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Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference May 20-24, 2012

Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference May 20-24, 2012. Hoarding Issues and Solutions in Fairfax, VA. Programmatic Consolidation of Code Compliance, Improve Performance, and Save Revenues. Code Enforcement and Code Compliance p rocesses and methods often vary Between jurisdictions based on:.

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Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference May 20-24, 2012

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  1. Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference May 20-24, 2012 • Hoarding Issues and Solutions in Fairfax, VA Programmatic Consolidation of Code Compliance, Improve Performance, and Save Revenues

  2. Code Enforcement and Code Compliance processes and methods often vary Between jurisdictions based on: • Population size and density • Agency composition • Community trends and challenges • Local codes and authorities • Policies and priorities

  3. Fairfax County, VA Per 2010 Census • Population- 1.1m • 400 sq miles (99% is urban 1% Rural) • 408,000 Housing Units • Diverse Population • Language other than English spoken at home- 35.9% • Total Response: 91,000 of which 64,000 are EMS

  4. Hoarding, Overcrowding, Property Maintenance, Health Hazards

  5. Fairfax County Hoarding Task Force • Established in 1998due to… • Sentinel Events • Deaths of four homeless persons in an abandoned structure • Separate event involving a family of six in a colonial home • Complaints from Community Associations • Concerns raised by First Responders

  6. Fire and Rescue Department Taking the Lead… • Lead agency on hoarding matters • Looked toward a multi-agency task force • Bringing the collaborative agencies together • Developing Cross Functional Teams

  7. Key Issues: Understanding the Scope of the Hoarding problem • Understanding of the services and capabilities of other county agencies • Hoarding behavior patterns are a safety issue for the occupant and first responders • Comprehensive, multi-agency approach would best serve the owner/occupant • Significant staff resources and assets were required for even the smallest case • Enforcement, follow-up, remediation, and court action were time consuming and did not always resolve the problem

  8. Goals • Define the extent of the problem • Identify the traits, indicators , and behavior of those involved • Understand the mental health complexities of hoarders • Ensure a multi-agency approach • Identify areas where resources might be more effectively and efficiently applied • Protect the lives and property of the owner/occupant while continuing health and safety of the neighboring residents and first responders • Educate the public and first responders on appropriate action to take if hoarding is suspected

  9. The Need for Change • Until 2007 code authorities and enforcement efforts were divided among multiple agencies leading to: • Ineffective communication • Segregated structure of code enforcement discouraged abilities to respond with coordinated efforts • Lacking flexibility to deal with changing trends in compliance issues • Enforcement of existing codes were the responsibility of multiple agencies • Demographics were changing creating life safety issues • Citizens were demanding action due to overcrowding in their communitities.

  10. Collaborating Agencies • Department of Code Compliance • Fire and Rescue Department • Department of Family Services • Department of Health • Department of Housing and Community Development • Department of Public Works and Environmental Services • Office of the Sheriff • Office of the County Attorney • Office of Public Affairs • Animal Services Division • Community Services Board, Office of Mental Health • Fairfax County Police Department • Board of Supervisors

  11. Consolidation of Functions to Create a Unified Department • On July 1, 2010, a collaborative multi-functional department, the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) was initiated. • Vision: To create an adaptable, accountable, responsive multi-code enforcement organization within a unified leadership/management structure that responds effectively and efficiently toward building and sustaining neighborhoods and communities.

  12. Cross-Training/Certification • Enable staff to learn, become certified in, and have multiple code skills in order to better support each other and serve the community.

  13. Progress Following Consolidation And Agency Creation • Improvement in responsiveness to complaints • Improvement in efficiency allowed: • Number of inspections increased by 50% to 14,500 • Multi-code certifications better enabled investigators to identify and resolve code violations in the field with fewer visits • Access to over 5,000 single family residents • Consolidation saved the County over 1 million dollars • Zero fire fatalities for the first time since records have been kept

  14. Results? • Streamlined and re-engineered investigative processes • Made changes to County Codes and enforcement procedures • Creation of a robust training program for all staff resulting in a formal program that offers 140 hours per year of relevant training • Enhanced multi-agency collaboration • Creation of a work culture that engages all staff and encourages self-development and contribution • Creation of an enhanced classification/compensation system that enables and encourages staff to grow and develop

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