13.A.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 06/05/2018
- Co-Submitter:
- Irene Hunkler
- From:
- Katie Brandis, Dispatch Supervisor
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2018-29: A resolution approving the Intergovernmental Agreement for Dispatch Services between the Pinewood Fire District and the City of Flagstaff.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Read Resolution No. 2018-29 by title only
2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2018-29 by title only (if approved above)
3) Adopt Resolution No. 2018-29
2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2018-29 by title only (if approved above)
3) Adopt Resolution No. 2018-29
Executive Summary:
The City of Flagstaff acting through the Police Department, desires to provide dispatching services to the Pinewood Fire District. This agreement will be for five-years during which dispatch services will be provided to the Pinewood Fire District. Approval of this agreement will continue to enhance interagency collaboration, information sharing via direct radio contact and better interoperability between the Pinewood Fire District, other fire agencies, and the Flagstaff 911 Communications Center. This will enable a faster response to fire and medical emergencies for the citizens in their district. This will allow for real time information sharing with other fire districts directly via radio rather than relaying information through third party telephone contact.
Financial Impact:
Approval of this agreement will establish cost recovery for the indirect and direct costs based on the currently utilized cost per call format. The fiscal year 2019 projected cost recovery for Pinewood Fire would be approximately $26,700. This number is based on the actual calls for service that were relayed by the Flagstaff 911 Communications Center to a second party for dispatch services in 2017. The current cost per call formula is what the Flagstaff 911 Communications Center applies through contracts to all user agencies dispatched by the Communications Center.
Policy Impact:
None.
Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:
Effective Governance (Public Safety Goal PF.3). Provide high-quality emergency response and public safety services including law enforcement, fire, and medical transport.
By approving this agreement, the Pinewood Fire District will be dispatched consistently along with the other rural fire departments currently served by our Communications Center. This change insures direct and inter-operative communication between the responding fire and medical units and the dispatch center by providing direct radio information relays rather than by telephone to a second party. This agreement is now possible because the expansion of Pinewood Fire District's radio systems ability to reach the 911 Communications Center.
By approving this agreement, the Pinewood Fire District will be dispatched consistently along with the other rural fire departments currently served by our Communications Center. This change insures direct and inter-operative communication between the responding fire and medical units and the dispatch center by providing direct radio information relays rather than by telephone to a second party. This agreement is now possible because the expansion of Pinewood Fire District's radio systems ability to reach the 911 Communications Center.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
No.
Options and Alternatives:
The Council may choose to approve or disapprove this agreement. If approved, this agreement allows direct communication/dispatch interoperability with the Pinewood Fire District. Disapproval will eliminate direct contact with the field units and will require that we continue to use a second party to pass along fire and medical information to or from Pinewood Fire.
Background and History:
Historically, the Sedona Fire Department and Guardian Medical Transport have been the dispatch service providers for the Pinewood Fire District. The Flagstaff 911 Communications Center is the Primary Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for Coconino County which includes the Pinewood community. We handle all incoming 911 and business calls for service.
Currently all pertinent information for fire or medical calls is gathered and then relayed via telephone to a member of Guardian Medical Transport. They then dispatch the information to the responding Pinewood Fire units via radio. The Pinewood Fire units currently do not have direct contact to our Communications Center. They must contact their dispatcher who then calls our Communications Center if they need assistance from a deputy or to relay any information regarding the call for service.
This is not the most efficient way to conduct business for the customer requesting assistance.
The development of this contract is based on the expansion of the Pinewood Fire District’s radio systems ability to reach the Flagstaff 911 Communications Center from the Munds Park area.
Key Considerations:
The approval of this agreement will provide streamlined, direct and consistent dispatch services as outlined and for financial consideration based on a cost per call basis. This will ensure direct and intra-operative communication between Pinewood Fire District and the 911 Communications Center.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
This agreement provides for payment based on a cost per call basis and will assist in offsetting the cost of operating the Communications Center.
Community Involvement:
The approval of this agreement will maintain a positive relationship with the Pinewood Fire District that will enable quick, efficient and effective responses of fire and emergency personnel as a result of 911 calls from individuals, citizens and community members within their district. By dispatching directly to the necessary units, it will eliminate the need for a second party to relay information and the potential for the loss of information in that translation. Approval of this agreement will make the Pinewood Fire District a fully active member of the Communications User Group allowing them to provide input and feedback to the Communications Center on procedures and policies related to best practices.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
Inform: The Pinewood Fire District has requested dispatch services from the Flagstaff Police Department 9-1-1 Communications Center.