The Alarm Has Sounded. a Descriptive Study of Performance Measures Of
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The Alarm Has Sounded: A Descriptive Study of Performance Measures of Fire Department ESDs in Travis County Damon Fogley Applied Research Project damon.fogley @gmail.com Submitted to the Department of Political Science Texas State University-San Marcos In Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration Fall 2014 Faculty Approval: _______________________________________ . Dr. Thomas Longoria, Ph.D. _____________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Emily K. Hanks, Ph.D. _______________________________________ Mr. Jason Alexander, MPA Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this research is to describe how the thirteen Emergency Service Districts (ESDs) in Travis County meet critical performance measures taken from national ISO, NFPA, CFAI and municipal benchmark standards. These recognized performance measures ensure effectiveness in protecting and preserving the life and property of citizens. Professional, scholarly and empirical literature was reviewed in order to determine “best practices” for the fire service. Fire service measures were divided into three descriptive categories: Fire (suppression) performance, staffing and training, and fire prevention. Thirteen ESDs in Travis County with varying budgets and sizes were evaluated. Methods: This study uses survey research, interviews and content analysis. A survey instrument was developed and distributed to all 13 ESDs in Travis County. A total of 10 surveys were completed followed by interviews with 15 ESD Chiefs, Commissioners, and various other emergency service administrators. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results of the survey. Findings: The majority of ESDs in Travis County are facing critical financial challenges and threats to their viability. The findings suggest that the fragmentation of ESDs in Travis County has played a significant role in the failure of the majority of ESDs to meet nationally recognized standards. 1 About the author The author, Damon Fogley, is a native Californian who moved to Texas during 2006 as part of his military career. He now resides in Kyle, Texas. He served as an officer in the US Army in the rank of Captain up until 2013 when he received an honorable discharge. He has 15 years in public safety, which includes 8 years of employment as a National Registry Paramedic for Austin-Travis County EMS, serving the residents of the City of Austin and Travis County communities. One of the stations he is currently assigned to is the Kennedy Station in Lago Vista, TX, which is within the jurisdiction of Travis County ESD #1 (North Lake Travis Fire Rescue). This research interest stems from his career as a paramedic in Travis County, during which time, he observed firsthand widely varying levels of performance amongst ESDs in Travis County (as compared to the Austin Fire Department, and furthermore, wanted to explore this discovery). Damon holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in Spanish from California State University, Long Beach. Upon the successful completion of this project he will have earned a masters degree in public administration from Texas State University. Damon can be reached at: [email protected] 2 Acknowledgements A special thanks to the following people who have been instrumental to the success of this applied research project by dedicating time and effort to the data collection phase of this study: • Danny Hobby, Executive Director, Travis County Emergency Services o Provided Travis County ESD financial and demographic data that was otherwise difficult to obtain • Dave Herman, ESD #4 Commissioner o Provided firsthand knowledge, anecdotal reference and insight to the ESD problems that are faced in Travis County • Jesse Williams, Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office o Provided Travis County ISO ratings that were otherwise difficult to ascertain • Karyl Kinsey, Austin Fire Department Planning and Research o Assisted with the compilation of ESD response time data and literature pertaining to national response time standards • Ken Campbell, ESD #10 Commissioner o Assisted by providing insight and knowledge with background data pertaining to the history of ESDs in the State of Texas • Robert Bredahl, Battalion Chief, Austin Fire Department o His fire service technical expertise was used to construct some of the survey questions which in turn allowed for the compilation of meaningful and relative technical data I would like to also recognize and thank Professor Thomas Longoria, PhD, (Texas State University MPA program director), for his dedication and guidance which directly contributed to the success of this project. 3 Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... 7 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 10 History and Setting ................................................................................................................................ 11 ESD Population ...................................................................................................................................... 12 ESD Funding .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Research Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 21 Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................................................ 22 Chapter Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 22 Performance Measures .......................................................................................................................... 22 Conceptual Framework .......................................................................................................................... 23 Fire Suppression Measures ................................................................................................................... 25 Response Times ..................................................................................................................................... 25 Equipment Readiness ............................................................................................................................ 30 Overall ISO PPC Fire Suppression Rating ................................................................................................. 32 Water Availability .................................................................................................................................. 34 Fire Extension ........................................................................................................................................ 35 Staffing and Training ............................................................................................................................ 38 Staffing .................................................................................................................................................. 38 Emergency Medical Services (Training) ................................................................................................ 43 Proficiency Training .............................................................................................................................. 45 Fire Prevention ..................................................................................................................................... 49 Education Activities ............................................................................................................................... 50 Inspection Activities .............................................................................................................................. 52 Investigation Activities .......................................................................................................................... 54 Chapter 3: Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 56 Chapter Purpose ................................................................................................................................... 56 Operationalization ................................................................................................................................ 57 Unit of Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 67 Procedures: Online Distribution and Interview Process ......................................................................... 67 Human Subjects Protection.................................................................................................................... 69 4 Data Limitations.................................................................................................................................... 69 Chapter 4: Findings ............................................................................................................................