Rochester Hills Legistar System

Chief Crowell gave a brief update that included the following:

* The Rochester Hills Fire Department (RHFD) took delivery last month of a tanker, an

engine and three (3) administrative vehicles that replaced ailing and damaged vehicles.

* The RHFD is going to use, on a test-basis, two (2) motorcycles from the City of

Pontiac Fire Department to determine if they are an effective way to assist with medical

incidents that may occur during the Festival of the Hills due to traffic congestion.

* The switch from using gas cards to the fuel station at the Department of Public Safety

(DPS) Building will likely be completed this month and should save an estimated $1,000

per month in fuel costs.

Chief Crowell discussed the current agreement with the Oakland County Medical

Control Authority (OCMCA) and how it relates to the current operations of the RHFD.

The following points were made:

* In 2004, the OCMCA identified the RHFD as an "Interim Advance Life Support

Agency" through 2007.

* An Interim Agency can run two (2) two-man Advance Life Support (ALS) units and one

(1) one-man ALS unit.

* Under the Agreement, RHFD has to show progression toward being a complete ALS

provider by eventually having two (2) paramedics on each unit which will require the City

to hire three (3) paramedics for Fiscal Year 2006 and three (3) paramedics for Fiscal

Year 2007 so that all ALS units will respond with a minimum of two (2) men at all times.

Chief Crowell also read the following excerpt from the OCMCA agreement, "... the

community will submit a letter from the local governing body acknowledging its intent to

achieve the Oakland County ALS standard of a minimum of two (2) paramedics within

three (3) years. A one year extension will be considered by the OCMCA provided the

community can demonstrate substantial progress towards compliance and a plan to

comply with twelve (12) months".

Based on the Agreement, the City has 2006 and 2007 to comply. If the City hires three

(3) paramedics in 2006, but cannot hire three (3) in 2007 due to financial constraints,

then the City could apply for a one (1) year extension to the Agreement. However, the

City would be required to hire three (3) paramedics for Fiscal Year 2008.

The Committee consensus was to discuss this again at the July Public Safety

Committee meeting.

None were presented.

Discussion of Emergency Preparedness

Chairperson Raschke introduced Ms. Karen Bickle, 735 Sandstone, who came before

the Committee to discuss her concern about the Consumers Power gas leak that

occurred in May on Squirrel and Dutton Roads.

Ms. Bickle stated that her concern was what could have been done differently to notify

the residents of the situation so they could have stayed off the 911 emergency lines in

case another emergency was happening at the same time.

The Committee discussed the emergency situation and made the following points:

* In this case, the RHFD and the Sheriff's Department could not put themselves in a

position to determine what area is safe or unsafe until Consumers Power made the

determination. This case was also unique because it encompassed four (4) municipal

jurisdictions.

* Had this emergency lasted longer than it did, there would have been formal updates

on the TV and radio stations.

* When an emergency of a large magnitude occurs, there are ten (10) things that

Sheriff Commanders have to do simultaneously as part of an "instant command"

procedure in order to make an assessment. It takes time to determine which Fire Chief

is in charge [by law], the type of emergency, the solutions needed and set up a media

center for updates to the community.

* Much of the evacuation was self-initiated due to residents speaking with media and

the media relaying incorrect information to the public.

* This is the first time since Oakland County went into an enhanced 911 program where

the 911 lines were all busy at the same time.

* When 911 lines are busy, the next best method for emergency notification is tuning to

TV Channels 2, 4 or 7 and/or tuning to radio station WJR.

* It is important for every subdivision or complex to have an active association group in

order to help each other in an emergency. It is equally important for each household to

have flashlights, transistor radios and supplies on hand in order to take care of

themselves for the first day or two during a critical emergency.

* From an emergency standpoint, Chief Crowell and Capt. Smith were very satisfied

with the way in which the gas leak was handled.

* Chief Crowell and Capt. Smith are in the process of re-examining a local radio system

that may be used to broadcast emergency update information such as, "...there is an

emergency, however, we have no information at this time, please do not call 911, and

stay tuned to this station for further updates..." or something to that affect.

Chairperson Raschke introduced Mr. Greg Formanczyk, 329 Powderhorn Court, who

came before the Committee to discuss a safety concern regarding the need for signage

on City bike paths to alert pedestrians, cyclists and joggers to stop or yield before

crossing intersections. This concern was previously discussed at two (2) Public Safety

Committee Meetings in 2004.

The Committee briefly discussed different methods of signage. It was the concensus of

the Committee to refer this matter to the Leisure Activities Committee for review

because bike paths are funded by a millage under Parks & Forestry.