Agenda Date: 03/28/2017
ID # 17-76
Subject:
Title
Fire Dispatch Discussion
Body
Presented By:
Chris Armstrong, Fire Chief
POLICY QUESTION:
Does city council support contracting dispatch services with South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR)?
BACKGROUND:
At its March 7 meeting, Chief Armstrong briefed council on discussions concerning the possible unification of fire dispatch operations with SMFR.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
This presentation will provide additional information for council consideration including financial, operational, performance standards, facility capabilities, and compensation. A memorandum from Littleton Human Resources Director, Erich WonSavage, is attached to this council communication and details options and alternatives relating to LFR's dispatch center.
The 2017 budget for dispatch services is $1.4 million dollars (does not include Area Operating Funds/E-911(AOF)).
The SMFR dispatch proposal quotes a cost of $583,663 for service June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. The 2018 estimate for dispatch services is $895,666, which results in a savings of $230,394 (excludes revenue from AOF and Cunningham Fire Protection district (CFPD)). The 2018 estimate is calculated on 15,321 incidents (2016 incidents) at a cost per call of $58.46.
Future cost calculations for dispatch services would be based on a three-year rolling average of LFR's emergency incidents and a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) added to the 2017 cost per call. The chart below compares LFR 2017 budget with a 5% annual increase vs. SMFR 2017 proposal with an annual 4.25% increase in call volume, and an annual 3% CPI added.
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES
1. Status quo - Increased costs for the city and its partners, limited dispatch center capabilities, high turnover and retention rates, and non-competitive salaries.
2. Increase compensation - This would result in a minimum increase of approximately $100,000 annually for the dispatch budget. Increasing compensation for fire...
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