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Home My WebLink AboutFY 2024 (KFD Kauai Fire Department) Budget Narrative KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT FY 2024 BUDGET AND OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS Mike Gibson Chief 1 Department: FIRE Fund: GENERAL FUND 1. FY 2023 to FY 2024 BUDGET COMPARSION 2 The overall budget for the Fire Department increased by 11.1%. Personnel costs account for 88.89% of the overall budget with a year-over-year increase of $2,751,857 in salary and benefit costs for FY2024. This increase in personnel cost is due to a salary adjustment via collective bargaining, and the additional Ocean Safety protection and coverage. Operational costs account for the remaining 11.11% with a year-over year increase of $1,316421. Operational budget requests were scrutinized and prioritized for submittal. Lower priority needs have been deferred or eliminated from this proposal. 2. MAJOR CHANGES AND/OR VARIANCES IN OPERATIONS BUDGET As our community continues to grow and thrive from a rise in population and tourism, there is a corresponding increase in requests for services from Fire and Ocean Safety. KFD FIRE OPERATIONS CALLS FOR SERVICE Incident Type FY2022 YTD FY2023 YTD Trend Fire 304 328 8.00% Rupture/Explosion 1 0 0.00% Medical/Rescue 3191 3463 9.00% Hazardous Condition 32 28 -13.00% Service Call 292 327 12.00% Good Intent 559 675 21.00% False Call 120 150 25.00% Severe Weather 1 4 300.00% Other 0 2 0.00% TOTAL 4500 4977 11.00% OCEAN SAFETY BEACH ACTIVITY Activity Type FY2022 YTD FY2023 YTD Trend Rescue 285 533 87.02% Preventative Action 84,922 245,780 189.42% First Aid / Minor 2,690 8,883 230.22% Public Contact 193,786 125,188 -35.40% Jet Ski Rescue 45 133 195.56% Beach Attendance 1,786,424 1,769,103 -0.97% 3 Ocean Safety / Expanded Hours and Staffing Plan $451,116 Addition of twelve (12) Full Time Ocean Safety Officer I, Lifeguards to provide safe and consistent staffing of 2 Lifeguards for each of our Twelve Lifeguard Towers and each of our Three Roving JetSki patrols. The staffing plan includes converting all personnel to a 4 x 10 hour work day to expand our operating hours and safeguarding of the beaches from 8 hours to 10 hours, 7 days per week. Service Delivery $ 911,700 Key budget items to enhance service delivery include vehicle replacements, emergency response equipment, mobile data computers, and mobile tablets. These enhancements support emergency response and key service delivery. 4 Operational Readiness $ 476,052 To maintain and enhance operational readiness, the department has committed to replacing two fire department support vehicles, replacing expired rescue equipment, and providing specialized and required training to our personnel and our Cadre Instructors. 3. OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES Emergency Response Vehicle Fleet The department has deferred emergency vehicle replacement over the past several years to reduce costs in a challenging economic environment. This approach has proven to be costly as evidenced by an increase of repair and maintenance costs, along with periods of emergency vehicle unavailability. The department has implemented a vehicle replacement program to identify optimal times for vehicle replacement based on age, miles, condition, maintenance history, and use. There are immediate needs that have been addressed in FY2023 and FY2024 budget proposals. Aging Technology The department has leveraged technology in its service delivery for many years. Some of the original hardware is still being used today but has become obsolete. Examples of this are the mobile data computers in front line apparatus, and non-compliant thermal imagers for low visibility environments. The department has included these items on a scheduled replacement program. Aging Equipment The department utilizes a vast array of equipment as it addresses all-hazard emergency response across Kaua‘i. As this equipment ages, it loses its effectiveness or safety margins requiring replacement or repair. The FY2024 budget proposals include replacements for rope systems, helicopter operations gear, Rescue Watercraft, hazardous materials response equipment, etc. This equipment is essential for safe operations and successful mitigation of emergencies. 5 4. TOP OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 2023 Service Delivery In FY2023 the department significantly enhanced operational communications through procurement and installation of much needed updated hardware including Mobile Data Computers, replacement of older portable and mobile radios, and infrastructure improvements. These vital components will greatly enhance operations and the safety of our responders during emergencies. Operational Readiness Funding from prior year budgets was instrumental in preparing for our response capability and reliability. During FY2023 the department was provided funding to procure a replacement Battalion Chief Command Vehicle, 2 Fire Engines, 1 Brush Truck, and a Mechanic Fleet Service Vehicle. A replacement Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Fill Station was also funded to replace an aged and failing system. Community Risk Reduction FY2023 funding enabled KFD to once again provide the students at our schools with Hands Only CPR Training, Stop The Bleed, and also to help our Elderly Community and provide assistance to Elderly Affairs with Fall Prevention. Efforts are underway to revitalize community interaction and to provide Fire Safety Education with a program similar to the “Sparky Trailer”, along with another program entitled “Junior Firefighters” to seek and encourage younger generations to gain a sense of engagement and involvement with Public Safety and/or Service.