Walker / Potato Patch / Mtn. Pine Acres

Possible Merger with the Groom Creek Fire District

Expected Operations

Initially staff a two-person engine at both locations with fully qualified Firefighter & EMT/Paramedics. The addition of a 3rd qualified person on the engine would occur should the actual budget provide the resources to do soafter the first budget cycle. A SAFER Grant would be applied for in the next cycle.

Utilize existing Walker Fire volunteer/reserve personnel as the 3rd company member and provide the personal development for those interested in becoming shift qualified.

Decreased response times with personnel located at the facility instead of responding from home to the station. Possible response from both locations to the more remote locations under appropriate weather conditions.A third facility in the Potato Patch/Mtn. Pine Acres area would be investigated during the first year. The remote facility may be staffed seasonally or as deemed appropriate.

GCFD Training Officer will train the shift personnel at both locations to Minimum Company Standards adopted by the Groom Creek Fire District. This position will become a part-time paid staff position.

An Administrative Assistant will be employed to support the Fire Chief. This position may be full-time or part-time as needed seasonally. A position description will be made available. Position made available to area residents.

The Assistant Chief position may be filled after the first year, if needed, to maintain continuity of operations and succession planning. An Acting Battalion Chief position would be utilized in the absence of the Chief Officers.

A name change would be made to reflect the greater service area. Possibly Spruce, Bradshaw, Union, etc. so as to not provide one area with greater representation. Board of Directors increased to 5 members with 2 new members from the Walker area.

Expected Fiscal Impacts

The current GCFD levy rate is at the maximum rate allowed by statute ($3.25/hd. in assessed valuation). Increases in the total assessed valuation are capped at 5% annually per statute. Property taxes are collected in arrears and the District would not realize the revenue from a boundary change until the next fiscal year's planning cycle. Once the revenue is realized, the levy rate could be lowered to meet the needs of the District's budget and capital reserves.

A two-person Engine Company would be used for the first budget cycle while revenues are realized and actual budget expectations could be made for the future.

Existing apparatus and equipment would be evaluated during the first year and that which is identified to be retained could be purchased via a Third Party Lease Purchase agreement.

Existing facilities would be leased by the District until such time as they could be purchased or replaced with appropriate facilities.

Benefits to New Communities:

  1. Full-time, Qualified Structure Fire, Wildland Fire and EMS Personnel on shift 24 hours daily
  2. Decreased response times
  3. Increase in mutual/automatic aid support from neighboring agencies
  4. Potentially lower homeowner's insurance premiums via ISO ratings
  5. Existing personnel retained and trained to GCFD Standards
  6. Representation (2 seats) on the Board of Directors for the District
  7. Existing apparatus and equipment retained could be purchased from the WFPA. These funds could go back into the community.
  8. Wildland Fire Prevention / Fuels Mitigation Service would be provided to the community

Challenges to New Communities:

  1. Property tax levy vs. existing subscription/donation based service
  2. Name change

Benefits to Existing Community:

  1. Potential for lower tax levy rate
  2. Potential for increased staffing level

Challenges for Existing Community:

  1. Name change

Other GCFD Benefits:

Paramedic EMS Providers

Technical Rescue Technicians

GIS Mapping in-house

Communications Infrastructure

Successful Grant Writing History

Community Paramedicine Program in development

Successful Wildland Fire Response Program

Groom Creek Firewise Community Recognition - CWPP Approved

Fiscally Responsible - Debt Free (as of 1/21/15)