Public Safety Reports

SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Center for Public Safety Management, LLC (CPSM) was retained by the city of Morgan Hill

and Santa Clara County to conduct a comprehensive analysis of fire department operations

provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in these

communities. This analysis includes CAL FIRE’s deployment practices, workload, organization

structure, training, performance measures, prevention activities, the fees for these services, and

interactions with mutual aid partners. Specifically, CPSM was tasked with providing

recommendations and alternatives regarding the current contractual relationship with CAL FIRE

and to evaluate fire department operations, staffing levels, financial efficiencies, and alternative

modes of operation.

During the study, CPSM analyzed performance data provided by CAL FIRE and also examined

firsthand the department’s operations. Fire departments tend to deploy resources utilizing

traditional approaches, which are rarely reviewed. To begin the review, project staff asked CAL

FIRE for certain documents, data, and information. The project staff used this information/data to

familiarize themselves with the department’s structure, assets, and operations. The provided

information was also used in conjunction with information collected during an on-site visit to

determine the existing performance of the department, and to compare that performance to

national benchmarks. These benchmarks have been developed by organizations such as the

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., (CPSE), and

the ICMA Center for Performance Measurement.

Project staff conducted a site visit on May 12–14, 2016, for the purpose of observing fire

department and agency-connected support operations, interviewing key department staff, and

reviewing preliminary data and information. Telephone conference calls as well as e-mail

exchanges were conducted between CPSM project management staff, the city, and CAL FIRE

so that CPSM staff could affirm the project scope, and elicit further discussion regarding this

operational analysis.

CAL FIRE provides full-service fire protection to many of the citizens of California through the

administration of 145 cooperative

fire protection agreements

in 33 of the state's 58 counties, 30

cities, 32 fire districts, and 25 other special districts and service areas. CAL FIRE is a highly skilled

and progressive organization that is a recognized leader nationally in its delivery of wildland

protection, and fire and EMS services. The CAL FIRE personnel with whom CPSM interacted are

truly interested in serving the City of Morgan Hill and the South Santa Clara County Fire District to

the best of their abilities. As service demands increase and CAL FIRE is required to provide

increased response activities, the necessity for strong collaboration with contract partners will

also continue to evolve. This working relationship and the ability to address the expanding

service needs and its corresponding reporting requirements will provide ongoing challenges.

These however, are not insurmountable and CPSM will provide a series of observations and

recommendations that we believe can allow CAL FIRE to become more

efficient

and

smarter

the management of its emergency and nonemergency responsibilities.