Napa County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

Reorganization of the Napa County Fire Department

Published: April 26, 2012 91 pages
View Original PDF

Findings and Recommendations 19 findings

F1
The Fire Station Deployment Analysis and Master Plan Implementation for Napa County Fire Department, Citygate Report was not a cost benefit analysis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Napa County complete a CBA, by an independent firm, of all the fire protection services provided by CAL FIRE and NCFD before contracting CAL FIRE services for the agreement year 2014-2015. 18
F2
Presently, there is no job description for the NCFC. The NCFC operates under the State CAL FIRE 6 County Unit Chief job description.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Napa County write a job description and employ a NCFC who will be independent and separate from CAL FIRE employment, before contracting CAL FIRE services for the agreement year 2013-2014.
F3
Having the CAL FIRE 6 County Unit Chief who, at the same time, is also the NCFC creates a less than full time commitment and attention to Fire and Emergency services for Napa County and its taxpayers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Napa County write a job description and employ a NCFC who will be independent and separate from CAL FIRE employment, before contracting CAL FIRE services for the agreement year 2013-2014.
F4
An assessment of CAL FIRE services vs. cost of a full service NCFD as a result of a Cost Benefit Analysis has not been completed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Napa County complete a CBA, by an independent firm, of all the fire protection services provided by CAL FIRE and NCFD before contracting CAL FIRE services for the agreement year 2014-2015. 18
F5
If Napa County had a standalone Fire Department, without the CAL FIRE Agreement, Napa County residents could experience similar services as to what is now provided, at a significant savings to the County as demonstrated in Sonoma County.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
There is a reasonable probability of saving a major part of the $8,267,184 CAL FIRE contract budget if Napa County transitions CAL FIRE services to the NCFD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Within three years, or on the schedule outlined by the CBA, implement the CBA recommendations regarding the CAL FIRE Agreement.
F7
The transition from CAL FIRE to an independent Sonoma County Fire Department has resulted in reduced fire protection expenses in Sonoma County.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Currently dispatch of Fire/EMS is provided by CAL FIRE at $230,000 annually. The existing Napa Central Dispatch could provide these fire dispatch services at a savings to the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Replace CAL FIRE Dispatch services for Napa County Fire/EMS with the existing Napa Central Dispatch services which will not alter CAL FIRE dispatch of CAL FIRE units.
F9
The very complex economics and multifaceted fire protection services of Napa County need to be better understood by the Napa County residents.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The very complex economics and multi faceted fire protection services of Napa County need to be clearly understood by the leadership of the County.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The current CAL FIRE agreement with Napa County is $8,267,184 which includes an "Administrative Charge" of 11.96% equaling $988,755 in the 2011-12 FY. This $988,755 savings could be allocated for administration of a NCFD.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
CAL FIRE has made decisions which are self serving to CAL FIRE and not in the best interest of Napa County. 17
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Substantial accumulated County Fire Protection funds, of approximately $10,000,000, are available that could be used for transition from CAL FIRE services to a full service volunteer and career NCFD.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The Volunteer Departments in Napa County are very cost effective providers of Fire/EMS services.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
In Napa County, CAL FIRE has discouraged the use of volunteers.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
CAL FIRE has ignored volunteer chiefs' recommendations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The NCFC immediately and actively support the local Volunteer Fire Department Chiefs, their Advisory Board, and governing boards.
F17
The NCFC does not sufficiently encourage volunteer recruitment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The NCFC immediately and actively support recruitment of new firefighter volunteers.
F18
Some volunteer fire departments need outreach to their community, and their community needs to be directly involved with the Volunteer Fire Department boards and operations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The NCFC immediately and actively assure the volunteer fire departments governing Boards include at least 1/3 representation of community (non- firefighter) members on their Boards.
F19
A balanced volunteer fire department governing Board of Directors should require a significant community representation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The NCFC immediately and actively assure the volunteer fire departments governing Boards include at least 1/3 representation of community (non- firefighter) members on their Boards.

No Responses Found 3

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

County of Napa Agency
Napa County Auditor-Controller Elected County Office
Napa County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office