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SECTION E -- PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT BUDGET SUMMARY
MISSION STATEMENT: The Department is committed to mitigating
threats to life, property and the environment through education, prevention,
and effective response to fire, medical, and environmental emergencies.
FY 2006 PRIORITIES:
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Maintain
timely, efficient and quality responses to requests for assistance from the
residents of Arlington County by maintaining a sufficient number of trained
Firefighters/Paramedics and officers.
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Continue to
implement the paramedic engine concept to improve response time to the
increasing number of medical emergencies and the overall effectiveness of the
Advanced Life Support (ALS) program; and improve training and supervision for
all Firefighter/Paramedics.
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Maintain an
operationally and physically fit, safely outfitted, and adequately housed force
of emergency response personnel through a comprehensive Health, Wellness, and
Safety Program.
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Continue to
expand our Smoke Detector, Public Education and Life Safety Programs and the
Confidence Testing Program for fire protection systems.
-
Enhance the
information systems capabilities and technology applications within the
Department.
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Continue comprehensive ambulance billing collection and
implementing a human resources system.
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Maintain and enhance effective response elements for
response to terrorism events and natural disasters.
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Prepare for
periodic review by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO).
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Pursue accreditation by the Commission on Fire
Accreditation, International.
PRINCIPAL PROGRAMS: The principal program areas of the Fire Department are:
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Operations Division
10 Fire/EMS Stations
9 Engine Companies
3 Ladder Trucks
2 Heavy Rescue Squads
7 ALS Transport Units
Technical Rescue Team
Hazardous Materials Team
Training Academy
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Support Services
Apparatus, Equipment and Logistics
Facilities Management
Health, Wellness and Safety
Data & Telecommunications
Planning, Research, Budget, Ambulance Billing and Special Projects
Human Resources and Administrative Support
Fire Prevention and Community Services
Code Enforcement
Fire and Environmental Investigations
Public Education
Hazardous Device Team
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DEPARTMENT
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
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FY 2004
Actual
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FY 2005
Adopted
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FY 2006
Proposed
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% Change:
'05 to '06
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Personnel
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$26,680,379
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$27,483,260
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$27,214,588
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-1%
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Non-Personnel
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4,331,651
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4,077,405
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4,458,855
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9%
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Total Expenditures
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31,012,030
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31,560,665
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31,673,443
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-
|
|
|
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Fees
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1,668,798
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1,933,374
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2,339,735
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21%
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Grants
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659,829
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588,830
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612,995
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4%
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Total Revenues
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2,328,627
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2,522,204
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2,952,730
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17%
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|
|
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Net Tax Support
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$28,683,403
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$29,038,461
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$28,720,713
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-1%
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Authorized FTEs
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305.0
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305.7
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304.7
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Frozen FTEs
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-
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-
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-
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Funded FTEs
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305.0
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305.7
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304.7
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SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CHANGES: The FY 2006
proposed budget for the Fire Department is $31,673,443, less than one percent increase
from the FY 2005 adopted budget.
The proposed budget reflects the following changes:
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Personnel includes normal step increases within a
budget that decreased mainly due to savings from the turnover in personnel, the
elimination of an ambulance billing position ($40,413, 1.0 FTE) and an
offsetting increase in overtime ($162,850).
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Non-personnel includes increases for County telephones
($84,082), utilities ($35,175), County vehicles ($149,895), fuel for County
vehicles ($58,476), and contractual obligations ($53,822).
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Revenue from Fees increases are due to an increase in Falls
Church Billing ($206,361) and an increase in Ambulance Fees collected
($200,000). The Grant increase is
expected from the National Medical Response Team reimbursement grant ($24,165).
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
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FY 2002 Actual
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FY 2003 Actual
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FY 2004 Actual
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FY 2005 Estimate
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FY 2006 Estimate
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FY 2006 Goal
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Mission Outcome Measures
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|
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Satisfactory Fire/EMS skill assessments
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N/A
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N/A
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822
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822
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822
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822
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Number of fire deaths
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Number of large loss fires (greater than
$50,000)
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9
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10
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19
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14
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14
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0
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Customer
Measures
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|
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Percentage of emergency incidents reached
within five minutes of dispatch
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64%
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60%
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77%
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77%
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78%
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80%
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FUTURE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS: The following factors may impact the Fire
Department's budget in the future:
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Continue implementation of
four-person staffing of two heavy rescue squads and two remaining ladder
trucks. These units are currently
staffed with three personnel.
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Additional Fire and Emergency Medical Services
resources to meet the continued development and increased density growth within
Arlington.
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Additional Advanced Life Support supervisory personnel
to continue to maintain the consistent, high level of patient care currently
being provided.
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Potential increases in training and operational
requirements based on future changes in the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards.
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The need to provide life safety education through schools
and community groups to target children, the elderly and members of the
community who are at greater risk of death and injury by fire as well as other
accidents.
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Continuing
to research and implement various technological applications in order to enhance
day-to-day operations throughout the Department.
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