Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee Agenda
Memo to: Manteca Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee
From: Fire Chief David Marques
Prepared by: Aimee Rubio
Date: November 14, 2024
Subject: Fire Department Update
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Provide an update to the Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee regarding the Fire Department
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Background:
As our city approaches a population of 100,000, the demands on public safety are growing, particularly when it comes to ensuring the Manteca Fire Department has the necessary staffing to respond to emergencies. The Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) has played a critical role in funding 36% of our fire suppression personnel, allowing us to staff two out of the city’s five fire stations. This funding has been essential in meeting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, which recommend a minimum number of personnel for structure fire response.
Currently, 18 of our 45 firefighters are funded through Measure M, and with 15 firefighters on duty each day, we can meet the minimum personnel requirements for a structure fire response within 9 minutes-under ideal circumstances. However, due to high call volumes and limited staffing, we are often unable to meet this critical goal. The reality is that the current funding model is no longer sufficient for a city that is growing rapidly and facing increasing demands on its fire protection services.
While Measure M has been an invaluable contributor to our fire protection efforts, it is now clear that we must explore additional funding options to ensure we have the resources necessary to continue protecting Manteca residents. Without adequate staffing, response times may suffer, putting lives and property at risk. As the community continues to grow, so too must our ability to respond to emergencies effectively and efficiently.
With increased population, the risk of fire incidents, medical emergencies, and other crises also rises. Without adequate staffing, response times may increase, leaving Manteca residents more vulnerable during critical moments. To meet industry standards and ensure public safety, it’s vital that we invest in a fire department that is capable, well-staffed, and ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice.
At the current time we have one position that has been vacant since August 2024 (Assistant Fire Chief) and several expected retirements coming within the next year.
Fiscal Impact:
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Documents Attached:
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