Explanation
This ordinance allocates $42,000 to the Division of Fire to purchase vehicle extrication tools at four fire stations around the city's outerbelt, and $15,000 to cover any potential overtime associated with speeding heavy rescue services to auto accidents, for a total of $57,000. Council considers this as transition step to protect lives, while at the same time creating a heavy rescue deployment team to address long-term equipment, personnel and deployment issues. The team's recommendations will be submitted by June 30, 2004.
Equipment funding is provided as follows: Council set aside $10,000 for this purpose in its January amendments to the administration's proposed 2003 budget, and $32,000 is available in the permanent improvement fund. $15,000 in overtime costs will be taken from City Council's own 2003 personnel account because of the significance of the need for this service. With equipment and staffing, the Fire Division will deploy this potentially life-saving equipment in stations near freeways to better serve areas with high accident rates.
Deployment calls for the daytime assignment of a fourth firefighter on four engines, at least during the transitional phase. The Division also has agreed to update training for certified rescue technicians as necessary, ensuring they are aware of the latest information on the use of extrication tools on all vehicles. This action will help the Division meet national standards for a response time of five minutes or less to auto accidents on freeways, and replicates similar recent deployments in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $32,000 within the permanent improvement fund and the transfer of $25,000 within the general fund, to the Division of Fire to speed heavy rescue services to auto accident, and to authorize the expenditure of $57,000 for said purpose, and to declare an emergency. ($57,000).
Body
WHEREAS, v...
Click here for full text