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Session 11.20, Minutes December 15, 1975 Page 6 CONSULTANT'S REPORT 014 FIRE SERVICE - City 11anager Ellman reviewed the request that was made of the Public Adminis- tration Service of Chicago for the preparation of a report having to do with the operations of the Fire Department. This consultant firm had spent over three weeks in the field here in University City, inspecting facilities and equipment and examining the topography and the housing stock. The report had been recently forwarded to the Mayor and members of the Council. The report contained various conclusions and recommendations which were supported by considerable data gathered by principals of the firm in the course of their study of the City. These are summarized below: Conclusions 1. There are no unusual fire protection problems in the city and barring a drastic change in structural conditions, the life safety and fire potential will not change significantly in the future. 2. Engine House No. 2 can be deactivated since present fire station dis- tribution shows that extensive overlapping coverage now exists. Taking advantage of the present mutual aid agreement with other cities and fire districts, the remaining two stations can provide adequate service to all parts of the city. 3. A departmental total of 45 personnel is required to provide fire fight- ing and ambulance service. Three ambulance driver positions should be abolished. 4. First line fire fighting apparatus is in good condition, well equipped and maintained. City needs are adequately met through use of a total of two pumpers and one ladder truck, one mini -pumper and one ambulance. Accordingly, a surplus pumper and ambulance should be placed in reserve. 5. University City is commended for adopting a modern fire prevention code. The quantitative aspects of its fire inspection schedule is more than adequate but the quality of inspections could be improved. 6. Full implementation of the foregoing suggestions will not change the fire insurance classification of the city. 7. The city will derive an estimated budgetary savings of about $50,000 by effecting all the recommendations of the study. Recommendations 1. Certain management changes should be accomplished to distribute work assignments and responsibilities among senior officers and men of the department. 2. Response procedures would require two pumpers, the ladder truck, the ambulance and mutual aid companies for all structural fires and the mini - pumper for all automobile, grass and minor alarms. The ambulance would be supplemented in its response by mutual aid assistance from the de- partment nearest the emergency. Continued, next page