1994-06-02 Work Session
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'MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, JUNE 2, 1994 .
PRESENTATION OF REPORT ON U. S. HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR
PAGE 103
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work
Session on Thursday, June 2, 1994, at 10:30 A.M. in Room 501 of the
New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut street,
Wilmington"N. C.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; William A.
Caster; William E. Sisson, Jr.; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr,;
Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. Copley, and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the Work Session to order and reported
the purpose of the meeting was to hear a presentation from the fire
consultant on the U. S. Highway 421 Corrido~ Fire Protection study.
PRESENTATION OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY U.S HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR FIRE
PROTECTION ASSESSMENT
Director of Emergency Management, Dan Summers, commented on
the excellent manner in which the report is prepared and introduced
Mr. Dennis Moffett and Mark Scott with Emergency Response and
Planning Management, Inc.
Mr. Moffett reported ~he study is intended to offer viable
alternative solutions for providing effective professional fire
protection for the industrial and commercial facilities and
residents located in the North Wilmington Fire District. Fire
protection in this area was previously provided by the North
Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department, which has since ceased to
exist.
As a result of an in-depth interview process involving
representatives from eleven of the fire district's larger or more
unique industrial and commercial facilities and fire officials from
both the City and County, three options were prepared.
This interview process was used to identify the fire loads,
hazardous materials, and risks common to this area. The results
indicate the need for full-time, professional fire fighters to
service the Fire District's needs, and a County Fire Administrator
to facilitate and coordinate the County's overall fire protection
program. Based upon discussion with County and City fire
officials, it was assumed that the current contract between the
County and the City of Wilmington for the City to provide hazardous
materials response in the County's unincorporated areas would
continue to be renewed annually.
The following options were presented:
Option I - TWenty-one full-time fire fighters, working 4-man crews,
24 hours per day, 365 days per year: All fire fighters would be
trained to the Fire Fighter II and Hazardous Materials Technician
Level status and provide pre-planning and other tasks. Backup
support personnel would be provided through mutual aid agreements
with other fire departments. New Hanover County would retain the
county-wide ha~ardous materials emergency response contract with
the city of Wilmington. Salaries, training, personnel equipment,
trucks, and all other minimal requirements would cost approximately
$2.2 million over a three-year implementation period.
option iI - Fourteen fire fighters, working 4-man crews during the
day, with 2-man crews during the night and weekends, 365 days per
year: All fire fighters. would be trai.ned to the Fire Fighter II
and .Hazardous Materials Technician Level status and provide pre-
planning and other tasks. Backup support personnel would be
provided through mutual aid agreements with other fire departments.
New Hanover County would retain the county-wide hazardous materials
emergency response contract with the City of Wilmington. The
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, JUNE 2, 1994
PRESENTATION OF REPORT ON U. S. HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR
PAGE 104
estimated cost for all salaries and minimal equipment would be
approximately $1. 7 million over a three-year implementation period.
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Option III - Eleven full-time fire fighters, working 2-man crews
with backup volunteer support, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year:
All fire fighters would be trained to the Fire Fighter II and
Hazardous Materials Technician Level status and provide pre-
planning and other tasks. Backup support personnel would be
provided through mutual aid agreements with other fire departments.
New Hanover County would retain the county-wide hazardous materials
emergency response contract with the City of Wilmington. The
estimated cost for implementation of this option over a three-year
period would be $1.4 million.
Each option varies primarily in the number of permanent
personnel hired, and as a consequence, the degree of dependance
upon support received from County volunteer fire departments to
provide effective response in the North Wilmington Fire District.
The success of implementing any of the three options is largely
dependent upon the County hiring a Fire Administrator to coordinate
and facilitate the County's fire service operations.
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Charts reflecting the complete phasing of each option were
presented.
In summary, all the options call for the institution of-a
County Fire Administrator to oversee the efforts of all volunteer
fire depart~ents. Each option utilizes paid, professional fire
fighters trained to the Fire Fighter II level and the Hazardous
Materials Technician Level status. The options vary only in the
number of paid fire fighters and range from 21 professional first
responders to 11 fire fighters providing a level of fire protection
acceptable to the industries, businesses, and homeowners located in
the North Wilmington Fire District. Total three-year costs range
from $2,207,755 for 21 fully trained and equipped personnel, to 1'1
professional fire fighters at a cost of $1,433,180. It is felt
that for any option to succeed a Fire Administrator within County
government must be established. Such an individual. would
coordinate and facilitate county-wide fire services to include
monitoring the effectiveness of the County's volunteer fire
departments; maintaining training standards and standard operating
procedures; initiating ISO requirements; developing ,grant proposals
for government funding of the fire fighting equipment and training;
maintaining stringent standards for the purpose of uniformity when
new or used equipment is purchased; and otherwise insuring the
coordination and sCheduling of volunteer support for each volunteer
fire department in New Hanover County.
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Discussion was held on ISO ratings. Mr. Mark Scott reported
if a fire district meets certain ISO requirements, the property
owners in that district would receive an insurance premium
reduction in their, homeowner's insurance. For example" a district
meeting the 9S requirements would give each homeowner in this
district a reduction of approximately 10% in lieu of a class 10
rating. Presently, some volunteer fire departments have met the 9S
requirements but do not have enough personnel to perform the
paperwork required to change the classification. If the County
hired a full-time Fire Administrator, this type of ,work would be
completed and the homeowners in this district would receive a
reduction in insurance premiums.
; Di~cussion was held ori the various types. of hazardous
materials on the'U. S. Highway 421 Corridor. Mr:'Moffett reported
there are' 160 different' hazardous materials in this 'area';
therefore, professional fire fighters with properly equipped fire
trucks'are needed to provide adequate fire protection.
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Chairman Greer inquired as to whether the study considered the
possibility of contracting with the city of Wilmington Fire
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, JUNE 2, 1994
PRESENTATION OF REPORT ON U. S. HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR
PAGE 105
Department to cover the North Wilmington Fire District since they
are equipped to handle hazardous w~ste incidents?
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Mr. Scott reported discussion was held with the Wilmington
Fire 'Chief, who was most cooperative, and stated the Wilmington
Fire Department would consider providing protection for this area
contingent upon the County paying upfront costs, manpower, and
. equipment with a fee paid to the City for this protection. In
other words, the City would require the County to purchase the
equipment with placement of a substation on the site; pay the fire
fighters; pay the administrative costs; and pay expenses based upon
an annual contract.
commissioner Sisson commented on the differences between the
City Fire Code and the County Fire Code, which would have t9 be
worked out before the city could assume this responsibility. Also,
the equipment would have to be the same as the city's equipment,
which is based on hydrant availability and a certain hydrant flow.
Discussion was held on use of the existing building on
property owned by Cape Industries. Director of Emergency
Management, Dan Summers, reported this building was euilt by the
Fire commission for the North Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department
several years ago with lease of the land for $1. 00 'annually.
Geographically, this site is a perfect location because it meets
the 5-mile radius requirement and vacant land is available. The
building is a prefabricated structure and was not designed for crew
quarters; however, this type of building can be easily modified.
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commissioner Sisson commented on the 4-person crew and
inquired as to whether this size of crew will be adequate when the
industrial area is completely developed along the 421 Corridor?
Mr. Scott responded the 4-person crew will be adequate for the
near future and will cover 90% of the calls received. The
remaining 10% is an unknown factor. Regardless of the crew size,
the county will have to rely on mutual aid agreements and response
from the volunteer fire departments.
Chairman Greer commented on New Hanover County' having
volunteer fire departments funded by the Fire District and inquired
as to whether this type of service district is being used by other
local governments?
Mr. Scott reported this is quite common throughout the State.
In most counties, the Fire District submits a budget to the County
Manager with a complete review of the budget. Based on the
evaluation of the property within that district'the fire tax is
established.
county Manager O'Neal reported 'in Cumberland County, there are
22 fire districts with each district having its own budget and tax
rate. New Hanover County has one Fire Service District with one
tax rate for all the volunteer fire - departments which, in his
opinion, is more equitable.
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Chairman Greer inquired as to whether
departments are trying to become paid departments
the technician level of training?
volunteer fire
in order to reach
Mr. Scott reported volunteer fire fighters are struggling to
reach the technician level, which is very difficult, since most of
them have full-time jobs. Also, there is a possibil'ity that
volunteer fire services will not exist in ten years because of the
additional training required to meet federal and state guidelines.
Due to these changes, volunteer firemen and paid fire personnel are
being used to provide fire services.
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MINUTES OF WORK SESSION, JUNE 2, 1994
PRESENTATION OF REPORT ON U. S. HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR
PAGE 106
Chairman Greer stressed the importance of deciding on what
direction the County should proceed in before making a decision.
Does the County want to work out a joint agreement with the city of
Wilmington Fire Department; or does the County want to hire a Fire
Administrator and establish a paid/volunteer fire service, which
would be quite costly and in ten years may not adequately provide
the qualify of fire protection needed in this area. He urged the
Commissioners to review the study before deciding on this matter.
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commissioner sisson agreed and recommended thoroughly
exploring the possibility of working with the city of Wilmington in
meeting the present and future needs for fire protection in this
area.
Director Summers reported working with the City is certainly
a possibility; however, the city does not have reserve equipment or
personnel to cover this area. The overhead and start-up for any of
th~ options presented will not cost more than contracting with the
City of Wilmington Fire Department. An advantage of the County
being involved is the capability of having reserve public safety
forces during a disaster, such as a hurricane, in lieu of a
contracted service.
After further discussion of the options presented,
Commissioner sisson expressed appreciation to Mr. Moffett and Mr.
Scott for an excellent report which provided a thorough assessment
of the hazardous materials in this area.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer reported a meeting has been scheduled with the
Board of Fire Commissioners on June 22, 1994, at 7:00 P.M. in the
Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:45 A.M.
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Respectfully submitted, ,
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Lucie F. Harrell ,
Clerk. to the Board
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