Idyllwild Fire Protection District Proudly Answering the Call Since 1946

1. Idyllwild Fire Protection DistrictProudly Answering the CallSince 1946

2. Objectives: In an effort to inform our citizens we will : • Describe the Mission of the IFPD. • Describe the General Roles, Responsibilities and Mission of the IFPD Board of • Fire Commissioners. • Compare the IFPD with other Agencies. • Compare Employee Costs with other Agencies. • Describe some of the benefits of Local Government. • Present and explain the 2013/14 FY budget. • Provide a detailed breakdown of Revenues and Expenditures.

3. Idyllwild Fire Protection District Mission • Protection of Life, Property and the environment in the community through the provision of comprehensive, integrated, “all risk” fire protection, emergency medical service and other emergency services that result in social, economic and environmental benefits for the people of Idyllwild.

4. IFPDBoard of Fire CommissionersResponsibilities and Mission. • Five Non Compensated , Elected or appointed members head up the IFPD Board of Commissioners. • These Board Members are tasked with ensuring the continued Fire and EMS service to the Community of Idyllwild. • Bound by ethical, moral and financial constraint these Board members are tasked with: • Providing the Citizens of Idyllwild with Effective, Efficient and Professional Fire and EMS Services: • Finding and maintaining a highly qualified Fire Chief. • Finding and maintaining Financial sources of revenue. • Approving operational guidelines set forth by the Fire Chief. • Keeping the financial wellbeing of the department in order. • Protection of Life, Property and the environment in the community through the provision of comprehensive, integrated, “all risk” fire protection, emergency medical service and other emergency services that result in social, economic and environmental benefits for the people of Idyllwild. • Providing this type of Fire and EMS service to the community of Idyllwild benefits her people through decreased property insurance costs and increased survival and quality of life rates through immediate ALS and BLS intervention.

5. Response PersonnelResponsibilities and Mission • To provide the very best in Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support medical Aid and Fire Services to the Citizens of Idyllwild. • To be prepared at all times and to perform any task needed to properly, professionally and efficiently manage all emergencies. • We are tasked with the: • Protection of Life, Property and natural resources. • Ethical, moral and professional care and treatment of those in need. • Continued education on the best strategies, tactics and protocols. • Physical and emotional demands of our sworn duties. • Completion of any and all assigned tasks. • Serving the Citizens of Idyllwild and others we serve to the very best of our abilities at all times.

6. Fire Department Cost Comparison

7. Department Employee Cost Comparison County of Riverside Fire service cost comparisons. Department: Avrg. FF. Eng. Captain. Chief. Murrieta $ 136,016.00 $ 154,420.00 $ 181,736.00 Corona $ 120,262.00 $ 160,211.00 $ 207,044.00 Palm Springs $ 119,673.00 $ 154,353.00 $ 271,700.00 Riverside City $ 111,815.00 $ 147,718.00 $ 360,411.00 Cathedral City $ 108,452.00 $ 155,971.00 $ 192,103.00 Hemet City $ 98,427.00 $ 130,198.00 $ 178,179.00 Idyllwild Fire PD $ 77,357.00 $ 105,085.00 $ 116,898.00 (Average pay above is calculated by the state controllers office and includes overtime and basic benefits.) Average : State / County Fire employees: IdyllwildDiff ( ) Firefighters and engineers - $ 114,565.00 $ 77,357.00$ 37,208.00 Captains - $ 143,558.00 $ 105,085.00$ 38,473.00 Chiefs - $ 232,182.00 $ 116,898.00 $ 115,284.00

8. Local Department Comparison

9. IFPD • The IFPD does not have State or County deep pocket reserves to rely on year after year. • The Riverside county fire department has been over budget in every fiscal year for nearly a decade! (this informational clip comes directly from the Riverside County Fire Department’s strategic plan developed in 2009 by management partners inc. by president Gerald e. Newfarmer. ) When the Grand Jury recommended that the IFPD look into the costs associated with rolling into the Riverside County Fire Department the IFPD did just that; we looked into it the costs and found that it was in no way cost beneficial to go with the County Fire Model. (verification of the above mentioned figures can be found in the Riverside County Fire Department 2009-2029 strategic plan completed by Management Partners Incorporated 2107 N. First street suite 470 San Jose CA 95131. (480)437-5400ph . (480) 453-6191 fax. )

10. It has been said…… That Cal Fire is: • Highly Trained Accountable and well practiced. • Faster, seamless agency/multi agency response. • Fiscally stable/diverse revenue/tax base. • Effective abatement protocol/ enforcement. • Clear Accountable Line between administration and Unions. • Best of all, uses existing tax base/ reduced taxes!. IFPD Response: • Though we cannot speak to Cal Fire and Their personnel, we can tell you that our employees are trained to the highest possible levels and are very well practiced. • It is not proven that CAL Fire has faster response times than IFPD. The IFPD utilizes the SAME dispatch center as Cal Fire Riverside County and is signatory to the same agreements for Mutual Aid Response. • The County Fire Contractor (CAL FIRE) is a State Agency. California’s budget is currently in deficit and has been for many years. Riverside County Fire was Millions of Dollars over budget in 12/13 and the net County Cost or Revenue/ Expenditure overrun was $50million Dollars for Riverside County Fire. • IFPD uses the same LE 100 abatement protocols and enforcement. • No Union Representation at IFPD/ There is an absolute line between administration and workforce personnel. • The State recently charged the public for “prevention” in the unincorporated areas $ 150.00 per parcel/ in IFPD’s District $ 115.00 without going to the public for a VOTE.

11. It has also been said….. That IFPD has : • Financial incompetence/corruption. • Poor paramedic/staff training/ supervision/accountability. • Unstable / unpredictable funding sources. • Acute / problematic borrowing against unknown future taxes. • Smeared / confusing line between administration/employees. • Encourages culture of deceit/deception. • Routinely abuses / exploits the sympathy vote with no improvement. IFPD Response: • Fiscal Responsibility ! Transparent easily read budgets and accounting. • IFPD began their Paramedic (ALS) transportation service in 1980/ County Fire began the “Paramedic Assessment” engine NOT Transportation program less than 10 years ago. IFPD Paramedics (of which 2 are on duty daily not 1) Are well trained, licensed and certified by the same state and local governing agencies as County Fire Paramedics. No complaints or law suits regarding IFPD services and Paramedics exist. • IFPD Funding comes from Taxes, Special Assessment, Fees and Permits, Cell Tower rent, Ambulance Income, EMS Contract and Mutual Aid. IFPD has been serving the Idyllwild citizens since 1946. PROVEN TRACK RECORD. • For three years the IFPD has received their tax allotments early, the standard December Payments have been made in Oct for the 11/12 FY, Oct. for the 12/13 FY and September in the 13/14 FY. This is not Borrowing this is an Advance / Many agencies receive these payments early. • False. There is a CLEAR and Absolute line between Administration and workforce staff. • False. We are right here/ in the open , The District strives to exceed all minimum standards pertaining to transparency by adhering to all ordinances and laws by which we are governed. • False. It is unknown what Vote is being referred to, we put all of our issues to VOTE so that the public’s voice is heard and followed. (It is not legal for the District to campaign for any yes or no Vote.) As for improvement; we will continue to provide the highest level of service to the public through continued training, education and accountability.

12. The IFPD has been proudly answering the needs of Idyllwild Since 1946 In our current economic environment; fiscal responsibility and transparency are at the forefront of every conversation. State and Local Governments must be diligent in their efforts to provide insight and information to those they serve.

13. Local Control: Your Vote, Your Voice • You; as a citizen of Idyllwild currently elect the IFPD Board of Fire Commissioners. • This means that your voice and your wants and needs will be served right here locally in your community as they have been for over 67 years. • The service levels which you require are met through your willingness to provide yourself with whatever service level you desire, simply by making your wants and needs known to your elected LOCAL Board Members. • The State of California recently imposed a Prevention FEE without public approval or Vote. This FEE (as it pertains to Idyllwild Property Owners) is $ 115.00 per year per property owner. The FEE would have been $ 150.00 per year per property owner had you not had your own Fire Protection District already in place.

14. Experience that Counts! • Your IFPD employees work right here at home in IDYLLWILD exclusively. • This means fast and efficient response times, your employees know the area with the current average longevity of your staff at over 14 years. • Your employees aren’t moved from one area to another on a daily basis going into unfamiliar areas to serve. • The IFPD has been delivering exemplary BLS (basic life support) emergency medical services since 1946, and has provided ALS (advanced life support) Paramedic and Transportation Services since 1980. Your Average Advanced Life Support Paramedics have an average of 17 years experience with over 100 years of combined experience. • The IFPD is one of only two Fire Departments in Riverside County which maintains its 201 ambulance transportation rights. • Response times “the best in Riverside County” ; Please call to confirm this with the Riverside Emergency Medical Services Agency. (951) 358-5029.

15. Clear Benefits of your Local Governmentthe Idyllwild fire protection district • Local Control: ( Your Vote / Your Voice Counts ). • One on One contact from Citizens to the Fire Chief and IFPD Board Members. • Response Times: ( Effective, fast and reliable ). • “Best in the County”. The Golden Hour! • Well Trained: (Highly trained Professional dual function Employees). • Experienced, Professional, Highly Trained/ Compassionate. • ISO Rating: ( 4 / four. Cost benefits to the end user). • Better Insurance Rates to the Public. • Efficiency: ( Transparent, Cost effective ). • Easy to understand Budgets and Audits, Information availability. • Mission: ( Protection of Life and Property, service to Idyllwild Citizens). • We Serve YOU / all risk, focused local mission.

16. 2013/2014 Fiscal Year Budget • Revenues: • Tax Revenue: $ 1,079,993.00 • Other Revenues: $ 611,662.00 • TOTAL Estimated: $ 1,691,655.00 • Estimated Balance: $ 20,410.00 • Expenditures: • Payroll and Benefits: $ 1,177,003.00 • Utilities: $ 24,450.00 • Administration: $ 190,375.00 • Operations: $ 279,417.00 • TOTAL ESTIMATED: $ 1,671,245.00

17. Revenues / Where it comes from: TOTAL : $ 1,691,655.00

18. Expenditures / Where’s it Go ? TOTALS: $ 1,671,245.00 100%

19. The Idyllwild Fire Protection District • Serving You Since 1946. • Low Cost. • Efficient. • Professional / Knowledgeable and Highly Trained Staff. • ALS and BLS EMS Transportation Services. • Fast and Effective Response. • Clear and Transparent Finances. • Here for YOU. From our Family to Yours, Thank You !