Item L04
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date:_2/16/00
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Division:_BaCC
Bulk Item: Yes
No x
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Department:_ Commissioner Williams
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion regarding plans by the Upper Keys Fire Chiefs to utilize the
assistance for retired Fire Chief Jim Ward to review, recommend and develop standardized mutual aid
agreements and policies for emergency services for the Upper Keys.
ITEM BACKGROUND: As a result of the direction by the BaCC the Upper Keys Fire Chiefs have been
meeting and have concluded that certain policies and procedures need to be in place, The Upper Keys Fire
Chiefs are requesting the BaCC support them by authorizing staff to cooperate with Chief Jim Ward so he
can proceed with the development of standard operating procedures for mutual aid agreements,
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: In 1999 the BaCC requested the Upper Keys Fire Chiefs to
look at options of consolidating Key Largo Fire/Rescue and Tavernier Fire/Rescue as part of an effort to
increase efficiency and minimize taxes,
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Upper Keys Fire Chiefs strongly agree that this is an essential step
to moving forward and complying with the direction of the BaCC,
TOTAL COST:
-0-
BUDGETED: Yes:
No:
COST TO COUNTY:_-O-
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes:
No:
AMOUNT PER MONTH
YEAR
APPROVED BY: County Attorney_ aMB/Purchasing_ Risk Management
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL' 'fl01a. IA)" j-ft{.I{n~
Nora A, Williams YO
DOCUMENTATION: Included:_ To Follow:_ Not Required:_x_
DISPOSITION:
Agenda Item #:
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February 3, 2000
To Monroe County Board of County Commiuioners:
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Last year the BOCC requested the Upper Keys Fire Chiefs to look at option5 of
consolidating Key Largo Fire Rescue Bnd Tavernier Fire Rescue as part of an effort for
being more efficient and possihle minimizing taxes. As a result of this direction the
Upper Keys fire Chief's have heen meeting lUld have concluded that certain policies and
procedures need 10 be in place,
Because of its unique geob'Taphy and demographics, the Upper Keys present some
unusual prohlems with tegurd to the delivery of emergency services, It is therefore
imperative that the delivery of the!':e services he well planned, well organized and well
coordinated, These operutionlil problems include. but are not limited to:
,. Lack of a written and coordinated mutual aid agreement. No matter how
well staffed and equipped. any FirelI::M~ department may be called upon to
respond to emergencies that are beyond their capability. In such cases.
neighboring departments must come together and work as a single coordinated
unil to provide the highest level of lite safety and property protection for Our
citizens. Coordination of such incidents is also essential in protecting the
safety of Our personnel. Many issues that arise during such emergencies
should be pre-planned and in writing so that there are no misunderstandings
during emergency operations. Currently, mutual aid agreements in the Upper
Key!; are verhnl and infurnu\1.
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2, Lack of standardized operating procedures and protocols, During
emergency operations, every emergency service provider should be operating
under written procedures and protocols, The~e written procedures and
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protocols should be clear Ilnd understood be every member of the emergency
service organization, particularly those individuals making command level
decisions. Such procedures and protocols are a standard of the industry and
the cornerstone of any safe and effective emergency service organization.
More importantly, these procedures and protocols must be coordinated
between neighboring organizations so they may work effectively together
during mutual aid operations.
3. Incident Command System Incident command is very simply the pre-
planned deployment and coordination of emergency resources during
emergency operations. Incident command should address the chain of
command, transfer of command, staging of resources, sectors of operations
and rehabilitation of emergency personnel. Incident command is currently
taught and used hy all Upper Keys fire departments. but no standard and
formal format exists. Each department must develop its own system of
accounlability thut identifies and tracks all personnel working at an incident.
This system must be coordinated. standardized so that it is used at every
incident, and implt:menled countywide,
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We, the chief" of the Upper Keys fire departments fed that these and other emergency
service delivery issues must he: oddressed as SOon as posl'liblt: for the: sufety of our citit:ens
and personnel, To thut end, }'Ie nre taking action towards the development of un Upper
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Keys mutual aid agreement.
We have approached the retired fire chief of Hollywood, Florida, Jim Ward, and
requested his assistance in resolving these operational issues, Chief Ward (resume and
letter of reference attached) has 38 years of emergency service experience, including five
years as a consultant for a national Fire and EMS service management corporation. with
whom he is currently employed. As an Upper Keys resident, he has offered his services
free of chnrge on It documented, expense only hosis. Chief Ward has availahle the
resources of his consulting firm as well as emergency service personnel in Dade and
Rroward Counties, that he helieves would donate their time on the same volunteer basis,
as needed. Chief Ward has assured us that he would volunteer his services only if he
were able to address Our areas of concern by applying national standards of the industry
as they pertain to operations, with no consideration given to political jurisdiction,
personalities, or funding und hudget issues,
As the chief.'i of the Upper Keys fire departments, we plan to move forward with this
project as quickly as possible, We believe this action is in the best interests of our
citizens and emergency service personnel.
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We therefore respectfully request the support and cooperation of the Monroe County
COmmission by authori2ing stalf to cooperate with Retired rire Chief Jim Ward and his
assistnnces to review, recollUl}Cnd and develop, stllndlmJized mutualllid agreements and
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policies for emergency services lor the Upper Keys
We strongly agree that this is an essential step toward moving forward and compiling
with the direction of the DOCC.
Respectfully,
Sergio Gltrcia, Fire Chief
Key Largo Fire ReScue
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Rob Burley, Fire Chief
Tave ier Fire Rescue
William A. Wagner, III
lslamorooa Fire Rescue
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cc: Jim Roberts, County Administrator
Reggie Paros. Me Public Safety Division
Chief Jim Ward, Retired
Attachment: Jim Ward, resume.
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James Ward
88500 Overseas Highway #502
Islamorada, FL 33070
(305) 852..7495
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Extensive experience in emergency service management and fire ground command
within a Fire/Rescue department that included 240 personnel and a budget in excess of
18 million dollars that handled over 20,000 emergency calls per year, This experience
includes continually progressive development in the areas of fire administration,
including budget. personnel management, program development and overall
emergency service delivery Extensive specific experience in the management and
delivery of emergency medical service and ambulance transportation.
EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND
1961-1963
1963-1994
1963-1969
1969-1973
1973-1976
1976-1977
1977 -1978
1978-1982
1982-1994
1994- date
United States Air Force (CraSh Rescue)
City of Hollywood Fire/Rescue Department (Retired in good standing)
Firefighter assigned to Fire Suppression and Rescue (This was prior to
any formal state EMS or certification program)
Driver Engineer assigned to Fire Suppression and Rescue Divisions
Paramedic assigned to EMS Division
Captain assigned to Fire Suppression Division
Chief of Training Division
Chief of EMS Division
Chief of Department
Consultant with A/mont Associates (National Fire & EMS Management
Consulting Firm)
EXPERIENCE and ACH'EVEMENT~
Within the City of Hollywood Fire/Rescue Department:
Developed current EMS system,
Implemented Hazardous Materials Response team and program,
Established basic life support engine response system.
Initiated standard operating procedures,
Initiated Employee Assistance and Substance Abuse Correction Program.
Initiated computerization including computer-aided dispatch, records management
system and management information system,
Established Incident Command Program,
Initiated management by objectives program,
Established employee relations committee.
Initiated Vial of Life program for City of Hollywood
Established Public Information Officer program,
Established Public Education program,
Established in-house paramedic CEU program.
Established in-house E,V,O.C, Program,
Implemented Hepatitis B Imm~nization program,
Implemented Contagious Disease Protection program,
Implemented EMT/Paramedic Preceptor program.
Implemented citywide CPR training program,
Co-developer, City of Hollywood disaster plan,
Initiated Juvenile fire setter program,
Implemented 12 lead thrombolytic therapy program,
Initiated Caller Aid System.
Implemented communications contracts with Fire/Rescue Departments outside City of
Hollywood
Co-developer, Bro\N8rd County fire mutual aid contract,
Leadership experience:
Initial Chairman, Florida EMS Advisory Council
President, Florida EMS Providers
Chairman. Florida Fire Chiefs' EMS Committee
Chairman, Broward EMS Council Planning Committee
Chairman, Broward County EMS Transportation Task Force
Chairman, Broward County Fire Administrators' EMS Committee
Member, Executive Board, Broward EMS Council
Member, Florida Medical Foundation EMS Task Force
Member, Executive Committee, Florida State EMS Providers
Member, Florida Emergency Response Commission, Local Planning Committee
Member, University of Miami School of Medicine EMS Training Governing Board
Member, Broward Community College EMS Advisory Committee
Member, Governor's Task Force on disaster planning
Member, Florida 'Slate Committee on EMS Dispatch and Communications
Member, State of Florida Air Ambulance Committee
Project Director, Florida Mass Casualty Management Response System
Co-coordinator, Florida Fire Chiefs' statewide Disaster Response Team (SE region)
Chairman, Broward County EMS Legislative Committee
Faculty, Florida College of Emergency Physicians. CUNCON 1982 & 1985
Faculty, National Disaster Conference, Orlando, Florida
Member, Broward Regional Health Planning Council's Trauma Oversight Committee
Vice-President. Florida EMS Providers A89ociatlon
This extensive experience has led to national and state recognition as a Fire/EMS
manager and consultant by: Florida FIre Chiefs, Florida Emergency Services DiviSion of
HRS, State of Florida (Governor Bob Graham), Secretary of HRS (David PIngree), State
of Florida Larry Jordan Hall of Fame Award for Lifetime Achievement in EMS, Florida
EMS Providers Association AI Ridgeway Award for outstanding EMS Administration,
South Florida Fire Safety Association, Florida EMS Advisory Council, Broward EMS
Advisory Council, Florida EMS System of the Year and City of Hollywood Commission
(by proClamation) ,~;
Consulting experience includes the following employers:
Devoe Air Ambulance
Hop-a-Jet Air Ambulance
Data Medicard, Ine,
Indian River County, Florida
Aero Ambulance International
City of Albany, New York
City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
City of Nampa, Idaho
City of Montrose, Colorado
City of Grand Junction, Colorado
City of Paducah, Kentucky
City of San Bernadino, Caltfomia
City of Superior, Colorado
Eagle Creek Fire Protection District. Colorado
City of Terra Haute, Indiana
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Graduated US Air Force Firefighting School, Greenville, Mississippi,
Florida State Certified Fire Fighter, qualified to command fire ground operations,
Certified Emergency Medical Technician
Certified Paramedic
Certified in Hazardous Materials Incident Command
Advanced program in emergency medical technology, Broward Community College
Completed Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course
Received Basic Teaching Certificate, Florida State Fire College,
Complete Incident Command Courses I-V (Allen Brunacini),
Certified Master Instructor, PADI
Certified Underwater Search and Recovery Instructor, PADI
FAA Licensed Pilot
Additionally, I have completed numerous fire and emergency management courses and
seminars pertaining to my duties from firefighter to chief of department.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International Association of Fire Chiefs - Life Member
International Association of Fire Fighters - 1963-1994
Florida Fire Chiefs Association -1982-1994
Broward County Professional fire Chiefs Association - 1982~1994
Florida EMS Providers Association - 1979-1994
Hollywood Rotary Club - 1980-1994
Hollywood Committee of 100 -1982-1989
STATE OF FLORIDA
OffiCE OF GOVERNOR BOB GR^H^M
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Chief James Ward
Hollywood Fire/Rescue Department
3401 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Florida 33201
Dear Chief Ward:
I want to thank you for your leadership as the initial
chairman of Florida'a Emergency and Nonemergency Medical
Services Advisory Council. Your personal commitment,
technical EMS expertise, and strong leadership qualities
have been instrumental 1n bringing about a dramatic change
in our State's EMS program.
Two years ago when you aesumed the chairmanship of the newly
established council, the State EMS program was Just emerging
from a series of highly critical State Auditor General and
Legislative reviews. At the same time, numerous EMS
constituency groups were at odds with each other on seemingly
every EMS issue. Under your guidance, the EMS community has
been united and the State EMS program 1s prospering with
additional resources and a keen sense of program direction.
Further, the 1986 Florida Legislature is considering two
major legislative proposals dealing with statewide trauma
center systems and a host of key EMS iseues. I understand
that you were instrumental 1n developing these vital proposals.
Your key role in shepherding their evolution represents
further tribute to your outstanding leadership qualities and
an untiring dedication to emergency medical services.
BG/mr
cc; Senator Ken Jenne
Representative Pred Lippman
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