Adopted Budget (Final Document)

Fire

010.3510

Introduction to Department The Morgan Hill Fire Department, through a cooperative fire protection agreement with CAL FIRE, provides all-risk emergency services including advanced life support (paramedics). The City owns two fire stations, all apparatus and equipment, while CAL FIRE provides the personnel. Core services provided include emergency response, community education, business inspections, and fire prevention. The Department is in design phase for the construction of a third fire station with an anticipated completion date of July 1, 2024. The Department currently provides services utilizing two fire engine companies and a third through an agreement with the South Santa Clara County Fire District, in which the City partially funds for staffing. The Morgan Hill Fire Department's fire and rescue personnel work a 72-hour shift. Minimum staffing is eight (8) line personnel including at least three (3) paramedics and one (1) chief officer. The Fire Marshal and Emergency Medical Services/Training Captain are available to respond as additional capacity for responses when needed to incidents or to staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During FY 2018-19 and 2019-20, a Standards of Coverage Study (SOC) was commissioned by the cities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy and the South County Fire Protection District. One of the primary takeaways of the study is that it validated the need for a third fire station within the City of Morgan Hill and confirmed the current proposed location of the facility on Butterfield Boulevard and Diana Avenue to be an appropriate location. Further, an immediate need for additional staffing was identified for both cities. For Morgan Hill, staffing an additional 2-person Advanced Life Support Unit was appropriate to ensure a timely response to emergency calls within the City, especially during peak hours where simultaneous calls for services are experienced. As of January 3, 2022, the Department’s new 2-person Advanced Life Support Unit is staffed and in service. The Fire Marshal's office provides technical information, advice and recommendations regarding enactment, amendment, repeal, and enforcement of fire prevention and suppression ordinances and regulations within the City. In cooperation with the City and the City Attorney, the Fire Marshal’s office enforces and provides services required by the Morgan Hill Municipal Code and mandated by the State and Federal Government, including brush abatement inspections in the Wildland Urban Interface.

FY 2020-21 and 2021-22 Accomplishments  Outfitted an ambulance for critical transportation needs

 Purchased and implemented new Controlled Substance security and tracking system  Firefighters participated in the County Wide Fire/EMS in-home vaccine clinic  Converted an existing Type VI Fire Engine into Squad 59, hired and trained personnel to staff

FIRE 233