3. Second Fire Station/Fire Science and Paramedic Degrees Partnership with FVCCKalispell Fire/Ambulance Dept.
336 1 st Ave. East • P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
REPORT
FROM
SUBJECT
MEETING DATE
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Randy Brodehl, Fire Chief
.� ,7_t
Telephone 406-758-7764
Fax 406-758-7758
Fire Station Two/Fire Science and Paramedic Degrees Partnership
With FVCC
August 13th. 2001
BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Fire Department has one fire station located in the central
downtown area. It is staffed with 4 to 5 personnel per shift, and is open 24 hours a dav, seven
days a week. These personnel respond to almost 2900 emeraencv events each year. In addition.,
the fire department provides 1400 fire inspections. and a myriad of community relation programs
designed to educate our community in safetv and Citv opportunities. When our personnel
respond on emergency calls. we fill their position with off -duty firefighters until thev return.
During the winter. we average 600 hours of "fill-in" time each month. From June through
September, our monthly average is 1380 hours of "fill-in".
The Insurance Services Organization (ISO) has a 1-10 classification for fire departments:
Class 1 being the best rating, and Class 10 being no fire department. Our current classification is
a Class 5. We are due for re -grading in 3 years. We have not kept up with the population growth
of the city, and we are in danger of slipping to a Class 6.
Our greatest need is a Station/Training Facility and staffing in North Kalispell. Using the
parameters of ISO, coupling a staffed station there, and some changes we have already
imnlemented at the main station, we would likely drop in our ISO classification. We anticipate
being a Class 3 when we are reclassified if we are able to accomplish the changes as planned.
This reduction in classification would mean a net annual insurance nremium savings to the
commercial properties in the city of $772,000. and a residential rate reduction of $112.285.
(Appendix A)
i met zx,ith Flathead Va]lev y - -Ilea PrPcident Tane Karns on Tuly 1 9th We
have nut together a tentative plan for an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology
(Appendix B) that would be offered at the college, beginning September 2002. This plan
includes 24 students entering the program each year, working as intern firefighters out of a North
Kalispell Fire Station in close proximity to the campus. These students would work the same
shift as our career firefighters, and would provide tvoical fire response out of the North Station.
Fire training would occur on site, and other educational training would occur on campus. The
degree program would operate 12 months out of the year. so staffing would remain consistent at
the station. Additionally, we would have an Emergencv Medical Technology -- Paramedic
(EMT) program that would function in a parallel program, serving the City as a Quick Response
Unit, out of the north fire station. (Appendix C)
Our initial cost estimates on the construction of a new fire station and training facility on
the property that we have set aside on Reserve Dr. indicate that we can finance a 1.1 million
dollar facility, for 10 years, with bi-annual payments of $63393. We would need to provide a
lieutenant for that station on each shift, which would mean hiring 4 personnel, each workinu a
24-hour shift. The cost for salaries and benefits for this would be $180,656 annuallv. based on
the current contract with Local 547. The fire engine and ambulance for Station Two will come
from our reserves at Station One.
This would allow us to initiate a two-companv response (10-12 firefighters) within 60
seconds of someone dialing 9-1-1. Our off dutv personnel would fill in for the third companv
response, as is required by NFPA and ISO. This third companv should arrive within 15 minutes
of the alarm.
The Council may want to keep in mind that this is a rare opportunity. We would be
increasing our daily staff from a minimum of four firefighters to minimum of ten firefighters.
We would have an additional six EMTs on dutv every day to supplement the ambulance service.
The safety of our firefighters would be increased, fire loss would be reduced. and there would be
a significant reduction in cost to the taxpaver. Increasing the number firefighters to the same
staffing level. without this program, would cost the city approximately an additional 1.27 million
annually.
RECOMMENDATIONS: This is an advisory document only.
FISCAL EFFECTS:
Annual Commitment
Facilitv loan (2 x 63.393)-
$126.786
Personnel -Fire
90.326
Personnel -EMS
90.326
Utilities
12.000
Annual Costs
$319.442
Anticipated reduction of insurance costs by reducine our classification to a Class 3:
Commercial nroperties $772,000
Residential properties 112.285
Annual insurance savines $884,285
Fire loss reductions
2000/2001 fire loss $8.000.000
Averaee fire loss for cities our size - 2.250.000
Annual savines in fire loss %5.750,000
Overview
Annual Citv budeet impact: $-319.442
Annual Private sector savines: $6.634.285
Annual Savines Packaee $6.314.843
ALTERNATIVES: As recommended by Council
Respectfully submitted.
Rri,`-..ehl, Else Chief
F I�
C u^s K4 M, City M.--ager
AnnP�
ndii c �
'-rN-_,moo.=
Average Cost of Fire Insurance per $1000.00 in the City of Kalispell
Class 5 Class 3 Difference
Allstate Insurance Co.
Commercial $6.15 $5.53 $.62
Residential 2.83 2.72 .11
Farmer's Insurance Co.
Commercial $1.0.30 $ 7.80 $2.50
Residential *********No change*********** .00
Estimated City Insurable properties based on the report: Flathead County Land Information
SV sLefl l_ o�niG ��GUUiL i.aLeflGi`y 1.\IILG Totals M! Giii/ i. 1 ifiti aia0 I I Ui ali d.uuiLil illal _)J'iu 6i
that value added to account for contents, based on the recommendation of Farmers Insurance as a
extrapolated based on best guess.
Commercial property market value in the Citv of Kalispell: $ 494,871,800
Residential property market value in the City of Kalispell: $ 1,020,772,700
Vill—
Fire Protection Technology
Fire Suppression Option
Tl.o a u., La uo Suppression optio. i'vi.r.e Prctect::.1To 1� m „
ui � IJgildti_r.d
education for those wanting to enter the career field and for those already employed. Flathead
.,_„
v nl�nv :_o�rin riiil 1=oj OUP. O_lC a wr_.ii-rl �iliFlilP,i ,Ire n A lonl Alm if AifliilU CP_fltPP o!7 Th? ..\al P.f ii __a_ _a__rr___ ____ ___a _
campus. The Montana Department of Education, and the Montana State Fire Training Division
aeca •.uaa wV S wUla . 1Vlll.]L �:auuawo va uaa, yroSaallll wvan IVI Yuuaaa, aaa a. ua.Yaaua:�.aaw.
FVCC's program includes a variety of courses in writing. mathematics. and speech, as well as
technical fire protection. Each term students take a Fire Incident Related Experience course
which focuses on developing reauired skills, attitudes, and work habits. As a pre -service student,
you will work a 24-hour duty shift weekly and respond to actual emergency incidents under the
supervision of the City of Kalispell fire department officers.
The Fire Suppression degree option can be coordinated with the Emergency Medical
Technician -Paramedic program so that both degrees can be earned in nine to 11 terms. For
information. call (406) 756-3822.
This program has special admission requirements and enrollment limits. Applications are
accepted every nine months. For additional information, call (406) 756-3822. The program
operates on a continuous basis which includes summer term.
You may earn an Associate of Applied Science degree by successfully completing these 100
required credit hours:
Course No.
Title
Credit Hrs.
Term 1
EMT051
Emergency Medical Technician Basic, Part 1
FRP050
Introduction to Fire Protection
or
ES072
Introduction to Emergency Services
FRP051
Fire Incident Related Experience
3
FRP064
Hazardous Materials Operations
3
MTH070
Elementary Algebra (or higher)
4
Term 2
CHILI
Chemistry for Fire Science and Emergency Services
5
CS101
Introduction to Microcomputer Apolications
3 ._
EMT052
Emergency Medical Technician Basic, Part 2
4
EMT280A
Cooperative Work Experience
1
FRP052
Fire Incident Related Experience
3
FRP066
Building Construction for Fire Protection
3
Term 3
FRP053
Fire Incident Related Experience
3
FRP054
Water Supply Operations
-- 3
FRP058
Fire Pump Construction and Operations
3
FRP069
Fire Department Leadershin
3
PHI II
Physical Science for Fire Science and Emergency Services
5
Approved electives*
3
Term 4
FRP060
Fundamentals of Fire Prevention
3
FRP061
Fire Incident Related Experience
3
HPE295
Health and Fitness for Lite
3
WR121
English Composition -Exposition
3
General Education elective
3
Tprm 5
Fire Service Rescue Practices
4
FRP062
Fire Incident Related Ex_erience
3
FRP072
Fire Codes and Ordinances 1
3
SP118
Interpersonal Communication in the Health Professions
3
Term 6
FRP063
Fire Incident Related Experience
3
FRP071
Fire Protection Systems and Extineuishers
3 -
FRP079
Wildland Urban Interface
3
PSY101
Psychology of Human Relations (or hieher)
- -- 3 _
WR227
Technical Writing
*Approved electives
AH080
Crisis Intervention
BA255
Elements of Supervision
BI231
B1232
3
3
3
Human Anatomy & Physiology
4
Human Anatomy_ & Physiology
4
BI233
Human Anatomy & Physiology
4
BLD050
Introduction to Buildine Inspection
3
BLD051
Building Code I
3
BLD052
Buildin_e Code II
3
EMT065
Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate, Part 1
5
Approved electives*
3
*Approved elective (3 hours required):
A4050
Health Care Delivery
1
ASL101
American Sign Language, "ferm 1
3
BA101
Business Environment
4
BA173
Public Relations in Business
3
BA206
Business Management Principles
3
BA211
Financial Accounting 1
4
BA224
Personnel Management
3
BA226
Business Law 1
3
EMT280C
Cooperative Work Experience
3
FRP050
Introduction to Fire Protection
3
FRP064
Hazardous Materials Operations
3
FRP077
Fire Service Instructor Training 1
3
FRP078
Fire Service Instructor Trainine 2
3
HE250
Personal Health
3
HE262
EMT066
Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate, Part 2
5
EM'1'075
Introduction to Emerg_encv_ Medical Services
3
EMT28OF
Cooperative Work Experience
6
FRP059
Major Emergencv Tactics and Strategv
3
FRP070
Fire Fighting 'I'actics and Strategy
3
FRP073
Firefighters Law for Emer_eenc_v Services
3
FRP074
Fire Investigation
3
FRP075
Aircraft Crash/Fire Rescue
1
FRP077
Fire Service Instructor Training 1
2
FRP078
Fire Service Instructor Training 2
2
FRP086
Advanced Detection and Protection Systems
3
FRP087
Fire Insurance Fundamentals
3
H120
Medical Temunology/Systems 1
3
HE262
Cardio_aulmonary Resuscitation Instruction
2
IIUM259
Death and Dying
3
Getting Started
To apply for this program you need to take part in an assessment process. The first step is to
take the college's free placement test, then meet with the department program chair. You may
need to complete program prerequisite courses. You will be assigned a program advisor to help
you develop an individualized program of study. For information call (406) 756-3822.
Fire Suppression option
In addition to tuition, estimated costs for students who complete the entire program are books,
$1,612; class fees, $151; equipment and supplies, $852. Contact the Financial Aid Office to find
out if you oualifv for help with these costs.
This degree is available through distance education. Find out more about it under Distance
Education or call (406) 756-3822.
Appendix C
Emergency Medical Technology --
r _ _m• _
araeuJ►c
The Emergency Medical Technology -- Paramedic (EMT) program offers career training for
entry-level personnel as well as certification and continuing education courses. Flathead Valley
Community College offers a diverse. experienced EMT faculty. excellent on -campus facilities.
and outstanding clinical training sites. The program is fully accredited by the Montana
Department of Education and the Montana State Health Division.
Students successfully completing a level of training (EMT Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic)
will be eligible to sit for the state certification exam at that level.
Ambulance companies, fire departments. police departments, and industries may employ
emergency medical technicians. There is a great demand for EMTs and paramedics both locally
and nationally.
Students working toward EMT Paramedic certification will complete approximately 300 hours
of hospital clinical experience, 100 hours of EMT observation, and 300 hours of field internship.
Clinical experiences focus on developing the skills, attitudes. and work habits necessary_ for
graduates to be successfid in their field.
You may earn an Associate of Applied Science degree by successfully completing these
required 96 credit hours:
Course No. Title Credit Hrs.
Terra 1
BI231
I a niaii t' ialoajv and P hvsioioev iii iii=iio i
H IVI
vEmergency Medical Technician Basic, Part 1
EMT075
Introduction to Emergency Medical Services
Noi
ES072
Introduction to Emergency Services
4
H 120
Medical Terminologv/Svstems I
3
WR121
English Composition -Exposition (or higher)
3
Term 2
AH080
C
..r;s;n iziierve;7tio1-1
3
ur,<,
Y1L1 Human Anatomy and Physiology (or higher)
4
EMT052
Emergency Medical Technician Basic, Part 2
4
EMT280A
Cooperative Work Experience
1
MTH070
Elementary Algebra (or higher)
4
Term 3
Human Anatomy and Physiology (or higher)
A
Y
EMT069
EMT Rescue
3
or
FRP056
Fire Service Rescue Practices
4
EM'I'070
Emergency Communication and Patient Transportation
- 3 i
ON
FRP053
Fire Incident Related Experience
3
PSY101
Psychology of Human Relations
3
or
HUM259
Death and Dying
3
5
PSY201
General Psychology -Biological Emphasis
3
Spill
Fundamentals of Public Sneaking (or higher)
3 _ . _
T_ Prm d
CS101
h Introduction t6 iviicff 1G017"ihli.tef` i�171)iica.ti Olin 1Oi f-il'i iiCl`1
3
H'I�A-1 I lU%
LlY 1 EMT Paramedic, Part 1
i4
Term 5
EM'1'097
EMT Paramedic. Part 2
14
Social Science elective
3
Ki
Humanities/Fine Arts elective
3
Term 6
EM'1'280F
Cooperative Work Experience
6
HPE295
Health and Fitness for Life
3
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Instruction
2
HS 101
Addiction Pharmacology and Physiology
4
HS 150
Personal Effectiveness for Human Services Workers
3
HS 154
Community Resources
H101
Medical Law and Ethics
3
H114
CPTIV Coding/Reimbursement
3
H121
Medical Terminoloa_v/Systems 2
3
H122
Advanced "topics in the Language of Medicine
3
HUM259
Death and Dying
3
MED 128
Introduction to Medical Science
3
MTH243
Probability and Statistics I
4
PSY101.
Psychology of Human Relations
3
PSY201
General Psychology -Biological Emphasis
WR227
Technical Writing
3
Foreign Language course
3
This program has been designed to be completed in two years, if you attend full time. However,
there are entry-level expectations for skill levels in reading, writing, and mathematics. "The length
of time you take to complete the program will depend on your skills in these areas. To assess the
time you will need to complete the program, please meet with the program chair.
Emergency Medical Technology -- Paramedic
In addition to tuition. estimated costs for students who complete the entire program are books.
$1,396; class fees, $1,193; equipment and supplies, $735. Contact the Financial Aid Office to
find out if you aualify for help with these costs.