Letter from the Chief

In 2006 and again in 2007 the County conducted an exhaustive community survey on “Perception of Core Services.” The Fire Rescue Department ranked the highest of all County departments in consumer service satisfaction with a combined Very Good/Good rating of 84.9% and 84%, respectively.

Over the last couple of years we have made considerable efforts to reduce our expense to the taxpayer, while maintaining our core service of emergency response. We have accomplished this through service prioritization and fiduciary responsibility. As examples, we have eliminated 20.5 positions over the last two fiscal years (7.0 in FY09/10 and 13.5 in FY10/11). This action returned our FTE level to below the FY05 level. Additionally, the following programs were eliminated: Wildfire Mitigation, Public Information, Public Education, Volunteer Program, and Special Recruitment. The Fire Rescue Section, Emergency Management, and Enhanced 911 all experienced reductions in personnel.

The Department’s FY10 Budget was approximately $25M. Through internal cost reductions and expenditure scrutiny we returned an unprecedented $1M to the BoCC (General and MSTU-Fire Funds) for carryover. We achieved the forgoing without removing any fire trucks or rescue units from service.

The next few years will present fiscal and operational challenges. Challenges require reprioritization of services in order to maintain core services. The challenges we face will ultimately produce a better team and product for the citizens. I am optimistic that the challenges before us are paths to excellence.

I am confident that as you read about the Department it will become evident that we are a value-driven organization dedicated to responsive, respectful, and courteous customer service.

Public Safety First,
Edwin C. Bailey
Chief, Fire Rescue