HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 - Smart-Station Call Alerting SystemCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 4
October 11, 2005
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Fire Department
Tim Riley, 644 -3101, triley @city.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Purchase and Installation of Smart- Station Call Alerting System
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council approve the purchase and installation of WestNet Smart- Station Call
Alerting System at Fire Stations 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 in an amount not to exceed $195,000.
Authorize a budget amendment to transfer $195,000 from the General Fund Paramedic
Reserve to account 2320 -9300 to fund the purchase and installation of Smart- Station
Call Alerting System.
DISCUSSION
Background:
Response time is critical to successful execution of every emergency response. The
faster firefighters get to a fire, the better the chances for rescuing victims and knocking
down a fire. The quicker paramedics begin CPR on a cardiac arrest patient, the better
the chance of survival for the patient. Because we recognize the need to continually
improve response times, the Fire Department has been testing a new call alerting
system at its Lido Station, Fire Station #2. The new alerting system is called Smart-
Station by WestNet, Inc., of Huntington Beach.
Current Emergencv Call Dispatch:
Under our current dispatch system at METRONET, two people, the call taker and the
dispatcher, work as a team. The call taker answers the 911 call, gathers vital
information about the emergency and stays on the line with the reporting party. Once
Purchase and Installation of Smart- Station Call Alerting System
October 11, 2005
Page 2
the call taker has determined the location and nature of the emergency and entered this
data into the computer -aided dispatch (CAD) system, the information is electronically
passed to the dispatcher. The CAD assigns the closest and correct number of units
based on the Fire Department's procedures. The dispatcher verifies the address and
the CAD's recommendation for resources and then alarms the correct stations /units
vocally dispatching the call. Depending on the clarity of the caller and the number of
calls in progress, this could take several minutes before enough information could be
gathered and proper resources dispatched.
Smart- Station Call Dispatch:
Under the Smart- Station system, at the same time the call taker sends the initial
information (type of call and address) to the dispatcher, an electronic signal goes to the
station. This is called a "direct dispatch" because it is done by CAD with no human
intervention. The Smart Station receives the data from the CAD and an electronic
annunciator announces what units are being dispatched and what type of call, i.e.
medical, fire, traffic collision. This early announcement allows firefighters to start
moving towards their apparatus and tells them what protective equipment to don. In the
meantime, the call taker is getting additional information from the caller, entering it into
the CAD, and sending the updated information to the dispatcher. At the time that the
dispatcher has verified the address and call specifics, the vocal call is made over the
radio, pagers, and station announcing system. By this time however, the firefighters are
well on their way toward donning the appropriate protective clothing and in a position to
better use the address information and leave the station. Additionally all the data that
has been gathered is sent to the mobile data computer on the apparatus.
From our initial testing at our Lido Station, the new system gives anywhere from a few
seconds to 45 seconds of "early warning" that we don't have under the old system.
Typically the Smart-Station is providing 15 to 34 seconds of additional response time.
When our goal is to respond to a medical call in a few minutes, an extra 30 seconds
represents a significant improvement. We had planned a phased implementation of the
Smart- Station system at two stations each year through the Capital Improvement
Program. However, the results have been so dramatic and compelling as to request
council approve roll out to the other stations immediately. The remaining stations not
covered will have the Smart- Station system installed with anticipated new station
construction.
Purchase and Installation of Smart- Station
Environmental Review:
This project has no requirement for Environmental Review.
Funding Availability:
Call Alerting System
October 11, 2005
Page 3
Undesignated General Fund Paramedic Reserve funds are available in the amount of
$306,163.11.
Alternatives:
As an alternative to the recommended action, project could be phased in over a number
of years or not funded at all. This would allow emergency call alerting to remain at
current dispatch time levels.
Prepared by: Submitted by:
4rSs ew ski i othy Riley
upport Services Manager ire Chief
Attachments:
Budget Amendment
City of Newport Beach
BUDGET AMENDMENT
2005 -06
EFFECT ON BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE:
Increase Revenue Estimates
X Increase Expenditure Appropriations AND
Transfer Budget Appropriations
SOURCE:
from existing budget appropriations
from additional estimated revenues
PX from unappropriated fund balance
EXPLANATION:
NO. BA- 06BA -020
AMOUNT: $195,000.00
Increase in Budgetary Fund Balance
X Decrease in Budgetary Fund Balance
No effect on Budgetary Fund Balance
This budget amendment is requested to provide for the following:
To increase expenditure appropriations from the Paramedic Reserve Account for the purchase of a call alerting system.
ACCOUNTING ENTRY:
BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE
Fund Account Description
010 3732 General Fund - Paramedic Reserve
REVENUE ESTIMATES (3601)
Fund /Division Account
EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATIONS (3603)
Division
Number
Account
Number
Division
Number
Account
Number
Division
Number
Account
Number
Division
Number
Account
Number
Division Number
Account Number
Signed
Signed:
Signed:
Description
Description
2320 Fire - Operations
9300 Equipment, NOC
T
Findncial pproval /: Administrati Services Director
/�i.
Administrative Approv I: City`fvlanager
City Council Approval: City Clerk
Amount
Debit Credit
$195,000.00
Automatic
$195,000.00
Its% —C��
Date
0 �
0
Dide
Date