TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL

FROM: CITY MANAGER

DATE: JUNE 6, 2006

SUBJECT: REPORT ON FIRE SERVICES

RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation on Rancho Palos Verdes Fire Protection Services.

BACKGROUND:
At their Tactical Planning Workshop on February 4, 2006 the City Council adopted six short-tem goals. Among these goals was the following:

GOAL: Improve Emergency Services and Preparedness
By April 18, 2006 receive a Needs Assessment Report for fire protection services including the current services provided and cost of those services, and the services needed by the City.

Concern about the level of fire and paramedic service for Rancho Palos Verdes has been of concern to the City Council for over a year. On May 18, 2005, then Mayor Clark wrote a letter to Chief Freeman expressing concern about the lack of paramedic services for our City. Chief Freeman responded to the letter with an indication that the fire Department would be evaluation our paramedic service levels. Copies of those letters are attached.

Lack of funding should not be an issue. The County Fire Department has a property tax rate nearly three times that of the City property tax rate, so our residents and businesses are probably paying more per capita, more per square mile and more per structure for fire and paramedic service than any other City in the Fire Protection District.

DISCUSSION:
Chief Freeman has agreed to address the City’s concerns in an oral presentation.

Respectfully Submitted,

Les Evans
City Manager