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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Review of Fire Services Master Plan produced by CityGate Associates for the Glendale Fire Department.
1. Motion to Note and File.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for April 2, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Glendale commissioned a detailed study by outside consultants, CityGate Associates, to review three broad service delivery needs, and develop recommendations for the Glendale Fire Department. The three parts of the study include:
1. Fire crew deployment (Standards of Cover) to address station locations, apparatus types, unit staffing, response times and unit workloads.
2. Fire Department administrative staffing and program review focused on determining whether the current staffing is appropriate for technical oversight and leadership for Operations, EMS, and Prevention services.
3. Fire station physical assessments given the age of the stations to determine whether they meet current staffing needs, all gender access, and safety considerations given firefighter operational needs, and Occupational Safety and Health Code requirements. 2{{section.number}}a
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff respectfully recommends City Council review, note and file the Fire Services Master Plan for the Glendale Fire Department produced by CityGate Associates.
ANALYSIS
The City of Glendale commissioned a detailed study by outside consultants, CityGate Associates, to review three broad service delivery needs, and develop recommendations for the Glendale Fire Department. The three parts of the study include:
1. Fire crew deployment (Standards of Cover) to address station locations, apparatus types, unit staffing, response times and unit workloads. The current station locations are sufficient to ensure acceptable response times. Unit staffing is also acceptable, however, there is a need to add response units related to medical emergencies.
2. Fire Department administrative staffing and program review focused on determining whether the current staffing is appropriate for technical oversight and leadership for Operations, EMS, and Prevention services. Having sufficient administrative staffing is critical for proper support in all areas of emergency management.
3. A physical assessment of Fire stations given their age and 24/7 use to determine where they meet current staffing needs, all gender access, and safety considerations given firefighter operational needs and Occupational Safety and Health Code requirements.
The CityGate study’s major recommendations center around addressing Emergency Management Services and ambulance transport capacity, modest changes to administrative services, and critical needs to be addressed regarding the City’s aged fire stations. Staff’s proposed implementation plan will present the cost and timing to hire an experienced fire station architect, to prepare biddable plans for short term repairs to include, where possible, gender separating dorms, along with plans and estimated costs for complete station replacements as needed. Staff and the consultant understand the substantial cost associated with undertaking repair and replacement of stations; therefore, the proposed plan anticipates the City will be required to proceed in at least three phases and over several fiscal years.
The attachments that accompany this report have been developed in four volumes. These four volumes articulate the strengths and needs of the overall effectiveness of the Glendale Fire Department. Moreover, the attached master plan provide best practices and recommendations for improving the operations of the department. A representative from CityGate will be in attendance at the City Council meeting to present their findings in greater detail.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The impact of the CityGate study sheds light on the current successes and challenges the Glendale Fire Department faces when delivering services to the community. By accepting the findings and recommendations of this master plan, the public can be confident that the department has established a comprehensive roadmap to implement 3{{section.number}}a
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industry best practices bringing increased value to all stakeholders.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. The costs associated to address the needs discussed in the Fire Services Master Plan will be presented with staff’s recommendations to Council in the ensuing months. The implied fiscal impact from the recommendations within the attached master plan will be significant relative to fire station replacement and improvement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This matter is a study of the Fire Department needs and, as such, it can be seen with certainty there is no reasonable possibility that the noting and filing of this study will have a significant effect on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. City Council may choose to commission other studies and recommendations as an alternative to the CityGate Fire Services Master Plan.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Greg Fish, Fire Chief
Prepared by:
Greg Fish, Fire Chief
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS