Fire Dept Staffing Study - June 2012 MRI

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for the credible operation of a modern emergency services organization. Operational procedures and guidelines ensure the consistent, effective, efficient, and safe operation of various aspects of the department's operations, both emergency and routine. The Lexington Fire Department has adopted a series of standard operating guidelines (SOGs) that cover a number of important areas concerning field operations and safety. According to department members, some of these policies are based on SOGs from the Phoenix, AZ, Fire Department and may not reflect the operational realities of Lexington. Based on the feedback that we received, it appears that the current SOGs have not received buy -in or acceptance from the line personnel in the department. If policies and procedures are not realistic or otherwise flawed and are not being followed, field performance will not be consistent and may be adversely impacted. In addition, the department will have no effective benchmarks for evaluating and improving performance. The existing fire department policies and SOGs should be subjected to a complete review and overhaul. An internal process should be developed that includes input and participation from all levels of the department, the documented receipt by each employee, a process for regular review and updating, and training for all personnel on policies and procedures. It is important to note that it is fully appropriate to use policies and procedures from other fire departments or fire organizations as a template for Lexington's efforts. Obsolete, Inadequate and Unsafe Central Fire Station The adequacy, quality, and appearance of fire station facilities have a great impact on the performance of the department as a whole. Attractive, functional, clean, and well- designed quarters contribute substantially to the morale, productivity, and operational effectiveness of the agency, as well as to its public image, dignity and prestige. Well- designed fire and EMS facilities enable staff to perform their duties efficiently and effectively. As a facility ages, it may no longer meet the needs of an evolving department, thus negatively affecting morale, efficiency, safety, security, technology, and overall efforts to provide quality fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. Old and obsolete facilities are also expensive to maintain due to inefficient energy systems. The fire department headquarters facility is obsolete and dysfunctional. Apparatus floor space and door dimensions are barely adequate for modern -day fire apparatus, and there are inadequate capabilities for equipment decontamination and cleaning. Crew quarters are deficient and do not meet current fire safety codes. Administrative space is woefully inefficient and inadequate, and the fire prevention office is located in a commercial construction trailer at the rear of the fire station. There is no training classroom or capabilities for interior training props, and the site does not provide for any outside training facilities. The problems from the petroleum spill from a neighboring property that infiltrated the basement continue to linger. Temporary structural supports have been installed in the basement, and cracks have appeared Town of Lexington, MA: Fire Department Staffing Study Page 5 I' I Prepared by Municipal Resources, Inc. June 2012 Municipal Resources