HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/14/2019 - POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY 2018 ANNUAL REPORTDATE:
STAFF:
May 14, 2019
Tom DeMint, PFA Fire Chief
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Poudre Fire Authority 2018 Annual Report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to review the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) governance and funding, 2018 performance
measurements and metrics, actual spending to budget, benefits to the community related to strategic outcome
goals, operational efficiency, productivity improvements, issues of concern to PFA, the Poudre Valley Fire
Protection District (PVFPD), and the City of Fort Collins (City), and a focus on issues moving forward. PFA’s
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) requires an annual report to City Council and the PVFPD Board regarding
performance and financial information.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
PFA staff will provide information around PFA’s governance to both the City Council and the PVFPD Board,
including PFA’s 2018 Annual Report. City Council and the PVFPD Board will have the opportunity to review the
ongoing relationship between the two entities and enhance understanding of the governance model used for the
Poudre Fire Authority.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The 2014 Amended and Restated IGA, between the PVFPD and the City, establishing the PFA, stipulates that the
Authority will provide an annual report regarding the activities and accomplishments of the Authority to its parent
organizations, the City and the PVFPD. Chief DeMint’s goal in providing this report is to reflect on the benefits of
being an Authority, highlighting PFA’s governance, the progress of continuous improvement efforts, and the
impacts PFA has on the community it serves. This work session represents the fifth annual report to the “parents”
of the PFA. This is a particularly timely update to the City Council, given the large number of new
Councilmembers who were elected in April 2019. Developing a common understanding of the relationship
between the City, the PVFPD and PFA will be beneficial for both City Council and the District Board.
Intergovernmental Agreement and PFA Governance
Since 1981, PFA has provided fire and rescue service to Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, Bellvue, Horsetooth and
Redstone Canyon under an IGA between the City and the PVFPD. This agreement consolidated two fire
departments (City and District) into one Fire Authority covering 235 square miles of northern Larimer County and
11 square miles of western Weld County.
May 14, 2019 Page 2
In 2014, the City and the PVFPD renewed the IGA to continue PFA as the fire and rescue service, reaffirmed the
governance model, and clarified the financial commitments of the parties to PFA’s operations. The current IGA is
provided as Attachment 1. Several benefits have resulted from the consolidated fire service provided by PFA
including:
• Improved quality of emergency services
• Improved response times
• Concentrated training
• Enhanced communications
• Elimination of service boundary conflicts
• Reduced tax-payer costs and duplication of overhead and equipment costs
Governance of PFA is led by the PFA Board of Directors. This Board oversees policy direction, strategic planning
and fiscal oversight of the operations of the Authority. The Board is also responsible for hiring, overseeing and
evaluating the performance of one employee—the Fire Chief. With over 210 employees, including 190 uniformed
firefighting positions, the Fire Chief is in turn responsible for the management of the Authority.
Revenue Allocation Formula
Funding of the PFA is provided through a Revenue Allocation Formula (RAF) included in the IGA. The purpose of
the formula is to create a funding stream for fire and rescue services, and to apportion costs in an equitable
manner between the City and the PVFPD. Over the 30+ years of the existence of PFA, financial contributions,
call volume, and the assessed value of property protected by PFA have been in the range of 80-85% City, 15-
20% District. The funding formula called for in the RAF was established to ensure that the same funding ratio
would continue into the future. The City contributes a fixed portion of its base sales and use tax to the Authority,
plus a percentage of property taxes (9.765 mills) and a percentage of revenue from the voter approved Keep Fort
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Collins Great tax measure. The District provides 100% of its 10.595 mills of property tax to PFA, less minor
administrative costs. The District’s portion includes the Tax Increment Financing from Timnath’s Development
Authority through an IGA between the Town of Timnath, the Timnath Development Authority, the PVFPD, and
PFA.
The overall cost of PFA’s operation totaled nearly $36 million in 2018; 86% of these costs are in personnel costs,
which is typical in a highly service oriented enterprise.
2018 Annual Report Highlights
The 2018 Annual Report is presented in an electronic format (https://pfaannualreport.com/), an 8-page hardcopy
2018 Annual Report (Attachment 2), and a Statistical Report (Attachment 3), which together form PFA’s
comprehensive report to the community about its return on the investment of tax dollars. The 2018 Annual Report
theme centers upon the governance and benefit of having a Fire Authority. As required in the IGA, other
components of the report include resources, actual spending to budget, metrics, services provided, types of
incidents to which PFA responded, future-looking innovations in Emergency Medical Services, life saving
measures such as sprinkler systems and prevention of flashover (intense temperatures and conditions in which
an entire room bursts into flames), and PFA’s “right-sized response” philosophy.
Highlights include:
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - 300% increase in cardiac survival rates is one outcome of the
following improvements within the EMS arena. PFA is responsible for ensuring high-quality EMS within its
jurisdiction, which includes nine agencies within the greater northern Colorado area (2,200 square miles). In
2018 clinical protocols were updated and improved by the nine agencies; equipment and training was
standardized to improve services to the community through interoperability among agencies; new Automatic
External Defibrillators (AEDs) provided better clinical care through real-time monitoring of provided Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Community Risk Reduction (CRR) - CRR includes traditional fire prevention efforts such as construction
plans review, fire code adoption, and fire inspections as well as other non-traditional efforts such as teaching
hands-only CPR and use of the PulsePoint App, participating in the Hoarding Task Force and Community
Service Action Teams. All of these efforts make the community safer and reduce emergency calls. In 2018
two sprinkler system activations saved lives and property including one in an assisted living facility and one in
a church.
• Prevention of Flashover - In 2018, PFA interceded 96.97% of the time before flashover (intense
temperatures and conditions that cause an entire room to burst into flame). By containing a fire to its room of
origin through rapid response, fire sprinklers or fire containment (interceding before flashover), fire loss and
injuries to occupants and firefighters can be reduced. This performance measure demonstrates the success
of all Authority services (education, prevention, and response) to control a fire before extension beyond the
room of origin.
• Response Time - The percent of time PFA fire personnel are on scene within 6 minutes 20 seconds in the
urban area could not be measured for year 2018. The PFA Board of Directors approved the purchase of new
data analysis software, Apparatus Deployment Analysis Module (ADAM), in the fourth quarter of 2018, since
the software previously used for this metric was terminated. This software will be used to provide the metric
for year-end 2019.
• Funding - 96.7% of PFA’s revenue is intergovernmental or funded by PFA’s “parent organizations”. Other
funding is received from fee-based development review revenue. PFA’s 2018 reserves are projected to be
$9.6 million, or 27% of the operating revenue.
• Budget to Actual - Projected 2018 underspend of 2.7% of budget ($910,000). Annual underspend resources
are returned to PFA’s reserves for future allocation.
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• Value of Property Protected - In 2018, PFA protected more than $35 billion of property.
Looking to the Future
• Community Growth - An overarching goal of PFA’s Strategic Plan is to continuously improve services and
seek innovative approaches to solve current and emerging problems. As growth continues, the PFA Board
has directed staff to look at regionalization of fire services with neighboring communities, which is currently
occurring through auto and mutual aid agreements, training activities, and participation in the EMS contract.
These discussions will continue into the future in order to build an understanding of regional needs while
seeking innovative approaches to meet those needs.
• Community Risk Reduction - As the community continues to grow, and the types of calls become more
human services oriented, PFA is increasing its look toward risk reduction with programs such as the Hoarding
Task Force and the Community Service Action Team, which meet citizen needs outside of traditional fire
safety programs. These types of programs make communities safer and reduce calls for emergency
response. In 2018 the public education team trained firefighter recruits and citizens to ask basic health
questions during smoke alarm installations. Basic health questions, such as “Do you have a doctor?”, were
asked at two mobile home parks during smoke alarm installations and both of the parks showed an initial
decline in emergency responses following the installation events.
• Future Funding –
o Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) funding was set to sunset on December 31, 2020, which was a
funding concern for PFA. However, Fort Collins citizens voted to approve a new KFCG tax
measure in April 2019, which sustains PFA’s funding looking forward with a permanent tax
commitment beginning in 2021.
o The PVFPD Board placed a ballot measure on the November 2018 Larimer County Election
Ballot to address the impact of the Gallagher and TABOR amendments on the property tax
revenue used to provide fire service through PFA. The measure passed by County voters and
sustains PFA’s funding looking forward.
o The PVFPD Board is working toward implementing impact fees in the District. Next steps include
developing IGA’s with Larimer County and the Town of Timnath for implementation.
o PFA staff continues to develop its long-range financial and capital plans, including the need for
additional Administration space, a new Station 15 in the northeast part of the jurisdiction, updating
older fire stations, and apparatus replacement.
• Right-sized Response - PFA staff is continuously searching for methods that challenge past assumptions for
traditional response models to emergencies. For example, the Roving Alternative Medical (RAM) Unit that
was piloted in 2017 and implemented in 2019. The RAM Unit deploys two firefighter Emergency Medical
Technicians in a vehicle within the City’s core to address non-critical emergency calls during high-call load
hours, thereby keeping fire apparatus available for critical calls. In 2019, a new software implementation will
enable PFA staff to run deployment scenarios for station location and emergency responses to further
challenge past assumptions.
The goal of both the electronic and 8-panel annual report is to reach a broader range of interested community
members in an accessible and appealing manner. PFA’s Information and Communications Coordinator will
promote the 2018 Annual Report through continuous, monthly posts on PFA social media, the Chief’s column in
the Coloradoan, an introductory video to PFA personnel, PFA’s website, distribution of hardcopy report to all
stations as well as Administration and Training lobby areas and PFA events. In addition, the report will be sent to
Leadership Fort Collins, CityWorks 101, Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, partner agencies such as UCHealth,
Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Fort Collins Police Services, Wellington Fire
Protection District, Town of Timnath, and to elected Representatives.
The 2018 Statistical Annual Report is a deeper-dive into division outcomes; each program’s inputs and outputs;
and performance standards comparisons with benchmark partners, City/District comparative statistics; budget
review, and PFA Board actions. The benchmark partners (those of comparable population, college or university
in community; non-municipal fire departments (where possible) and accredited agencies) include Arvada Fire
May 14, 2019 Page 5
Protection District, Boulder Fire Rescue, South Metro Fire Protection District, Colorado Springs Fire Department,
Littleton Fire Rescue, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Gainesville Fire Rescue (FL), Corvallis Fire Department
(OR), Guelph Fire (Ontario, Canada), Rockford Fire Department (IL), Grand Rapids Fire Department (MI), and
Bellvue Fire Department (WA). Unfortunately, due to changes in Records Management Systems nationwide,
many comparison departments did not participate in the 2018 Benchmark Survey.
This presentation provides an opportunity to discuss the PFA’s overall performance in fulfilling its responsibilities
under the IGA between its parent organizations. PFA staff welcomes any feedback regarding this update and the
2018 Annual Report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2014 Amended and Restated IGA Establishing PFA (PDF)
2. PFA 2018 Annual Report (PDF)
3. 2018 Statistical Annual Report (PDF)
4. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
ESTABT ISHING THE POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this /C day of rt. , 2014, pursuant to
Section 29-1-201 et seq., C.R.S., by and between THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS,
COLORADO, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "City", and THE POUDRE
VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, Larimer County, State of Colorado, hereinafter
referred to as the "District".
WTTNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement have entered into previous intergovernmental
agreements providing for the formation of an independent governmental entity for the purpose of
providing fire protection and related services, as noted in such previous intergovernmental
agreements, within the respective territorial limits of the parties hereto, which entity is known as
the POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY; and
WHEREAS, those previous agreements, as amended, have been mutually beneficial in
providing a higher degree of protection to persons and property within the respective territorial
limits of the parties hereto; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to provide for the continued existence of the POUDRE
FIRE AUTHORITY, and to amend and restate in full all previous intergovernmental agreements
regarding the establishment and operation of the POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations herein
expressed, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. Term of the Agreement. This Agreement shall be in effect from the date first
above written until terminated by the parties as herein provided. In addition to the option to
terminate for non-appropriation as described in Section 5.4., below, this Agreement may be
terminated under this Section by either party hereto, provided written notice of termination is
given to the other party. The effective date of termination shall be on December 31 of any
calendar year, provided said termination shall be no sooner than twenty-four (24) months after
service of the written notice of termination.
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ATTACHMENT 1
1.2. Poudre Fire Authority. The existence of the independent governmental entity
known as the "POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY", hereinafter referred to as the "Authority",
created by the intergovernmental agreement of the parties dated December 22, 1981, as such
agreement was amended thereafter, is hereby continued. The Authority is an independent
governmental entity separate and distinct from the City and the District. The Authority may
provide, either directly or by contract, fire protection, emergency medical, rescue and ambulance
services, enforcement of fire prevention codes, hazardous materials response, and other
emergency services typically provided by a public fire department and that may be provided by a
fire department under the City Charter and by a fire protection district organized pursuant to
Article 1, Title 32, C.R.S., within the respective territorial limits of the parties (collectively, the
"Fire Rescue Services").
1.3. Nature of the Authority. The Authority is a separate legal entity organized
pursuant to Section 29-1-203(4), C.R.S. In carrying out its purposes, the Authority will observe
and comply with statutes and laws applicable to the District and the City, including, but not
limited to Parts 1, 5, and 6 of Article 1, Title 29, C.R.S., regarding budget preparation,
accounting, and auditing; and Part 4 of Article 6, and Parts 2 and 3 of Article 72 as applicable to
the Authority, and Article 10 of Title 24, C.R.S., regarding open meetings, open records,
criminal justice records, and governmental immunity. The parties intend that the Authority not
be considered a "district" subject to Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution. The
Authority boundaries shall consist of the combined territorial boundaries of the parties.
1.4. Governing Board. The Authority shall be administered by a governing Board of
five (5) members, hereinafter referred to as the "Board." The City shall appoint two (2) members
and the District shall appoint two (2) members. The fifth member shall be appointed annually at
the first regular meeting of the Board in August of each year by majority vote of the four other
members as appointed by the City and District.
A. All appointees and terms of appointment shall be at the discretion of the
appointing entity.
B. All vacancies on the Board shall be filled by the appointing entity.
1.5. Meetings of the Board.
A. Regular Meetings. The Board shall provide for regular meetings at a time
and place fixed by resolution of the Board.
B. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chair of the
Board or by the Board at such times as the Chair or the Board may
determine to be necessary, provided that written notice or notice by
telephone or electronic mail of the time, place, and business of such
meeting is given to each Board member at least twenty-four (24) hours
prior to such meeting. Any Board member may sign a waiver of notice
which waiver shall then be in lieu of any other notice requirement. A
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Board member attending any special meeting shall be deemed to have
received the necessary notice.
C. Open Meetings. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public,
except that the Board may go into executive session as permitted by state
law.
D. Electronic Attendance. If approved by the Board, the Board members
may participate by telephone or other technology that allows them to
participate in a meaningful manner, so long as meetings are open to
the public and the Board is not acting in a quasi-judicial capacity.
1.6. Minutes. The Secretary shall cause all minutes of the meetings of the Board to be
kept and shall, prior to the next meeting, provide a draft of the minutes to each member of the
Board for consideration at the next meeting.
1.7. Voting., Quorum; Required Votes. Each member of the Board shall have one (1)
vote. A quorum of the Board shall consist of three (3) members, provided that the City and the
District are represented by at least one of their appointees, and no official action on any matter may
be taken by the Board unless a quorum is present. Unless otherwise required by law, the affirmative
votes of a majority of the Board members present shall be required for the Board to take any action.
1.8. By-laws. The Board may adopt such by-laws, rules and regulations as necessary
for the conduct of its meetings and affairs.
ARTICLE II
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
2.1. Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. The Board shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair
from its members, and shall appoint a Secretary who may, but need not, be a member of the
Board. Said officers shall perform the duties normal for said offices, including the following:
A. The Chair shall sign all contracts on behalf of the Authority, except
contracts or agreements that may be signed by the Fire Chief of the
Authority, as herein provided, and shall perform such other duties as may
be imposed by the Board.
B. The Vice Chair shall perform all of the Chair's duties in the absence of the
Chair.
C. The Secretary shall attest to all contracts signed on behalf of the Authority
and perform such other duties as may be imposed by the Board.
2. 2. Management. The Board shall appoint a Fire Chief to manage the Authority.
Subject to the supervision of the Board and the powers specifically reserved to the Board as
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described in Article III of this Agreement, the Fire Chief shall have all powers and authorities
provided for a municipal fire chief and a fire chief under Section 32-1-1002, C.R.S., and shall
oversee and manage all business and affairs of the Authority, including the operation,
maintenance, management, administration, and provision of all facilities, improvements,
equipment, services and personnel, in the manner typically associated with a fire and emergency
rescue agency for which the fire chief has been delegated authority by the governing body to
manage all aspects of the agency, including the authority associated with a chief executive,
administrative, and operational officer. The powers of the Fire Chief shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:
A. To provide for the planning, design and construction of any buildings,
additions or improvements to the facilities owned by the Authority.
B. To execute any contract for capital costs, costs of special services,
equipment, materials, supplies, maintenance or repair that involves any
expenditure by the Authority of less than Seventy-Five Thousand
Dollars ($75,000), providing such expenditure is within budget. This
expenditure limit will be increased or decreased every five years
according to the cumulative Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index for
Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such
adjustment will be made by the Board.
C. To employ all personnel of the Authority required for the provision of Fire
Rescue Services and maintenance and operation of all facilities and to
make such personnel decisions as he or she deems appropriate, including
without limitation, decisions as to organization, staffing levels,
deployment, promotions, demotions, discipline and, where deemed
necessary by the Fire Chief, termination.
D. To employ all personnel required in connection with the planning, design
and construction of any buildings, additions or improvements to the
facilities owned by the Authority.
E. To expend funds and enter into contracts, whenever required, for the
immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare, provided
that the amount of funds involved does not exceed one percent (1%) of the
annual budget of the Authority for the year in which the funds are
expended or the contract is made.
F. To dispose of by sale any personal property of the Authority with a value
of less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000). This sale limit shall be
increased or decreased every five years according to the cumulative
Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers, as
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such adjustment shall be
made by the Board.
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G. To approve payroll payments and other demands for payments by the
Authority, provided that such payments are within budget and that no
individual payment exceeds Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000).
This payment limit will be increased or decreased every five years
according to the cumulative Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index for
Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such
adjustment will be made by the Board.
H. To prepare and submit to the Board an annual operating budget for the
next fiscal year in accordance with the budget schedules of the City and
District.
T. To adopt general operating guidelines, including but not limited to non-
personnel matter policies and procedures, operating policies and
inspection policies, as deemed appropriate by the Fire Chief.
J. To generally supervise the acquisition, construction, management,
maintenance and operation of the Authority's facilities and personnel.
K. To negotiate with labor groups as may be required by state law or
authorized by the Board.
L. To negotiate with a provider of ambulance services dispatched through the
City's public safety answering point (PSAP) within the Authority's
service area, including, but not limited to, an exclusive service agreement,
performance standards, and other provisions as deemed appropriate, to be
approved by the Board.
M. To conduct procurement and purchasing processes consistent with the
City's administrative procurement policies and procedures, unless
excepted from those policies and procedures by the Board.
N. To provide an Annual Report regarding the activities and
accomplishments of the Authority, including reports to the City and
District for the purpose of reviewing annual performance measurements
and metrics, goals, actual spending to budget, benefits to the community
related to strategic outcome goals, operational efficiency, productivity
improvements, and issues of concern to the Authority, the District, and the
City, with such report to be submitted annually in the second quarter of
each year. The Authority shall also provide the community with regular
updates throughout the year related to its performance as measured by
relevant performance metrics, including analysis of effectiveness in
meeting community service needs.
0. To perform such other duties as directed by the Board and report to the
Board at such times and on such matters as the Board may direct.
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2.3. Legal Advisor. The Board shall have the power to appoint, through a
competitive selection process as determined by the Board, an attorney to provide legal
services to the Authority.
2.4. Other Employees. The Board shall have the power to appoint and employ such
other persons, agents, and consultants for the purpose of providing professional, technical or
consulting services as may be necessary for the purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY
3.1. General Powers. The Authority shall exercise, in the manner herein provided, the-
powers lawfully authorized to each of the parties, as provided by the laws of the State of
Colorado, and all incidental, implied, expressed or necessary powers for the accomplishment of
the purposes of this Agreement as provided herein. The Authority's powers shall be exercised by
the Board unless otherwise designated by this Agreement, applicable law, or delegation of the
Board. The Authority shall not have the power to levy taxes.
3.2. Specific Powers. The Authority is hereby authorized, in its own name, to do all
acts necessary for the exercise of the foregoing powers including, but not limited to, the
following:
A. To make, enter into, and perform contracts of every kind as authorized by
law with other governmental entities, the State of Colorado, or any
political subdivision thereof, the United States, or any political subdivision
thereof, and any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation or
any other organization of any kind.
B. To employ all necessary personnel.
C. To acquire, construct, manage, maintain, and operate any buildings,
works, improvements or other facilities.
D. To acquire, hold or dispose of property.
E. To sue and be sued in its own name.
F. To incur debts, liabilities, or obligations to the extent and in the manner
permitted by law, and borrow money and, from time to time, make,
accept, endorse, execute, issue and deliver bonds, notes and other
obligations of the Authority for monies borrowed, or in payment for
property acquired, or for any of the other purposes, services or functions
of the Authority; and, as provided by law, and to the extent permitted by
law, to secure the payment of any such obligations by mortgage, pledge,
deed, indenture, agreement, or other collateral instrument, or by other lien
upon or assignment of all or any part of the properties, rights, assets,
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contracts, easements, revenues and privileges of the Authority; providing
that all debts, liabilities, and obligations of the Authority shall be limited
to or secured only to the extent of the Authority's revenues and assets; and
further providing that no obligation of the Authority shall be or become an
obligation of either the City or the District without the express written
consent of such party.
G. To apply for, accept, receive and disperse grants, loans and other aid from any
governmental entity or political subdivision thereof.
H. To invest any unexpended funds that are not required for the immediate
operation of the Authority, as the Authority determines is advisable, in
accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado; provided, however, that
such investment management and cash management services will be
provided by the City through its Finance Department.
1. To administer and enforce the Fire Code adopted by the City and District,
and as adopted or consented to by other municipalities and counties within
the Authority's service area.
J. To contract with a provider of ambulance services dispatched through the
City's public safety answering point (PSAP) within the Authority's
service area through any lawful means, including, but not limited to, an
exclusive service agreement, performance standards or other provisions as
deemed appropriate by the Board.
K. To adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations respecting the exercise of its
powers and carrying out of its purposes.
L. To fix, maintain, and revise fees, rates, and charges for functions, services,
or facilities provided by the Authority in the manner provided by law.
M. To own, operate, and maintain real and personal property and facilities in
common with others, and to conduct joint, partnership, cooperative, or
operations with others, and to exercise all the powers granted herein in
joint, partnership, cooperative, or other operations with others.
N. To act as agent on behalf of the parties with regard to the functions and
services described hereinabove and any existing contracts and agreements
between either or both of the parties or any other party, to the extent
permitted by law and the terms of such contracts and agreements.
0. To carry out all provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATIONAL PROCEDURE
4.1. Delegation of Powers. Duties and Responsibilities.
A. Each of the parties hereto delegates to the Authority the power, duty and
responsibility to maintain, operate, manage and control all of the Fire
Rescue Services facilities, equipment, resources and property of the
Authority, including without limitation, all fire stations, land, buildings
and firefighting, emergency medical and rescue equipment, and to
employ the necessary personnel and do any and all other things necessary
or desirable to provide continued efficient and economical Fire Rescue
Services to all persons and property within the respective territorial limits
of the parties hereto, which area shall be considered the jurisdiction of the
Authority.
B. The Authority is hereby empowered to provide Fire Rescue Services to
persons and property outside the jurisdiction of the Authority by
agreement in exchange for payment or reciprocal services, as long as
such additional services can be provided through the use of existing
facilities, equipment, resources, and personnel of the Authority.
4.2. Personnel.
A. The Board shall adopt the rules, regulations and procedures necessary to
govern personnel matters.
B. During the term of this Agreement, all employees transferred from the City
and the District under the original Intergovernmental Agreement and all
employees hired by the Authority shall be employees of the Authority
subject to the terms and conditions of employment in effect as stated in
Authority Personnel Rules and Regulations, as amended from time to
time.
C. All of the time that a transferred employee has spent as a Fire Department
employee of either the City or the District shall be considered as time
employed by the Authority for the purpose of determining any conditions
or benefits of employment with the Authority.
D. The establishment of the Authority as an independent governmental entity
shall not affect in any manner the rights of City or District employees,
hired prior to January 1, 1982, insofar as they relate to pension benefits
provided by the laws of the State of Colorado.
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E. At the termination of this Agreement, any unfunded pension liabilities
incurred by the Authority during the term of this Agreement shall be
assumed by the City or the District in proportion to the allocation of
Authority personnel to the City and the District.
F. If this Agreement is terminated, the parties agree that any employee of the
Authority who was an employee of the City or the District on January 1, 1982
shall be restored to employment with the employee's original employer (City or
District as applicable) or the entity which has need for additional employees.
Said employment shall be subject to the terms and conditions of employment
then in effect as stated in City or District personnel rules.
4.3. Authority Fund. The Board shall establish an Authority Fund to account for all
financial transactions of the Authority in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTICLE V
BUDGET; MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
COSTS; OTHER COSTS
5.1. Annual Budget.
A. The Board shall adopt a preliminary budget for maintenance and operation
costs, capital costs, and costs of other services in accordance with the
budget schedules of the City and the District, which budget may be
amended from time to time based on changes in revenue projections made
by the City and the District. The Board shall submit the budget to the
respective governing bodies of the parties hereto. The budget shall become
the Authority budget only after approval of the appropriations by the
respective governing bodies and final approval by the Board.
B. The financial contributions of the parties for the funding of the Authority shall
be determined by the Revenue Allocation Formula, hereafter referred to as the
"RAF," as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by this
reference.
C. The Board shall present requests for supplemental appropriations to the
respective governing bodies of the parties hereto. For the purposes of this
Agreement, "supplemental appropriations" shall mean any appropriation
made above and beyond the annual appropriation made during the
budgetary process.
D. The Board shall have the power to reappropriate funds in the fund balance
for whatever purpose the Board deems appropriate or necessary without
approval of the City or District. Such reappropriations shall be made only
9
at meetings of the Board held after proper notice has been given,
according to the bylaws of the Authority.
5 2. Records and Accounts. Through the City's Finance Department, the Authority
shall provide for the keeping of accurate books of account, showing in detail the capital costs, cost of
services, maintenance and operating costs and all financial transactions of the
Authority which books of account shall correctly show any receipts and also any costs, expenses
or charges paid to or to be paid by each of the parties hereto. Said books and records shall be
open to inspection at all times during normal business hours by any representative of either party or
by the accountant or other person authorized by either party to inspect said books or records. The
Board shall provide for the auditing of all books and accounts and other fmancial records of the
Authority on an annual basis, utilizing the same certified public accountant as is used by the City
in the auditing of its financial records. The results of said audit shall be presented to the City and
the District not later than thirty (30) days after receipt by the Board.
5.3. Payment of Costs. The City shall pay the Authority monthly and the District shall
pay the Authority quarterly, in advance, its allocated share of the total budgeted annual costs and
expenses. The Board is authorized to approve other arrangements for payments by the City and the
District, provided the financial security of the Authority is not impaired. In addition to supplemental
appropriation requests, the Board is authorized to request amounts in excess of any regular payment
for the costs and expenses of the Authority, provided the total annual allocation does not exceed the
estimated share of costs and expenses for either party to this Agreement. The Authority shall make
available to each of the agencies a final detailed statement of the final costs and expenses for the
fiscal year allocated in the same manner as estimated expenses were allocated, as soon as possible
after the close of each fiscal year.
5.4. Appropriation and Non-Appropriation of Funds. Each party shall provide the
funds required to be paid by it to the Authority under this Agreement from any source of funds
legally available to such entity for such purpose. All financial obligations of the City and the
District incurred pursuant to this Agreement are expressly contingent upon the annual
appropriation of funds by each party. Upon an event of non-appropriation by one party, the party
that has appropriated funds may, in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement effective ninety
(90) days after service of written notice of termination upon the other party, or may choose to
continue this Agreement in effect, in which case the Authority shall adjust the level of service
consistent with available revenues. If both parties fail to appropriate funds under this
Agreement, then this Agreement shall terminate effective as agreed to by the parties, taking into
consideration available revenues.
ARTICLE VI
SERVICES
6.1. Professional, Administrative and Support Services. The City shall provide to the
Authority those professional, administrative, and support services described in Exhibit B,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, upon the terms and conditions set forth
therein. The Authority shall provide to the City those services also described in Exhibit B, upon
10
the terms and conditions set forth therein. The provision of those services shall be at no
additional charge unless otherwise indicated on Exhibit B. Upon the written agreement of the
City Manager and the Fire Chief, Exhibit B may be amended from time to time.
6.2. Additional Services. The City may agree to provide other additional services to
the Authority, provided the Authority complies with the operating procedures of the City.
ARTICLE VII
OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY
7.1. Real and Personal Property. The Authority shall continue to hold all right, title
and interest in any and all real property and personal property transferred to the Authority by the
City or the District or acquired by the Authority since January 1, 1982 for the purpose of
providing Fire Rescue Services, unless such property is disposed of in compliance with the terms
of this Agreement.
7.2. Asset Inventory Schedules. The Authority shall maintain separate asset inventory
schedules for any and all property transferred from the City or the District which remains under
the ownership of the Authority, as well as any and all property acquired by the Authority since
January 1, 1982.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
8.1. Disposition of Assets. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to
paragraphs 1.1. or 5.4. above, the assets of the Authority shall be disposed of as follows:
A. All assets acquired by the Authority from contributions from the parties
shall be returned to the contributing party if said assets are still owned by
the Authority.
B. If assets contributed to the Authority are not in existence, the contributing
party shall have the option of receiving the fair market value of the asset at
the time of disposal by the Authority in either cash (if available) or assets of
the Authority acquired with funds provided by the parties.
C. All remaining assets acquired by the Authority after January 1, 1982, from
funds provided by the parties shall be distributed to the parties on the basis
of the appraised value of said assets at the time of termination and in the
same proportion as the respective contributions of funds by the parties for
acquisition of the assets over the life of this Agreement.
D. The parties may agree to dispose of any assets of the Authority in any
other acceptable manner.
11
E. If the parties cannot agree on the disposition of certain assets of the
Authority, said assets shall be subject to an independent appraisal and
shall be sold at public auction with the proceeds allocated to the parties in
the same proportion as the respective contributions of funds by the parties
for acquisition of the asset.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
9.1. Notices. Any notice required hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
sufficient if deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid to:
CITY: City Manager
City of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
DISTRICT: Chair of the Board
Poudre Valley Fire Protection District
102 Remington Street
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
9.2. Consent. Whenever any provision of this Agreement requires consent or approval
of the parties hereto, the same shall not be unreasonably withheld.
9.3. Amendments. This Agreement may only be amended in writing by the parties
hereto.
9.4. Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be
illegal or invalid for any reason, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect unless and until otherwise determined. The illegality of any provision of this
Agreement shall in no way affect the legality and enforceability of any other provision of the
Agreement.
9.5. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the successors of the parties.
9.6. Assignment and Delegation. A party shall neither assign any of the rights nor
delegate any of the duties created by this Agreement without the written consent of the other
party.
9.7. Effect Upon Prior Agreements. This Agreement shall extinguish and replace
the intergovernmental agreement entitled Intergovernmental Agreement dated November 3,
1987, and the three addenda to that Intergovernmental Agreement referenced in the Third
12
Addendum to the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Fort Collins and Poudre
Valley Fire Protection District dated May 21, 2013.
9.8. -
No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is made for the exclusive
benefit of the parties hereto and shall not be construed to be an agreement for the benefit of
any third party or parties and no third party shall have a right of action hereunder for any
cause whatsoever.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed
on the date hereinabove written.
CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
a municipal corporation
POUDRE VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
B :
President of the Board
Counsel for District
13
Exhibit A
To Intergovernmental Agreement
Funding Formula and Revenue Allocation Formula (RAF)
The City of Fort Collins and the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District will each make annual
contributions to the Poudre Fire Authority according to the following contribution calculations:
A. City Contribution to the Authority per RAF
Subject to the Adjustments described below, the City will annually contribute to the funding of the
Authority the following amounts:
1. .29 of one cent of City base sales and use tax (excluding sales and use tax revenue
which has been legally pledged for use only on specific projects and debt obligations,
or has otherwise been restricted or committed for a particular use as a matter of law or
contract); and
2. A sum equal to 67.5 percent of the operating mill levy of the City's property taxes; and
3. Sales and use tax revenue from the voter approved tax measure currently known as
"Keep Fort Collins Great" (KFCG) per the tax measure provision for fire protection and
other emergency services funding.
"City Sales and Use Tax" and "City Property Tax" refer to forecasts per the City's Financial
Services April projection as part of the City's Biennial Budget process. The RAF will be updated
throughout that same year if there are material changes to the City Sales & Use Tax and City
Property Tax April projections.
City Contribution Calculations
The formula for determining the City's Calculated Annual Contribution to the Authority will be
calculated as the sum of:
1. A portion of Base Sales and Use tax revenue
Total City Base Sales & Use Tax Revenue (per Financial Services April projections)
2.25 DIVIDE: Total 2.25 cent Base City sales and use tax to equal
subtotal of 1 cent of sales and use tax
x 0.29 MULTIPLY: RAF sales and use tax percentage share of total revenue
Sales and use tax RAF Amount
Example: If 2.25% sales tax yields $60 million per year, then $60 million ÷ 2.25 =
$26.66 million per 1% of sales and use tax; then $26.66 million x .29 = $7.733 million
is .29 cents of sales and use tax to be contributed to PFA.
2. PLUS a portion of Property Tax revenue
City 9.797 Mill Property Tax Revenue (per Financial Services April projections)
x 0.675 MULTIPLY: RAF property tax percentage
Property tax RAF Amount
Exhibit A, Page 1
Exhibit A
To Intergovernmental Agreement
3. PLUS tax measure revenue from Keep Fort Collins Great dedicated to fire
protection and other emergency services funding
The sum of which components equals the City Calculated Annual Contribution to the
Authority.
Phase-in of City Contribution Adjustment ($2.6 M over 5 years)
The City's current (2014) budgeted contribution to the Authority is $2.6M below the RAF calculated
amount. It is the City's intent to phase in its total contribution to equal the RAF calculation over a 5
year time period beginning in 2015 as follows:
City Calculated Annual Contribution
MINUS: Escalation Adjustment for year
Total City Contribution
Escalation Adjustment by year:
2014 = $2.6M
2015 = $2.1M
2016 = $1.6M
2017 —$1.0M
2018 = $0.5M
Annexations Adjustment:
Annexation — primarily residential:
In the event of a City approved annexation of properties included in the District that are
primarily residential in nature, the RAF sales and use tax percentage and RAF property tax
percentage will be adjusted to ensure no loss of revenue to PFA.
Annexation — with significant commercial or industrial components:
In the event of a City approved annexation of properties included in the District that include a
significant commercial or industrial components, the City and District will work
cooperatively to ensure that service levels will be maintained through adequate funding
adjustments after the annexation has occurred.
URA / TIF / Adjustments and Other Implications:
In the event of Urban Renewal Authority (URA) implementation of tax increment financing (TIF)
that materially affects the City contribution to the Authority or cost of service to the Authority, the
City and District will work cooperatively to ensure that service levels will be maintained through
adequate funding adjustments.
All parties are committed to renegotiating the RAF or contribution amount in good faith in the event
of "other" implications that affect the efficient implementation of the RAF or management of the
Authority in a fiscally prudent manner.
Exhibit A, Page 2
Exhibit A
To Intergovernmental Agreement
B. District Contribution
The District will annually contribute to the funding of the Authority the following amounts:
The District shall annually adopt a mill levy (minimum 10.595 mills) pursuant to state law, and
100% of the mill levy revenue, less reasonable administrative expenses for the operation of the
District, shall be contributed to the funding of the Authority for any authorized purpose.
C. Other Revenues
The Poudre Fire Authority will generate other revenues for support of specific programs and services
through a variety of sources. The PFA is authorized to expend these funds with approval of the PFA
Board of Directors in the same manner as City and District funds are allocated to PFA purposes.
These revenues will be considered to be PFA's alone and not revenue of either the City or the
District. These revenue sources may include such sources as:
1. Fee Revenue
a. Plan Review and Development Review Fees
b. Sprinkler Inspection Fees
c. Hazardous Materials Fees
d. Wildland Reimbursements or Fees
e. Capital Expansion Fees passed through the City of Fort Collins or other entities
f. Opticom Maintenance Fees
2. Cost sharing revenue for City of Fort Collins Office of Emergency Management
3. Miscellaneous Income
4. Investment Income
5. Grant Revenue
6. Federal, State or County reimbursement for disaster assistance or other purposes.
D. General Provisions
If District or City funding of the Authority changes significantly, all parties commit to renegotiating
the IGA and the City and District contribution amounts in good faith.
Exhibit A, Page 3
EXHIBIT B
To Intergovernmental Agreement
Support Services Provided to the Authority by the City of Fort Collins
Department Service Description
Office of Emergency
Management
Coordinated OEM services • Work in close coordination with the
Authority's designated emergency
manager
• Fund portion costs of the City's joint
OEM in partnership with the City
General Fund and Utility Services
through the City's Budget process
Human Resources Pension Administration • Administer 401 Money Purchase Plans
for Authority benefitted employees
• Process new employee enrollment and
changes in participant records
• Provide GERP administration for
existing participants
Deferred Compensation Plans
Administration
• Administration and support of 457
Deferred Compensation programs
• Enrollment and changes processed
Health and Welfare Benefits • Administer health and welfare benefits
(medical, dental, vision, life, long-term
disability) within City self-insured plans
and contract group insurance
agreements
• COBRA administration
• New employee benefits sign-ups
• Interpret plans to employees
• Act as liaison between employees and
insurance companies
• Maintain records, files and forms
Benefits Open Enrollment • Provide access to health and welfare
benefits through City sponsored plans in
the same way as provided to covered
City employees
• Provide flexible spending accounts
Training • Access to skill development courses
including technology, leadership and
professional development classes.
Access to personal enrichment courses
such as wellness classes provided on a
space available basis
Job Posting • Link from City employment web site to
Authority's employment web site
positions
Pre-employment • Drug Testing
Exhibit B, Page 1
EXHIBIT B
To Intergovernmental Agreement
Human Resources
(cont,)
Records • Personnel records maintenance
• Employment verifications
• Annual EEOC reporting
Wellness programs • Provide access to City Health Fair
programs
• Provide annual Health Screening/Blood
Draw program to benefited employees in
the same manner as provided to City
employees
• Provide annual flu shots to benefited
employees in the same manner as provided
to City employees
• Provide office ergonomics reviews for
Authority office employees
• Provide EAP services (charged)
Financial Services Payroll Administration • Provide payroll services through the City's
accounting and payroll system
• Add new employees through the same
New Hire process as used for City
employees
• Provide employee exit processing in the
same manner as provided for City
employees
• Administer unemployment claims and
garnishments
Accounting • Provide accounts payable, accounts
receivable, and purchasing cards to
Authority
• Maintain files and records
• Maintain asset inventory
• Grant compliance
• Cash management
Banking and investing • Capital projects investments (fee charged)
Risk Management (charged) • Provide point of contact for citizen claims
• Process Worker Comp and liability claims
to Authority insurance
• Safety monitoring (atmospheric testing,
radon, etc.)
• Coordinate selection of worker's comp
providers
• Coordinate insurance renewals: Support
and advice on Property and Casualty and
Workers' Compensation Insurance contract
• Liaison with insurance broker
• Driver's license checks
Exhibit B, Page 2
EXHIBIT B
To Intergovernmental Agreement
Financial Services
(cont,)
Purchasing • Purchasing advice
• Issuing purchase orders
• RFP/Bid creation and coordination
• Service Agreements/Contracts
Capital Expansion Fees • Collect and maintain accounts for Capital
Expansion Fees collect from developer by
the City on behalf of Authority
Annual Financial Audit
Coordination
• Annual financial audit by same auditor as
contracted by the City (charged)
Operations Services: Fleet • Vehicle fueling (charged)
• Pool vehicle rentals (charged)
• Fuel payment cards
• Vehicle repair (charged)
Facilities • Facility repairs (charged)
• Service contacts (advice on who to call)
• Preventive maintenance on HVACs, A/Cs,
furnaces (charged)
• Project management for larger projects
(charged)
• Real estate services (charged)
Police Services Dispatch • Dispatch consoles (charged)
Information
Technology
Network Administration • Work in close coordination with Authority
IT in configuring, maintaining and
managing the Authority's data network
including network switches, routers, VPN
access and wiring
• Provide internet access
• Provide access to internet web email
• Partner with the Authority in FCPS
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems
• Connectivity to City core switch
GIS • Access to City GIS programs, data and
licenses
Voice/Phone system • Land-line phone system network and
maintenance
• Partners in Verizon wireless purchases
Server/Storage
Administration
• Active Directory
• Authority equipment in server room
• Occasional server support
Exhibit B, Page 3
EXHIBIT B
To Intergovernmental Agreement
Services Provided to the City of Fort Collins by Authority
Office of Emergency Management • Office space for OEM
• Training Center space for Emergency
Operations Center
• Portion of funding for Emergency Manager
position
• Day to day supervision of OEM function
Meeting Rooms • Access to conference rooms, community
rooms and Training Center space without
fees
Community Education Programs • Support of CityWorks program with
presenters, demonstrations, access to
Authority facilities
• Participation in employee Safety Fair
• Other fire service education programs upon
request
Exhibit B, Page 4
2018 ANNUAL REPORT
Where Stewardship Meets Community
ATTACHMENT 2
WHAT MAKES THE POUDRE FIRE
AUTHORITY DIFFERENT FROM
OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS?
Letter from the Chief
In 1982, the City of Fort Collins (City) and the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District (PVFPD) came
together to create the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA). We are a consolidated fire department created to
serve and protect Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, Bellvue, Horsetooth, Redstone Canyon and parts of
unincorporated Larimer and Weld Counties. In fact, PFA serves 235 square miles of northern Colorado.
We’re proud to be a separate government entity, funded and governed by our “parent” organizations
(City and PVFPD). Our goal is to provide you with prompt, skillful, and caring fire and rescue
services—24/7/365. The consolidation into an Authority allows us to cross boundaries easily
and provide efficient, cost-effective service to a growing community! I hope this report helps you
understand how we work to achieve these goals every day.
- Chief Tom DeMint
01
WHAT IS AN AUTHORITY?
Definition: An organization having power or control in a particular, typically political
or administrative, sphere.
Colorado state law allows neighboring fire departments to join together to provide fire and rescue services more efficiently
and effectively by creating a Fire Authority. Instead of serving as a city department and a rural fire department, PFA is a
separate, independent governmental entity led by a Board of Directors. That Board is made up of representatives of the
Fort Collins City Council and the PVFPD Board, so it is governed by elected officials who have residents’ best interests in
mind. PFA is tied very closely to those “parents” by funding, service levels, and the governing board, and works within an
Intergovernmental Agreement.
Benefits of having an Authority:
REDUCED
TAX-PAYER
COSTS
ENHANCED
COMMUNICATIONS
IMPROVED
EMERGENCY
SERVICES
CONCENTRATED
TRAINING
ELIMINATION
OF DEPARTMENT
OVERLAPS
We are comprised of:
WHO IS THE POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY? 02
PFA is governed by a Board of Directors
The Board is comprised of two members from Fort Collins City Council, two members from the
PVFPD Board of Directors, and a 5th member selected by the other four, historically the Fort Collins
City Manager. The PFA Board of Directors appoints the Fire Chief, who in turn manages and employs
all personnel of the Authority.
WHAT DOES PFA DO?
PFA provides many services to the
community including:
• Fire protection services
• Emergency
medical services
• Fire suppression
• Hazardous material
emergency response
• Technical rescue response
(water, ice, rope, confined
space and trench rescues)
• Wildland fire response
• Volunteer firefighter
program
• Fire investigations
• Inspection services
• Public affairs and
education
• Technical services
Fort Collins City Council PoudreDistrict Fire Authority Board Poudre Valley Fire Protection
Fire Chief
Community Safety & Services Support Operations Administrative Services
Citizens
212 FULL-TIME POSITIONS
UNIFORMED
EMPLOYEES
189
CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEES
23
MALE
91.53%
FEMALE
8.47%
MALE
43.47%
FEMALE
56.52%
03 HOW IS THE FUNDING ALLOCATED?
As a separate governmental entity, the PFA uses the City
and District contributions to fund both the operating and
capital budgets of the Authority.
PFA thanks Fort Collins’
voters for their support
of the 2019 KFCG
sales tax initiative.
PVFPD’s funding:
PFA receives 100% of the
PVFPD’s mill levy (10.595 mills).
The PVFPD’s contribution in 2018
was $6.7 million.
City’s funding:
PFA receives a combination
of sales/use tax and property
taxes from the City. The City’s
contribution in 2018 was
$26.7 million.
City’s Keep Fort Collins
Great (KFCG) funding:
A specifi c sales tax measure
approved by City voters provided
$2.9 million to PFA in 2018.
Capital spending
changes every year,
based on capital
project needs.
96.7%
of the Revenue
is Intergovernmental,
8%
of the Revenue is
KFCG Funding.
Intergovernmental $34.8M
Fees & Charges for Service $759K
Licenses & Permits $179K
Miscellaneous Revenue $160K
Earnings on Investments $69K
$35.9M
TOTAL REVENUE
66.35%
of the net operating
budget was allocated
to the Operations
Division.
Operations $21.7M
Support $5.3M
Administration $2.5M
Community Safety Service $3.0M
Grants/Project $87K
$32.6M
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
Apparatus Replacement $1.4M
Records Management Replacement $467K
Computer/Technology $300K
Facilities Maintenance $264K
Mobile Data Terminals $120K
Radio Replacement $100K
Burn Building $88K
STATION 2 STATION 1
STATION 3
STATION 10
STATION 14
STATION 5
STATION 4
STATION 7
STATION 12
STATION 8
STATION 6
Bellvue
Horsetooth
Laporte
Timnath
Fort Collins
Wellington
Masonville Windsor
VOLUNTEER
STATION 11
VOLUNTEER
STATION 9
Wellington
Masonville Windsor
N
FireCenter Stations TrainingBuilding Admin.
PFA RESPONSE AREA IN YELLOW
HOW DOES THE PFA IMPACT 04
OUR COMMUNITY?
The PFA does far more than putting out fi res.
In fact, due to the preventative measures we take, such as home inspections and smoke
detector checks, fi re related incidents make up a small portion of our work.
WHAT AREA DOES PFA COVER?
13,CALLS824 MEDICAL
4,416 GOOD INTENT
1,396 SERVICE CALLS
605 HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
321 FIRES/EXPLOSIONS
21,65SERVICE967 OTHER REQUESTS FOR
TOTAL INCIDENTS IN 2018
VALUE OF PROPERTY
PROTECTED
$35+ BILLION
ESTIMATED POPULATION
OF PFA’S JURISDICTION
209,588
SQUARE MILE
SERVICE AREA
235
1,ALARMS340 FALSE
05 HOW IS PFA SAVING LIVES?
Through a comprehensive plan review and inspection process PFA
assures a safe built environment for our citizens, while the advances
and expansion of the Emergency Medical capabilities provide for a safer
community within PFA’s jurisdiction. Here are just a few examples:
A candle left unattended caused a fire in an assisted living facility.
The fire was stopped by the activation of an automatic sprinkler system.
Units responded and completed extinguishment of the fire and ventilated the
building. The sprinkler system may have saved lives and significantly limited
the damage caused by the fire.
In 2018, Quality of Life has been improved in this area by:
• Updated and improved clinical protocols
utilized by all nine agencies.
• Standardization of equipment and training,
specifically Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs),
improved services to the community by allowing
interoperability among agencies.
• New AEDs provide better clinical care through
real-time monitoring of provided Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR).
• One outcome of the 2018 improvements in EMS
is a 300% increase in cardiac survival rates.
An intentionally set fire in a church was stopped by the activation of the automatic sprinkler system. The
sprinkler system saved the building from significant damage. The investigation of the incident was coordinated
with Fort Collins Police Services, which identified and arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.
Sprinkler Systems Saves Lives In 2018
PFA is responsible for ensuring high-quality EMS
within its jurisdiction; this includes nine agencies within
the greater northern Larimer County area (2,200 square miles
in Northern Larimer County and parts of western Weld County).
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Saves Lives
HOW IS PFA SAVING LIVES? 06
Home fires today grow faster than ever as synthetic materials change
the fire dynamic; through educational efforts and timely response,
PFA works to assure everyone can escape before flashover occurs.
WHAT DOES PFA HOPE FOR IN THE FUTURE?
Perennially named as one of the
best regions to live in the US, PFA’s
scope will only continue to grow in
the coming years, requiring new
solutions and methodologies to
keep our citizens safe.
Through our “right-sized response” philosophy we are able
to streamline efficiencies and position PFA for the growth
our region is experiencing. By helping to inspect buildings
and being involved during the building stages, we can help
prevent emergencies before they happen. This allows us to
continuously improve services and innovative approaches
to solve current and emerging issues.
Flashover is the stage of a structure fire when it becomes
extremely dangerous to occupants, destructive to
structures, and hazardous to firefighters.
During a flashover, temperatures and conditions are intense and an
entire room can burst into flames, causing a fire to spread to other parts
of the structure. By containing a fire to its room of origin, either through
rapid response, fire sprinklers or fire containment, fire loss and injuries to
occupants and firefighters can be reduced. Delaying flashover also allows
more time to complete a search and rescue of the burning room or allow a
firefighter to go above a fire to rescue a trapped victim.
PFA believes that the best service to the community is to prevent fires from
occurring; however, when fires occur, limiting the loss to life and property
becomes the best service. Interceding before flashover demonstrates the
success of all Authority services (education, prevention and response) in
controlling the fire before fire extends beyond the room in which the fire
started. If we have not interceded before flashover, more lives and property
are threatened and the risk of losing control of the fire is increased.
Preventing Flashover Saves Lives
2015
90.4%
2016
91%
2017
89.8%
2018
96.97%
PERCENT OF TIME PFA
INTERCEDES BEFORE FLASHOVER
(CONTAINED TO ROOM OF ORIGIN)
Learn more about PFA and access the 2018 Annual Report online at
pfaannualreport.com
Follow us to stay connected.
Headquarters: 102 Remington Street, Fort Collins CO 80524
Courage,
Leadership, Duty
Poudre Fire Authority
2018 Statistical Annual
Report
Serving the Northern Colorado Communities of
Bellvue, Fort Collins, LaPorte, Timnath
ATTACHMENT 3
Courage, Leadership, Duty 1
SECTION PAGE
Introduction 2
Community Safety and Service Outcomes 3
Fire Investigations/Prevention Support 4
Fire Protection Systems 6
Inspection Services 8
Office of Emergency Management 10
Public Affairs and Education 11
Technical Services 14
Operations Division Outcomes 16
Customer Assistance Response Team 17
Fire Suppression 17
Hazardous Materials Response Team 21
Technical Rescue 23
Volunteer Program 25
Wildland Team 26
Support Division Outcomes 27
Emergency Medical Services 28
Emergency Medical Service Performance Management 31
Equipment Maintenance 32
Facilities Maintenance 33
Information Technology 35
Occupational Health and Safety 36
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Maintenance 39
Training Division 39
Administration Division Outcomes 50
Performance Standards Comparisons 51
City/District Comparative Statistics 72
2018 PFA Budget Review 73
PFA Board Actions – 2018 76
PFA Statistical Report
2018
2 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Introduction
Welcome to PFA’s 2018 Statistical Report. Following are division outcomes as
well as performance standards comparisons, City/District comparative statistics,
2018 budget review, and PFA Board actions.
The method used for reporting measures of progress has been evaluated,
existing outputs and outcomes have been affirmed, and outcome measures more
representative of big-picture goal accomplishment have been established. Key
outcomes at a higher organizational level are the focus; each division section
herein begins with a table of targeted outcome measures to which each program
in the division contributes. Each program within a division identifies how inputs
and outputs contribute to accomplishing strategic objectives through a more
centralized approach to outcome measurement. Each measure, whether an
input, output, or outcome, was aligned with the Strategic Plan and the
Accreditation Self-Assessment Manual (SAM). Since some of the measures are
new, they have not yet been reported; N/R is used in this instance, which means
Not Reportable; in addition, some measure are Pending, which means pending
new software. Staff is working on collecting and evaluating the new performance
measures for alignment with each division’s outcomes.
The core document for Accreditation-driven continuous improvement is the SAM,
which addresses specific performance indicators that cover the breadth of PFA’s
responsibilities. This document is a tool for PFA program managers to appraise
effectiveness of service provided and plan for improvement where needed.
Additionally, Senior Leaders are able to check on the progress of the programs
as evaluated by the program managers.
Fire Camp Recruitment Effort
Courage, Leadership, Duty 3
Community Safety and Service Division
Outcomes
CSS Division Outcomes
Targeted Outcome Measures
Actual
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
% of at-risk residents reporting an
understanding with fire safety practices (as
surveyed)
N/R U/D U/D
% of at-risk residents reporting an
understanding with fire safety practices (as
surveyed)
N/R U/D U/D
Fire related casualties per 100,000 population .04 1.45 .477*
% of residences with smoke alarms within PFA
district
Under
Review
Under
Review
Under
Review
% of residences with working carbon monoxide
alarms within PFA’s district (as surveyed)
Under
Review
Under
Review
Under
Review
# of businesses inspected with no identified
violations on initial inspection/# of businesses
in compliance on re-inspection
Under
Review
Under
Review
Under
Review
Commercial Buildings - % of square feet of
sprinkler protected occupancies/total
commercial square footage
Under
Review
Under
Review
Under
Review
*Fire death under investigation
N/R = Not Reportable; U/D = Under Development
4 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Fire Investigations/Prevention Support
N/R = Not Reportable; U/D = Under Development
In 2018, the Poudre Fire Authority responded to 311 fire calls within the 235-
square-mile PFA service area, compared with 332 fire calls the previous year (a
decrease of 6.3%). For the majority of those calls, the fire’s origin and cause
was determined at the responding company level. In cases where the cause
cannot be easily determined, due to the extent of damage, possibility of arson, or
other circumstances, a fire investigator responds to the scene. During 2018, 127
fires, or 40%, received a response from a fire investigator to determine the origin
and cause of the fire.
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 - High
Quality
and
Innovative
Core
Services
Core Competency
5C.5: The agency
conducts a formal and
documented appraisal,
at least annually, to
determine the impacts
of the fire investigation,
origin and cause
program and its efforts
to reduce fires based
on community
assessment, standards
of cover and measures
performance.
% of time on-
call Fire
Investigator
arrives at the
scene within
30 minutes of
dispatch
91% 90% 92%
% of
incendiary
fires closed
with arrest
17% 17% 38%
% of burn
permits
submitted
Courage, Leadership, Duty 5
Fire Cause Summary (Total Fires)
Cause Number %
Accidental 178 57.2%
Incendiary 25 8.0%
Natural 9 2.9%
Undetermined 99 31.8%
Total 311 100.0%
Partnerships continued with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in
2018; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Colorado
Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Colorado State University Police Department
(CSUPD), Timnath Police Department (TIMPD). Fort Collins Police Services
(FCPS) and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) assisted Poudre Fire
Authority on 42 fires during the year.
Law Enforcement Assistance to PFA Investigators
Agency Number % of Law % of Total Fires
ATF 0 0.0% 0.0%
CBI 0 0.0% 0.0%
CSUPD 2 4.8% 0.6%
FCPS 26 61.9% 8.4%
TIMPD 0 0.0% 0.0%
LCSO 14 33.3% 4.5%
Total 42 100.0%
Arson will always be a difficult crime to prosecute, due to its covert nature and
the fact that fires destroy much of the evidence. Thanks to thorough
investigations and cooperative relationships with law enforcement partners, a
total of 25 cases were determined to violate Colorado arson statutes. Ten of
those 25 cases resulted in an arrest, citation, or a referral to PFA’s Juvenile
Firesetter Intervention Program. This reflects an arson clearance rate of 40%,
which is above the national average of 21.7%
Case Disposition
Type Number %
Arrests Made 10 3.2%
Cases Closed 303 97.4%
Cases Not Closed * 8 2.5%
*Pending cases awaiting further information for final disposition
The total number of incendiary fires, as well as incendiary fires in structures,
decreased slightly in 2018. Some of the motives encountered in 2018 include;
crime concealment, vandalism, and fire play/curiosity. The total fire loss for 2018
was $2,161,727. This reflects a 27% decrease from 2017. The total dollar loss
6 Courage, Leadership, Duty
from intentionally-set fires was lower in 2018. This was due to the fact that a
large percentage of the incendiary fires were caused by curiosity/child’s play,
which resulted in small fires that were detected early. The monetary value of the
structures and property lost from incendiary fires in 2018 was a small percentage
of the total fire loss for this year.
Fire Protection Systems
New fire sprinkler system installations increased by 294 new systems. This
change, as well as an adjusted accounting of 490 existing sprinkler systems that
were discovered during the recent implementation of a new Records
Management System, increased the number of buildings protected by fire
sprinklers from 1,663 to 2,447.
1,214 1,236 1,256 1,283 1,313
1,383 1,460
1,532 1,663
2,447
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Total Systems
Total Fire Sprinkler Systems
Type 2017 2018
% of CHANGE from
2017 to 2018
Total Fires 332 311 -6.3%
Total Incendiary 26 25 -3.8%
Structure/Incendiary 7 6 -14.3%
All Other Incendiary 19 19 0.0%
% Total Incendiary 7.8% 8.0%
Total Dollar Loss $2,996,569 $2,161,727 -27.9%
Total Dollar Loss
Incendiary
$64,380 $20,125 -68.7%
% Total Dollar Loss
Incendiary
2.1% 0.9%
Courage, Leadership, Duty 7
Activity 2017 2018
% of Change
2017/2018
Total Fire Sprinkler Systems 1,663 2,447 47.1%
New Sprinkler System Installations
and Modifications
131 294 124.4%
Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
Reviewed
13 15 15.3%
New Fire Alarm Installations 166 187 12.6%
Spray Booths Installed 3 3 0%
Fire System Permits/Plan Reviews 516 481 -6.7%
N/R = Not Reportable
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality and
Innovative
Core
Services
Core Competency 5A.3:
The program has
sufficient staff with
specific expertise to meet
the community risk
reduction goals,
objectives and identified
community risks.
% of plan
reviews
completed
within 10
days of
request
69.5% 90% 56%
5A.4: A plan review
process ensures that
adopted codes and
ordinances determine the
construction of buildings
and infrastructure (such
as hydrants, access,
street width).
% of
identified
alarm
systems
8 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Inspection Services
1 In 2018 data came from two sources, and the way businesses are identified is different between
programs (i.e. a strip mall in one program reflects as one business, whereas in the new program
a strip mall reflects multiple businesses)
2 All violations are brought up to code; however, inspections are re-inspections do not always
occur within the same calendar year.
Activity 2017 2018 % of Change
Total Occupancies (Business
and Multifamily Residence) on
Record
6,905 7,418 7.4%
Total Sprinkled Business
Occupancies
2,309 2,666 15.46%
Total Multifamily Residential
Occupancies
431 496 15.0%
Total Sprinkler Inspections
Completed
2,331 2,532 8.6%
Total General Inspections
Completed in Non-Sprinkled
Businesses
1
1,092 2,587 136.9%
Inspections Conducted 4,939 5,049 2.2%
Total Businesses Written for
Violations
2
1,516 1,219 -19.5%
Courage, Leadership, Duty 9
N/R = Not Reportable; U/D = Under Development; Pending = Pending software
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measure
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality
and
Innovative
Core
Services
Core Competency
5A.2: The code
enforcement program
ensures compliance
with applicable fire
protection laws, local
jurisdiction, hazard
abatement, and agency
objectives as defined in
the Community Risk
Assessment and
Standards of Cover.
Core Competency
5A.3: The program has
sufficient staff with
specific expertise to
meet the community
risk reduction program
goals, objectives and
identified community
risks.
% of total
businesses
requiring
inspections
which
received at
least one
code
inspection
per 3-year
plan
60% 65% Pending
% of initial
inspections
resulting in
Final Notice
N/R U/D 3.66%
% of initial
10 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Office of Emergency Management
Strategic
Goal
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
Promote
emergency
prevention,
preparation,
response,
mitigation,
and
recovery,
across the
organization
in
collaboration
with other
community
efforts
Safe
Community –
Provide a
safe place to
live, work,
and play.
(City of Fort
Collins)
Core Compentency
5H.1: The agency
publishes an all-
hazards plan that
defines roles and
responsibilities of all
participating
departments and/or
external agencies.
An appropriate
multi-agency
organizational
structure is identified
and authorized to
carry out the all-
hazards plan
predetermined
functions and duties.
5H.2: The agency is
compliant with the
National Incident
Management
Courage, Leadership, Duty 11
Public Affairs and Education
WHAT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION DOES
PFA’s Community Risk Reduction (CRR) program works toward reducing risks
that are consistent with those identified in PFA’s Standards of Cover, as well as
dynamic risks that fluctuate by type, location and timing in PFA’s 235-square-mile
service area. The team is dedicated to empowering people who live, work, play
in, and visit this area to live their safest lives, through targeted educational
programs and events; provision of services, such as child car seat checks and
smoke-alarm installations; and educational communications before, during, and
after the emergency.
WHO IS SERVED AND HOW
CRR efforts are designed to align with specific populations of people and specific
needs. These are constantly changing based on call data, demographic data,
anecdotal evidence, and more. In fall, 2018, PFA’s CRR team conducted a
training of all line staff to design risk reduction plans specific to each station area.
The program’s work is broken into two parts: responding to requests for service
from the community – car seat checks or fire station tours – and designing,
implementing, and measuring public education-driven programs that address
particular risks.
DATA AND ANALYSIS
Data is at the heart of Public Affairs and Education. The team strives to identify
target groups, community needs, firefighter needs, risks, and tie those together
into meaningful, outcome-based programs that align with PFA’s accreditation and
strategic plans.
As is the case nationwide, it is sometimes difficult to show that a particular public
education effort had a specific impact or outcome. Correlation can often be
shown, but not necessarily causation. Ultimately, it’s a complex science of
blending quantitative and qualitative (often anecdotal) evidence to support
services provided by fire- and life-safety educators.
12 Courage, Leadership, Duty
In September, 2018, the public education team moved from a temporary
database towards full ImageTrend integration. This allows firefighters and civilian
staff to better record their public interactions. ImageTrend is the record
management software (RMS) used by PFA for all emergency incidents. Rather
than maintain two databases, CRR was one of the first programs to build itself
into ImageTrend. Because firefighters and staff are already familiar with and
using this software, CRR is capturing more information about its public
interactions than ever before. This allows for better coordination between
Operations and Public Education. One example of this is the social referral
system integrated into Image Trend, which allows firefighters to refer needs they
encounter in the field to Public Education staff who act as patient navigators. In
2018, this system was used 31 times, to refer cases of hoarding, emerging high
utilizers and residents who need assistance meeting their basic needs. Six
residents were referred to further assistance from other agencies and six homes
were flagged in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) as hoarding homes. Work with
the remaining homes is ongoing and Public Education continues to grow its
network of community partners to meet emerging needs.
Building on the success of 2017’s smoke alarm installation program, Public
Education used 2018 to explore other models of service. The 2017 model
required the use of social work students. In 2018, the Public Education team
trained firefighter recruits and citizens to ask basic public health questions (i.e. do
you have a doctor?) during smoke alarm installations. By building public health
partnerships, citizens have been helped to access healthcare.
CRR targeted two mobile home parks in 2018, both of which had been targeted
in previous efforts. These parks showed an initial decline in emergency
responses and the revisits were scheduled to identify the upper limit of
effectiveness of this program. How much could it reduce calls? After these visits,
calls remained at the lower level achieved by the first visit, but went no lower.
One additional neighborhood was canvassed after a fatal fire occurred. With the
fire fresh on the neighbors’ minds, PFA staff canvassed fewer homes than usual,
but spent more time in each home talking to residents, helping them process this
tragedy. Because this occurred in December 2018, limited data is available to
track results.
PFA will continue to assess and refine both its programs and its ability to track
and analyze results.
OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES
2018 saw a decrease in emergency calls. This represents the breaking of an at-
least ten year trend of increasing calls. This decrease is the result of several
factors, one of them being the fruition of 2017’s programs and the new
approaches of 2018.
Courage, Leadership, Duty 13
Since 2015, CRR has attempted to grow its presence on Colorado State
University (CSU) campus through a variety of events. The signature event of
CRR’s outreach is FlashPoint, a week-long series of interactive educational
events including trivia nights, documentary film screenings, and public
demonstrations. In 2018, 595 CSU students were reached through a 360
o
virtual
tour of a burned home. This new, narrative style of education is engaging and
informative and received great feedback from students. In 2018, calls to CSU
main campus went down by 9% ending an at-least three year upward trend. The
data shows a statistically significant relationship between the reduction in calls
and CRR’s increased and more effective presence on campus.
2018 also saw changes to the Community Service Action Team (CoSAT)
program. While this program previously targeted neighborhoods, 2018 altered it
to pilot a patient navigator program, which targets frequent users of the 911
system. Similar to the neighborhood-based program, CRR staff followed up with
frequent patients, assessed their needs, and connected them to local resources.
Although in the pilot phase, this program has generated some positive results.
Patients who engage in the program see a reduction in calls while those who
refuse (a natural control group) continue to overuse the system. However, the
patients who generate the most Emergency Medical Service calls have not
shown a large reduction. CRR will continue to engage these residents and seek
solutions.
14 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Technical Services
N/R = Not Reportable; U/D = Under Development
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality
and
Innovative
Services
Core Competency
5.A3: The program
has sufficient staff
with specific
expertise to meet
the community risk
reduction goals,
objectives and
identified
community risks.
5A.4: A plan review
process ensures
that adopted codes
and ordinances
determine the
construction of
buildings and
infrastructure (such
as hydrants,
access, street
width).
% of
tenant
finish
reviews
completed
within 20
days of
submittal
N/R 90% 54%
% of plan
reviews
completed
within 30
days of
submittal
N/R 90% 14%
% of final
fire code
Courage, Leadership, Duty 15
Development Reviews
Year Development Reviews % of Change
2018 467 2.86%
2017 454 -2.16%
2016 464 16.29%
Building Plans Reviewed
Review Types 2015 2016 2017 2018 % of
Change
New Building 103 124 121 116 -0.4%
Tenant Finish 272 228 201 258 28.4%
Amplified Communication Systems 14 8 18 24 33.0%
Fuel Tank Removals/Installs 13 14 39 22 -43.6%
Total 402 374 379 420 10.8%
16 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Operations Division Outcomes
Operations Division Outcomes
Strategic
Objective
Targeted Outcome Measures
Actual
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
1A
% of time fire interceded upon prior
to flashover
92.5% 90% 97.06%
1A
% change in 1
st
arriving total
response time to moderate-risk
emergent fire incidents in the urban
response area
N/R -3% Pending
1A
% change in 1
st
arriving total
response time to moderate-risk
emergent fire incidents in the
suburban response area
N/R N/R Pending
1A
% change in 1
st
arriving total
response time to moderate-risk
emergent fire incidents in the rural
response area
N/R N/R Pending
1A
% of residential property value
saved in occupancies impacted by
Structure Fire
N/R N/R 98.23%
1A
% of commercial property value
saved in commercial occupancies
impacted by Structure Fire
N/R N/R 95.61%
3D
% of Citizen Survey respondents
rating PFA service as good or very
good (residential/business)
87% 89% N/R
3D
% approval rating from customers
on Response Card Surveys
100% 98.8% 98.6%
N/R = Not Reportable; Pending = Pending new software
Courage, Leadership, Duty 17
Customer Assistance Response Team (CART)
• Assisted 19 individuals during and after emergencies.
• CART was dispatched to respond 19 times and responded 94.7% of the
time.
• CART continues to have a no cost agreement with two local hotels for
emergency shelter. On three occasions CART utilized this service.
• CART contacted the American Red Cross for assistance on three
occasions.
• PFA continues to use a single source restoration company under a
contractual agreement for board-up services. The restoration company
was used for board-up services on 13 emergency calls. On one occasion,
the property management company contacted their own restoration
company.
• CART responded on 14 structure fires, one RV fire, two sprinkler
activations, two vehicle versus building accidents, and one witnessed auto
accident.
Fire Suppression
In 2018, the Poudre Fire Authority experienced a 1.04% decrease in total calls
(in- and out-of-district). This represents a request for service on the average of
one call every 24 minutes or 60.18 incidents per day.
Attached is graphic information on calls responded to by PFA in 2018 and
comparison statistics for previous years.
18 Courage, Leadership, Duty
In 2018, 85.67% of in-district calls were inside the City limits and 14.33% were in
the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District.
0
1,500
3,000
4,500
6,000
7,500
9,000
10,500
12,000
13,500
15,000
16,500
18,000
19,500
21,000
22,500
24,000
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Annual Calls for Service
TEN YEAR CALL TREND
MEDICALS & RESCUES FIRES & EXPLOSIONS TOTAL CALLS
Courage, Leadership, Duty 19
Station 1 continues to be PFA’s busiest station, with 16.68% of all calls occurring
in its area.
Station 1* 3,664
Station 5* 3,360
Station 4 2,633
Station 3 2,195
Station 2 2,008
Station 6 1,901
Station 10 1,839
Station 12 1,502
Station 14 1,324
Station 8 624
Station 7 592
Out of PFA Jurisdiction 191
Volunteer Stations 9 & 11 134
Total 21,967
*Stations 1 and 5 house two fire companies, and the total number of calls is for
both companies.
STA 1 - 16.68%
STA 5 - 15.30%
STA 4 - 11.99%
STA 2 - 9.14% STA 3 - 9.99%
STA 6 - 8.65%
STA 10 - 8.37%
STA 12 - 6.84%
STA 14 - 6.03%
STA 8 - 2.84%
STA 7 - 2.69%
Out of PFA
Jurisdiction
0.87%
STA 9 & 11
0.61%
PERCENT OF TOTAL CALLS BY STATION
20 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Call Type by NFIRS Category 2017 2018 % Change
Medicals 14,535 13,824 -4.89%
Good Intent Calls 4,152 4,416 6.36%
Service Calls 1,148 1,396 21.60%
False Alarms 1,401 1,340 -4.35%
Hazardous Conditions 550 605 10.00%
Fires/Explosions 362 321 -11.33%
Other Requests for Service 49 65 32.65%
Total 22,197 21,967 -1.04%
The following graph reflects the total calls to which each piece of apparatus
(company) responded. Total calls on this chart are higher than actual total calls
because multiple apparatus can be dispatched to a single incident.
*RAM1 went into service Wednesday through Friday on August 15, 2018.
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Number of Calls
Apparatus
Calls per Apparatus
MEDICALS 62.93%
GOOD INTENT 20.10%
SERVICE CALLS
6.35%
FALSE ALARMS 6.10%
HAZARDOUS
CONDITIONS 2.75%
FIRE/EXP 1.46%
OTHER 0.30%
PERCENT OF CALLS BY TYPE OF CALL
Courage, Leadership, Duty 21
Hazardous Materials Response Team
In 2018 the PFA Hazmat Team billed $3,731 for reimbursement related to
responses to incidents in keeping with the Authority’s strategic goals of being
effective stewards of the community’s and PFA’s resources.
N/R = Not Reportable; Pending = Pending Software
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality
and
Innovative
Core
Services
5H.2: The agency
maintains appropriate
training, operations
policies and
documentation that
response personnel are
compliant with all
applicable hazardous
materials regulations and
laws.
5H.4: The agency
complies with all aspects
of applicable hazardous
material regulations such
as, annual refresher
training, medical
monitoring of response
personnel, annual
physical examinations as
applicable per standards,
and exposure record
retention.
Maintain a
minimum level
of hazardous
materials
technicians
assigned to the
Operations
Division
meeting the
Code of
Federal
Regulations 29
Standard
22 Courage, Leadership, Duty
In 2018 PFA responded to 416 calls for a hazardous materials response.
Incident Type
Number of
Incidents
Carbon monoxide incident 36
Carbon Monoxide Incident w/Detector 55
Chemical hazard (no spill or leak) 9
Chemical spill or leak 17
Combustible/flammable gas/liquid condition, other 1
Flammable gas or liquid condition, other 1
Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill 48
HazMat release investigation w/no HazMat includes odor of gas 114
Natural gas or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) leak (inside) 47
Natural gas or LPG leak (outside) 77
Oil or other combustible liquid spill 8
Refrigeration leak 3
Total 416
Courage, Leadership, Duty 23
Technical Rescue
N/R = Not Reportable; Pending = Pending Software
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality
and
Innovative
Core
Services
5G.2: The agency
establishes minimum
training and
operational standards;
compliant with local,
state and national
standards, and that all
personnel who
function in the
technical rescue
program meet training
and operational
standards.
Delivery of
technical
rescue
discipline
Authority-wide
trainings
delivered in
accordance
with the
technical
rescue
operational
plan
4 4 4
Core Competency
5G.1: Given the
agency’s Standards of
Cover and emergency
deployment objectives,
the agency meets its
staffing, response
time, station,
apparatus, and
equipment deployment
objectives for each
24 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Technical Rescue Six-Year Summary (By Dispatch Type)
Call Type Description 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 6-Year Total
Elevator Rescue 48 91 96 89 106 121 551
Motor Vehicle
Accidents with
Extrication 77 74 57 78 55 67 408
General Rescue
Responses 11 5 8 7 7 11 49
Search for Lost
Persons 0 0 1 1 0 1 3
Water Rescues
(Swiftwater, Stillwater,
and Ice) 25 26 26 20 25 25 147
Total Per Year 161 196 188 195 193 225 1,158
Percent Change 33.06 21.74 -4.08 3.72 -1.03 16.58 11.67
The following table represents the six-year activity trend for dispatched technical
rescue incidents responded to by PFA. This data indicates an average annual
increase of 11.67%.
161
196 188 195 193
225
0
50
100
150
200
250
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Number of Citizen Requests
Year
Citizen Requests for Technical Rescue Calls
2013-2018
Courage, Leadership, Duty 25
Volunteer Program
N/R = Not Reportable
2018 Calls at Volunteer Stations
Station
1
st
Qtr 2018 2
nd
Qtr 2018 3rd Qtr 2018 4
th
Qtr 2018 2018
Calls Resp. Calls Resp. Calls Resp. Calls Resp. Calls Resp.
9 21 6 40 14 50 25 17 0 128 45
11 2 2 0 0 3 3 1 1 6 6
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality
and
Innovative
Core
Services
5F.1 and 5K.1 Given its
Standards of Cover and
emergency deployment
objectives, the agency
meets its staffing,
response time, station,
apparatus and equipment
deployment objectives for
each type and magnitude
of emergency medical
incidents and wildland fire
incidents.
% of PFA
volunteers
attending at
least 12
volunteer
specific
training
events
N/R 100% 98.5%
% of Station
9 and 11
calls
responded
to by
26 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Station 9 Response from Last Friday in June through
First Tuesday in September*
Year Calls in Area Responses Response Rate
2012* 48 7 15%
2013* 27 4 15%
2014* 33 0 0%
2015* 33 14 42%
2016* 50 32 44%
2017* 71 49 69%
2018* 45 22 49%
Wildland Team
Synopsis of 2018 Wildland Statistics Included in this Report
Category Statistic Comment
PFA wildfire responses
78 In-district and
Mutual Aide
Five year average is 81.8 fires
Home assessments
made previously and
available online
1,281 to date
Data is available to residents
and emergency responders
PFA out-of-district
deployments
Three deployments
Cabin Lake, Colorado;
Beaver Meadows Rx Burn,
Colorado; Mesa Fire, Idaho
PFA Shift personnel
completion of wildfire
refresher training
97%
PFA Responses to Wildfires
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Year to
Date
Avg. 2014-
2017
20.5 19 27 16.25 82.75
2018 13 21 35 9 78
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
Courage, Leadership, Duty 27
Support Division Outcomes
Support Division Outcomes
Targeted Outcome Measures
Actual
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
% of EMS cases adhering to current EMS
protocols
Under
Review
N/R N/R
% patients treated for respiratory distress
that show improvement after treatment by
PFA EMS
100% 100% 100%
% diversity applicants-minority identified Under
Review
No Hiring
Process
No Hiring
Process
% diversity applicants -female
N/R
No Hiring
Process
No Hiring
Process
% diverse applicants on eligibility list-
minority
25%
No Hiring
Process
No Hiring
Process
% diverse applicants on eligibility list-
female 8%
No Hiring
Process
No Hiring
Process
% diverse recruit firefighters-minority
25% 25%
No Hiring
Process
% diverse recruit firefighters-female
9% 10%
No Hiring
Process
% decrease (if any) of firefighters 3 years
post-hire-minority or ethnicity
0% 0% 0%
% decrease (if any) of firefighters 3 years
post-hire-female
0% 0% 0%
Workers’ Compensation Experience
Modifier
28 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Emergency Medical Services
Strategic Initiative #1 – High Quality and Innovative Core Services
Strategic Goal 2
Primary Self-Assessment
Category/Criterion Output Measures
2018
Actual
Provide the highest
level of care, and
enhance public safety
through the
development of an
efficient, integrated and
collaborative EMS
system
Objective 2A: Conduct a
comprehensive analysis of
PFA’s current EMS program
to identify existing demands
and resource allocation.
% EMS calls
reviewed for
appropriate
documentation
100%
Objective 2B: Identify
opportunities for improvement
in EMS system service
delivery.
% of organizational
training efforts
directed towards
EMS
14%
% of EMS contract
service deliverables
measured, assessed
and reported
monthly
100%
Objective 2E: Record and
report system effectiveness.
% increase in
neurologically intact
cardiac arrest
survivability
300%
Courage, Leadership, Duty 29
1
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
4
5
5
6
7
9
11
11
14
15
16
24
26
36
38
40
41
51
67
72
96
106
130
154
158
254
259
301
345
428
429
488
509
703
882
1344
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Eye Symptoms/Non-Traumatic
Environmental Problem
Anaphylactic Shock
Cold exposure/Localized
Drowning/Near Drowning
Burns
Animal Bite/Sting envenomation
Eye Injuries
Cold Exposure Hypothermia
Refused Treatment
Not Recorded ()
Choking/airway obstruction
GI Bleed
Not Applicable ()
30 Courage, Leadership, Duty
1
1
1
1
4
10
13
15
15
20
24
27
32
34
55
64
1265
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Procedures
Trauma Alert
King Tube
Tasar Probe Removal
Soft Wrap
Patient Restraint
Wound Care
Airway Control (Nasal)
Suction
Automatic External Defibrillator
Assist Respirations
Bleeding Control
Splint
Airway Control (Oral)
CPR
Spinal Immobilization
Assist Ambulance Crew
PFA Medical Procedures Performed - 2018
8
9
10
20
28
177
356
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Albuterol
Epinephrine 0.3mg - 1:1000 IM
Albuterol sulfate Neb
Oral glucose
Aspirin
Oxygen
PFA Medications Administered - 2018
Courage, Leadership, Duty 31
Emergency Medical Services Performance Management
*2016 was the first year of program implementation; N/R = Not Reportable
5
11
13
33
40
72
73
174
420
446
494
1597
2468
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Treated patient, Helicopter transported
Patient Dead at Scene-Resuscitation Attempted
Treated, transported by law enforcement
Patient Dead at Scene-No Resuscitation Attempted
Patient refused care
False Call / False Alarm
Treated patient, Amb Transport with PFA EMT
Person Evaluated, No Treatment Required
Canceled on Scene
Patient Treated, Not Transported
Canceled (Prior to Arrival At Scene)
Patient Treated, Amb Transport
Patient Treated, Transport Unknown
Patient Disposition - 2018
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016*
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
Reduce the
frequency
and
severity of
emergency
incidents
Core Competency 5F.7:
The agency conducts a
formal and documented
appraisal, at least
annually, to determine
the effectiveness of the
EMS program and its
impact on meeting the
agency’s goals and
objectives. This should
32 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Equipment Maintenance
N/R = Not Reportable
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
4 – Financial
Responsibility
Core Competency 6D.1:
An apparatus
maintenance program is
established. Apparatus
maintenance is
conducted in
accordance with the
manufacturer's
recommendations and
federal and/or state/
provincial regulations.
Attention is given to the
safety, health, and
security aspects of
equipment operation
and maintenance.
Diesel
Fleet -
Ratio of
service
hours
compared
to total
miles
driven
N/R 97.6 N/R
Diesel
Fleet -
Ratio of
annual
downtime
in days
compared
to total
miles
driven
N/R 271.8 N/R
Diesel -
Miles per
gallon
N/R N/R N/R
Courage, Leadership, Duty 33
Facilities Maintenance
N/R = Not Reportable
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
4 – Financial
Responsibility
4B.3: Any projected
operating deficit
(expenditures
exceeding revenues
in a budget year) is
explained, and a
plan developed to
rectify the deficit.
Core Competency
6B.3: Physical
facilities are
adequate and
properly distributed
in accordance with
stated service level
and Standards of
Cover.
Core Competency
6B.3: Facilities
comply with federal,
state/provincial and
local codes and
regulations at the
time of construction,
required upgrades
for safety are
identified, and where
resources allow,
addressed.
Energy Use
Index
(determined
by adding
annual use in
kilowatts and
annual use of
natural gas in
cubic feet
then dividing
by the
building’s
square
34 Courage, Leadership, Duty
The budgeted amount includes Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds and
Capital funds. O&M funds lapse at the end of each budget year and Capital funds
are non-lapsing. Note: 2017 included an additional $63,000 for exhaust system
upgrades.
Energy Use Index (determined by adding annual use in kilowatts and annual use
of natural gas in cubic feet then dividing by the building’s square footage). A
lower score denotes less energy use. Note: Station 9 and 11 are unstaffed fire
stations (volunteer stations).
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$450,000
2015 2016 2017 2018
Amount Spent
Amount Budgeted
Facility Repairs and Capital
Improvements
Capital
O&M
Actual Spent
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Energy Use
2017-2018 Energy Use Index
2017 2018
Courage, Leadership, Duty 35
Information Technology
N/R = Not Reportable
Strategic
Initiatives
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality and
Innovative
Core Services
4 – Financial
Responsibility
9C.3: Technological
resources (e.g.,
telecommunications
equipment, computer
systems, general
business software, etc.)
and the information
management system are
appropriate to support the
needs of the agency.
Access is available to
technical support
personnel with expertise
in the systems deployed
by the agency.
Documentation and
analysis of data are
accessible to the agency.
% Satisfaction
rating as
assessed on IT
end-user
survey
N/R 90% 79%
% up-time for
Fire Records
Management
System
99.5% 99.5% 99.5%
% up-time for
IT
infrastructure
N/R 98% 99%
Number of
suspected
malware
incidents/year
10 10 4
36 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Occupational Health & Safety Program
Injuries and Exposures
Workers’ Compensation Costs
The following chart illustrates the cost paid by PFA’s workers’ compensation
insurance carrier.
Experience Modifier
The experience modifier is the adjustment of annual premium on workers’
compensation insurance based on previous loss experience. Three years of loss
experience are used to determine the experience modifier for the coming year.
0
50
100
150
200
250
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Number of Injuries/Exposures
Year
Injuries and Exposures
Exposures
Reported Injuries
$0.00
$100,000.00
$200,000.00
$300,000.00
$400,000.00
$500,000.00
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Claims Cost
Year
Workers' Comp Claims Paid by
Insurance
Courage, Leadership, Duty 37
Lost Time and Modified Duty
Another cost to PFA due to injuries is in lost time until an employee is returned to
full duties. Personnel can be placed on modified duty for injuries in which the
employee cannot work their normal duties without restrictions. Injury leave is
used when an employee has not been released for modified duty, which is
usually immediately after an injury or surgery until they have been cleared to a
modified duty status. Lost time is shown as how many 24-hour shifts of work a
firefighter was away from normal duties due to the injury.
Work-related modified duty plus Injury leave hours- shown as shift days missed
Severity of Injury
In 2013 PFA started tracking severity of injuries and exposures using the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable standard.
This tracks injuries with treatment received beyond first aid.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Experience Modifier
Year
Experience Modifier
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Shift Days Missed
Year
Shift Days Missed
38 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Frequency
Frequency is shown using OSHA’s Recordable Accident Frequency. This is
calculated using the formula (# injuries x 200,000 / number of hours worked). A
lower frequency number relates to fewer injuries. This formula allows a national
comparison, which for the fire service, is 10.2.
22 17 22
13 13 14
83
57
66
54
76 82
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Number of Injuries/Exposures
Year
Severity of Injury
Non
OSHA
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
OSHA Frequency Rate
Year
Frequency
Courage, Leadership, Duty 39
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Maintenance (SCBA)
N/R = Not Reportable
Training Division
Training Hours
In 2018, a total of 32,715 training hours were recorded into PFA’s Target
Solutions Program. This report focuses on 19,406 notable training category
hours. These hours were analyzed by sanction and total hours by category.
Sanctioned training hours consist of Target Solutions assignments distributed by
the Training Division. Non-sanctioned training hours consist of recorded
completions that are initiated by a shift, crew, or individual.
Figure 1 – 2018 total training hours by category (PFA Target Solutions data).
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
2018 Sanctioned Training by Category
Sanctioned Training
Strategic
Goal
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
Be an
accountable,
values-driven
workforce that
cares for the
community
and each other
6F.5: A safety
equipment inventory
control and
maintenance tracking
system is in place and
current.
# of Service
Requests/#
of SCBA
Airpacks
.64 .66 .34
Non-
warranty
repair
cost/SCBA
unit
N/R N/R .07
40 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Percent of Sanctioned Training Hours by Category for 2018
Figure 2 – Percent (in hours) of each category of training for the year 2018 (PFA Target Solutions
data).
Training Facility Usage
PFA’s Training Campus operates seven days a week, 12 months per year.
Figure 3 indicates the number of days PFA’s training facility is used during the
year and demonstrates that the training facility was used each day of 2018. The
Front Range Fire Consortium (FRFC) utilizes the PFA Training Campus for
FRFC fire recruit academies twice per year.
Figure 3 – Training facility use by days 2018 (PFA SharePoint Calendar data).
8.50%
23.00%
14.00%
11.00%
11.00%
1.00%
17.00%
11.00%
Percent of Sanctioned Training Hours by Category for
2018
Administration
Firefighter
EMS
Driver/Operator
Fire Officer
Wildland
Tech Rescue
Hazmat
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Internal External FRFC TOTAL
Training Facility Use by Number of Days in 2018
Days
Courage, Leadership, Duty 41
Figure 4 – Training facility use by days percentage (PFA SharePoint Calendar data).
Tuition Reimbursement/Education Requests
In 2018, the Training Division spent a total of $67,526 for tuition reimbursement
and educational class/conference requests.
Tuition reimbursement
In 2018, tuition reimbursement accounted for $18,009. The Tuition
Reimbursement Program pays participants’ tuition expenses for accredited
college-level classes. Figure 5 indicates the five-year trend for tuition
reimbursement. Figure 6 indicates the number of employees by rank
participating in the tuition reimbursement program from 2013 to 2018. Table 1
represents a six-year trend for tuition reimbursement costs per request.
70%
12%
16%
Training Facility Use by Percentage of Days for 2018
Internal
External
FRFC
42 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Figure 5 – Tuition reimbursement trend for the period of 2013 through 2018 (JD Edwards Data).
Figure 6 – Comparison of the number of participants by rank for the period of 2013 through 2018
(JD Edwards Data).
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Tuition Reimbursement Program Costs for Years 2013-2018
Amount
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Number of Participants by Rank in Tuition Reimbursement Program
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Courage, Leadership, Duty 43
Average Cost Per Request for Tuition Reimbursement Program
Year Amount # of Requests Average Amount
2013 $19,771 14 $1,412
2014 $30,400 37 $822
2015 $15,262 17 $898
2016 $18,095 16 $1,131
2017 $17,245 11 $1,568
2018 $18,009 12 $1,500
Total $118,782 107 $1,110
Table 1 – Summary of tuition reimbursement costs as an average per participant from 2013 to
2018 (JD Edwards data).
Tuition reimbursement is a successful professional development tool for PFA. It
enables employees to complete college-level course work that can be transferred
into the fire service. It is an integral component of achieving PFA’s strategic goal
of professional development that is aligned with national-level fire service
recommendations.
Education requests
In addition to tuition reimbursement, the Training Division spent $49,517 on
education requests in 2018. Education requests are discretionary training
opportunities identified by members of PFA that are taught by outside instructors
or organizations. These can include conferences as well as classes hosted either
at PFA or by other organizations specifically related to the fire service industry.
Figure 7 represents approved educational requests by rank.
44 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Figure 7 – Comparison of approved education requests by rank for the years 2014 to 2018.
In 2018, a total of 81 educational requests were received, of which 57 were
approved. One of the reasons for the drop in number from the previous year was
that more attendees were assigned into classes based on their working groups in
the department. Most of these requests were for topics in fundamental skills and
task-oriented subjects. This is indicative of the importance of this program for
supplemental skill development for PFA personnel. Specialty programs such as
Hazmat, Wildland, and Tech Rescue have individual budgets and are not
included in these numbers.
Certification
PFA continues to be a member of the Colorado Metropolitan Certification Board
(CMCB). CMCB ensures compliance with national firefighting standards through
the CMCB certification program. At PFA, certifications consist of Firefighter I and
II, Fire Instructor I and II, Driver/Operator for Pumper/Aerial, Hazmat Operations,
Hazmat Technician, and Fire Officer I and II.
In 2018, 47 CMCB certificates were awarded to PFA personnel. The certificates
issued in 2018 represent all CMCB certifications available to PFA personnel.
Figure 8 is a comparison of the number of certificates issued by category
between 2014 and 2018.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Educational Requests by Rank for Years 2014-2018
Courage, Leadership, Duty 45
Figure 8 – Comparison of CMCB certificates earned for the years 2014 to 2018.
Training Center Operations & Maintenance
Employee Training & Development
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Strategic Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High Quality and
Innovative Core
Services
3 – Workforce
Development/Culture
4 – Financial
Responsibility
Core Competency
8C.1: Facilities and
Apparatus are
provided to support
the agency’s all-
hazards training
needs. The agency
has plans addressing
any facilities and
apparatus not
available internally to
complete training
activities.
Number of
trimester
inspections
of all
facilities,
props and
equipment to
identify
potential
46 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Strategic
Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/
Criterion
Output Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality and
Innovative
Core Services
3 – Workforce
Development/
Culture
4 – Financial
Responsibility
8B: Training and
Education
Program
Performance
Training/
education
programs are
provided to
support the
agency’s needs.
Basic Skills -
Completion rate of
Target Solutions
assignments within
designated timeframe
100% 100% 100%
Driver Operator (DO) -
Completion rate of
Target Solutions
assignments within
designated timeframe
100% 100% 100%
(DO) - Provision of DO
academy during
calendar year
1 1 1
Truck DO -
Completion rate of
Target Solutions
assignments within
designated timeframe
100% 100% 100%
Officer Development -
Provision of Fire
Officer I and II classes
in conjunction with
CSU
Courage, Leadership, Duty 47
Core Competency
8B.3: The
agency evaluates
individual and
crew performance
through validated
and documented
performance-
based
measurements.
Review, develop and
deliver Company
Performance Tasks
(CPTs) used to
evaluate crews on
core competencies
Two
times
per
year
Two
times
per
year
Two
times
per
year
Review, develop and
deliver D/O
competency
evaluations
1 per
year
1 per
year
1 per
year
8B.5: The agency
maintains a
training records
management
system that meets
recognized
standards.
Maintain training
records/certifications
throughout the year to
NFPA standard
Analyze training
records annually for
ISO, regulatory, and
PFA policy
compliance
100% 100% 100%
48 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Recruit Fire Academy
Strategic Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High Quality and
Innovative Core
Services
3 – Workforce
Development/Culture
4 – Financial
Responsibility
Core Competency
8B.3: The agency
evaluates individual
and crew
performance through
validated and
documented
performance-based
measurements.
% of recruits
that complete
the FRFC
Recruit
Academy to
be certified at
a minimum of
Firefighter-I
and Hazmat
Operations
100% 100% 100%
7B.5: A new
member orientation
program is in place.
% of recruits
who
successfully
complete
their post
academy
introductory
period within
one year
100% 100% 100%
% of recruits
who
complete a
task book
prior to the
end of their
Courage, Leadership, Duty 49
Certification
Strategic Initiative
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
1 – High Quality and
Innovative Core
Services
3 – Workforce
Development/Culture
4 – Financial
Responsibility
8A.4: The agency
has identified
minimum levels of
training required for
all positions in the
organization.
% of
firefighters
possessing
required
certificates
based on
their eligibility
and current
policy
100% 100% 100%
% of
firefighters
passing
training
programs and
obtaining
certifications
100% 100% 100%
8B.1: A process is
in place to ensure
that personnel are
appropriately
trained.
% of Captains
and BCs
certified to
Fire Officer I
100% 100% 100%
% of BCs
certified to
Fire Officer II
45% 55% 67%
8B.5: The agency
50 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Administration Division Outcomes
Administration Division Outcomes
Targeted Outcome Measures
Actual
2016
Actual
2017
Revised
2018
7B.4: The agency’s workforce composition
is reflective of the service area
demographics or the agency has put forth a
reasonable effort by instituting an effective
recruitment plan to achieve the desired
workforce composition - % of minority
firefighters
N/R >15.5%
14% total
workforce,
14.5%
uniformed,
12.2% civilian
Demographic Data (hiring diversity) - %
diverse recruit firefighters - minority
25%
Reflect
Increase
11%
Demographic Data (hiring diversity) - %
recruit firefighters - female
9%
Reflect
Increase
0%
% of budget underspent at year-end 1.8% 3.3% 2.2%
Percent of accepted 2015 Accreditation
Peer Team Recommendations Implemented
20% 70% 70%
Financial audit findings indicating financial
statements are in compliance with
established accounting practices
100% 100% 100%
Community Lifesaving Award
Courage, Leadership, Duty 51
2018 PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The 2018-2023 Strategic Plan was approved by the PFA Board in February
2018, and sets long-term direction for the Authority; based upon the information
gathered through the community-driven strategic planning process and the
determination of critical issues and service gaps, the following strategic initiatives
were identified as the foundation for the development of goals and objectives:
1. High Quality and Innovative Core Services (aligned with Center for Public
Safety Excellence Self-Assessment)
2. Proactive Internal/External Communications
3. Workforce Development/Culture
4. Financial Responsibility
5. Governance and Organizational Sustainability
The Authority’s strategic initiatives and goals are well aligned with the PFA
Annual Budget and Accreditation process to measure the performance of fire
protection and emergency service delivery at a macro level.
The benchmark survey is a means of comparing PFA’s performance against
other jurisdictions to assess how well the Authority is performing. The results are
displayed in graphs providing actual values and a five-year history for PFA and
national data when available (2018 national data will become available between
September and November, 2019). The 2018 Benchmarking survey participants
have been reviewed and reflect comparable population, college or university in
community, non-municipal fire departments (where possible), and accredited
agencies thereby creating a more accurate comparison and aligning long-term
direction. The participants include Arvada Fire Protection District, Aurora Fire
Rescue, Boulder Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue, South Metro Fire
Protection District, Colorado Springs Fire Department, Littleton Fire Rescue,
Longmont Fire Department, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Gainesville Fire
Rescue (FL), Corvallis Fire Department (OR), Guelph Fire (Ontario, Canada),
Rockford Fire Department (IL), Grand Rapids Fire Department (MI), Bellevue Fire
Department (WA). Staff evaluated the benchmark survey and made changes to
align long-term direction. The five-year PFA history provides a means for
citizens to assess how PFA has performed historically, and, where available, how
PFA compares on a national level. Due to changes in Records Management
Systems nationwide, many comparison departments did not participate in the
2018 Benchmark Survey.
Outcomes are organized into areas related directly to the Strategic Initiatives and
Goals outlined in the 2018 Strategic Plan. This provides a picture of how PFA is
doing in relation to the outcomes and whether performance is improving in
relation to goals.
52 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Goal 1 – Deliver the highest quality and innovative service within the
Poudre Fire Authority jurisdiction, which is guided by data
analysis, self-assessment and aligned with the Center for
Performance Safety Excellence Fire and Emergency Service Self-
Assessment.
Response Time
PFA’s goal for the percent of time PFA fire personnel are on scene within six
minutes 20 seconds in the urban area cannot be measured for the year 2018. In
the 4
th
quarter of 2018 the PFA Board of Directors approved the purchase of new
data analysis software called ADAM (Apparatus Deployment Analysis Module)
from Deccan, and the software that was previously used for this metric was
terminated. The first meeting for implementation of the new software system is
on February 14, 2019. This will be a planning meeting for the project in which
dates will be established for completion. This measure will be updated once the
data is able to be analyzed.
Intercede Before Flashover
Flashover is the stage of a structure fire when it becomes extremely dangerous
to occupants, destructive to structures, and hazardous to firefighters. During a
flashover, temperatures and conditions are intense and an entire room can burst
into flames, causing a fire to spread to other parts of the structure. By containing
a fire to its room of origin, either through rapid fire department response, fire
sprinklers, or fire containment, fire loss and injuries to occupants and firefighters
can be reduced. Delaying flashover also allows more time to complete a search
and rescue of the burning room or allow a firefighter to go above a fire to rescue
a trapped victim. Delaying flashover and fire spread can limit fire loss and injuries
to occupants and firefighters.
Poudre Fire Authority staff strongly believes that the best service to the
community is to prevent fires from occurring; however, when fires occur, limiting
the loss to life and property becomes the best service. Interceding before
Flashover measures the success of all Authority services (education, prevention,
and response) in controlling fire before fire extends beyond the room in which the
fire started. If fires are not interceded before Flashover, more lives and property
are threatened and the risk of losing control of the fire is increased.
Strategic Initiative 1
“High Quality and Innovative Core Services.”
Courage, Leadership, Duty 53
90.4 91 89.8
96.97
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2015 2016 2017 2018
Percent of Time Interceded before Flashover
Percent of Time PFA Intercedes before Flashover
(contained to room of origin)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Fires Per 1,000 Population
Fire Department
2018 Number of Fires
Per 1,000 Population
B
E
T
T
E
R
54 Courage, Leadership, Duty
PFA’s goal is to limit direct estimated fire loss.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Fires
PFA & Nation Number of Fires
Per 1,000 Population
5-Year History
PFA Nation
B
E
T
T
E
R
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
Loss Per Capita
Fire Department
2018 Fire Loss Per Capita
B
E
T
T
E
R
Courage, Leadership, Duty 55
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
$70
$80
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Loss Per Capita
PFA & Nation Fire Loss Per Capita
5-Year History
PFA Nation PFA 5-Year Average
B
E
T
T
E
R
$0.00
$0.05
$0.10
$0.15
$0.20
$0.25
$0.30
$0.35
$0.40
$0.45
Pueblo CO PFA CO
Fire Department
2018 Loss Per $1,000 Property Protected
B
E
T
T
E
R
56 Courage, Leadership, Duty
$0.00
$0.02
$0.04
$0.06
$0.08
$0.10
$0.12
$0.14
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Fire Loss
PFA Loss Per $1,000 Property Protected
5-Year History
PFA Annual Loss per $1,000 Property Protected PFA 5-Year Average
B
E
T
T
E
R
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
Loss Per Fire
Fire Department
2018 Fire Loss Per Fire
B
E
T
T
E
R
Courage, Leadership, Duty 57
The national comparison in 2017 includes the California wildfire loss.
Maintaining an insurance rate as low as possible within the City of Fort Collins
and the urban area of the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District is a goal of the
Poudre Fire Authority. In 2015, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rated PFA at
a 2, due in part to transitioning a volunteer station to a fully-staffed station in
Timnath.
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Loss Per Fire
PFA & Nation Fire Loss Per Fire
5-Year History
PFA Nation
B
E
T
T
E
R
0
1
2
3
4
5
ISO Rating
Fire Department
2018 Urban ISO Rating Per Community
B
E
T
T
E
R
58 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Goal 2 – Provide the highest level of care, and enhance public safety,
through development of an efficient, integrated and collaborative
EMS system.
In 2015 PFA entered into a contract with Poudre Valley Health Systems as the
sole emergency ambulance provider for the PFA’s jurisdiction and surrounding
areas in Larimer County. This is the first contract of its kind in PFA’s jurisdiction
and has resulted in expanded services, increased staffing, as well as a reduction
in PFA’s Advanced Life Support partner’s response times.
0
1
2
3
4
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
ISO Rating
PFA Urban ISO Rating 5-Year History
B
E
T
T
E
R
97
95
92
100
100 85 56
100
100
96
2018 UCH EMS
Contract Compliant Response Time
Percentage by Zone
Zone 1 Emergent
Zone 1 Non Emergent
Zone 2 Emergent
Zone 2 Non Emergent
Zone 3 Emergent
Zone 3 Non Emergent
Courage, Leadership, Duty 59
Category
Required
Time
On Time
Count
Late
Count
Total
Incidents
Count
Percentage
On Time
Zone 1
Emergent 8.59 5975 412 6387 97%
Zone 1 Non
Emergent 11.59 8797 799 9596 95%
Zone 2
Emergent 11.59 724 107 831 92%
Zone 2 Non
Emergent 30 1456 29 1485 100%
Zone 3
Emergent 23.59 17 19 36 56%
Zone 3 Non
Emergent 30 59 20 79 85%
Zone 4
Emergent 60 98 8 106 100%
Zone 4 Non
Emergent 120 133 2 135 100%
Zone 5
Emergent n/a 8 0 8 100%
Zone 5 Non
Emergent n/a 24 1 25 96%
60 Courage, Leadership, Duty
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Injuries per 100,000 Population Served
Fire Department
2018 Civilian Fire Injuries
Per 100,000 Population
B
E
T
T
E
R
Courage, Leadership, Duty 61
Note: PFA’s one fire death is still under investigation
0
1
2
3
Civilian Deaths
Fire Department
2018 Civilian Fire Deaths
B
E
T
T
E
R
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Civilian Deaths Per 100,000 Population
PFA & Nation Civilian Fire Deaths
Per 100,000 Population and
5-Year History
PFA Nation PFA 5-Year Average
B
E
T
T
E
R
62 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Goal 3 – Deliver effective level of special operations services to address
the community risk.
Please see the program reports for Hazardous Materials Response Team (page
21), Technical Rescue (page 23), and Wildland Team (page 26).
Goal 4 – Increase community awareness of the services provided by
Poudre Fire Authority
Objectives for this goal fall under the PFA Public Affairs and Communications
Manager, which, in 2018 was vacant for a majority of the year. Increasing the
community’s awareness of the services provided by PFA will continue and
improve in 2019.
PFA does present an annual report to both the Fort Collins City Council and the
Poudre Valley Fire Protection District Board; these annual reports are available
for viewing at www.pfaannualreport.com.
Another way PFA monitors community awareness is through surveys. In 2012, a
survey was conducted by Colorado State University (CSU) to understand
community residents’ perceptions of the job PFA does in providing emergency
services, understand the extent that community residents are aware of fire safety
practices and the extent they follow such practices, and understand businesses’
perceptions of the job PFA does in providing emergency and non-emergency
services to business customers. Approximately 78% of fire safety guidelines are
0
2
4
6
8
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Civilian Injuries
PFA & Nation Civilian Fire Injuries
Per 100,000 Population
5-Year History
PFA Nation PFA 5-Year Average
B
E
T
T
E
R
Strategic Initiative 2
“Proactive Internal/External Communications.”
Courage, Leadership, Duty 63
practiced by residents in the community, and in general, if the guideline was
known about, it was followed. However, through the survey it was found that
elderly and lower income respondents tended not to follow the fire safety
guidelines as tightly as others. This survey is not conducted annually; the most
recent responses are from 2012.
PFA Citizen Satisfaction Survey Performed by CSU
Scale: 1 = Extremely Poor, 5 = Extremely Well
1993 1998 2006 2012
Responds within appropriate timeframe 4.4 4.6 4.5 --
Demonstrates Care for Persons 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.5
Demonstrates Concern for Property 4.3 4.4 4.4 4.5
Cooperation with Other Agencies 4.5 4.4 4.4 --
Handles Incident in Professional Manner -- -- 4.7 4.7
Provides accurate information related to the
emergency
-- -- 4.4 4.5
Provides follow-up services after an emergency -- -- 4.1 4.0
City residents are surveyed by the National Research Center on municipal
services and they compare their findings to national benchmarks as shown in the
following table.
Type of
Service
Quality of Service Rating
Very Good/Good
2010 2012 2013 2015 2017 2018
2013
National
Comparison
2018
National
Comparison
Fire Services
Overall 96% 85% 89% 87% 89% 83% Similar Lower
Fire Response
Time -- 84% 89% 87% 91% 83% Above Not Available
Emergency
Preparedness -- 75% 80% 76% 79% 76% Much Above Much Higher
Fire
Prevention/Edu
cation
-- 72% 74% 78% 74% 73% Much Above Similar
Note, prior to 2015 “fire service overall” was described as “Fire services”, and
between 24% and 41% of respondents said “no opinion” when evaluating
emergency preparedness, disaster response and restoration, fire prevention and
education, fire response time, and fire services overall. Differences in ratings for
fire services overall could be due, in part, to changes in question wording as well
as the addition of other, more specific fire‐related safety services.
PFA’s strives for a high overall satisfaction rate with businesses. The
Evaluations of Inspections with PFA (CSU Business Survey) survey is not
conducted annually; the most recent responses are from 2012.
64 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Evaluations of Inspections with PFA (CSU Business Survey)
Scale: 1 = Extremely Poor, 5 = Extremely Well
1998 2006 2012
From visit to visit PFA personnel provide consistent
information regarding the International Fire Code
-- 4.6 4.2
PFA personnel respect your time when conducting a fire
code inspection
4.6 4.7 4.7
PFA personnel provide adequate safety training -- 4.3 4.2
PFA personnel provide adequate emergency evacuation
information
-- 4.3 4.2
PFA personnel provide adequate information if they find a
fire code violation in your workplace
4.6 4.7 4.6
PFA personnel offer adequate guidelines to assist you with
correcting code violations
4.5 4.7 4.6
Visit to visit, the PFA is consistent in what they cite as a
code violation
4.4 4.5 4.5
PFA strives to maintain an excellent satisfaction rate with emergency response.
This measure is intended to measure satisfaction soon after emergency service
is received. PFA continues to receive high marks in emergency response
satisfaction. The figures in the table below are for January 2018 through July
2018; this is due to software changes that did not allow for the survey results to
be tracked for the remainder of the year.
2018 Emergency Response Service Survey Results
Total Number of surveys mailed 591
Total Number of surveys returned 144
Percentage of surveys returned 24%
Question Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A
No
Answer
1. How easy was it to
report your emergency
to the 911
dispatcher?
53.47% 9.72% 0.60% 0.00% 4.17% 0.00%
2. Rate our response
time.
59.03% 4.86% 0.60% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
3. Rate the courtesy of
the Firefighters on the
scene.
61.11% 2.78% 1.19% 1.39% 0.00% 0.00%
4. Were all our actions
clearly explained?
56.25% 6.94% 0.60% 1.19% 1.39% 0.00%
5. How would you rate
our overall services
provided?
61.11% 3.75% 0.00% 1.79% 0.00% 0.00%
Courage, Leadership, Duty 65
Goal 5 – Develop and maintain a diverse, inclusive, well-trained, mission-
ready workforce to protect life and property
Candidates
Tested
American
Indian or
Alaskan
Native
Asian
Black of
African
American
Hispanic
or Latino
Native
Hawaiian
or
Pacific
Islander
White Undisclosed Totals
Male 0.66% 1.82% 2.65% 8.11% 0.50% 70.86% 4.30% 88.91%
Female 0% 0% .50% 1.49% 0% 6.79% 0.17% 8.94%
Undisclosed 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0.17% 1.99% 2.15%
Total 604
Strategic Goal 5
Primary Self-Assessment
Category/Criterion
Output
Measures
2018
Actual
Develop and
maintain a diverse,
inclusive, well-
trained, mission-
ready workforce to
protect life and
property
5B: Recruit and hire a well-
qualified, diverse, safety and
value-oriented workforce.
% diversity
applicants-
minority identified
18%
% diversity
applicants-female
10%
% diverse recruit
firefighters-
minority
0%
% diverse recruit
firefighters-
female
0%
5I: Retain a healthy,
engaged, inclusive and
value-oriented work-force.
66 Courage, Leadership, Duty
1.34
1.29 1.29
1.05
0.90
0.84
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
Uniformed Personnel per 1,000 Population
2018 Uniformed Personnel Per 1,000 Population
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
2018
Percent of Female Uniformed
Employees to Total Uniformed
Courage, Leadership, Duty 67
No deaths are the only acceptable goal for PFA. While there are always risks
inherent in firefighting, these risks can be reduced by extensive training,
adequate equipment, sound operational policies and proper analysis of the risks
and benefits taken by each firefighter when engaged in emergency operations.
PFA has not had a line of duty death, and continued that trend in 2016 with zero
firefighter deaths.
0
1
2
Deaths
Fire Departments
2018 Firefighter Deaths
B
E
T
T
E
R
No firefighter
deaths were
reported by any
comparison
departments.
Strategic
Goal
Primary Self-
Assessment
Category/Criterion
Performance
Measure
2016
Actual
2017
Actual
2018
Actual
High Quality
and
Innovative
Core Services
Workforce
Development/
Culture
Financial
Responsibility
7F.7: A process is in
place to investigate
and document
accidents, injuries
and legal actions,
etc., which is
supported by the
agency's information
management
system.
Recordable
Accident
Frequency: #
of injuries x
68 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Goal 6 – Foster an environment of fiscal responsibilities at all levels
Measures of Progress for this Strategic Initiative include achievement of the
Government Finance Officers Association recognition for budget presentation
and comprehensive annual financial report, as well as providing an annual report
to City Council and Poudre Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada
(GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to Poudre Fire
Authority, Colorado for its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1,
2018. This was the 19th consecutive year that PFA has achieved this prestigious
award. In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget
document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations
guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device.
This award is valid for a period of one year only. Staff believes the current
budget continues to conform to program requirements, and is being submitted to
GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award.
Strategic Initiative 4
“Financial Responsibility.”
Courage, Leadership, Duty 69
The Poudre Fire Authority’s comprehensive annual financial report for the year
ended 2017, from which the information on this page has been drawn, was
awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada
(GFOA). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition for
excellence in state and local government financial reporting. In order to be
awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily
readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. This
report must satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable
legal requirements.
A Certificate of Achievement is valid for a period of one year only. Staff believes
that the current comprehensive annual financial report continues to meet the
Certificate of Achievement Program’s requirements and is being submitted to the
GFOA to determine its eligibility for another certificate.
The year 2015 reflected the first full year of the implementation of the restated
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Revenue Allocation Formula between
the City of Fort Collins (City) and the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District
(PVFPD). The stepped-up funding level that is being phased-in by the City has
helped PFA begin to address lingering needs and funding shortfalls from
previous years. A more sustainable funding stream has been created through
the City/PVFPD IGA and Revenue Allocation Formula, supporting the goal of
maintaining a stable and predictable funding stream.
70 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Goal 7 – Plan for long-term issues and demands that will shape the future
of the Authority and its governance structure.
Objectives under Goal 7 include seeking opportunities for regionalization of
emergency services, preparing for future major annexations to the City of Fort
Collins, and Long-Range Financial Planning. The objectives for Goal 7 are all in
various stages of completion, and the action plans include:
$0
$25
$50
$75
$100
$125
$150
$175
$200
$225
$250
Cost Per Capita
Fire Department
2018 O&M Budget Per Capita
Strategic Initiative 5
“Governance and Organizational Sustainability.”
Courage, Leadership, Duty 71
Objective Accomplishment To-Date
Seek opportunities for regionalization
of emergency services
• Front Range Fire Consortium
training academy – training delivery
• Front Range Fire Consortium –
funding mechanism
• Mutual and Auto-Aid agreements
current per Standards of Cover
Prepare for future major annexations to
the City of Fort Collins
• 2014 Restated Intergovernmental
Agreement
• Collect data on all current
annexations
Long-Range Financial Plan • Scheduled to be developed and
implemented for 2020 budget
process
Seek additional and alternative funding
sources
• Staff is actively involved in the
development of proposals for
replacing the Keep Fort Collins Great
after the current sunset in 2020
• Staff began working with PVPFD
Board to evaluate regional
partnership/consolidation of District
boundaries with Wellington Fire
Protection District
• Staff is monitoring annexation
activities and will continue to
anticipate potential impact on service
and funding
• Secured grant funding for
Community Risk Reduction
programs
72 Courage, Leadership, Duty
City/District Comparative Statistics
Call Assessed Contribution
Ratio Value Ratio Ratio
2006 CITY 81.90 78.06 80.04
DIST 18.10 21.94 19.96
2007 CITY 82.90 79.01 79.61
DIST 17.10 20.99 20.39
2008 CITY 83.67 82.05 80.25
DIST 16.33 17.95 19.75
2009 CITY 83.93 80.30 80.20
DIST 16.07 19.70 19.80
2010 CITY 84.50 80.96 80.82
DIST 15.50 19.04 19.18
2011 CITY 83.75 81.01 81.12
DIST 16.24 18.99 18.98
2012 CITY 83.58 81.54 81.05
DIST 16.42 18.46 18.95
2013 CITY 83.65 82.18 82.10
DIST 16.35 17.82 17.90
2014 CITY 84.11 82.04 82.26
DIST 15.89 17.96 17.73
2015 CITY 84.53 82.13 82.89
3
DIST 15.47 17.87 17.11
2016 CITY 84.61 80.90 74.24
DIST 15.39 19.10 25.76
4
2017 CITY 85.88 82.12 83.27
DIST 14.12 17.88 16.73
2018 CITY 85.67 80.30 80.68
DIST 14.33 19.70 19.32
3 2015 included first year of updated City Revenue Allocation Formula contribution
4 2016 included District capital contribution for Station 8 and Timnath TIF funds for Station 8
staffing and construction
Courage, Leadership, Duty 73
2018 PFA Budget Review
The 2018 PFA general fund actual spending compared to budget reflects a tight
budget (underspend of 2.7%, or $909,552). In addition, the ending fund balance
for 2018 benefitted from significantly higher fees for services, interest income,
and miscellaneous revenue with revenue of $1,214,797 higher than projected.
Note: these are not audited figures.
Poudre Fire Authority Actual Spending to Budget, 2018
General Fund
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances--
Actual and Budget
For the Month Ended December 31, 2018
REVENUES Actual Year-to-Date Budget
Percent Year-to-
Date Budget
Received/
Expended
Intergovernmental $31,500,628 $31,564,928
Fees and charges for services 1,411,212 933,611
Earnings on Investments 145,224 40,000
Grants and Non-Capital Projects 61,390 72,320
Miscellaneous revenue 952,609 245,408
Total Revenues 34,071,064 32,856,267 103.70%
EXPENDITURES
Administration 2,826,180 2,974,843
Community Safety Services 2,960,303 3,108,623
Grants & Non-Capital Projects 120,509 159,448
Support 5,078,933 5,407,129
Operations 21,668,612 21,914,046
Total Expenditures 32,654,537 33,564,089 -2.71%
Excess or Deficiency of Revenues Over or
Under Expenditures $1,416,527 ($707,822)
Fund Balance January 1, 2018 $8,219,142
Fund Balance December 31, 2018 $9,635,669
Year-to-Date 2018
74 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Poudre Fire Authority General Fund Reserves
Poudre Fire Authority’s reserve policy states a minimum 3% of operating
revenues must be held in the reserve for contingencies and 3% of revenue must
be held in the revenue reserve. If the revenue reserve and contingency reserve
are depleted below reserve policy levels (6%), the fire chief will develop a
restoration plan to restore balances over a two-year time period.
Projected 2018 Fund Balance
Beginning Balance $8,219,142
Revenue 34,071,064
<Expenditures> (32,654,537)
Fund Balance $9,635,669
% of
Reserves
Revenue
Unassigned - Reserve for Contingency 8,267,956 24.27%
Restricted - Reserve for KFCG
0.00%
Assigned - Revenue Reserve 1,011,806 2.97%
Assigned - NCRCN Reserve
Assigned - Encumbrances 328,689 0.96%
Assigned - Workers Comp Reserve 27,218 0.08%
Total Reserves $9,635,669 28.28%
Courage, Leadership, Duty 75
Capital Fund
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances--
Actual and Budget
For the Month Ended December 31, 2018
REVENUES
Year-to-Date
Actual
Annual
Budget
Percent Received/
Expended
Apparatus Replacement $1,404,672 $1,385,095
Burn Building $7,657 $2,209
Computer Aided Dispatch $6,382 $2,069
Computer/Tech Replacement $304,995 $300,822
Facilities Maintenance $268,957 $264,126
Hose Replacement $16,477 $16,159
Major Station Remodel $1,649,582 $921,305
Mobile Data Terminals $896 $0
Radio Replacement $169,939 $165,085
Records Management System $5,233 $0
SCBA Replacement $9,328 $3,027
Staff Vehicle Replacement $82,751 $80,000
Station Alerting $125,268 $132,110
Station 15 $68,909 $30,548
Station 4 Lease/Purchase $102 $0
Station 8 $8,806 $0
Thermal Imager Replacement $25,119 $24,321
Training Center Improvement $224,271 $84,834
Training Multi-Purpose Building $4,992 $1,618
Total Revenues $4,384,336 $3,413,328 128.45%
EXPENDITURES
Current:
Apparatus Replacement $293,585 $1,380,862
Burn Building $18,988 $88,000
Computer Aided Dispatch
Computer/Tech Replacement $14,556 $300,000
Facilities Maintenance $240,725 $263,848
Hose Replacement $7,380 $16,134
Major Station Remodel $37,702
Mobile Data Terminals $99,625 $120,471
Radio Replacement $95,494 $100,000
Records Management System (RMS) Replacement $399,082 $466,999
SCBA Replacement $5,287
Staff Vehicle Replacement $115 $79,674
Station Alerting
Station 15
Station 4 Lease/Purchase $11,117
Station 8 $755,520
Thermal Imager Replacement $16,896 $24,304
Training Center Improvement $132,349
Training Multi-Purpose Building
Total Expenditures $2,128,422 $2,840,292 74.94%
Excess or Deficiency of Revenues Over or Under Expenditures $2,255,915 $1,566,429
Fund Balance January 1, 2018 $6,168,156
Fund Balance December 31, 2018 $8,424,071
76 Courage, Leadership, Duty
Poudre Fire Authority Board Actions – 2018
18-1 Authorizing the fire chief, or his designee, to execute all contracts
including those over $75,000 for a draft commander mobile fire pump
testing and training unit
18-2 Amending the 2018 budget and reappropriating funds for prior year
encumbrances
18-3 Authorizing the fire chief, or his designee, to execute all contracts
including those over $75,000 for purchase of software licenses
18-4 Appropriating Bohemian Foundation Grant funds in the amount of $5,000
to assure health equity by teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
automatic external defibrillation skills in collaboration with a La Familia
bilingual instructor
18-5 Adopting the PFA Old and New Hire Money Purchase Pension Plans and
Trust Agreements as Amended and Restated January 1, 2017 and the
First Amendments Thereto as of January 1, 2018
18-6 Appointing a 2018 Fire Code Review Committee
18-7 Requesting coverage under the Fire and Police Pension Association
(FPPA) Defined Benefit System administered by the FPPA for new
firefighters and existing firefighters for the PFA
18-8 Approving and ratifying the 2019-2020 collective bargaining agreement
between the PFA and Local 1945
18-9 Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue within the Poudre Fire Authority
2018 Budget
18-10 Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue and Training Center Improvement
Capital Project Funds
18-11 Supporting the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District Ballot Question to
Stabilize Property Tax Revenue
18-12 Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue and Authorizing the Fire Chief, or his
designee, To Execute all contract, including those over $75,000 for the
purchase of Deccan Analytical Software
18-13 Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue for Reimbursement to the State of
Colorado
18-14 Setting the Poudre Fire Authority Board of Directors 2019 Meeting Dates
18-15 Appropriating $115,820 Reserve for Contingency Funds to the Fire
Suppression Budget, for 2018 Urban Search and Rescue Deployments
18-16 Poudre Fire Authority Board of Directors Support and Recommend
Adoption or Ratification of the 2018 International Fire Code
18-17 Authorizing the Fire Chief, or his Designee, to execute all Contracts
including those over $75,000 for a new Rescue Unit
18-18 Adopting the Budget and Appropriating Funds for the Operation of the
Poudre Fire Authority for 2019
18-19 Setting the Fees for the Poudre Fire Authority Fire Prevention Bureau for
the Calendar Year 2019
May 14, 2019
Poudre Fire Authority Annual Report
Fire Chief Tom DeMint
ATTACHMENT 4
What is Poudre Fire Authority?
• An independent governmental entity that provides fire and rescue
services
• A consolidated fire agency serving two jurisdictions
• No taxing authority; dependent on “parents” for funding
2
What was the Problem with Two Departments?
• Duplication of service, equipment, overhead costs
• Frequently changing boundaries with annexations
• Crossing jurisdictions to provide service
3
How did we get an Authority?
4
How is PFA Governed?
Board of Directors
• Two members appointed by City Council
• Two members appointed by PVFPD Board
• Fifth member elected by other four—traditionally the Fort Collins City
Manager
5
The Intergovernmental Agreement
• Established in 1981; Updated in 2014
• Enumerates responsibilities of Board, Chief, and staff
• Sets limitations on powers
• Sets funding formula and in-kind contributions
6
2019 Funding v. Demand
City of Fort
Collins
District
Call Volume 85.7% 14.3%
Assessed valuation of property
protected
80.3% 19.7%
Funding ratio 80.7% 19.3%
7
Funding ratio slowly shifting toward District
paying larger share compared to call volume
8
Revenue Allocation Formula
City funding by formula:
• Share of base sales/use tax
• 67% of City Property Tax mill levy
• 11% of Keep Fort Collins Great sales/use tax
District funding
• 100% of District Property Tax mill levy (less administrative costs)
9
Annual Report
• Opportunity for “parents” to meet Oversight of City and PVFPD
investment in fire and rescue service
• Required by IGA
10
Annual Report—How we measure service
• Prompt: Response times
• Skillful: Flashover prevention; cardiac incident survival rates;
sprinkler saves
• Caring: PFA improving emergency response survey materials
www.pfaannualreport.com
11
Annual Report—Fiscal Health
• Realistic budgeting, targeted at maximizing use of resources
• Improved allocation to capital needs
• Working toward appropriate staffing levels
• Healthy reserves for future capital needs
12
Annual Report—Strategic Issues
• Demand growth
• Annexations and population growth
• Capital cost growth
• Sales/use tax growth uncertainty
• Ambulance contract for pre-hospital medical care
13
200,000 /
number of
hours worked
5.5 5.3 5.8
Workers’
Compensation
Modifier
.96
Strategic Initiative 3
“Workforce Development/Culture.”
maintains a training
records
management system
that meets
recognized
standards.
% of current
certifications
filed
electronically
in a
searchable
format
100% 100% 100%
introductory
year
100% 100% 100%
1 each 1 each
1 FOI
0 FOII
Officer Development -
Provision of Fire
Instructor I classes
2 2 1
Officer Development -
Completion rate of
Target Solutions
assignments within
designated timeframe
100% 100% 100%
Officer Development -
Provision of
Captain/BC academy
during calendar year
Two
times
per
year
Two
times
per
year
1 each
safety
problems,
limiting
exposure to
hazards and
lowering risk
completed
on time
1 3 3
Number of Certificates Earned by Category
% of helpdesk
problems
resolved
97% 95% 90%
% of submitted
map changes
distributed in
hard copy
within 6
months from
date of receipt
95% 95% 100%
% of submitted
changes
entered into
GIS database
within 7 days
100% 95% 100%
footage). A
lower score
denotes less
energy use.
Note: Station
9 and 11 are
unstaffed fire
stations.
N/R
See
Energy
Use
Index
on
page
34
See
Energy
Use
Index
on
page
34
Total
Maintenance
and Repair
Cost in
$/Total
Square Foot
Area of
Facilities
Maintained
.67 .67 N/R
include an evaluation of
the agencies standard
operating procedures,
protocols and
equipment.
Respond to
inquiries from
member
agencies and
the transport
provider
within 1
business day
from
submittal
N/R 90% 100%
Provide
monthly
response
performance
reports to the
transport
provider by
the 5
th
of the
month
N/R 100% 100%
Respiratory Arrest
Heat related Injuries
Suspected Stroke/CVA
OB/GYN
Diarrhea
Epistaxis
Obvious Death
Allergic reaction
Anxiety
Nausea
Poisoning/Overdose
CVA/Stroke / TIA
Unconscious/Unknown etiology
Cardiac arrest
Diabetic Problem
General Illness
Vomiting
Behavioral/Psychiatric Problem
Headache
No Complaints
Seizure
Syncope / Dizziness
Alcohol/Drug Problem
Difficulty Breathing
Cardiac Symptoms
Weakness
Altered Level of Consciousness
Medical, Other
Trauma
Pain
Patient Medical Concern - 2018
.81 .80 .96
Internal IT Security-Failure Rate of PFA
initiated security challenges/# of
employees
N/R 9.34% 7.3%
N/R = Not Reportable
2018
Actual
1 – High
Quality
and
Innovative
Core
Services
5K: The agency
operates an
adequate, effective,
and efficient program
directed toward
wildland firefighting.
Perform all
Wildland
Outreach and
Planning
Initiative
assessments
directly
requested by
homeowner
within 30 days
100% 100% 100%
volunteer
personnel
during
summer
staffing
25% 25% 36%
% of Station
9 and 11
calls
responded
to by
volunteer
personnel in
off season
25% 25% 22%
type and level of risk of
a technical rescue
incident.
% of time
Poudre Fire
Authority
meets its
technical
rescue
effective
response
force
benchmark
performance.
N/R N/R Pending
31 24 34
Retention rate
of hazardous
materials
technicians
assigned to the
Operations
Division
96% 90% 96%
90th percentile
total response
time of
hazardous
materials
technician-
level response
in the urban
response area
(Benchmark
12:40)
N/R 12:40 Pending
inspections
completed
within 3
days of
request
N/R 90% 100%
Number of
Submitted
Plan
Reviews/
Number of
Program
FTEs
N/R 90% 100%
Number of
Submitted
Plan
Reviews/
Population
in PFA
Service
Area
N/R U/D U/D
System (NIMS) and
its operational
methods are
compatible with all
external response
agencies.
5H.7: The agency
periodically
conducts
operational tests of
and evaluates the
all-hazards plan and
domestic
preparedness
program.
Number of
Community
Emergency
Response Team
classes held
annually
4 3 3
Number of
Incident
Command
System Courses
held annually
7 9 8
Number of
Disaster
Management
Courses held
annually
4 7 3
Number of
Homeland
Security
Exercise
Evaluation
Program
compliant
exercises
participated/
coordinated
4 3 4
Public education
campaigns held
annually to
promote Larimer
Emergency
Telephone
Association
registration
2 4 1
inspections
resulting in
issuance of
a summons
N/R U/D 0.13
% of
sprinkler
systems
activated by
fire
13.33% 5.88% 3.7%
requiring
contact
within 5
business
days
N/R 90% 100%
online
96% 100% 100%
% of burn
permits
issued or
denied within
2 business
days of
submittal
100%
Under
Revision
97%
Core Competency
5D.3: The program
has sufficient staff with
specific expertise to
meet the fire
investigation, origin and
cause program goals,
objectives and
identified community
risks.
% PFA
investigators
trained within
6 months of
incumbency
N/R U/D 100%
Staff Vehicle Replacement $80K
Major Station Remodel $50K
Thermal Imager Replacement $24K
Hose Replacement $16K
$2.9M
CAPITAL BUDGET
UNDERSPENT BY
$910K (OR 2.7%
OF THE BUDGET)
BUDGET
EXPENDITURES:
$9.6M (OR 27%
OF THE OPERATING
REVENUE)
RESERVES:
M = Million K = Thousand