Score: 0 (0/3/0)

Monterey County Grand Jury • 2021-2022

Consolidation of Two North Monterey County Fire Districts

21 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

F1

Property values and tax allocations disproportionately underfund fire districts throughout Monterey County.

No recommendations for this finding

F2

NCFPD tax revenue was drastically reduced when Duke Energy sold the decommissioned Moss Landing Power Plant.

No recommendations for this finding

F3

In 2018, NCFPD annexed Monterey Regional Waste Management and Monterey One Water property with increased risk but no increase in tax revenue.

No recommendations for this finding

F4

In 2020, NCFPD laid off six firefighters and considered closing one fire station due to budget constraints.

No recommendations for this finding

F5

Voters in NCFPD had to enact a special assessment fee in 2021 to avert layoffs and station closures.

No recommendations for this finding

F6

NCFPD fire stations are outdated and fire apparatus needs updating and/or replacement.

No recommendations for this finding

F7

The number of service calls is similar between NCFPD and MCRFD. North County has only half the personnel and is responding with outdated equipment.

No recommendations for this finding

F8

Automatic and mutual aid agreements alone are not sufficient to resolve fire coverage issues in the two districts.

No recommendations for this finding

F9

Distinct differences of EMS services exist between NCFPD (EMTs) and MCRFD (Paramedics).

No recommendations for this finding

F10

Though National Fire Standards recommend four firefighters per engine, NCFPD only staffs two and MCRFD three.

No recommendations for this finding

F11

Consolidation could be supported if all stakeholders are actively involved in the planning process.

Related Recommendations (1)

R1

NCFPD and MCRFD hire an outside qualified consultant by December 31, 2022, to study the feasibility of consolidating the two districts. REQUIRED RESPONSE The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code §933 and §933.05: From the following governing bodies : • North County Fire Protection District

F12

In consolidation, economies of scale (grant-writing, administrative costs, shared revenue, human resources) could benefit both districts. 15

Related Recommendations (1)

R1

NCFPD and MCRFD hire an outside qualified consultant by December 31, 2022, to study the feasibility of consolidating the two districts. REQUIRED RESPONSE The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code §933 and §933.05: From the following governing bodies : • North County Fire Protection District

Conclusions 1

CL1

MCCGJ recommends the North County Fire Protection District and Monterey Regional Fire District hire an outside consultant to do a feasibility study on consolidating the two districts. The study should investigate the current disparities in funding the fire districts, recommend short- and long-term strategic planning, and provide guidance on 14 reaching consensus. It is important that all stakeholders (fire districts, firefighters unions, LAFCO, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, and the citizens of both districts) be involved from inception to get a workable agreement. Interviews with stakeholders indicate all parties are amendable to consolidation with thoughtful planning, steps laid out in an orderly fashion, and equity reached for all involved.

Agency Responses 4

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

LAFCO Response to Consolidation of Two North Monterey County Fire Districts

July 08, 2022 • 1 pages • 32 responses View Details ▾

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32 responses to findings and recommendations

F1

Property values and tax allocations disproportionately underfund fire districts throughout Monterey County.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R1

NCFPD and MCRFD hire an outside qualified consultant by December 31, 2022, to study the feasibility of consolidating the two districts.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F2

NCFPD tax revenue was drastically reduced when Duke Energy sold the decommissioned Moss Landing Power Plant.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R2

School districts maintain learning loss mitigation programs and extended learning opportunities until the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F3

In 2018, NCFPD annexed Monterey Regional Waste Management and Monterey One Water property with increased risk but no increase in tax revenue.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R3

MCOE should continue to closely monitor district LCAPs and budgets for the impacts of ADA loss and the end of emergency federal funding.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F4

In 2020, NCFPD laid off six firefighters and considered closing one fire station due to budget constraints.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R4

MCOE be forward thinking about its emergency plans.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F5

Voters in NCFPD had to enact a special assessment fee in 2021 to avert layoffs and station closures.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R5

MCOE should establish partnerships and internships with CSU Monterey Bay, MCBH, and industry partners to increase the number of mental health workers, teachers, substitutes, and bus drivers 46

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F6

NCFPD fire stations are outdated and fire apparatus needs updating and/or replacement.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R6

Cannabis Program adopt a consistent process for inspection and check list. Implementation

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F7

The number of service calls is similar between NCFPD and MCRFD. North County has only half the personnel and is responding with outdated equipment.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R7

Public communications during an emergency incident address effective communication with the hearing impaired and non-English speaking County residents by Sept. 1, 2022.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F8

Automatic and mutual aid agreements alone are not sufficient to resolve fire coverage issues in the two districts.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R8

The CAO clarify the authority and responsibilities of the Health Department and Health Officer under State Law in responding to medical disaster or infectious disease outbreaks and memorialize them in emergency response plans by Dec. 31, 2022.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F9

Distinct differences of EMS services exist between NCFPD (EMTs) and MCRFD (Paramedics).

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R9

The County enter Memorandums of Understanding with all hospital systems in Monterey County to establish the terms and conditions for cooperation and resource allocation during a designated countywide medical disaster or infectious disease outbreak by Jun. 30, 2023.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F10

Though National Fire Standards recommend four firefighters per engine, NCFPD only staffs two and MCRFD three.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R10

By December 31, 2022, MLHD should form a committee with North and South harbor tenants.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F11

Consolidation could be supported if all stakeholders are actively involved in the planning process.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R11

By September 1, 2022, MLHD should post BOC meetings, agenda packets on the South Harbor bulletin board and in a prominent location at North Harbor. MLHD should post BOC meeting minutes in a timely manner to enhance transparency.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F12

In consolidation, economies of scale (grant-writing, administrative costs, shared revenue, human resources) could benefit both districts. 27

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R12

By December 31, 2022, the MLHD install required safety equipment on the docks.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F13

There is the potential for significant fiscal disruption with the continuing loss of ADA and the end of additional federal funding occurring at the same time.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

R13

MLHD should ensure continuous operation of pump-out facilities available at the harbor.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

F14

MCCGJ observed safety equipment (life rings and ropes) that are in disrepair and require replacement.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F15

MCCGJ did not find safety ladders placed appropriately to allow people to get out of the water safely.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F16

MLHD BOC fails to consistently post the board agenda outside South Harbor office and does not post in any location of North Harbor.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F17

MLHD fails to update BOC agendas on the webpage in a timely fashion.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F18

MCCGJ verified that current board members had received Brown Act classes, AB 1234 ethics training, and board member receiving governance training from the California Special Districts Association or other qualified organization.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F19

MCCGJ found MLH experiences recurring failures of the pump-out facility, forcing slip tenants to sail to other harbors to clean out waste. MLH does not post notices of the outages nor when service would be available again.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

Monterey County Regional Fire District Response to Consolidation of Two North Monterey County Fire D

July 26, 2022 • 4 pages • 1 response • Score: 0 (+0, 1, 0) View Details ▾

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North County Fire Protection District Response to Consolidation of Two North Monterey County Fire Di

July 26, 2022 • 5 pages • 2 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 2, 0) View Details ▾

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2 responses to findings and recommendations

F7

The number of service calls is similar between NCFPD and MCRFD. North County has only half the personnel and is responding with outdated equipment.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

) The number of service calls is similar between NCFPD and MCRFD. North County only has half the personnel and is responding with outdated equipment. The Board of Directors agrees with this finding. The call volume between the two Districts is similar. However, the coverage area is different. North County Fire Protection District services 125 square miles through three fire stations and 30 total personnel. The North County Fire District is responding with older equipment, most of which has been with the District for twenty years or longer. F8) Automatic and mutual aid agreements alone are not ...

F11

Consolidation could be supported if all stakeholders are actively involved in the planning process.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

) Consolidation could be supported if all stakeholders are actively involved in the planning process. The Board of Directors partially disagrees with this finding. While stakeholder support is crucial to a consolidation effort, this alone will not be sufficient for a fiscally sound consolidation of these two Districts. Additional revenue to fully staff both Districts appropriately, upgrade existing facilities and equipment, and support ongoing operational expenses will need to be identified and guaranteed continuously. F12) In consolidation, economies of scale (grant-writing, administrative co...

(Spanish) - Consolidación De Dos Distritos De Bomberos Del Norte del Condado de Monterey/Consolidation of Two North Monterey County Fire Districts

May 25, 2022 • 23 pages View Details ▾

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