Trinity County Emergency Services Public Safety Assessment*

All three branches of emergency services (Law Enforcement, Medical Services, and Fire Protection) report financial shortfalls in being able to fund a desired level of service. Funding issues were consistently among the top challenges and needs reported. Other top needs, such as increased training and volunteer recruiting and retention are tied to funding. This finding is consistent with this Grand Jury's findings in report FAR 2010/2011-002 "Grants Department Imperils County Finances".

Methods identified for generating revenues include: establishing special districts where they don't currently exist in order to generate tax funding for their departments; increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax with funds dedicated to public safety/emergency services; and working more collaboratively with multiple departments, the Fire Chiefs Association, and the County to identify, pursue, and administer grant projects.

Cost saving methods identified in the investigation include: consolidation of departments and asking larger, more capable organizations to provide administrative support to their smaller counterparts. It is clear that merely cutting costs will not maintain stable emergency services—out of necessity, Trinity County's response organizations have become adept at saving funds where they can. Increased revenues are essential. This finding is consistent with this Grand Jury's findings in report FAR 2010/2011-002 "Grants Department Imperils County Finances".

Fire and EMS organizations both report difficulty in recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of qualified personnel. This is particularly true in organizations relying on volunteers but also relevant in paid forces due to apparently low pay scale and irregular and long shifts, typical of 24/7 emergency service requirements.

Training requirements are continually changing to reflect improvements in technology, evolving regulations, and mission vision both from on high and within the individual organization. This is complicated by turnover in personnel who are often volunteers with wide-ranging skills and motivated primarily by a desire to render service to their communities.

The overall state of emergency equipment in the County is not acceptable. While some departments have received new vehicles and equipment through grants in recent years, those are far outnumbered by outdated examples. This creates a risk to public safety, especially during large incidents such as major wildfires.

Emergency Management grant funds are being supplanted in violation of grant terms. This jeopardizes future grant funding and makes the County vulnerable to demands for repayment, including past project years.

Parts of the County fall outside of formal response boundaries for structure fire, rescue, and medical emergency response. This can complicate dispatch, response, and command authority decisions.

Trinity County government's priority for public safety and emergency services has been unclear in recent years. While it is recognized that all communities, disciplines, organizations, and services must share the burden of a poor economy, a clearly articulated priority and strategy for these essential services could help all concerned in strategic planning.

The Trinity County Fire Chiefs Association and many of the member fire/rescue and EMS organizations are to be applauded for their willingness to share surplus equipment and seek out avenues for obtaining additional equipment.