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East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts January 2012 Volume 10, Issue 1 |
From the Chief's Desk ...
Another year has passed, and what a year it was. For the first time in our history, we responded to over
5000 calls for service. We experienced our worst fire season in some time, not only in Douglas County, but within the region as well, culminating with the
tragic Caughlin Ranch Fire in Reno. The IHOP incident, the Amtrak train accident, the Reno Air Race tragedy, and the eleven fatal auto accidents in Douglas
County alone, touched so many of us in so many ways. The sadness, grief, and unanswered questions as to why, were countered with a sense of doing our jobs,
demonstrating our skills, providing professional levels of service, risking life in some cases, and demonstrating a level of compassion and commitment that
makes our entire organization what it is today. Whether we are dealing with the larger events or the "everyday" calls for service that we respond to, which
for some are just as tragic and trying, we should all feel a very high sense of pride and accomplishment.
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From the Chief's Desk Prevention Perspectives Training Division Battalion Chronicles OPS |
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Traditionally, I try to predict what the year ahead will hold. I can tell you it used to be a lot easier to do that several
year's back. We didn't have as many "moving parts" to deal with and our course was actually quite clear. The economy was strong and budgets were
not under as much stress. However, we do have in my opinion, one very positive opportunity immediately before us. The prospect of an adoption of a
Standard of Cover for the districts may be one of the single most important strategic objectives that we complete early in 2012.
The "standard" can provide the guidance that we need to drive future enhancements in personnel, apparatus, and procedures, as well as
giving us a way to measure our success. This is something that we must have to support our future objectives in service delivery. The public will demand it,
especially during this difficult economic time. While there are the "naysayers" out there with regard to the Standard of Cover, we will soon see
analytically where we end up. I am anxious to see the results. I do want to commend all that have worked on this project and those who have worked within
the parameters of the standard to beta test our options. I might remind you that not too many organizations that I am aware of have proceeded in a manner
similar to what we have done and to have allowed for the level of organizational participation.
Budget wise, we do have some significant challenges. I can't kid anyone about that. We do hope to see some upward increase in revenues in
some areas, but our leading revenue producers, taxes, will probably be flat. We are proceeding under a zero-based budget process. The budget committee has
had a complete briefing on the process and where we currently are with our existing budget. We are still awaiting the annual audit to finalize what
revenues are available for next year from the current year. |
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