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

2. 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).

3. Current EMS Coverage
6am – 6pm
6pm – 6am

4. 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.

5. 2017 EMS Response Times Dispatch to on scene
Lower Providence (322A) 9.4 minutes
Trappe Fire EMS minutes
Friendship EMS minutes
Trappe (Phoenixville) 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. *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)

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

10. 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.

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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