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HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2023-054•I rkk Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE �. 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Report File Number: AB2023-791 File ID: AB2023-791 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved File Created: 11/17/2023 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 12/05/2023 Agenda Date: 12/05/2023 Enactment #: RES 2023-054 Related Files: Primary Contact Email: chalka@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Resolution to establish an independent review of countywide fire and EMS structures SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: Resolution to establish an independent review of countywide fire and EMS structures HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To 12/05/2023 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 1 Elenbaas Abstain: 1 Kershner 12/05/2023 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 1 Elenbaas Abstain: 1 Kershner Attachments: Memo, Proposed Resolution, Substitute Resolution Amended in Committee 12.5.2023 Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 121612023 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 PROPOSED BY: FRAZEY INTRODUCTION DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2023 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-054 ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF COUNTYWIDE FIRE AND EMS STRUCTURES WHEREAS, Whatcom County residents and businesses are served by thirteen fire districts and two municipal fire departments; and WHEREAS, fire districts levy property taxes in their jurisdictions as well as receive revenues from the countywide EMS levy; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County EMS Administration manages EMS levy funds for the ALS (advanced life support, paramedic) system and portions of the BLS (basic life support, EMT) system as well as the data management system for EMS services and all EMS dispatching fees; and WHEREAS, the structures of our county's fire districts have changed over time as communities have grown and agencies have identified benefits to collaboration; and WHEREAS, partnerships between fire and EMS agencies have formed over time to capture cost efficiencies and improvements in service delivery; and WHEREAS, North Whatcom Fire & Rescue was formed through a functional consolidation of fire districts 4 and 21, and each continues to maintain separate commissions and share one chief; and WHEREAS, Fire District 8 completed an administrative consolidation in 2019 with Bellingham Fire, and the Bellingham Fire Chief serves as the fire chief for District 8; and WHEREAS, some fire districts rely on interlocal and mutual aid agreements to get assistance from other districts with elements of operations; and WHEREAS, many fire districts and departments have their own staff for training, human resources, and other staff services; and WHEREAS, partnerships can create efficiencies in costs and service delivery, and the collaboration that is already happening between fire districts acknowledges those benefits.; and WHEREAS, further consolidation opportunities could have many benefits for Whatcom County citizens in terms of cost savings and improved service delivery; and WHEREAS, fire agencies have their own administrations and hiring practices, as well as staffing structures comprised of full-time, part-time, and volunteer fire fighters; and WHEREAS, through partnerships or consolidation, fire agencies may provide more consistent recruitment, hiring, and training practice for staff and first responders; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council represents the people of Whatcom County and looks out for their best interests; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 WHEREAS, the time is right to complete an independent review of the structures of our county's fire and EMS service providers as well as the Whatcom County EMS Administration; and WHEREAS, an independent review can provide transparency for the public and identify potential benefits and drawback of consolidation opportunities. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council commissions an independent study of the countywide fire and emergency management system (EMS) structures; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a consultant team will be hired through the Whatcom County Council office; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that regular updates to the County Council will be provided on progress of the study; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the study will include an overview of the current fire district, fire department, and county EMS administration systems, an evaluation of potential consolidation opportunities and benefits, and include stakeholder engagement, as further defined in Exhibit A: Scope of Work. r-f��t A00ROVEb t,i,sh :day of December , 2023. F, €3� ©4 4d WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEs-r v ' , WHATCOM COUNTY, WAAHINGTON na 13rown-Da'„i' 1� of the Council Bar B c anaCouncil Chair APPROVED AS TO FORM: /s/Karen Frakes approved via email on 12/6/2023/MR Civil Deputy Prosecutor 1 EXHIBIT A: SCOPE OF WORK 2 3 Background 4 Whatcom County area residents and businesses are served by 13 fire districts and 2 municipal fire 5 departments, as well as the county EMS administration. Over time as communities have grown, these 6 agencies have collaborated on varying elements of services. This study will review the structures, budgets, 7 and service delivery of the current systems and identify recommendations for further collaboration and or 8 consolidation. Additionally, the study will identify potential benefits and drawbacks of enhanced 9 partnerships and/or consolidations. 10 11 Tasks 12 1. Discovery 13 Review and compile complete profiles on fire districts, fire departments, and county EMS 14 administration including budgeting, staffing, interlocal agreements, administration, roles and 15 responsibilities and other critical elements of the fire service structure in the county. 16 2. Outreach & Engagement 17 Provide opportunities for feedback and discussion about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, 18 and threats to the current systems and structures. Identify the benefits and barriers to consolidation 19 3. Draft Recommendations 20 Provide recommendations and options for how our community could move forward to re -envision 21 fire and EMS structures. Include potential cost savings and other benefits projected for each option. 22 Include specific information on potential staffing changes and jobs retention. 23 4. Final Report 24 Summarize all tasks in a final report. 25 26 Stakeholders 27 • Fire District Administration, staff, and first responders 28 • Bellingham and Lynden fire departments 29 • Whatcom County EMS 30 • EMS Oversight Board, Technical Advisory Board 31 • Whatcom County EMS & Trauma Care Council 32 • What-COMM Dispatch 33 • Elected officials 34 • Union and Guilds 35 • Community leaders 36 37 Deliverables 38 A final report document (PDF) summarizing findings and recommendations, including all tasks described 39 above. 40 41 Timeline 42 Approximately 12-18 months. 43 44 Cost 45 Estimated $275,000, to be confirmed through a request for proposals (RFP) process