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By Watertown Trustee, Ken Mitchell
I was not surprized at the articles in the paper today. The Independent/Dewitt Bath Review chose to not include many comments I made at the meeting. I guess the only way to get my view out is here. 1) I do not support Mercy as our transport service at this time. 2) I do not support any type of millage to cover ambulance or fire. 3) I have a real issue with a for profit company using a building and facilities built with my tax dollars for their profit. 4) I remember Mercy saying a long time ago that they were loosing money providing service to Watertown and that they stuck with us because they knew they would make it up in the end, is that now? 5) How convienent that Deb sits on a committee that reports savings then when in public she says that the numbers are wrong. If that is true then using her figures we will be saving $17,000 instead of $20,000. Isn't that a good thing to save taxpayers dollars? 6) What positive thing has this fire board done since Deb & Al have taken over? We lost the agreement with LCC for free staff in exchange for free training, we lost a couple of very professional firefighters, We lost the respect from area communities as being at the front of the curve in public safety. If we keep this up we will loose the very people who make our department function the way it does. You can't keep so much uncertainty going on and expect people who work full time at LGRFA to pass on better more stable employment. If they leave, we end up with a nice building and nobody to run anything. The paper forgot to include the cost cutting suggestions being worked on like selling the rescue rig to be replaced with an ambulance. Things like that are major. I asked Mercy to specificaly respond to two questions. First, I want to know how they plan to make their response times the same as LGRFA. Second, I wanted to know how they plan to cover the $17,000 - $20,000 savings that the authority would see by going with their own transport. No where in todays articles did I see that issue brought up or asked. The ad-hoc committee brought some good information to the table but why was it disputed at a public meeting by one of the very people who created it. Keep in mind that it was only disputed by 1 of the members. The public needs to keep up on this. My fear is that people will eventually erode the department and that the public safety of our community will be greatly affected. Remember that the catalist for starting the department at least for me was the tragic deaths of members in our community. Don't let a few change the safety of our community, Ask questions and write letters. The current board feels that the only way we will know if there is support is if we have a millage vote & it passes. This is bunk. Why have a millage vote when you don't need the additional funds. Remember, it could be your house, or family effected. Don't let this slip on by. Even a small letter voicing your opinion could mean the difference.
Access to numerous 2005 articles and comments can now be found in the "archive" folder. I have added a link to the Ambulance Proposal -- it can be found by following the external link on the right margin of this page. This site has received more than 26,000 visits since its inception!
Chris
Highlights from the LGRFA Ambulance Research Document:
When a resident calls 911 for help, both LGRFA and Mercy Ambulance are alerted by 911 Dispatch. The agency first on the scene begins treatment immediately – LGRFA is nearly always first on the scene.
Presently, the LGRFA does not provide hospital transport ambulance services – they administer advanced life support until Mercy Ambulance Service arrives. Then, Mercy transports the patient to a nearby hospital.
The national standard for ambulance response time -- help arrives on the scene 80% of the time in 8 minutes or less. Presently, Mercy ambulance achieves this standard only 17% of the time. Furthermore, Mercy is nearly as likely to arrive in 8-12 minutes as it does 16-20+ minutes after an alert is issued! In contrast, LGRFA paramedics, arrive 85% of the time in 8 minutes or less. Additionally, they are on the scene 45 % of the time in 4 minutes or less! Everyone knows minimizing every minute that transpires between the times of an accident and when help arrives is crucial.
Over the years, the amount of time elapsed for Mercy Ambulance to arrive to the scene of an accident has lengthened. Adding transport services to the LGRFA emergency capability will speed transport of patients to the hospital and allow Eagle and Watertown Townships to receive revenue presently collected by Mercy Ambulance and offset expenses associated with providing fire and emergency services.
Cost: LGRFA will generate revenues in excess of its expenses when it begins operating its ambulance service. Additional LGRFA staff is not required. Adequate numbers of highly trained paramedics are already employed. The ad-hoc committee proposal recommends the Authority lease an ambulance. LGRFA will begin to collect customary ambulance service fees presently received by Mercy. This will reduce cost of providing fire/emergency services to the Township’s by at least $20,000.00 per year.
Presently Mercy’s level of service is deemed substandard when compared to national guidelines. Furthermore, in spite of meetings with them over the years, they have made no effort to improve. To the contrary, they have moved their base of services farther from the Townships to US 27 in Dewitt. Meanwhile, Mercy Ambulance continues to charge residents rates and fees comparable to other agencies which meet or exceed national standards. LGRFA will provide ambulance services to the community consistent with standards in cost and response times.
The bottom-line effect of this change is substantially faster and more efficient deliveries of patients to the hospital and lower operating costs otherwise born upon Township residents, via taxes, to operate the LGRFA! The cost benefit analysis was prepared by an ad-hoc committee of Deb Adams (Watertown Township Supervisor), John Clark (LGRFA Chairperson), Dave Morris (Eagle Township Supervisor) and Steve Fabiano ( LGRFA Chief).
The Eagle Township Board has already given the go ahead to move forward. The Watertown Public Safety Committee met 8/3/2006, reviewed the proposal and determined the Watertown Board should move forward with creating the ambulance service. The Watertown Township Clerk, Jean Husby acknowledged the Township has a very healthy general fund, and is also able to put additional money away each year.
The proposal will result with cost savings to Township residents, and substantially improve the level of service – it is hard to see why the Watertown Township Board might refuse to move forward. There is a Special Board Meeting scheduled on August 14th, 6:00 pm at the Watertown Township hall.
In the May 19, 2005 LGRFA Board minutes it is noted that training the LGRFA firefighters to specialize in medical emergencies resulting from farm accidents ($2,400 to train 24 firefighters) was placed on the back burner because it would deplete the annual training budget. If this training is to be pursued the chief must solicit private funding from the community. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!
How can this be? In the spring of 2005 Watertown Newsletter Supervisor Adams proudly demonstrated her control over township finances by touting her slashing of the LGRFA budget request for 2005 by $70,000! This was done by eliminating a full-time position and revoking firefighter training programs. Considering the Board represents a community with strong agricultural interests it seems all steps necessary would be taken to prepare our firefighter staff to respond to FARMING EMERGENCIES. Congratulations Al and Deb -- you are doing a great job looking out for our safety!
In the same issue of the Newsletter, Deputy Supervisor Tubbs-Simms talks about the "great support" for doubling the chloride applications on dusty roads from $45.000 to $89,000! The Township slashed the fire budget $70,000 to increase dusty road control $45,000!
Let's talk about priorities -- cut fire fighter training and double dusty road control??????
Watertown Board recently approved $17,500 to help pay for a new light to be installed at the Airport Road/Clark Road interchange. I was wondering, if the demand for this light arose out of need caused by traffic demands resulting from the development around us, why aren't the developers being charged these costs? There will be more costly road improvements required in the near future -- most of them should be acknowledged before developments are approved. Then -- the costs should be assessed directly to the developers profiting from the improved infrastructure. Safety related improvements should be made before expansion plans are implemented. Why shouldn't taxpayers pay this cost in exchange for future revenues resulting from growth? Because we do not participate in risky real-estate development -- we should require developers accept this risk up front and protect the community from cost whether the development succeeds or fails.
5/24/2005 Watertown Officials conducted a Special Board meeting, joint with Eagle Township to discuss ambulance service. I find it interesting that Deb Adams, Al Skerritt, Jean Husby and Johnnie Maas used LGRFA's discussions concerning the performance of Mercy Ambulance Service as an example of the rouge LGRFA Board (Husby's words) being out of control during the election last year. These Officials during the primary election lied to the public spreading rumors claiming the Authority was preparing to develop its own Ambulance Service to continue to drain Township financial resources. What they were doing was obstructing the LGRFA Board in its attempts to look to the future and develop strategies to manage potential ambulance service failures. These people were even critical the fire authority hired trained paramedics!
The truth: Throughout 2002 - 2004 LGRFA continuously evaluated the performance of the contracted Mercy Ambulance Service out of growing concern response times might deteriorate. Mercy, once housed in Grand Ledge, moved to a rental in Watertown Township. 2 years ago, Mercy moved their base to US27 in Dewitt. Meanwhile, LGRFA paramedics were responding to all emergency calls and providing lifesaving care until Mercy Ambulance arrived. LGRFA is almost always on the scene first -- its average response times are consistently in the 6-7 minutes range! Watertown residents do not pay per call fees for this LGRFA service.
Now the new Board is listening?? Watch for the new Board to hire an outsider to run the ambulance service instead of allowing the LGRFA to develop a business plan which won't result in a tax increase! The easy way out is always about asking for a mileage!
At the May 2005 Watertown Board meeting, LGRFA Board Secretary Al Skerritt reported LGRFA would not be renewing agreements with Lansing Community College which provides trained fire fighting personnel to the Township at no charge. Al proudly announced, LGRFA will be participating with the GM Jobs Bank which provides untrained personnel that can sit around the station and answer telephone calls, cut grass etc..
The LCC Agreement which was drafted in 2003 when the department opened, provides on-the-job training at the LGRFA fire station for specially selected LCC Fire Academy Candidates thereby providing up to 2 firefighters (in the station) available to respond to fire emergencies. While in this exclusive program, Academy Candidates are required to perform shifts as other full-time fire fighters are required. This effectively doubles the fight fighters -- at no cost to the Townships. By not participating in this program, Watertown is giving up access to free highly needed able bodies who can respond to emergencies. Because this agreement was pioneered cooperatively between LCC and LGRFA it remained exclusive between the two. There were several other Fire Departments in the area waiting to participate – once LGFRA terminates another fire department will be selected.
Al Skerritt also forgot the presence of training operations for a declining pool of trained emergency response personnel gives LGRFA advantages when applying for FEMA Grants. Grants are awarded based upon merit. A functioning and forward thinking regional training facility gets more attention from grant issuing boards than other departments!
The present Board is attempting to simplify Township operations to make them easier to manage from a golf course, Palm Springs, Arizona or an office somewhere in East Lansing or Okemos. Or, they are systematically disabling the fire department Watertown taxpayers spent 1.2 million dollars building (without increasing taxes or mileages) – so they can look back on a failure and say “I told you it wouldn’t work”!
Recently, I read Watertown Township Deputy Supervisor Tubbs-Sims began discussions with the City of Lansing concerning regional fire protection. This is laughable considering her interference with the Authority Management and her attempts over the past 2 years to destroy Watertown's cooperative agreements with Eagle Township.
My question -- why isn't Supervisor Deb Adams leading in these discussions? This is the job we are paying her to do. Are people aware she has made the Township Administrator Jennifer Tubs-Sims her Deputy Supervisor? This means in the Supervisor’s frequent absence, Ms. Tubbs-Sims (a non-resident) is running the show! Doesn’t our Supervisor have time to attend to Township business?
Immediately following her November 2003 election, Supervisor Adams removed the Township Fire Authority appointee (Trustee Ken Mitchell) and replaced him with people having no fire service knowledge (she and Al Skerritt). Mitchell had been on the LGRFA Board as Treasurer since its inception and faithfully represented Watertown for several years prior on the Grand Ledge Fire Board. This political move had nothing to do with taking responsible action to represent Watertown Township residents.
Six months into the new Board’s term, fire department employees are unionizing; the Chief has resigned; critical firefighter training has been postponed; the Authority Treasurer has resigned; the worthwhile agreement with LCC to provide trained firefighters is being terminated and Watertown Administration is scrambling for new agreements with other Departments. These are symptoms of impending doom, not progress! Is this the future Deb Adams, Al Skerritt, Jean Husby and Johnnie Maas promised taxpayers who supported them in the last election?
Yes, Watertown representatives (Deputy Tubbs-Sims, Supervisor Adams, Trustee Skerritt and Clerk Husby) are focusing upon seeking out costly alternatives with other municipalities -- Lansing. Considering Lansing's recent budget problems I wonder what kind of partner they could make?
In 2000, before we formed LGRFA, I worked with Lansing's Chief Martin attempting to work out a cooperative fire service arrangement utilizing City of Lansing administration and firefighter staff in Watertown Township. Lansing required Watertown hire enough firefighters capable of maintaining response capabilities compatible with Lansing -- full-time! This required 3 full-time firefighters on staff 24/7 -- 9 full time firefighters required to do this. LGRFA has 4 fulltime staff. How does doubling the staff equate to lower cost? Our elected officials need to focus on maximizing Watertown taxpayer’s emergency services investment, not squandering it by giving to outsiders to manage.
I’ll bet Watertown's close neighbor and forever friendly partner Eagle Township must be wondering if Watertown will make good on its past promises to them and Watertown residents. I think with Al, Deb, Jean and Deputy Tubb’s Sims (not to mention silent but supportive Johnnie Maas) at the helm the fledgling fire service will continue to erode. No plans for success-- no future. Go to http://watertownpolitics.blogeasy.com for more information.
Chris Pratt
Watertown Taxpayer
ccp@voyager.net
The Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority
Adequate fire protection can only be accomplished in Watertown and Eagle Townships by locating a facility where services are required and providing staff and the equipment necessary to do the job.
Mission Statement: “The mission of the Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority is to protect the life and property of all within our service area by providing prevention education and rapid, effective response to all fire and emergency situations.”
Fire Protection Concerns
Presently, Watertown and Eagle Townships are both classified as level 9 districts by ISO standards. The eastern and western portions of the townships are serviced by volunteer fire departments under contract having their own facilities, staff and equipment located outside of the contracted area of service. A full time/volunteer department (Grand Ledge Area Emergency Services Authority) serves the southern regions of each township. A railroad track separates this area from both Townships.
In recent years, considerable growth has been experienced in both communities. Anticipated growth in Eagle Township will result from a new 600-unit manufactured home development, which will increase its population nearly 60% in the next 3 years. Watertown Township has 3 new housing projects in the development phase (with access to municipal water) that will add approximately 850 new homes and increase the population nearly 25% in the next 5 years. It is imperative that action takes place to provide needed services as these growth patterns materialize.
Other primary community hazards, which are not presently served by adequate fire protection, include:
1. Two major interstates I96 and I69 -- four major access points plus a State Rest Area -- combined with Grand River Highway will continue produce considerable accident and fire call volumes. Risk will continue to grow as the surrounding communities of Delta Township and the City of Lansing continue to be beneficiaries of new General Motors plants and parts supplier networks.
2. A Marathon gasoline transfer station is located on Grand River Avenue in Watertown Township. This station serves as a primary gasoline truck-tanker dispatch site for deliveries throughout northern Michigan. Residential neighborhoods are nearby. An additional regional pipeline is presently under development by the Wolverine Pipeline Company that will run through Watertown Township.
3. Industrial facilities are presently under construction. The Watertown Township comprehensive development plan prescribes development along the Grand River corridor. Fire protection services must be located within 2 miles to service a commercial district efficiently. The Township is in the process of extending municipal water service in this region.
4. A number of gasoline stations, retail facilities, industrial plants and warehouses line Grand River Avenue through Watertown and Eagle Townships.
5. The Capital City Airport is partially located in Watertown Township – the takeoff and landing path is over Watertown Township.
6. Both communities are largely rural with pockets of intense development occurring. A large percentage of homesteads in the region are older structures having been constructed when present fire safety standards were not present. A high incidence of chimney, barn, grass and silo fires is experienced. Two recent house fires (last 2 years) in Watertown Township were all total losses and resulted in 3 fatalities combined.
7. A regional landfill is located in the service area producing high volumes of intense truck traffic.
8. Hazardous material risks are not adequately addressed given the presence of both interstates, industrial facilities, railroad lines within close proximity to a mobile home park, 2 major rivers (Grand River & Looking Glass), natural gas and gasoline pipelines.
9. Future development on Grand River Corridor includes a hotel, a gas station and truck stop.
10. Communities to the south including Delta Township because of the river, and Grand Ledge because of the railroad tracks dividing them from their industrial district will benefit from this authority due to its location North of their respective obstacles.
In the past two years, Watertown and Eagle Township representatives have attempted to negotiate with the communities of City of Grand Ledge, City of Dewitt and Delta Township. All agree that it is imperative a fire service site is located on the Grand River corridor. For various reasons, mostly economic, the area fire services presently under contract are not able to improve service to response times needed to adequately service the LGRFA region because of their locations. Therefore, the LGRFA has no option other than to secure facilities, equipment and staffing on its own. Area fire services have agreed to provide input and work closely with the authority to develop mutual aid agreements to assure efficient use of LGRFA assets. Regional meetings are planed to accomplish this goal.
Authority Management
At its organizational meeting on November 13, 2001, the LGRFA contracted the services of Countryside Accounting, of Eagle, to implement both budget and bookkeeping functions to insure financial integrity as it carries out its fiduciary responsibilities. The Board is presently comprised of five members, two appointed by each township. A fifth representative was appointed by majority vote on December 17, 2001.
Board of Directors:
Chairman Christopher Pratt,Watertown Township Trustee
Secretary Wendy Simmons, Eagle Township Clerk
Director Kenneth Mitchell, Watertown Township Trustee
Director David Morris, Eagle Township Supervisor
Director John Clark, Director At Large
Committees:
-Building Construction and Land Acquisition Committee
-Equipment, Gear and Fixtures Committee
-Policy And Personnel Committee
Each committee is provided clear achievable goals and objectives.
Meeting Schedule: Regular board meetings will are held the third Monday each month at 5:00pm. The location will alternate between Eagle (even number months beginning 12/17/2001) and Watertown on odd months beginning January 21, 2002. There will be numerous special meetings scheduled as needed in the next several months. All meetings will be advertised and posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
Planned Facility
Watertown Township presently owns property located at 7740 W. Grand River (location of the TV6 Doppler tower). A facility on the proposed site will provide a central location necessary to serve both Townships while providing regional mutual assistance to neighboring communities, i.e. Delta Township, City of Lansing, Lansing Township, Dewitt Township, City of Dewitt, Portland, Grand Ledge and Oneida Townships.
The proposed facility will provide office space and adequate quarters for a full time/volunteer department coexisting with a private ambulance service, and the have the capacity to accommodate potential substations for central 911 dispatching and county sheriff or state police operations. This will require garage space for 4 vehicles dedicated to fire related activities and an ambulance. The building will be designed to accommodate future growth as needed. A selection process is underway to appoint an architect to design a facility and is expected to be complete in April 2002. Construction shall begin in the fall of 2002 to meet an estimated completion date of June 2003.
Staff Requirements
Staffing will consist of no less than 6 full-time firefighters supplemented with 20 volunteer (part-time) recruits. LGRFA will begin its search for a chief in May 2002 and hire the best candidate no later than June 2002. The new chief will participate in the design process for the new facility and acquisition of equipment.
The new chief will be charged with a mission to enhance regional cooperation and to recruit no less than 10 volunteers throughout 2002, hire 3 full time fire-fighters and additional 10 volunteers by June 2003, and then hire 2 more full time firefighters in 2004. Dispatching will be coordinated with Clinton County 911 Central Dispatch Service.
Transitional Services
LGRFA plans to continue its talks with the recently formed Grand Ledge Area Emergency Services Authority and adopt a “transitional agreement” generally providing continued fire protection services to regions serviced by the City of Grand Ledge Fire Department. The cities of Portland and Dewitt will continue to provide agreed upon contractual assistance.
LGRFA also intends to continue contractual ambulance services presently provided by Mercy Ambulance Services. The LGRFA facility will provide a community dispatch point for these services and will improve Mercy Ambulance response times in Watertown and Eagle Townships.
The fire service regions presently are defined as follows:
Lansing Mercy Ambulance Service: Designated for all first response runs including all emergency medical services and paramedic services within Eagle & Watertown Township boundaries.
Dewitt Area Emergency Services Authority: (Fire service & verified personal injury accident extractions only). All sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 35 & 36 described as the property fronting on Ingersoll Road and all lands lying east of Ingersoll Road. Property fronting on the right of way of Grand River Avenue in Section 33. All property fronting on and lying north of Grand River Avenue in Sections 29 & 30, and all property fronting Bauer Road (both sides) north of Grand River Avenue. (The mobile home park in Watertown Township, Harmony Acres, and Bendixson Lane are in the Dewitt contract region.)
Portland Fire Department: (Fire service & verified personal injury accident extractions only). All section 1-19, 24, 30 & 31; plus, that portion of sections 21, 21, 22, 23, 25 and 26 all property fronting on and lying north of Grand River Avenue. For Sections 20,29 and 32 the property fronting on Jones Road, including Stoll Road. (Areas encompass all properties within Eagle Township west of Jones Road, including Stoll Road, and north of Grand River Avenue, including properties fronting these roads.)
Grand Ledge Area Emergency Services Authority: (Fire service & verified personal injury extractions. All property south of Grand River Avenue (not fronting on Grand River Avenue), east of Jones Road (not fronting on Jones Road), and west of Ingersoll Road (not fronting on Ingersoll Road). If GLAESA is unable to respond because of obstructions on the train tracks, please dispatch to Dewitt, Delta or Portland.
Funding & Finance
Initial costs to fund construction of the building and procurement of equipment are expected to approach $1,500,000.00. The LGRFA will own and operate all land and equipment. The initial investment will be divided between the two communities (Watertown and Eagle) on a cost share basis being 35% Eagle Township and 65% Watertown Township. Numerous financing options are being considered including funding from cash reserves and general revenues. A professional grant writer has been retained to pursue FEMA and foundation grant possibilities.
Operating expenses are paid to LGRFA following the adoption of an annual budget in January 2002. This budget includes financing the administration of various transitional fire service agreements expected to be in place while the construction, hiring of staff and equipment procurement process is completed.
Budget Notes
2002
This budget was approved by both townships and reflects an authority that is beginning to allocate resources for planning, equipment acquisition and facility construction. Modifications are being made to allow for hiring a chief and recruiting a volunteer base that may amend $35,000.00 to the current year budget.
2003
The second year projection represents full time salaries and expenses associated with 1 full time chief, 3 full time firefighters and up to 20 volunteers. The cost to acquire 3 firefighting vehicles, together with estimated costs of a facility and equipment, are fully financed ($1,500,000.00 X 20 years @ 5.50%), The department also pays an amount equal to one half of services contracted to outside departments.
2004
The third year of implementation reflects full 1 chief, 5 fulltime firefighters and 20 volunteers. A reserve is established to fund future equipment purchases. The facility is providing services to the entire service areas of Watertown and Eagle Townships.
Budget Summary Next Page…..
3 year Budget Overview
Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority
Approved
Revenues: 2002 2003 2004
Interest: $750.00 $750.00 $750.00
Contribution from Eagle $159,585.22 $171,203.61 $200,112.50
Contribution from Watertown $251,569.34 $273,146.39 $371,637.50
Startup Financing/Grants: $1,250,000.00
Total: $411,904.56 $1,695,100.00 $572,500.00
Expenses:
Service Contracts: $250,054.56 $125,000.00 $0.00
Operating Expenses:
Chief Salary $50,000.00 $55,000.00
Volunteers $20,000.00 $30,000.00
Full Time Salaries $80,000.00 $160,000.00
Fringes $10,000.00 $74,000.00
Uniforms: $107,000.00 $8,000.00
Training: $20,000.00 $20,000.00
Maintenance: $2,000.00 $3,000.00
Insurance: $5,000.00 $10,000.00
Telephone $2,000.00 $4,000.00
Utilities: $3,500.00 $7,000.00
Gas & Oil $1,500.00 $3,000.00
Accounting Fees: $3,600.00 $3,600.00 $7,000.00
Legal Fees: $5,000.00 $5,000.00 $5,000.00
Office Supplies: $500.00 $500.00 $1,500.00
Other Supplies: $8,000.00 $8,000.00
Other Salaries: $2,000.00 $2,000.00 $2,000.00
Survey/Permits: $5,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total Operating: $16,100.00 $320,100.00 $397,500.00
Capital Outlay Expenditures:
Land Purchase: $35,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Building Project Costs: $50,000.00 $550,000.00 $0.00
Equipment/Apparatus: $50,000.00 $700,000.00 $0.00
Debt Service P&I: $0.00 $0.00 $125,000.00
Reserve for Equipment: $0.00 $0.00 $50,000.00
Total Capital Outlay: $135,000.00 $1,250,000.00 $175,000.00
Total Expenses: $401,154.56 $1,695,100.00 $572,500.00
Fund Increase (Decrease): $10,750.00 $0.00 $0.00
Grant Application Questions/Responses
LGRFA street address will be:
Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority
7740 W. Grand River
Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837
Mailing Address:
Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority
P.O. Box 193
Eagle, Michigan 48822
Contact Person:
Chris Pratt, Chairman
517-712-1906
ccp@voyager.net
Tax ID Number:
38-3632267
Congressional District:
8 (Eagle & Watertown) 4 (Grand Ledge 7 Delta Township)
Specifications for vehicles:
See Attachments
Cost for Vehicles:
See Attachments
Existing vehicles in service:
None
Amount of matching funds available:
The authority has budgeted $35,000 for land, $50,000 for building and $50,000 for equipment purchases from funds committed by the individual townships. Watertown and Eagle Townships may elect to redirect funds from other municipal projects to assist LGRFA in the financing of building and equipment. Communities have surpluses or reserves set aside to fund this project. Increases in operation expenses may be recovered from future growth and resulting revenues. A financial planner is in the process of reviewing outside financing options.
Address where vehicles will be stored:
The future building site -- 7740 W. Grand River, Grand Ledge, MI 48837.
Are firefighters all volunteer or combination volunteer and career?
LGRFA plans to hire its chief by June 2002, and recruit 10 volunteers by December 2002. By June 2003, 3 more full time firefighters will be hired and 10 more volunteers by December 2003. In 2004 the remaining 2 full time firefighters will be hired bringing a total staff of 6 career personnel and 20 volunteers.
All Paid/Career:
See previous answer
Population of permanent residents in your first response area:
Eagle Township 2341, Watertown Township 4162 – Total 6503
Number of active firefighters:
Active fulltime and volunteers under contract with servicing departments --15
Do you already provide fire incident reporting info to NFIRS?
Not directly, all three departments presently servicing our communities report. LGRFA will comply with reporting requirements.
What type of vehicle are you asking for?
LGRFA wishes to place in service a pumper-truck with 1000-gallon water capacity. This will serve as the its most intensely used vehicle.
Are you replacing /retiring a vehicle?
We do not presently own any vehicles.
Are you purchasing a new vehicle to fulfill a new mission? If so, what is the organization mission statement?
“The mission of the Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority is to protect the life and property of all within our service area by providing prevention education and rapid, effective response to all fire and emergency situations.”
What is the history of the authority? Why was it formed? What need does it meet?
Presently, Watertown and Eagle Townships are both classified as level 9 districts by ISO standards. The eastern and western portions of the townships are serviced by volunteer fire departments under contract having their own facilities, staff and equipment located outside of the contracted area of service. A full time/volunteer department (Grand Ledge Area Emergency Services Authority) serves the southern regions of each township. A railroad track separates this area from both Townships.
In recent years, considerable growth has been experienced in both communities. Anticipated growth in Eagle Township will result from a new 600-unit manufactured home development, which will increase its population nearly 60% in the next 3 years. Watertown Township has 3 new housing projects in the development phase (with access to municipal water) that will add approximately 850 new homes and increase the population nearly 25% in the next 5 years. It is imperative that action takes place to provide needed services as these growth patterns materialize.
Other primary community hazards, which are not presently served by adequate fire protection, include:
1. Two major interstates I96 and I69 -- four major access points plus a State Rest Area -- combined with Grand River Highway will continue produce considerable accident and fire call volumes. Risk will continue to grow as the surrounding communities of Delta Township and the City of Lansing continue to be beneficiaries of new General Motors plants and parts supplier networks.
2. A Marathon gasoline transfer station is located on Grand River Avenue in Watertown Township. This station serves as a primary gasoline truck-tanker dispatch site for deliveries throughout northern Michigan. Residential neighborhoods are nearby. An additional regional pipeline is presently under development by the Wolverine Pipeline Company that will run through Watertown Township.
3. Industrial facilities are presently under construction. The Watertown Township comprehensive development plan prescribes development along the Grand River corridor. Fire protection services must be located within 2 miles to service a commercial district efficiently. The Township is in the process of extending municipal water service in this region.
4. A number of gasoline stations, retail facilities, industrial plants and warehouses line Grand River Avenue through Watertown and Eagle Townships.
5. The Capital City Airport is partially located in Watertown Township – the takeoff
and landing path is over Watertown Township.
6. Both communities are largely rural with pockets of intense development
occurring. A large percentage of homesteads in the region are older structures having been constructed when present fire safety standards were not present. A high incidence of chimney, barn, grass and silo fires is experienced. Two recent house fires (last 2 years) in Watertown Township were all total losses and resulted in 3 fatalities combined.
7. A regional landfill is located in the service area producing high volumes of
intense truck traffic.
8. Hazardous material risks are not adequately addressed given the presence of both
interstates, industrial facilities, railroad lines within close proximity to a mobile home park, 2 major rivers (Grand River & Looking Glass), natural gas and gasoline pipelines.
9. Future development on Grand River Corridor includes a hotel, a gas station and
truck stop.
10. Communities to the south including Delta Township because of the river, and
Grand Ledge because of the railroad tracks dividing them from their industrial district will benefit from this authority due to its location North of their respective obstacles.
In the past two years, Watertown and Eagle Township representatives have negotiated with the communities of City of Grand Ledge, City of Dewitt and Delta Township. All agree that it is imperative a fire service site is located on the Grand River corridor. For various reasons, mostly economic, the area fire services presently under contract are not able to improve service to response times needed to adequately service the LGRFA region because of their locations. Therefore, the LGRFA has no option other than to secure facilities, equipment and staffing on its own. Area fire services have agreed to provide input and work closely with the authority to develop mutual aid agreements to assure efficient use of LGRFA assets. Regional meetings are planed to accomplish this goal.
If you have any vehicles already, what is the age….
We don’t own any vehicles.
What is your oldest vehicle?
N/A
Average number of responses in the authority in all areas last year.
110 Grand Ledge Area, 70 Dewitt, 10 Portland
New Growth, more demands for 2002 and beyond? What are they?
See answer to “what is the history of the authority”.
Finance Related Questions:
3 year Budget Overview
Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority
Approved
Revenues: 2002 2003 2004
Interest: $750.00 $750.00 $750.00
Contribution from Eagle $159,585.22 $171,203.61 $200,112.50
Contribution from Watertown $251,569.34 $273,146.39 $371,637.50
Startup Financing/Grants: $1,250,000.00
Total: $411,904.56 $1,695,100.00 $572,500.00
Expenses:
Service Contracts: $250,054.56 $125,000.00 $0.00
Operating Expenses:
Chief Salary $50,000.00 $55,000.00
Volunteers $20,000.00 $30,000.00
Full Time Salaries $80,000.00 $160,000.00
Fringes $10,000.00 $74,000.00
Uniforms: $107,000.00 $8,000.00
Training: $20,000.00 $20,000.00
Maintenance: $2,000.00 $3,000.00
Insurance: $5,000.00 $10,000.00
Telephone $2,000.00 $4,000.00
Utilities: $3,500.00 $7,000.00
Gas & Oil $1,500.00 $3,000.00
Accounting Fees: $3,600.00 $3,600.00 $7,000.00
Legal Fees: $5,000.00 $5,000.00 $5,000.00
Office Supplies: $500.00 $500.00 $1,500.00
Other Supplies: $8,000.00 $8,000.00
Other Salaries: $2,000.00 $2,000.00 $2,000.00
Survey/Permits: $5,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total Operating: $16,100.00 $320,100.00 $397,500.00
Capital Outlay Expenditures:
Land Purchase: $35,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Building Project Costs: $50,000.00 $550,000.00 $0.00
Equipment/Apparatus: $50,000.00 $700,000.00 $0.00
Debt Service P&I: $0.00 $0.00 $125,000.00
Reserve for Equipment: $0.00 $0.00 $50,000.00
Total Capital Outlay: $135,000.00 $1,250,000.00 $175,000.00
Total Expenses: $401,154.56 $1,695,100.00 $572,500.00
Fund Increase (Decrease): $10,750.00 $0.00 $0.00
The authority has budgeted $35,000 for land, $50,000 for building and $50,000 for equipment purchases for monies provided from the individual townships. The Watertown and Eagle may redirect funds from other municipal projects to assist LGRFA in the financing of building and equipment, but do not presently have surplus funds to do so. A financial planner is in the process of reviewing outside financing options.
Map of Service area:
See attached
Cities/Townships: Name/Population of each:
Eagle Township: 2341
Watertown Township: 4162
Why will the vehicle be beneficial to the communities your serve.
The authority does not presently own any vehicles. The 3 listed vehicles are basic tools to assist in the delivery of for protection services. See the history of the authority responses.
Where is your money? What is your tax base?
Eagle presently levies 1 ½ mil for fire protection services. Watertown funds the authority from its general fund revenues. Equipment and building funds will either come from grants or financing. Otherwise, the townships will need to redirect resources from other funds such as road improvement and maintenance projects. Neither Watertown nor Eagle have reserves established for such purchases. Future growth is expected to provide revenues necessary to carry the burdens of additional operating costs.
What is the timeline for making the purchase?
LGRFA would like to order the new vehicles and equipment in August. Delivery is normally 8 months. This timeframe fits well with and estimated building completion date in June 2003.
Who are your community partners?
Eagle and Watertown Townships will own the authority. LGRFA will provide mutual aid to Delta, Lansing, Dewitt, and Riley and Olive Townships in addition to the cities of Lansing, Grand Ledge, Portland and Dewitt. All of the communities listed have been part of the advisory that provided guidance with the development of the LGRFA as a regional priority.
The facility will serve the I69 & I96 Interstates. Offers have been made to provide sub-station facilities to the Michigan State Police, Clinton County Central 911 Dispatch and the Clinton County Sheriffs Department.
The Wolverine Pipeline is being routed through Watertown Township. This highly contested pipeline will route to a transfer station that supplies gasoline to the mid and northern portions of Michigan. The LGRFA plans to develop aggressive plans to address potential risks associated with hazard waste spills or fires and explosions.
Do you help with Wild land/Forest Fires?
No national or sate forests are within the service boundaries. The area is largely farmland with pockets of intense residential and commercial development.
How is the Board represented when the authority makes decisions?
At its organizational meeting on November 13, 2001, the LGRFA contracted the services of Countryside Accounting, of Eagle, to implement both budget and bookkeeping functions to insure financial integrity as it carries out its fiduciary responsibilities. The Board is presently comprised of five members, two appointed by each township. A fifth representative will be appointed by majority vote on or before December 17, 2001 to fill a one-year term.
Resumes or bios on all key people managing the authority?
See attached
What are some of the long-term goals the authority has in mind?
See responses to history of the authority. The authority wishes to focus on developing a strong spirit of regional cooperation with neighboring townships and cities and increase community awareness through education and training.
Copy of 2002 budget:
See previous pages
Copy of 2003 budget:
See previous pages
Before the authority, who provided fire services?
Grand Ledge, Portland and the City of Dewitt – all of which are presently under transitional agreements.
Authority Organizational Goals (Current Immediate)
Obtain Grants and Financing!
1. Hire an architect by April 2002
2. Hire a chief by June 2002
3. Order equipment and vehicles by August 2002
4. Begin construction by September 2002
5. Recruit 10 volunteers and begin training by December 2002
6. Hire 3 full time firefighters by June 2003
7. Move equipment and staff into the new building by June 2003
8. Recruit 10 more volunteers by December 2003
9. Hire 2 more full time firefighters by June 2004
Description of Authority activities:
The authority has negotiated trasitional agreements to provide services while build a facility and acquiring equipment and staff. A business plan has been drafted and is in the process of being implemented.
Organizational Chart:
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