Placentia City Council
AGENDA REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
SUBJECT: CITY RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT ENTITLED: "WHERE'S THE FIRE?" STOP SENDING FIRE TRUCKS TO MEDICAL CALLS
FISCAL
IMPACT: NONE
SUMMARY:
The Orange County Grand Jury issued a report on May 20, 2022, entitled: ."Where's the Fire?" Stop sending fire trucks to medical calls. The report is an in-depth analysis of the existing fire -based EMS service model within Orange County, and it provides a series of findings and recommendations for local agencies to address and implement. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), County of Orange, and all cities with municipal fire departments in Orange County were directed by the Grand Jury to review and respond to its findings and recommendations. Pursuant to State law, the City is obligated to provide a response along with the City's Fire Chief, both of which have been attached to this agenda report for the City Council's review.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Review the City's response to the Grand Jury Report; and
2. Direct Staff to submit the letter to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Grand Jury.
DISCUSSION:
On May 20, 2022, the Orange County Grand Jury released a report entitled: "Where's the Fire?" Stop sending fire trucks to medical calls. This report was based on a study the Grand Jury conducted to understand the structure, staffing and response models for various fire departments within California, as well as the relationship among the fire agencies and the Orange County Emergency Medical Service (OCEMS). The Grand Jury interviewed OCFA leadership, fire chiefs inside and outside Orange County, city managers, personnel from OCEMS, private ambulance company executives, and firefighter union leadership, as well as reviewed and analyzed volumes of data and information. At the conclusion of the report, the Grand Jury expressed concern over
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Sept. 6, 2022
City Council Agenda
September 6, 2022
the current EMS service model utilized by fire agencies within Orange County in which a number of agencies send fire engines and other large fire apparatus to medical calls. In addition, the report singled out Placentia and its fire and life safety model with a special commendation to the City for innovation in the face of concerted opposition.
The final Grand Jury report (Attachment 1) produced several findings and recommendations and has directed a number of local agencies to individually respond to those findings and recommendations. In addition, local fire chiefs have been directed to respond as well. The attached letters (Attachment 2 and 3) are the City's and the Fire Chief's proposed responses to the Grand Jury Report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
Prepared by:
Luis Estevez
Deputy City ministrator
And approved:
"-v
Dobine
Fir- hief
Attachments:
1. Grand Jury Report
2. City's Response Letter
3. Fire Chief's Response Letter
Reviewed and approved:
Damien -R. Arrula
City Administrator