July 01--Anne Arundel officials have unveiled a 90-day to improve the efficiency of the county Fire Department and save taxpayer dollars.
The blueprint calls for staffing changes that would save the department more than $1 million and increase coverage throughout the county, fire department spokesman Keith Swindle said.
The plan was submitted by Acting Fire Chief Michael Cox at County Executive Laura Neuman's request.
The project would reinstate fire department coverage to a fourth geographic response area known as the "fourth battalion" and provide a 24-hour safety-quality assurance officer. The fire department condensed from four battalions to three in 2007 to cut costs.
The effort also aims to increase staffing and response times at the Galesville and Herald Harbor volunteer fire departments. The two fire houses, along with the Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department, have not been recognized by Insurance Services Office Inc. since 2007.
Insurance companies frequently use ISO's Public Protection Classification system to determine premium rates for residents and businesses in the areas the departments serve. The effort is expected to reduce some insurance rates.
Two additional firefighters per shift will be staffed at Herald Harbor, with one additional firefighter per shift at Galesvile, Swindle said. ISO requires each fire department to have at least four firefighters on staff around the clock.
Maryland City's staffing will be addressed following the spring 2014 graduation of the incoming fire academy class, Swindle said.
The plan also calls for some managers in the department to be reassigned from a 24-hour to eight-hour work shifts in an effort to improve overall efficiency.
The plan also would save $60,000 on equipment. The fire department has canceled the planned purchase of an airboat that would double as a high capacity smoke removal fan. Instead, the department has opted to purchase a high capacity trailer mounted fan at a fraction of the cost.
The department also has discontinued plans to stripe three new ambulances and one command vehicle with pink vinyl year-round in support of breast cancer awareness. However, the department will continue to support breast cancer awareness during October by wearing pink shirts and outfitting emergency apparatus with breast cancer awareness ribbons.
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