CED Annexation Policy Plan 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the areas to the southeast and northwest which extend up to three miles from the nearest fire station, and a small area in the northeast, as shown on Map 8. Also shown on this map is the territory within the annexation study area that is 1-1/2 miles or less from the nearest fire station. It should be noted that this territory located within a response district is shown by direct distance and that actual evaluation by the fire suppression rating schedule would be done by travel routes. Thus, barriers such as railroads, the St. Joseph River and the U.S. 20/31 Bypass can alter the actual limits of the 1-1/2 mile response district. The construction of a new fire station and equipping this station will be a major capital expenditure. The location of new fire stations will have to be closely coordinated with the overall plan for annexation. New stations must not only fulfill the service requirements for a standard response district, but also must be built at optimum locations so that the stations are not underutilized. A present example of an underutilized station is Station No. 10. This station was built under the assumption that considerable new development would occur on the south/southwest side of the City. This has not happened and thus this station is underutilized to a certain extent. When new fire stations are to be built, they must be located at sites that will also serve other future priority annexation areas. Another major capital expenditure will be water supply. If water supply is not provided by water mains and hydrants for annexed territory, this could have a significant effect upon the Public Protection Classification for the overall City. When annexation occurs, fire protection services will need to be provided within one (1) year of passage of the annexation ordinance. Map 8 shows that there are very few areas within the annexation study area that have water mains and hydrants, including territory within 1-1/2 miles of a fire station. A one (1)-year period may not be long enough to plan, design and construct the needed water supply system for annexed territory. If this should occur, the City should review alternate service means, such as the purchase of a tanker truck for water supply or contracting the services to the township fire department for all or part of the initial three years of annexation. The fire protection benefits for property owners in annexed territory will include the arson investigation, code inspection and public education services along with fire suppression and emergency services that will be provided by the South Bend Fire Department. A direct benefit may occur in the form of lower property insurance. 48