2001 LGRFA Business Plan Adams, Skeritt, Mckeon, refuse to admit existed! 

2001 LGRFA Business Plan Adams, Skeritt, Mckeon, refuse to admit existed!

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: