City Council Study Session Summary 2009 02 10

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City Council Study Session Summary DATE Page 4 of 5 855 Dillon. A question was posed as to when we comply with the 2009 regulations. The City Board of Appeals will adopt 2009 regulations in August. There is no consideration for sprinkler changes at this time; therefore an amendment to the plan is needed. The LFD needs the ability to save lives cost effectively; development of the plan in Louisville will be brought to the Council this year. This includes defining the largest loss the city will accept. The LFD asked Council to consider the contents of the structures; new building materials will burn much hotter. Our response time is well within federal guidelines. The LFD Board has struggled with these issues and advocate sprinkler systems - as sprinklers protect resident and firefighter lives. The LFD Board is asking for political support. Many folks will be at the table saying the sprinkler plan is not a good idea. LFD has spent a lot of time providing a technical analysis. Discussion of Volunteer Fire District Turn-Over LFD is going to try to retain people, and re-double efforts to recruit within the community. One main reason for the high attrition rate is due to young, energetic staff that moves on towards paid positions. The question is when does it make sense to have paid positions. LFD has been looking at an average firefighter protocol. If LFD is down to 6 or 7 per call, then they know they have to look at other alternatives. Right now the level is 8 or 9. Volunteers are much more apt to come in if they live in the community. LFD has been mining from the same pool for the last 10 years, therefore having difficulty recruiting. We have 22 firefighters, most of the time we have 17. A typical auto accident requires 8 or 9 volunteers. When necessary, LFD uses our neighbors, Rocky Mountain Fire, with 8 to 9 full time permanent staff. Right now LFD has full time resources to meet the needs of the volunteers. City Council expressed appreciation in hearing LFD's perspective. LFD insisted that the City have plans by the end of February for ConocoPhillips. LFD wanted the fire station co-manned by us and North Metro, as they believed the option would be the most feasible. The plan was not considered feasible from North Metro's side. LFD had been willing to pitch in % of the cost of the station. In addition there have been other discussions with other agencies. City Council believed that on the agenda council had some numbers and started the decision process about a three part swap. The public benefited from this plan. The Metro North proposed something very different. Information needs to be clarified and discussed with ConocoPhillips. Two departments that are professional can cover the area very well. LFD will have difficulty working with the other departments, thus needing City council's help to get Louisville fire stations built. LFD's goal is to have the best fire protection they can in the most cost effective manner. LFD is spending the money very wisely. In August the assessed value will assist LFD in determining financial needs. LFD hopes to bring advanced life support back into the community. In April LFD will have a three month academy with 9 new volunteer firefighters. Eighty percent of the calls are EMS, which are based on seconds in regards to response time. LFD and the City are very fortunate with two paramedic units. LFD is excited to offer that to the community. The two station model would be the most cost effective by the district. The three station model is driven by Conoco. Conoco believes