09-06-95 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 6, 1995 Page 3 The Council Attorney noted that she has provided information to the Chiefs where other communities are charging with fees being set on the type of zoning use for a particular building factored in along with a square footage consideration. Currently the Fire Department only charges$3.00 for reports. Council President Ladewski questioned the Key Box Program and the Chiefs noted that only the riding Chief's have access to the such keys for those commercial and industrial buildings under such programs. It was also noted that the City has saved substantial amounts of money in light of in-house personnel who can do heating, air- conditioning and ventilating work on the various 11 Fire Stations. It was noted that 4 Firefighters are required on Rescue 1 which has worked out quite well. The Chief noted that this is the first time since he has been Chief that there has been a second Rookie School. It was also noted that the incident Command Program is new and there is much better accountability in the safety of the individual Firefighters is enhanced through such a program. It was noted that overall budget is 93% personal dedicated to fire suppression. Council Member Zakrzewski complemented the Fire Department and the Fire Department Administrators for their dedicated service to the City and that he as the Public Safety Chairperson has enjoyed working with them and hopes to continue to do so in the future. It was noted that despite the negative headlines regarding OSHA and the Fire Department that the Fire Department have turned that into pro-active and positive results. It was noted that the only thing out of compliance was the Coke Machines which are not even owned by the City. The Chiefs also noted that the City is currently ranked a"3" with 1 being the best out of 10 for insurance purposes. Chief Taylor also noted that discussions are currently taking place with the University of Notre Dame to provide ambulance runs to the University on a contractual basis. Information available indicates that this would average approximately 311 runs per year with 118 of those being actual transports. It was noted that there is a 79% collection rate for ambulance service and that perhaps the fee for insufficient funds on returned checks should be reviewed and increased. Emergency Medical Services: 1995 Budget = $1.046.509.00 1996 Budget = $1. 362.477.00 (requested) It was noted that there has been 40% increase since 1990 and runs for the Department. To date there have 5,131 ambulance runs to date. It was noted that a new unit in order to be justified would require an additional 2,000 to 2,200 new runs which has more than been met.