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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: -1 (0/5/1)
Monterey County Grand Jury • 2023-2024

Fentanyl: Our Youth in Crisis

29 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings 19 findings

F1 Page 84
During its interviews and tours, the CGJ found that firefighters are uniformly committed to the mission of public safety.
F2 Page 84
The City of Monterey has not addressed the issues of aging facilities, increasingly failing fire apparatus, and timely follow-through on mental health services all leading to low staff morale and public endangerment. (cid:3) (cid:3) 69
F3 Page 85
The transition to a consolidated set of policies has not been a priority of the MFD Administration, leading to confusion among staff. Apparatus
F4 Page 85
The MFD is not adhering to its Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Policy as three- quarters of the fire apparatus is at or beyond its lifecycle replacement. This has resulted in a doubling of the repair frequency over the past three years, increasing the workload of the City's Public Works Department, and affecting apparatus availability for emergencies, thus endangering the public.
F5 Page 85
The MFD’s primary tiller truck has been out-of-service for nearly a year and the 25- year-old backup tiller truck has frequent breakdowns often leaving the MFD without an operable 100-foot ladder causing the need to call for mutual aid from other fire departments.
F6 Page 85
Having only one certified fire apparatus mechanic serving the Monterey fleet hampers quick repairs and puts the MFD at risk of not having the proper equipment in service to respond to emergencies thus endangering the public. Monterey Fire Stations
F7 Page 85
All Monterey-owned fire stations are in a significant state of disrepair. Years of neglect and normal wear have resulted in unsafe and unsanitary living and working conditions and contribute to the low morale for MFD personnel.
F8 Page 85
Station 13 and the daytime airport south-side modular trailer currently rely on audio alerts with no visual information on 911 calls unlike other Monterey Fire stations limiting available information on the emergency.
F9 Page 85
The extent of the deterioration of the Station 13 training tower is a danger to the station, its firefighters, and the parking area immediately adjacent.
F10 Page 85
Most MFD firefighter companies work and live in 70-year-old facilities that have not been thoroughly tested for hazardous building materials potentially endangering their health and safety.
F11 Page 85
Responding from the new airport north-side station increases the response time to serve the Fisherman’s Flats/Ryan Ranch/Hwy 68 neighborhoods putting public safety at risk.
F12 Page 85
Firefighter companies at the airport south-side modular trailer do not have access to safe inside changing and storage areas for their turnout gear, violating NFPA standards and causing potential harm and distress for firefighters.
F13 Page 85
Fire engines at the airport south-side modular trailer are exposed to the weather hastening deterioration and increased costs for repair or replacement.
F14 Page 85
No potable water is available inside the south-side modular trailer, compromising the health and safety of the firefighters who work there during daytime hours. (cid:3) (cid:3) 70 CAD/911 Dispatch Systems
F15 Page 86
The MFD currently relies on an outdated two-tone paging system for alerts. Upgrading to a modern Fire Station Alerting system would enhance response times for multi-station emergency calls and bolster public safety.
F16 Page 86
Unreliable CAD software and hardware in the fire apparatus and stations forces firefighters to rely on less comprehensive systems to respond to calls efficiently. Mental Health
F17 Page 86
The MFD does not utilize facility dogs that have been successfully used to enhance wellbeing for first responders and build positive relationships in the community.
F18 Page 86
Some MFD staff are unaware of the process to access a City-contracted Licensed Marriage Family Therapist or County Behavioral Health Department personnel which compromises their mental wellness.
F19 Page 86
The MFD policies for After-Action Reviews and Critical Incident Stress Management are in draft form leading to confusion or misinterpretation by MFD personnel.

Recommendations 19

Agency Responses 5

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