Certain elements of the Standards of Cover have been in their trial phases for about a month now. Over all, the feedback that I have been hearing has been positive.
We certainly have been able to "test" the proposed system changes with the recent events, i.e. IHOP incident and the two wildland fires. We are making adjustments as necessary and as
issues develop. What we are attempting to do is perhaps one of the most important things that we should be doing at a time where organization growth is being limited by the economic situation.
We are setting the stage for making some significant future decisions in personnel needs, new roles for our volunteers, apparatus acquisitions, and certainly policy and procedures once we start
to see some economic recovery. When that might occur is anyone's guess, but I am sure it will happen. I want to continue to encourage everyone to allow the process to work through to completion.
We need to make the best possible decisions we can based on what we experience and adjust to during this trial period.
Speaking about economics, I would not feel that I was being honest with the organization if I didn't tell you that I do have some concerns with budget and revenues.
We will be looking at crafting a very preliminary budget at the end of this month under a zero based budgeting method. We are fortunate to have some variables removed from the
process, i.e. association contracts and the state legislature. We should be able to develop some finite numbers in most areas. Staff overtime is a critical concern. The fires and several injuries
both in line of duty and not, have placed a strain on the overtime budget. We also will be faced with an increase in employee health insurance.
On the revenue side, we are only seeing a slight increase in ambulance revenue, as call volume appears to be on the rise. We have developed a "tiered" response to revenue
shortfalls that I hope we won't have to resort to. We did the same thing last year, however, instead of having 14 tiers in our plan like last year, we are now down to 10. In other words, our
options are becoming somewhat limited. Sorry for the budget woes, but I feel it is important that you understand the challenges that we may be facing. We will also have a better picture once the
annual audit is completed sometime in late November or early December.
Now, to end on a positive note. On October 10th, Mr. Tim Soule will join our organization as the Deputy Fire Chief of Training and Safety. Mr. Soule was selected from an original
pool of 18 individuals. Deputy Chief Fogerson and I are working on a "transition" and "indoctrination" plan for Tim. Some responsibilities will be assumed from day one, others will
take some time. We are hoping to have Tim fully assimilated into the organization within nine months. I would ask for everyone to certainly welcome Tim and his family to the organization and to
allow him time to get to know our organization.
I also want to commend Deputy Chief Fogerson on two points. One for his time served in charge of the Training and Safety Division and most recently, being able to wear two hats in
managing not only the Operations Division, but also Training and Safety.
As always thank you for your fine efforts and please keep up the good work.
