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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Score: +6 (6/5/0)
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2014-2015

Santa Cruz County Fire Protection Districts Response Times, Mutual Aid, and Consolidation

Published: May 20, 2015 44 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

F1 Page 174
The consolidation of Fire and Emergency Medical System dispatch services at the Santa Cruz Regional 911 center and mutual aid agreements between districts have created an efficient virtual single service district for those services in the entire county.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
Page 176
Branciforte Fire Protection District should negotiate with Scotts Valley Fire Protection District for the provision of managerial oversight of administration and operations by Scotts Valley. (F1, F2, F9, F10)
R7
Page 176
The four fire protection districts in the San Lorenzo Valley should further align their policies and procedures in anticipation of future consolidation. (F1, F2, F11)
F2 Page 174
Shared services between fire districts have improved response times, training, and services across the county.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
Page 176
Branciforte Fire Protection District should negotiate with Scotts Valley Fire Protection District for the provision of managerial oversight of administration and operations by Scotts Valley. (F1, F2, F9, F10)
R7
Page 176
The four fire protection districts in the San Lorenzo Valley should further align their policies and procedures in anticipation of future consolidation. (F1, F2, F11)
F3 Page 175
Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District and Central Fire Protection District did not take advantage of the opportunity to pursue consolidation when the Aptos Fire Chief retired in 2014.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 175
The differences in pay scales and benefits between Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District and Central Fire Protection District are issues that must be addressed prior to consolidation.
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 175
Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District and Central Fire Protection District have a common problem resulting from excessive and unreasonable Public Records Act requests. These requests have negatively impacted the daily administration, budgets and operations of the districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 175
Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District should create policies for receiving and responding to PRA requests. (F5)
F6 Page 175
The lack of enforced policies and procedures regarding conflicts of interest and board member interactions in district operations, has interfered with the ability of the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District and Central Fire Protection District to consider further shared services or consolidation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 176
Central Fire Protection District should adopt and enforce clear and comprehensive conflict of interest regulations for Board Members. (F6)
F7 Page 175
The joint Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District and Central Fire Protection District Cooperative Fire Prevention Program is successful and could benefit the county if made permanent.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 175
The governing bodies of Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District and Central Fire Protection District should adopt the three year plan for the Cooperative Fire Prevention Program. (F7)
F8 Page 175
Expansion of the Central Fire Protection District’s fleet services department is needed to allow a larger number of districts to contract with this service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 176
Central Fire Protection District should explore expansion of its fleet maintenance services to support contracts with a greater number of local fire districts. (F8)
F9 Page 175
Branciforte Fire Protection District’s lack of a tangible reserve or funds to pay their Fire Chief leaves them vulnerable to insolvency, which would leave Branciforte residents without a fire district.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Page 176
Branciforte Fire Protection District should negotiate with Scotts Valley Fire Protection District for the provision of managerial oversight of administration and operations by Scotts Valley. (F1, F2, F9, F10)
F10 Page 175
Scotts Valley Fire Protection District is the most logical partner for consolidation or shared services with Branciforte Fire Protection District.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Page 176
Branciforte Fire Protection District should negotiate with Scotts Valley Fire Protection District for the provision of managerial oversight of administration and operations by Scotts Valley. (F1, F2, F9, F10)
F11 Page 175
The differences in policies and procedures of the four fire protection districts in the San Lorenzo Valley inhibit future consolidation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Page 176
The four fire protection districts in the San Lorenzo Valley should further align their policies and procedures in anticipation of future consolidation. (F1, F2, F11)
F12 Page 175
The continued success of Santa Cruz Regional 911 is dependant upon the successful replacement of the Computer Aided Dispatch software.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Page 176
Santa Cruz Regional 911 should replace the Computer Aided Dispatch software prior to the 2017/18 fiscal year. (F12)

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.