The process may include:
Educational presentation
Evaluation of existing organizations and operations
Conducting a feasibility study
Development of implementation strategies if a cooperative effort is determined to be a viable option
Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) has been actively involved for more than ten years in working with emergency service providers that are considering a formal cooperative relationship. ESCI is used exclusively by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) to provide educational workshops throughout the country on the subject of merger and consolidation. Currently, six of our staff members have personally experienced at least one successful merger or consolidation.
The process used by ESCI is objective and fair to all parties. Areas that are addressed may include:
Organizational effectiveness
Efficiency and elimination of duplication
Fiscal analysis and cost avoidance
Growth considerations
Customer need
Strategies and keys to success
ISO grading (fire service)
Political considerations and legal processes
Infrastructure needs and deficiencies
Opportunities for shared facilities and equipment
Government structure options
Evaluation of effectiveness and efficiencies
Local oversight, governing, and accountability
Available options
Each situation is unique, requiring careful consideration. Consultation with legal counsel and other specialized professionals is a necessary component of protecting the interests of all communities. Seminars are available (and encouraged) to provide an overview of the differences between the various cooperative strategies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The following list is a sampling of cooperative effort strategies that fire departments can employ:
Develop Uniform Standard Operating Guidelines
Develop Regional Specialty Teams
Develop a Joint Support and Logistics Services Division
Establish a Regional Investigation Team
Develop a Regional Fire Safety Education Coalition
Develop a Regional Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Network
Create a Unified Occupational Medicine Program
Create a Unified Wellness and Fitness Program
Develop and Adopt Regional Training Standards
Develop and Adopt a Regional Training Manual
Develop a Regional Training Plan
Develop Shared Fire and EMS Training Facilities
Develop Mutual Training Strategies
Adopt and Implement a Regional Computerized Training Records Management System
Develop Uniform Fees for Service
Adopt a Single Regional Fire Code
Purchase Uniform Emergency Apparatus
Develop a Model Labor Agreement for Participating Departments
Develop Uniform EMS Re-certification Training and EMS Supervision
Acquire AVL and MDC or MDT Capabilities
Develop Uniform Pre-Incident Plans
Provide for Joint Staffing of Stations and Apparatus
Provide Shared IC and Operations Supervision
Develop a Unified Office of Emergency Management
Develop Uniform Incident Reporting Guidelines
Provide System-Wide Guidelines for Fire Response
Implement the Use of Peak Activity Units (PAUs)
Create a Cooperative Strategic Plan Including Neighboring Emergency Service Providers
Develop System-Wide Deployment Plan for Paramedics
Provide System-Wide Guidelines for EMS Response
Provide Joint EMS Supply Purchasing and Logistics Services
Purchase and Implement an Electronic Staffing Program
Develop Uniform Deployment Standards
Contact ESCI today for additional information about opportunities for cooperative effort and the potential for related cost efficiencies.
