Placentia Fire and Life Safety Update City of Placentia City of Placentia October 21, 2025 June 30, 2025 – July 1, 2023
Motto We show up, connect, and engage with our community. Purpose Statement Dedication to Serve, Courage to Act, Ability to Perform Values and property conservation. excellence, so that we may continue to lead the way in providing for life safety dedicated to progressive training, forward thinking and a commitment to The men and women of the Placentia Fire & Life Safety Department are Vision Statement (Out of Many; One) “E Pluribus Unum”
Command Staff Fire Marshal Cody Roesti, Michael Finnerty, Deputy Fire Chief Api Weinert, Fire Chief Jason Dobine,
Call Summary *Source: Placentia Public Safety Communications Center EMS: 0:04:54 • Fire: 0:06:56 • Average Response Time: 7,721 EMS Calls – 2,924 Fire Calls – 10,645 Calls for Service • June 30, 2025 – July 1, 2023
Fire Calls *Source: Placentia Public Safety Communications Center 181 - • Single Resource Assignments: 14 • 539 – Mutual Aid • 1,310 – Alarms / Service Calls • 520 – Traffic Collisions • 360 – Fire Calls • 2,924 Calls June 30, 2025: – July 1, 2023
EMS Calls *Source: Placentia Public Safety Communications Center 261 – Poisoning Psychiatric / Abnormal, Overdose, • 185 – Stroke • 373 – Bleeding / Traumatic Injuries • 579 – Chest Pain / Cardiac Arrest • 1,277 – Falls • 2,389 – Breathing & Sick Person • June 30, 2025: – July 1, 2023
Single Resource Deployments General Fund travel, and fleet expenses Offsetting overtime, supplies, totaling over $272,600 Received state reimbursements • RADO, HEQB, IMCM, EMT across California in 2024 Sent personnel on 14 assignments •
Notable Events Clyde’s reopened in April 2025 Damage repairs took five months and businesses Avoided spread of fire to adjoining Knockdown within 15 minutes Fullerton Mutual Aid from Anaheim, Brea, and Structure fire – Clyde’s Hot Chicken Fire •
Notable Events September 2024 Orange County Business Council in Responding crew recognized by through a manhole hoisted the woman out to safety Utilizing a New York Hook, crews drain during fire Reports of woman trapped in storm Confined Space Rescue •
The Placentia Fire and Life Safety Model 2020 to 2025
The Beginning Hire and train personnel Purchase apparatus/equipment Immediate actions: • Department create the Fire and Life Safety June 4, 2019: Council voted to •
Fire Academy No outside agency help El Dorado High School Gomez Center Peak COVID May 2020 •
Department Training center for fire ground training City will connect with regional fire training in 2021 Secured NorthNet training agreement a time, or when backfilled with OT Training may only occur one crew at customer service code enforcement, public education, Training in fire prevention, inspections, fire Fire Marshal inspections in 2024 under direction of and began engine company Received basic inspection instructions responsibilities Specialist to take on these We have hired a Fire Prevention fire officer standards Meet NFPA firefighter, fire inspector, and to meet other standards receiving inspector training, but train Suppression personnel are not actively additional training funds Apprentice Committee (CFJAC) to secure City will join California Firefighters Joint (SAC) program Participate in the Santa Ana College Earned $13,500 last FY mandatory training requirements City will adhere to CA State Fire Training 2024 increased to $175K, first live burn in Original budget was $35K, now NorthNet for practical trainings Schedule additional live burns, rent Original Program for All Personnel Current Updates Notes
Notes Reserve FF II certifications approved academy, work toward FF I and FF Have completed CA State Fire Marshal within City limits duty trainings - Participates in on Firefighter rescue, auto extrication high/low angle rescue, confined space Search and Rescue, swift water rescue, Hazardous Materials Operations, Urban Obtain NFPA Firefighter II, Fire Inspector, Obtain & maintain FFI, FFII Engineer extrication high/low angle rescue, confined space, auto Search and Rescue, swift water rescue, Hazardous Materials Operations, Urban Obtain NFPA Driver Operator, Fire Inspector, Driver Operator Obtain & maintain ICS 200, SFT and Fire Inspector certificates Obtain NFPA Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor, CICCS Engine Boss, ICS 200 & 300, Obtain & maintain SFT Fire Officer, Battalion Chief N/A SFT Chief Officer, ICS 400, STEN paid to take courses shifts, or if OT is house across - in training occurs Determine if Rank Original Program for Personnel Current Program
Training Trained Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Certified at Hazmat Responder Level (EMT) Certificate Maintain Emergency Medical Technician Technician (EMT) Certificate Maintain Emergency Medical Expectations of All Personnel Current Model Future Goals / Notes
Staffing (Reserve Engine) E2 Unstaffed • Unstaffed • PPAT (1) Reserve Firefighter • (1) PT Engineer OR • (1) PT Captain AND • (1) FT Firefighter • T2 (1) Reserve FF • (1) FT Firefighter • (1) Engineer • (1) Captain • (1) FT Firefighter • (1) Engineer • (1) Captain • E1 (1) Reserve FF • (1) FT Firefighter • (1) Engineer • (1) Captain • (1) Reserve FF (If available) • (1) FT Firefighter • (1) Engineer • (1) Captain • Apparatus Proposed Model Current Model
Org Chart on July 1, 2020 Analyst Management Firefighters (13) Reserve Firefighters (2) Part Time Engineer (1) Patrol Engineer (1) Part Time Captain (1) Part Time Part Time Staff (2) Firefighter (2) Engineers (2) Captains Battalion Chief C Shift (2) Firefighter (2) Engineers (2) Captains Battalion Chief B Shift (2) Firefighter (2) Engineers (2) Captains Battalion Chief A Shift Fire Chief
Org Chart on July 1, 2025 Analyst Management Senior Contracted Staff Admin Assistant Fire Inspector Fire Marshal Firefighter (1) Reserve Part Time Staff (3) Firefighters (2) Engineers (2) Captains Battalion Chief C Shift (3) Firefighters (2) Engineers (2) Captains Battalion Chief B Shift (3) Firefighters (2) Engineers (2) Captains Battalion Chief A Shift Deputy Chief Fire Chief
Expanding the Department Contracted Staff Administrative Assistant Fire Inspector Fire Marshal Community Risk Reduction • Reserve Firefighter Firefighters FT Battalion Chiefs, Captains, Engineers, Operations • Senior Management Analyst Deputy Fire Chief Fire Chief Administration • Current Model Reserve Firefighters Part Time Firefighters Firefighters FT Battalion Chiefs, Captains, Engineers, Operations • Management Analyst Fire Chief Administration • Original Proposal
Lessons Learned Time and Reserve Firefighters - Part
Placentia Recruitment Timeline Apparatus Staff Location Department Academy • up to six months – uniforms Background checks / ordering • department personnel Interviews over two days by • Recruitment opens for one month •
Original Onboarding Costs TOTAL PER PERSON $6,700 Uniform/PPE $4,200 DOT Physical $100 Medical Clearance $600 Background Check $1,800 position, interviews, etc.) Recruitment (Flying In House Item Cost gear bag (1) • (1) • custom tailored Used turnouts, would need to be • (1) set of turnouts, structure boots, • PT shirt, PT shorts, raincoat, hemming) pants, belt, buckle, nameplate, jacket, (1) set of duty uniforms (boots, shirt, • equipment upon hire: Each person is issued the following •
Onboarding Cost Equipment Breakdown PERSON TOTAL PER $4,173 $1,000 PPE $3,511 $500* Uniform $662 $500* Item Costs Original Costs Current $4,634 per person - required, increasing onboarding expenses by $1,000 If assigned to IDLH, a second set of turnouts would be • and we only need tailoring and minor additional items. **Assumes that the new recruit fits into existing uniforms/PPE gear bag (1) • brush coat and pair of pants (1) • tailored Used turnouts, would need to be custom • shield, hood (1) set of turnouts, structure boots, gloves, helmet, • raincoat, hemming) buckle, nameplate, jacket, PT shirt, PT shorts, (1) set of duty uniforms (boots, shirt, pants, belt, • Each person is issued the following equipment upon hire: •
Updated PT/Reserve Onboarding Costs Est. Cost per person: $3,904 (with 20 hires) Cost: $78,080 Total Estimated TOTAL PER PERSON $6,700 $3,904 Live Burn $0 $18,000 Part Time / Reserve Testing for IDLH Day Mini Academy - 3 $0 $5,500 OT for Staffing, Rental/Equip. Fees Uniform/PPE $4,200 $1,000* Cleaning. Party Annual Inspection and rd Mandated 3 Assuming that only tailoring is needed. DOT Physical $100 $120 Medical Clearance $600 $709 Background Check $1,800 $1,800 backgrounds Can take up to six months to clear interviews, etc.) Recruitment (Flying position, In House In House Item Original Costs Current Costs Notes
Anticipated Onboarding Costs Est. Cost per person: $5,404 (with 20 hires) Cost: $108,080 Total Estimated Live Burn 1 $18,000 Part Time / Reserve Testing Day Mini Academy - 3 1 $5,500 OT for Staffing, Rental/Equip. Fees PPE Adjustments 1 $500 One Time PPE Cleaning 1/year $200 Cleaning Party Annual Inspection and rd Mandated 3 Uniform 1 $800 Assuming that only tailoring is needed Check/Medical Background 1 $2,629 backgrounds Can take up to six months to clear Item Quantity Est. Cost Notes Time or Reserve Personnel - for Hiring 20 Part
Retention Time Firefighters - No current Part • Does not participate in IDLH hour shifts in the last year - Worked (75) 24 Hired March 2023 1 current Reserve Firefighter • 1 has resigned positions time Placentia - 7 reserves hired into full • elsewhere time positions - Due to accepting full • Most within nine months of hiring 22 reserves resigned • Hired 30 Reserve Firefighters since 2020 •
Part Time / Reserve Fiscal Impact Salary Cost last FY: >$12,000 12 hour shift each Saturday – In FY 23/24 • resulting in a 76% attrition rate - Out of 30 reserves, we had 22 resign has been spent on Reserves that have resigned $226,100 Over • This fiscal year, we have spent less than $4,000 on stipends on onboarding Reserve Firefighters $236,400 •
Additional Financial Considerations Wildland Coat 9 Structure Gloves 18 Structure Helmet 6 Flash Hoods (Used) 16 Used Turnout Sets 16 Turnout Pants 11 Turnout Coat 11 PPE # in Inventory Budgeting for ongoing training • Annual certification for turnouts Everything purchased in 2020 apparatus and equipment Budgeting for replacement • As early as 2026 PPE expiration dates •
Part Salary Cost last FY: >$12,000 • 12 hour shift each Saturday we had one (1) part time firefighter – In FY 23/24 • Time Fiscal Impact -
The Risk a Reserve/PT FF Takes work at their primary employer This creates a risk to personnel if they are injured and unable to • Ambulance Operator, private sector, student Most reserves/part time personnel have additional jobs • $50/day for reserves, $24.36/hr. for part time • Entitled to compensation related to their rate Worker’s Compensation •
Required Training apparatus line - To not remove tools from front • purposes dedicated specifically for training Purchase additional equipment supplies site consumable training - On • Facility Rental/Supply Fees OT for personnel to operate academy Department Costs: • minimal Department stipend Forgo other employment for the Reserve/PT FF day Academy for - Assumption: 3 •
Additional Considerations time personnel - firefighters and/or reserves to supplement our full time - Neighboring fire agencies may bristle at the idea utilizing part • Will hold out for employment with another agency for full time personnel Interested applicants may not apply due to the benefits package • Serve as a training ground that benefits other agencies Time / Reserve positions until they - Most applicants apply for Part • and have been replaced with AO programs Reserve Firefighter programs have decreased across the state •
Conclusion 92,000 $ - $20,000 Additional expense of IDLH environment, each would need another set of turnouts If a part time or reserve firefighter was to be trained to enter an • Material costs, OT for the trainers, site rental fees costs, or the required ongoing training to be IDLH compliant The original model did not account for Department academy • station department does not have the hiring demands of other - A two program. Time or Reserve Firefighter - outweigh the benefits of having a Part Time or Reserve Firefighter do not - Onboarding costs for a Part •
Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid Requests 841 929 Placentia # Times Dispatched Into Dispatched Into Jurisdiction # Times Placentia any surrounding agencies Auto/Mutual Aid Agreements with Placentia has not entered into any • Current Model Auto/Mutual Aid to Placentia Letters of Intent to provide Surrounding cities committed • Original Proposal
Mutual Aid PLA Providing Aid 24-25 23-24 22-23 21-22 20-21 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 361 169 131 163 104 178 195 191 159 122
Community Risk Reduction Established 2023
Community Risk Reduction Current Model Original Proposal Other items as assigned Plan Reviews Contracted Staff • CRR invoices contact, schedules inspections, tracks Serves as Department first point of Administrative Assistant • for businesses and public areas Conducts required regulatory inspections Fire Inspector • Building plan reviews Oversees fire code compliance Fire Marshal (Hired Feb. 2023) • areas inspections for businesses and public Conducts minor required regulatory on CRR Provide robust public education focusing Engine Companies • Building plan reviews for businesses and public areas Conducts required regulatory inspections Oversee Fire Department Operations Marshal) Fire Chief (also Deputy and Fire •
Community Risk Reduction Generated over $220,000 in revenues • • State mandated, routine, compliance, etc. – 839 New construction – 268 1,107 inspections •
Community Risk Reduction inspections Field guides were issued for use during • Each crew provided with basic fire and life • complexes Family dwellings, primarily apartment - Multi inspections Conducted over 280 engine company •
Community Risk Reduction Provided resources to the community • Trunk or Treat National Night Out Easter Eggcitement Grade Visits rd 3 Station Open House education at community events Provided community outreach and public •
Placentia Fire and Life Safety Budget Forecasts and Actuals
Original Proposal Placentia Fire OCFA Projections From FY 2020 to FY 2030 Fire Service Comparison: OCFA vs Placentia Fire City of Placentia 2029-30 2028-29 2027-28 2026-27 2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23 2021-22 2020-21 2019-20 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $- $6,125,249 $6,016,475 $5,909,840 $5,805,298 $5,702,801 $6,062,306 $5,963,769 $5,867,146 $5,706,131 $6,129,218 $1,640,158 $10,646,632 $10,178,424 $9,730,807 $9,302,875 $8,893,762 $8,502,641 $8,128,720 $7,771,243 $7,429,487 $7,102,705 $6,789,929
Proposed and Fully Burdened PLA Fully Burdened Proposed PLA OCFA 2030 2029 2028 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0
Proposed and Fully Burdened PLA Fully Burdened Proposed PLA OCFA 2030 2029 2028 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0
Expenditures and Revenues Revenues Expenditures Proposed Estimated Costs 2030 2029 2028 2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 9000000 8000000 7000000 6000000 5000000 4000000 3000000 2000000 1000000 0
Proposal and Actuals Actuals Projected 29-30 28-29 27-28 26-27 25-26 24-25 23-24 22-23 21-22 20-21 19-20 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 $5,175,150 $5,096,500 $4,711,730 $4,131,896 $3,846,758 $3,358,144 $1,773,483 $6,125,429 $6,016,475 $5,909,840 $5,805,298 $5,702,801 $6,062,306 $5,963,769 $5,867,146 $5,706,131 $6,129,218 $1,640,158
Proposal, Actual, and Projections Actuals Projected 29-30 28-29 27-28 26-27 25-26 24-25 23-24 22-23 21-22 20-21 19-20 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 $5,990,883 $5,705,602 $5,433,907 $5,433,907 $5,175,150 $5,096,500 $4,711,730 $4,131,896 $3,846,758 $3,358,144 $1,773,483 $6,125,429 $6,016,475 $5,909,840 $5,805,298 $5,702,801 $6,062,306 $5,963,769 $5,867,146 $5,706,131 $6,129,218 $1,640,158
Fire and Life Safety Revenues Grants Other Revenue State Reimbursements Inspections Plan Checks 25-26 24-25 23-24 22-23 21-22 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 $72,000 $9,091 $11,359 $4,545 $140,000 $216,418 $18,953 $12,837 $14,500 $100,000 $43,320 $17,177 $82,400 $80,000 $49,601 $18,577 $3,993
Fire and Life Safety Revenues inspector time - • house - keep revenues in Specialist (Inspector) position to Created Fire Prevention Used contracted provider • inspections • 2022 Began collecting revenue in Community Risk Reduction •
Fire and Life Safety Revenues Reimbursements by FY Reimbursements by Fiscal Year 25-26 24-25 23-24 22-23 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 $140,000 $216,418 $18,953 $12,837 Administrative rate • Apparatus daily rate • personnel and the backfill for both the deployed Reimbursements include OT • week assignments - Two • First deployment in 2023 •
Fire and Life Safety Revenue Opportunities Additional CRR Inspector • Yearly or per call Fire Response Fees • $700,000 ALS Services •
Future Challenges New / Additional Station • Station Upgrades • chainsaws, etc. Equipment: SCBAs, radios, hose, • Turnouts • Months for repairs, years to order • Timeline for repairs and replacements Replacement apparatus •
Future Goals Succession Planning • Accreditation Standards of Cover •
Questions & Comments
Reserve Salary Comparisons Santa Clara $0 Duty, Company Meetings Monthly meetings, Station Training Cert Days Monthly Drills and Monterey Park $0 Subject to recall at any time Lakeside Yes $0 (4) 24 hour shifts/quarter Drill/Month Days), (1) Saturday Reserve Academy (8 Canyon Lake Yes $50/shift (2) 24 hour shifts/month Calimesa $100 Atwater Yes Incidents OES for through CAL Compensated completed, but not listed Required to be Placentia No $50/shift (2) 24 hour shifts/month Depends on day Jurisdiction IDLH Stipend Time Commitment Provided Training
Reserve Firefighter Comparisons La Habra Heights Yes Volunteer (1) 24 hour shift/week Live Scan, Physical Canyon Lake on Rig th 4 (2) 24 hour shifts/month Full Background, Psych Placentia No Patrol FF (2) 24 hour shifts/month Full Background Jurisdiction IDLH Note Time Commitment Background
Part Time Firefighter Comparisons La Habra Heights Yes Volunteer (1) 24 hour shift/week Live Scan, Physical Calistoga Yes on Rig th 4 (2) 24 hour shifts/month Full Background, Psych Placentia No Patrol FF (2) 24 hour shifts/month Full Background Jurisdiction IDLH Note Time Commitment Background
Orange County Reserve Salary Comparisons OCFA Yes $35) - ($8 Activity Based on hours over 4.5 months 232 – Reserve Academy Fountain Valley Yes, for Reserve II $20/day (2) 24 hour shifts/month on duty training day mini academy, and - 3 Placentia No $50/day (2) 24 hour shifts/month Depends on day Jurisdiction IDLH Stipend Time Commitment Provided Training
Part La Habra Heights PT Firefighter $23/hr. hours per year Not to exceed 960 Calistoga PT Firefighter - Sick Leave Placentia PT Firefighter - Sick Leave hours per year Not to exceed 1499 Depends on day Jurisdiction Position Benefits Time Commitment Provided Training Time Salary Comparisons -