REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Scott M. Haberle, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY: Kevin Justen, Senior Administrative Analyst
Subject:
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Consider for approval the City’s responses to Grand Jury Report “Where’s the Fire? Stop Sending Fire Trucks to Medical Calls”
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Statement of Issue:
The City Council is requested to approve the attached responses by the City Council and the Fire Chief to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury report “Where’s the Fire? Stop Sending Fire Trucks to Medical Calls” and authorize the Mayor to sign the attached transmittal letter to The Honorable Erick L. Larsh, Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court. The Grand Jury report cites Penal Code requirements that the City Council and Fire Chief provide responses to the report’s findings and recommendations.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the City Council and Fire Chief responses to the findings and recommendations in the Grand Jury report “Where’s the Fire? Stop Sending Fire Trucks to Medical Calls” and authorize the Mayor to sign the attached transmittal letter to The Honorable Erick L. Larsh, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Orange County.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the responses to the Grand Jury report, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
In 2021-2022, the Orange County Grand Jury prepared the report “Where’s the Fire? Stop Sending Fire Trucks to Medical Calls” (Attachment 1). This report evaluates the emergency medical services (EMS) response model in Orange County and offers various findings and recommendations regarding EMS practices of all Orange County fire departments. In their evaluation, the Grand Jury determined that many fire departments may have absorbed emergency medical responses into their fire response models; however, those models have not evolved over the years and may require updates to ensure that fire departments deploy the appropriate emergency response for each medical crisis.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department (HBFD) has provided these services since the early 1970’s and continues to update its EMS protocols to address the needs of our community. This includes updating procedures and implementing advances in technology to provide a high service level to residents. This is reflected in responses to customer satisfaction surveys sent to patients who are treated and transported by HBFD, which show that 98.7% of patients feel that the quality of EMS services met or exceed their expectations. The model used by HBFD is considered an industry best practice, and members continue to strive for excellence in EMS service delivery.
As required by California Penal Code Section 933.05, the governing bodies of the public agencies, which the Grand Jury has reviewed, are required to comment on any applicable findings and recommendations in the report. The Huntington Beach Fire Department was provided with five findings and three recommendations, and responses must be sent to Erick Larsh, the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. City staff has prepared a letter to the Presiding Judge with a response to each of the eight items (Attachment 2).
In compliance with Penal Code requirements, HBFD’s responses to findings must include either an agreement or disagreement and an explanation. Responses to recommendations must include commentary and one of the following required actions:
1. The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action.
2. The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation.
3. The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation of the scope and parameters of that analysis and timeframe.
4. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation.
In addition, the report requires the Fire Chief to provide commentary and a response for each finding and recommendation (Attachment 3). Lastly, a proposed transmittal letter from the Mayor is available under Attachment 4.
The responses must be must be approved by the City Council and submitted by September 30, 2022.
Environmental Status:
None.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Financial Sustainability, Public Safety or Other
Attachment(s):
1. Grand Jury Report “Where’s the Fire? Stop Sending Fire Trucks to Medical Calls”
2. City Council Response to the 2021-22 Grand Jury Report
3. Fire Chief Response to the 2021-22 Grand Jury Report
4. Transmittal Letter from Mayor Delgleize to the Honorable Eric L. Larsh