1. ISO Rating/Ambulance RateKalispell Fire/Ambulance Dept.
336 1 st Ave. East • P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
Report to: Mayor and City Council
From: Ted Waggener, Fire Chief
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
Subject: ISO Draft Report
Meeting Date: April, 24,00
r_
OC;--==
Telephone 406-758-7764
Fax 406-758-7758
Background: The city contracted with Emergency Services Consulting Group
for a pre -ISO evaluation. The draft report has been received and will be discussed
at the Council Work Shop on April 24,00.
Recommendation: It is recommended the City Council concentrate on three areas
of the draft report and consider policy changes in these areas: Fire department
dispatch, available on -duty personnel and fire department training.
Fiscal Effects: Depends on council action.
Alternatives: As suggested by the council.
Attachments: Draft Report from Emergency Services Consulting Group.
March 12, 2000
Mr. Ted Waggener, Fire Chief
Kalispell F"fre Department
336 1A Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
Dear Chief Waggener,
Thank -you for giving me the opportunity to review the fire defenses of Kalispell as
they apply to ISO. Many things have been accomplished under your leadership. Your are
to be congratulated on your efforts. I am sure that your improvement efforts will lead to a
lower insurance rate for the citizens of Kalispell.
This report contains projections based on (a) the materials provided to me, (b.)
the city's ability to improve and (c.) its indication that it wants to improve. A number of
recommendations are contained within this report that (if followed) will result in an
improve€ wA in youx insurance rating.
If the city complies with the recommendations listed in this report your fire
classification will drop to class 4 and will be close to a class 3.
If I can be of assistance to you in this endeavor, please do not hesitate to call.
Good Luck!
Ifi
Chief Ted Waggener
Kalispell Fire Department
336 1't Ave. East
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
Dear Chief Waggener,
Understanding that you have a planning session this week, I am forwarding you an
action plan for ISO improvements for your department. Please be advised that this is not
the draft report that will follow this week but it does contain vital information that you
have requested. My calculations indicate that the fire department will be able to obtain a
class 4 rating. The exact specifics will be contained within the draft report.
Sincerely,
Joe Lynch
Action Flan For ISO Improvements
• A decision needs to be made concerning your emergency dispatch. Currently fire calls
are handled by tie city dispatch center and ambulance dispatch only is handled by the
county dispatch center_ Neither dispatch center is providing a complete servicq to the
fire department_ There is a plan to establish a closer working relationship among the
various fire departments in Flathead County and the county dispatch has indicated
their willingness to handle your fire traffic. The county dispatch already receives the
911 fire calls and transfers them to the city: however, the system does not have the
one -button transfer feature required by the ISO schedule. On ambulance dispatches,
the county dispatches the call and reties on the Kalispell Fire Department to provide
radio service to the call. My recommendation is for the county 911 to handle all fire
and EMS radio traffic for the Kalispell Fire Departmem The programming of the
county's CAD dispatch computer program will need to be changed to allow computer
data analysis.
• The fire department needs to upgrade the radio equipment throughout the fire station
in order to receive the county transmissions. If the county system is employed, all off -
duty firefighters should carry radios or pagers equipped with the county frequency.
• The fire department needs to use the intercom-telephow line existing between the
county 911 center and the fire station for a "rip and run' secondary dispatch circuit.
The county indicated that they could "dump" their dispatch screen to a remote printer.
A dedicated dot matrix printer set up in the apparatus room or duty office would
suffice. This would give you the two dispatch circuits that your department needs.
Both circuits are required to be used on every call.
• The city's 911 capability needs to be enhanced to receive one -button transfer from the
county 911 center_ This would include anie and ally data.
• The needed fire flow for the city is 3500 gallons per minute requiring three engine
companies. You have three engine companies and one ladder. If your plans are to
decommission the 1950 Pierch, you will not receive total reserve credit Two engine
companies and one ladder should respond to each report of structure fire in the city.
More information about the response will be included in the draft report.
• All equipment listed on the ISO apparatus and equipment form should be on the
appropriate truck Some of the equipment is for pumpers and the other equipment is
for the ladder.
• The 5 year non-destructive testing and the annual 400 pound cylinder drift test of the
aerial ladder should be continued.
• In considering the distribution of fire stations, the maps provided indicated 18,000 feet
was the approximate extreme city limits. One fire station seems to take care of most
of the city coverage area. I am concerned about the e=eme North section of the city
around the Buffalo Stage! Riverview Green areas. The remote and limit access
characteristics produce a lengthy response time. As the city grows, plans should be
developed to establish a fire station in the northern area_ I understand that the barrier
of the Stillwater River will not allow a contiguous area at the present: however, city
planners should consider the possibility of connecting the two northern peninsulas of
the city. For the present, the city should consider an automatic aid agreement with the
Evergreen Fire Department specifically to enhance coverage in the Buffalo Stage/
Riverview Green areas. Forecasting growth for the community is beyond the scope of
this study but (for ISO purposes) I would recommend that city plan the development
of a second station along Hwy. 93 in the area of Grandview. This would create a 2 '/2
mile response to the the Buffalo Stage/ Riverview Green areas.
• The city needs to strengthen the available on -duty personnel. For safety and ISO
improvement, the on -duty force should never drop below four firefighters. A recall
program should be established for the additional pumper and ladder service. This will
be discussed in the draft report.
• The department should begin reporting the total time out of service for the transport
unit each month. The data should be separated between in and out of city responses.
• The cry needs to establish a training center. I would encourage the city to explore the
Creston Training Facility that is located approximately 7S miles away_ The city could
claim this facil gas rtstraining center. Another sug•es6m-aoaldbefor the city to
cAyAvec uic vvpnwntof its own training center. Usually, an -industrial area is better
suited for this purpose. A minimum of two acres is required for this purpose. If the
city acquires land for a second fire station, a training center could be located there.
The fire station could be part of the two acres.
• The city needs to establish a hydrant flow/ pressure check process in which ALL
hydrants are flowed and tested at least once a year. Currently this is not being
performed annually. The ISO schedule calls for this to be performed twice a year. I
will discuss this in the draft report.
• The department should have a designated training officer and water supply officer.
These two postions are critical to the lowering of your insurance classification.
Recommendations
Receiving and Handling Alarms
This grading feature reviews the alarm and communications systems of the fire
department. Ten schedule points are available in this area..
1. Item 414. Credit For Telephone Service
Telephone service is based on the population served by the dispatch center. The
city's dispatch center represents approximately 16,000 people while the county center
represents 60,000 (U.S. Census-1990).
If the fire department uses the city's current dispatch center, two emergency lines
and one business line will be required. If the fire department chooses the county's 911
center, four emergency lines and two business lines will be required. Arrangements with
the telephone company should be made so that these lines progress (rollover) to each
other. These lines can be standard seven digit numbers or 911 lines.
A policy.should be established to receive all autocnatic fire alarms calls on a
specific seven digit alarm line.
The telephone directory listings were consistent will the ISO Fire Suppression
Grading Schedule. Each year, the published telephone directory should be reviewed to
make sure that the face deparune # listings are present in the three areas -mandated by the
schedule.
I anticipate the department scoring 2.00 points in this area
2. Item 422. Credit For Operators
The information provided to me indicates that 5,475 calls are handled by a staff of
1.3 dispatchers at the city dispatch center and 12,775 calls are handled by a staff of 2.41
dispatchers at the county dispatch center.
Discussion were held during the site visit about the county's dispatch center
involving the possibility of meeting the current NFPA 122I's performance -based criteria.
The Under -Sheriff indicated that it was possible to program the CAD to produce this
report. I would follow-up with that discussion and request that change. The standard
calls for a performance indicator that compares the time that the 911 phone rings to the
time the call is answered to the time the call is dispatched. The standard calls for 95% of
all calls to be answered in 30 seconds and in no case shall a call take over 60 seconds to be
answered. Once the call is answered, the dispatcher has another 60 seconds to dispatch
the call. This has to be substantiated by computer analysis using the three variables
mentioned before. In most cases, less personnel are required to meet the ISO standard by
the performance -based criteria than by the activity count method. Law enforcement has
not equalivant standard
The activity count method is part of the previous NFPA 1221 standard (1988
edition) and it simply compares the activity level of the dispatchers to the staffing level.
The activity level of the city's-dispatch-center requiestwo, around the clock dispatchers
while the county's activity level requires three dispatchers.
The county's dispatch center is not capable of producing the report that would
indicate compliance with the performance -based criteria. Therefore, I calculated the
points based on the activity count method.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 1.30 points in this
area.
3. Item 432. Credit For Dispatch Circuits
The primary circuit for the fire department is radio. If the department chooses to
change its fire dispatch to the county 911 center, a radio or radio monitor should
be installed in the fire station with speakers throughout the building. Currently, a
PA -telephone line connected to speakers throughout the fire station is connected
to the county 911 center. I recommend that this line be used to "dump" the CAD
screen of the county 911 center to a dot matrix "rip and run" printer to be used as
a secondary circuit. Remember that this will require a programming change of the
county's CAD system. Emergency power is not an issue at the city or the county
dispatch centers.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 5.00 points in
this area.
Fire Department
The fire department feature addresses the various equipment, personnel, and
training needs of the fire department.
4_ Item 513. Credit for Engine Companies
Due to needed fire flow, the department is required to have three engine
companies. The department has three engine companies. It is imperative that all
equipment listed in table 512.A. of the Fire Suppression Grading Schedule should
be on all three pumpers. Mahe sure that all hose is tested to at least 250 psi for 5
minutes and the pumps are tested annually to NFPA 1901 specifications. Two
pumpers are required for response to all structural fires in the city. This should be
included in a fire department SOP or SOG. Off -shift firefighters can be used for
one of the pumpers: however, the response must be guaranteed.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 10.00 points in
this area.
4. Item 523. Credit for Reserve Pumpers
With the arrival of the new Smeal pumper, the department plans to
decommission
1950 Pierch pumper. Due to redundancy in existing engines, the department will
score reserve pumper credit even though there is no reserve.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 0.67
points in this area.
5. Item 532. Credit for Pump Capacity
With the arrival of the new pumper and the decommissioning of the 1950
Pierch,
the department will have 5,500 gallons of pump capacity. The needed fire flow for
the city is 3,500 gallons.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 5.00
points in this area.
6. Item 549. Credit for Ladder Service
Due to the number of structures 35 feet or three stories in height,
the
is required to have an aerial ladder. The department currently have an aerial
ladder. It is imperative that the department equip the ladder with all the equipment
on table 544. A., and 544. B. of the Fire Suppression Grading Schedule. It is
important that the department continue the non-destructive testing of the aerial
ladder every five years and begin the NFPA cylinder drift test annually. The
guideline for this in-house test are published in NFPA 1901. The aerial ladder
must be responded to all reports of structure fire in the city to get the ISO credit.
The response can be made by off -shift firefighters but it is important that the
response is guaranteed. Response time is not as important as the assurance that
the aerial ladder is assigned and used for all structural fires without delay! This
should be in a fire department SOP or SOG.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 5.00
points in this area
7. Item 56 1. Credit for Distribution
The calculation Mused in 1994 was -used in- this study. A slight
improvement is
in this score is anticipated due to your compliance with the equipment mandates of
the ISO schedule for pumpers and ladders. I do not anticipate a real improvement
in this grade until a second station is established. The location of a second station
is recommended in the area of Grandview Street in the northern part of the city.
This will provide a quicker response to the Buffalo Stage/Riverview Green areas.
The city matches its current response demands with fire department equipment:
however, automatic aid with the Evergreen Fire Department should be considered
for the Buffalo Stage/Riverview Green areas for response time considerations.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring 2.12
points in this area.
8. Item 571. Credit for Company Personnel
The department has M firefighters on- staff (four shdl&of four firefighters
with
two relief personnel). The department maintains a minimum staff of three on -duty
firefighters on duty. It is a concern that the fire department now responds two of
the three on -duty firefighters to county ambulance calls and relies on off -shift
personnel to fill in at the station. I have calculated the personnel credit on the
basis of three on -duty and three off -shift personnel responding on foes. The
department will continue to score low in the personnel In 1994, the department
scored 2.43 points in personnel. In order to receive full credit in the grading
schedule, six firefighters are required on each pumper and ladder truck. For safety
reasons and the grading schedule, I believe that at least four firefighters should be
on -duty at all times. This item should be improved along with the implementation
of an aggressive recall program for off -shift firefighters. The department operates
an ALS transport ambulance. The ISO schedule deducts personnel for EMS
responsibilities. On non -transport agencies, the deduction is one firefighter for
2000 EMS calls. On transport agencies, the deduction is prorated as to the time a
transport unit is out of service. The department does not currently calculate the
time out of service for their transport unit. The calculations used in this report are
based on one personnel being taken away due to the 2000 EMS calls.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring
1.88 points in this area.
9. Item 581. Credit for Training
Training is an area in which the department can make significant gains.
I will be forwarding you some forms for consideration in documenting your
training program. The ISO schedule is- specific in the training hours that must be
verified by records. The ISO field representative will want to review your training
records by shift. The department should develop a training center that will include
a drill tower of at least five stories in height along with a bum building. I will be
happy to give you input on the design of these facilities. The department is
entertaining the development of a regional training center. The Creston Training
Center would benefit the department greatly. The county government should be
solicited to assist in this endeavor. This would be a way in which the county
government could help all fire departments by making a minimal investment. To
determine the current grade, this report considered the department having a tape
on fighting flammable liquid fires, a VCR, slide project, pump and hydrant
cutaways, and a training area with water supply. All drills should be performed at
the training facilities. A total of fourteen drills are required. The training officer
should pre -schedule all drills and special category training to ensure compliance
with the schedule.
Any drill- center should be located on two- acres of property. The burn
building should be able to withstand repetitive fires. Please contact me
prior to the development of such facilities for input.
Furthermore, I have calculated the training credit with the
department in compliance with categories B. through H. of item 580. (Training) of
the fire Suppression- Grading Schedule. Pre -fire plans should be completed on
each commercial structure in the city and revisited on a bi-annual basis.
With this in mind, I anticipate the department scoring
7.56 for
this item.
All the fire departments in Flathead County need training facilities. Why not share
the expense and effort in establishing these facilities? A coalition approach is very
desirous in creating a training facility. A committee should be established to
determine the number of needed facilities and plan the development of such
facilities The fire departments, county government, public utilities, and private
corporations all befit from improved fire training. Building a coalition will
lessen the cost of each facility and allow multiple facilities to be built. Also, by
every fire department being involved, the county and state governments are more
likely to provide funding or land for this project. The committee should inventory
the training capabilities within the county first and develop cooperative agreements
with those departs that have existing facilities, Exishng facilities should be
improved to meet state and ISO requirements. Future training sites should be
developed as funding is secured. Realistically, it will take up to five years to
develop the number of training facilities that will be required in the county.
Water Supply
This feature evaluated the water supply available for fire protection.
The department received a good- grade for the water supply in 1994 and
(considering the improvements made), I anticipate they will receive at least the
same grade in a future rating. The water department has improved the system
since the last inspection and consequently, the available water has improved. All
tanks are kept full. The city currently has the water capacity to provide the
mwd m= daily d:onsumption. mwR of the required fire flow for three hours. That
amount is 1,622,525 gallons of water.
A water supply officer should be established to analyze all areas of the city
to determine if insufficient water flow and hydrant distribution is present. This
process is called a water supply inventory. Alternative water supply techniques
should be employed to overcome challenges. The water supply officer should
compare the water distribution system to the needed fire flows identified in the
batch report.
Ail new water mains in the county should be at least 6" in diameter. The
ISO schedule mandates that at least 250 g.p.m. for two hours shall be
maintained at representative locations in order to qualify for a class 8 rating
or be -ow Pressurized hydrants, dry hydrants, and large diameter hose
should all be considered in developing this water supply. A systematic
approach to water supply should be undertaken to develop new water
supply sources in each area identified as water supply challenged.
The weight capacity of all bridges in Kalispell. should be determined to
assist with the planning for possible tanker shuttle operations.
The city should start testing and flowing fire hydrants at least once a year.
The schedule calls for two such tests. The second test can be an
"operational" test_ Please contact me concerning the second test.
(If you do the things that I mentioned as the minimal in the report)
GRADING ITEMS
Actual
Maximum
2.00
2.00
1. (Item 414.) Credit For Telephone Service
1.32
3.00
2. (Item 422.) Credit For Operators
5_ 00
5.00
3. (Item 432.) Credit For Dispatch Circuits
10.00
4. (Item 440.) TOTAL CREDIT FOR RECEIVING
AND HANDLING ALARMS
10.00
10.00
5. (Item 513.) Credit For Engine Companies
(7.5 if four are required)
. 67
1.00
6. (Item 523.) Credit For Reserve Pumpers
5.00
5.00
7. (Item 532.) Credit For Pump Capacity
5.00
5.00
8. (Item 549.) Credit For Ladder Service
9
1.00
9. (Item 553.) Credit For Reserve Ladder
Service
2.12
4.00
10. (Item 561.) Credit For Distribution
15.00+
11. (Item 571.) Credit For Company Personnel
7.56
9.00
12. (Item 581.) Credit For Training
32.23
50.00+
13. (Item 590.) TOTAL CREDIT FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
32.06
35.00
14. (Item 616.) Credit For The Water System
I •�
2.00
15. (Item 621.) Credit For Hydrants
1.39
3.00
16. (Item 631.) Credit For Inspection And
35.35
40.00
17. (Item 640.) TOTAL CREDIT FOR WATER SUPPLY
18. RECEIVING AND HANDLING FIRE ALARMS 8.30
FIRE DEPARTMENT
WATER SUPPLY
DIVERGENCE
TOTAL CREDIT
Classification Breakdown
90-100 Class One
80-89.9 Class Two
70-79.9 Class Three
60-69.9 Class Four
50-59.9 Class Five
40-49.9 Class Six
30-39.9 Class Seven
20-29.9 Class Eight
10-19.9 Class Nine
00-9.99 Class Ten
32.23
35.35
-4.79
71.09
Kalispell Fire/Ambulance Dept.
336 1 st Ave. East • P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
Report To: Kalispell Mayor and City Council
From: Ted A. Waggener, Fire Chief
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
Subject: Rate increase request for Kalispell City Ambulance.
Meeting Date: April 24, 2000
Background: The last rate increase for Kalispell City Ambulance was
October 6 h, 1997, and was as listed below:
Item Basic Life Support
Disposables*
Base Rate
$235.00
Loaded Mile
6.00
(First 100)
Over 100
4.35
Oxygen
25.00 First 1/2
hr.,$10.00 ea.
additional hr.
Drugs
Advanced Life Support
Disposables*
$305.00
6.00
5.60
25.00 First 1/2
hr., 10.00 ea.
additional hr.
cost of drug
Telephone 406-758-7764
Fax 406-758-7758
The proposed budget for 00-01 recommends supporting the general fund of the
fire department by $99,145 from the ambulance fund. This was derived from 15%
of all firefighters wages and 75 % of our E.M.S. Directors wages. This support of the
fire department budget will allow us the two additional firefighters we are requesting
in the that budget. This will help in our effort to lower our I.S. O. Rating. We are
also recommending the hiring of a 1/2 time clerk H (the cost is $11,534.00) to help
in ambulance billing and fire department secretarial duties. A 1/2 time clerk is needed
as the work load has increased. Our ambulance runs are increasing each year, and the
billing of Medicare, Medicaid and insurance is very time consuming. It would also
provide the department with backup in case of illness etc.
Recommendation: To approve a rate increase for the Kalispell City Ambulance,
as listed below:
Item
Basic Life Support
Advanced Life Support
Disposables*
Disposables*
Base Rate
$270.00
$370.00
Loaded Mile
7.00
7.00
(First 100)
Over 100
4.35
5.60
Oxygen
30.00 First 1/2
30.00 First 1/2
hr.,$10.00 ea.
hr., 10.00 ea.
additional hr.
additional hr.
Drugs
cost of drug
Fiscal Effects:
Increase in revenue of $112,523.00.
Alternative:
As suggested by the City Council.
Attachments: See attachment #1 for comparison of rates throughout Montana.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ted Waggener Chris Kukulski
Fire Chief City Manager
v�����•
N+��
WIWI
MONTANA HEALTHCARE CONSULTANTS, INC.
ALS BASE RATE
BLS BASE RATE
ALS MILEAGE
BLS MILEAGE
BLS ROUTINE SUPPLIES
ALS ROUTINE SUPPLIES
OXYGEN
ALS IV SUPPLIES
ALS INTUBATION SUPPLIES
(406) 549-7104
1-800-850-4574
Fax (406) 542-2785
CHARGE RANGE FOR AMBULANCE RATES
Pmse,07— KW —le—
Pnpo-d Q4T{
$375.00
TO
$450.00
A0370
306-00
3 70, 00
$250.00
TO
$325.00
A0362
a
a 7O .00
$7.00
TO
$9.00
A0390
4.00
7• 0 0
$6.00
TO
$7.00
A0380
6.00
7.00
$20.00
TO
$25.00
A0382
$45.00
TO
$60.00
A0398
$30.00 '
TO
$45.00
A0422
30.0 O
36• O 0
$25.00
TO
$40.00
A0934
$50.00
TO
$80.00
A0396
Chief Waggener,
Any price in this range is consistent with rates across the State of Montana.
Call if you have any questions. 888 850-4574.
1008 Burlington Ave., Suite C • Missoula, Montana 59801