Strategic Plan for Fire & Emergency Services Township of Upper Providence Strategic Plan for Fire & Emergency Services A road map to better community protection

Things working against us… The Township is rather large, oddly shaped, and rapidly developing with increasing needs for fire & emergency services. Compounding this problem are reduced numbers of (FIRE) volunteers and a delivery model that hasn’t significantly changed in years (FIRE & EMS).

Current EMS Coverage 6am – 6pm 6pm – 6am

Response Time Goals EMS PA State EMS Office requires EMS on scene in 10 minutes NFPA #1710 1 minute turnout time (Dispatch to response) 4 minute travel time (Response to on scene) 8 minute travel time acceptable for ALS emergencies where BLS is provided within 4 minutes.

2017 EMS Response Times Dispatch to on scene Lower Providence (322A) 9.4 minutes Trappe Fire EMS 8.6 minutes Friendship EMS 7.15 minutes Trappe (Phoenixville) 8.6 minutes Currently meet the state requirement of 10 minutes Do not currently meet the NFPA requirements of 8 minutes w/BLS on scene in 4 minutes

Response Time Goals FIRE No state requirement NFPA #1720 >1000 per square mile 15 FFs in 9 minutes- 90% of the time <1000 per square mile 10 FFs in 10 minutes- 80% of the time

Current Fire Department Coverage This map shows current services in an ideal world. The map does not take into consideration the ineffectiveness of the Mont Clare station –or- when the apparatus is unable to make the emergency response due to having no available volunteers NEED BETTER MAP TO SHOW MONT CLARE RED AS WELL

*Results of in-station FIRE staffing (NOT a paid or volunteer issue) 2017 Fire Response Times Dispatch to on scene Collegeville Fire Co. (34) 12:59 minutes Trappe Fire Co. (77) 11:24 minutes UPFES (93) 6:12 minutes* Royersford Fire Dept. (98) 12:21 minutes BRVFC (99) 11:35 minutes Currently do not meet the response time requirement unless E93 is staffed *Results of in-station FIRE staffing (NOT a paid or volunteer issue)

BRVFC Data (Specifically MC) Operates two stations (Oaks & Mont Clare) Both stations struggle Mont Clare’s situation however is grim 2015 - Station responded with a fire truck to only 35% of the emergencies. Only 30 % of the 35 % was with more than one person. 2016 - Station responded with a fire truck to only 37% of the emergencies. Only 22 % of the 37 % was with more than one person.

The Road Forward… General Idea Improve coverage by adding an ‘Emergency Services’ facility at the municipal complex. Combination FIRE & EMS Place EMS unit within the facility Place staffed fire engine in facility Completed with both Volunteers and paid staff Overnights purely volunteer Daytime (6am-6pm) Township staff Benefits Shortens driving distances (reducing FIRE & EMS travel times, ultimately lowering response times) Having VOLUNTEERS in station significantly reduces fire response times.

NEW EMS Coverage 24/7 With proposed changes Current 6am – 6pm Current 6pm – 6am

NEW Fire Department Coverage NEED BETTER MAP TO SHOW MONT CLARE AS RED Current With proposed changes

Immediate Plan – Phase I Purchase the balance of the Mont Clare fire station Not an ideal location but a good start for services Consolidate Sta. 93 & Sta. 99 forces into new station number EMS is operated through a QRS program Shifts change to 12hrs/7 days a week (6am-6pm) – Requires hiring 2 additional FF/EMTs in order to split shifts. The Chief comes off shift to work weekdays. No increased EMS coverage for overnight (6pm-6am) This is when the LP EMS shuts down however call volume typically decreases Two organizations can still operate independently until central station is constructed This gets the services up and running and allows for BRVFC volunteers to intermix with Township personnel

Immediate Plan –Phase I Continued Initiate design for new centrally located During the construction we evaluate the BRVFC’s completion of Township set goals as well as their willingness to work together ALL fire fighters and fire officers should be qualified to their respective positions To be fair to the other FD’s, this requirement is in effect for all FD’s as of Jan. 1st 2019. ALL apparatus responses with a minimum of TWO qualified firefighters

Phase II – 18/24 months If BRVFC demonstrates significant improvement and willingness to participate: Option #1 with new station complete Organizations simply co-operate/staff a Township owned & operated facility Contract with EMS agency to operate an ambulance 24/7 The Township/BRVFC/EMS agency operate under one roof but as autonomous organizations FMO continues shifts from Phase I & QRS service as needed

Phase II – 18/24 months If BRVFC cannot demonstrate significant improvement and willingness to participate: Option #2 with new station complete Township severs –or- greatly reduces ties with the organization Township creates new VFC/Combination fire service model Requires a new VFC Charter Funds typically reserved for BRVFC now get redirected/mostly redirected to the new Combination FD Outside contract fire companies unaffected FMO continues shifts from Phase I & QRS service as needed

Phase II If BRVFC cannot demonstrate significant improvement and willingness to participate: Option #3 with new station complete Align with an existing FIRE & EMS agency Organization simply co-operate/staff a Township owned & operated facility Partnership provides an ambulance that WE own and purchase – they operate Should any future issues develop they are simply asked to leave and we reevaluate FMO continues shifts from Phase I & QRS service as needed

Phase II Option #5 with new station complete FMO continues to staff shifts from Phase I & BLS QRS service as needed. Greatly enhances fire coverage and provides backup EMS services A partnership is developed for an ALS provider (A single Paramedic) with a local agency. An ALS service is initiated using a township provided vehicle (Nearly entirely covered by DOW grant saving $140k) Betters overall township response times for ALS care according to standards Can assist with fire emergencies as needed No ambulance is needed Program is reviewed annually and compared with call volume growth