only for their registration. Once certified at the technician level and accepted on the team they will be eligible for training overtime, which will be approximately 2 hours per month each.

4 Executive Summary The goal of this document is to identify the level of service that the Pasco Fire Department will provide for water related incidents within the City of Pasco city limits through the establishment and support of a. The plan program document provides the framework to guide the Water Rescue Program regarding compliance with NFPA industry standards, Washington Administrative Codes, and safe operations of land and water based rescue services. Mission Statement The Pasco Fire Department will provide surface water rescue services for water related incidents within the City of Pasco city limits and/or within existing auto/mutual aid boundaries as defined by NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Water Rescue Technicians will be certified and qualified in accordance with the Level 2, Swift Water Rescue Technical Rescuer Qualifications as defined by NFPA 1006, 2008 edition chapter 11. Foundational Ideology To fulfill requirements of the industry standards, the following NFPA standards have been identified and interpretations of these standards have been applied by the authority having jurisdiction; NFPA 1006 (2008 edition) Chapters 4, 5, 11; Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Identifies the level of rescue services provided and the individual qualifications required NFPA 1670 (2009 edition) Chapters 4, 5, 9; Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Identifies techniques, skill sets and training requirements for individuals Program Justification Over the past four years, the Tri-Cities area has experienced over 30 drownings in the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers. Further, much of the tourism economy of the greater Tri-Cities area is centered on water based activities such as; fishing derbies, Water Follies, and the Lighted Boat Parade. As of this writing, there is no organized surface water rescue program in the Tri-Cities area. Program Goals Develop a focused preparedness and response program for water related safety and incidents. Ideally, the program would spend 50% of its time in preparedness activities such as water and boater safety education, public speaking engagements promoting the organization, and continuing education, and 50% of its time in collaborative on-water activities with Franklin County Sheriff s Office, Columbia Dive Rescue, and other boating organizations.

5 Executive Summary Program Development Initially, the water rescue program will be centered on a core group of qualified individuals. This core group will develop preparedness and training programs, personal protective equipment and rescue equipment needs, and establish collaborative relationships that will be the nexus of the program. It is expected that during FY2016, a more formalized team will be developed. The team will (initially, and in consideration of budgetary constraints) be comprised of 11 qualified members. Individuals selected for inclusion shall be minimally qualified and/or certified in the following (see course descriptions): SRT1 SRT2 Rope Rescue Technician ICS 100 ICS 200 ICS 700 ICS 800 IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations Level Wa. State Emergency Medical Technician Desired requirements include: Minimum of three years employment with PFD and at least satisfactory evaluations during the three year period Successful completion of competency swim test Must be able to pass a physical Selection Process Interested candidates shall submit to the Asst. Chief Operations and Plans, A letter of intent that includes copies of required certifications/qualifications A letter of endorsement from their immediate supervisor A letter of endorsement from their Battalion Commander Candidate packages shall be reviewed preliminarily reviewed by the Asst. Chief Operations and Plans for accuracy and completeness. Application packages that meet or exceed minimum requirements shall be forwarded to the technical rescue program director for consideration.

6 Executive Summary Discharge Process Candidates may be discharged from team membership for any of the following reasons (including, but not limited to) Letter of resignation Failure to meet or maintain qualifications (including participation standards) Evaluation by team leader Recommendation of immediate, shift, or Operations supervisor All discharges shall be reviewed by a panel consisting of 1 Battalion Chief and two active members of the team. Discharges will cause forfeiture of any premium pays. Preparedness Concept Progressive and proactive fire departments are beginning to recognize the need to focus on preparedness and education activities while still maintaining well-trained and effective reactionary/mitigation forces. The primary goal of a water rescue program must be equally focused on proactive activities in preparedness and education within the community and in reactionary emergency responses. It is expected that members of the water rescue program will participate in public and private water safety programs. Examples of these programs include but are not limited to: regular/annual in-service training with City of Pasco Life Guards, public speaking engagements with social organizations such as Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce and others, collaborative education with Franklin County Sheriff, Columbia Basin Dive Rescue, and the Pasco Fire Department Public Education program. The goal of the water rescue program is to provide at least 6 public educational opportunities annually. Response Concept The water rescue team will respond to in-water emergencies within the auto/mutual aid response areas of the greater Tri-Cities. The anticipated water emergency environments within this area include swift water (Columbia, Snake, Yakima Rivers and various canals), and still water emergencies at local and private pools and various ponds and similar bodies of water located in and around the City of Pasco. The water rescue team will respond to in water emergencies; operating in either a land-based or water based operational mode using throwbags, floatation devices and rescue swimming techniques. For emergencies on the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers the water rescue team will also use boat based rescue techniques in collaboration with Franklin, Benton and Walla Walla County Sheriff s Dept. s and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue.

7 Executive Summary Course Descriptions SRT1 24 hrs. This course covers Swiftwater fundamentals and the operational skills necessary to conduct rescues in a swiftwater environment required by NFPA 1670 chapter 9 to the Operations Level requirement. The course will be reviewed for compliance annually or as needed to keep the water rescue team members trained to the most current rescue standards and techniques. SRT2 24 hrs. This course is the minimum training recommended for those who work alongside, in, or on moving water. The classroom session provides detailed knowledge of hydrology and hazards associated with moving water. The drill sessions provide skill development including shallow water crossings, selfrescue and effective techniques for the rescue of others. The program meets the objectives of NFPA 1670 chapter 9. Rope Rescue 24 hrs. This course covers rope rescue fundamentals and skills required by NFPA 1006 chapter 5. These skills can be used to respond to and operate in the water rescue environment. The course will be reviewed for compliance annually or as needed to keep the water rescue team members trained to the most current rescue standards and techniques. ICS 100 Introduction to the Incident Command System 2 hrs. This course introduces the incident command system and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. The course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System and explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). ICS 200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents 2 hrs. This course is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System. It provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS. ICS 700 National Incident Management System, An Introduction This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. ICS 800 National Response Framework, An Introduction This course introduces the participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework. 2 hrs. 2 hrs.

8 Executive Summary IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations 24 hrs. This course is designed to train the student to Operations Level as defined by NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents and OSHA 29 CFR The individuals are trained to respond in a defensive fashion for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property or the environment from the effects of a hazardous materials release. Emergency Medical Technician 132 hrs. This course covers anatomy and physiology, initial patient survey and triage, airway management, oxygen therapy, and treatment of trauma, shock, cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies. Attached is a taskbook that will be completed annually and used to document recurring training for individual water rescue team members.

9 Pasco Fire Department

10 Program Justification Pasco Fire Department 1. 8% of the total square mileage of the City of Pasco is water. 2. The City includes roughly 13 river miles of shoreline. 3. Over the past 4 years, there has been over 30 drownings on the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers.

11 Program Justification Pasco Fire Department Tri-Cities Area Water Based Activities

12 Program Goals Pasco Fire Department Develop a focused preparedness and response program for water related safety and incidents. Ideally, the program would spend at least 50% of its time in preparedness activities such as water and boater safety education, public speaking engagements and continued training. The other 50% of its time would be spent in collaborative on-water activities with Franklin County Sheriff s Office, Columbia Basin Dive Rescue, and other boating organizations. Provide for immediate (<10 min.) launch of rescue boat with qualified personnel for water related emergencies.

13 Program Progress Pasco Fire Department The program centers around a core group of individuals who have received training in Swiftwater Rescue, Rope Rescue, Incident Command, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Medicine. Those that qualify will comprise the water based (technician level) program. The remainder of the department will be (has been) trained to the land based (operations level) qualification.

14 Program Progress Pasco Fire Department During the 2015 boating season, the fire department, in collaboration with Franklin County Sheriff s Office provided technician level capabilities during: Water Follies Available weekends Participated in collaborative drills with the FCSO Began operations level training with FD members

15 Program Agenda 2016 Pasco Fire Department Specify and investigate options for a rescue boat. Extend water safety awareness to our partner departments. Continue and expand relationships with Franklin County Sheriff s Office and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue. Develop relationships with the Coast Guard, Benton County & Walla Walla County Sheriff s Offices Initiate public outreach for boater safety with the Public Education Group

16 Program Summary Pasco Fire Department All three cities are considering river shore enhancements that will attract more recreational use of our waterways. Currently, there is no immediate rescue capability for water based incidents in the Tri-Cities area. Our department and City are positioned to provide this service. If not us.then Who?