SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

PROGRAM MISSION: To support the overall mission of the Fire Department so that principal emergency response, life safety and fire protection functions can be provided in a timely, efficient and effective manner.

The Support Services Division (SSD) is composed of the following technical and administrative functions:

• Logistics outfits the Department. This functional area procures and distributes all firefighter personal protective equipment (turnout gear, helmets, etc.), uniforms, some EMS supplies for all uniformed members and volunteer personnel, equips all units with essential small tools and equipment, and supports extended operations. Additionally, this function manages and coordinates the periodic cleaning of all firefighter protective clothing with the Health, Wellness and Safety Officer as well as managing and distributing all intradepartmental mail. Furthermore, Logistics has an additional mission to manage the Department's fleet of vehicles. Logistics works with the Department of Environmental Services (DES), Equipment Section in the specification and procurement process for all Departmental vehicles. Additionally, this function coordinates with the DES Equipment Section for repairs and maintenance for the fleet. Lastly, Logistics procures and maintains all small tools and equipment needed by the Department including repair and maintenance of all Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) used by personnel.

• Facilities Management manages the Department's facilities (eight County owned Fire Stations, the Fire Training Academy; Fire Prevention Division, Property Section, and alternate Emergency Operations Center facility on North Hudson Street). This function coordinates with DES, General Services Bureau for all needed repairs to assure safe and livable work locations, and DES, Engineering and Capital Projects Bureau during major facility related projects, such as the Fire Station renovation project at Fire Stations 2 and 9. Additionally, this function coordinates with the City of Falls Church Department of Public Works for needed repairs and maintenance of Fire Station 6 (a joint facility between the City of Falls Church and Arlington County).

• Telecommunications and Technology manages the telephone and data networks for the Department and acts as the Departmental Telephone and Data Coordinator for the Department of Technology Services. Additionally, one Fire/EMS Captain has been assigned to the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) to be the Department liaison as well as managing the following: all Departmental radios, cellular telephones, pagers, the mobile data system and the Fire/EMS portion of the Computer Aided Dispatch system.

• Health, Wellness and Safety's mission is to assure a safe work environment for all members. HWS coordinates all health related issues for uniformed members of the Department, including: all pre-employment, periodic and annual physicals; special physicals for members of the Hazardous Materials Response Team, coordination with the Department of Human Services (DHS) Occupational Health Unit for other health related services; and, coordination with DHS and the Human Resources Department, and other contractors to assist members returning to duty from occupational injuries or illnesses. Additionally, the safety function monitors the Department's compliance with National Fire Protection Association Standard 1500 – Firefighter Health and Safety Standards; serves as staff to the Health and Wellness committee that conducts the accident review and injury prevention program, and responds to emergency incidents as the Incident Safety Officer.

• Human Resources Management provides administrative support to Departmental personnel. This support includes: recruitment and processing of applicants; payroll; personnel actions; maintenance of employee records; promotional processes and other related services. Administrative support functions include human resources management, ambulance billing and collection, special projects, and administrative/clerical support.

• Financial Management provides support for all programs concerning expenditures made and revenues collected by the Department. This support includes developing, implementing, monitoring and managing the Department's yearly financial plan; and managing the ambulance billing and fee collection services.

• Data and Infrastructure Support provides the necessary products and support for communications and decision making within the Department. This section manages all Departmental records and reports, develops reports, patterns and profiles in order for senior management to make critical and time-sensitive decisions. These include liaison with the Department of Technology Services, Police Department, ECC, DES, etc., to provide for the Department's portion of the County Public Safety Data Network, the Fire/EMS Records Management System (FRMS), and the County wide Pictometry GIS/Aerial photography program.

SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: The Support Services Program budget reflects:

• Starting in FY 2005, the former Administrative Services Division and the former Technical Services Division were merged to form the Support Services Division.

• 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).

• FTEs reflect the elimination of one ambulance billing clerk due to the conversion from in-house to private contractor for ambulance transport billing services ($40,413, 1.0 FTE)).

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

• Respiratory fit tests performed fluctuates each year based on turnover, number of recruits and number replaced.

• FF/EMT applications received and processed are projected to increase starting in FY 2005 due to changing from recruiting for a finite time frame with a specified closing date each year to an open recruitment process with no closing date.

FUTURE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS:

• Funding recommendations of the Fire Station relocation study

• Funding a Fire Department Headquarters suitable to meet mission needs.

• Addition of Shift Wellness-Safety-Training Officers for enhanced compliance with the Virginia and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations (29 CFR 1910.134)

• Training additional Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician Trainees to meet operational and staffing requirements may require additional personnel resources at the Fire Training Academy