UH, Shaker Discuss Merging Fire Departments
A final report with information on potential consolidation savings and more should be available this summer.
Philip Kouwe of Emergency Services Consulting International discusses the possibilities of a merger between the fire departments of Shaker Heights and University Heights.
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Two months could pass before residents get a clear vision of a fire department merger between Shaker Heights and University Heights.
According to Emergency Services Consulting International, the firm hired to explore the cities' options, that's when some fun will ensue.
"When (communities) decide to move forward with it and they actually start creating a firm implementation plan, in other words saying, 'this is how we're going to do this, this is how we're going to do this, we've decided to govern it this way,' the real excitement starts," ESCI Senior Vice President of Operations Philip Kouwe said.
"When they start talking about how they're going to pay for it, that's when the creativity really swoops into action."
Kouwe said the neighboring cities should reach that point once ESCI provides them with a Financial and Operational Analysis of Organizational Strategy Options report some time this summer. He spoke this week at public forums in Shaker and University Heights, where officials are considering merging some or all of their fire and emergency medical services.
The report will mark the third step in ESCI's four-part process for helping cities decide on fire mergers. The forums represented the public-input portion of considerations. Residents received a form for concerns that city officials and ESCI will examine while they make decisions on the future.
The meeting on Tuesday in University Heights was mostly attended by fire personnel and other city workers. Nobody expressed clear opposition to a merger. They instead took in an hour-long presentation in which Kouwe discussed overlapping fire routes, personnel levels, demand, distribution and concentration. Training and maintenance are also areas that would could be merged.
Questions regarding how much money could be saved or the possible consolidation of department structures and jobs won't be answered until the final report is released this summer, Kouwe said.
His preliminary data shows comparative figures most would expect from University Heights and its larger neighbor. For example, Shaker's fire department has 54 operations workers to University Heights' 28. Shaker's average staffing for a structure fire is about 12 workers, compared to 6 in University Heights. University Heights receives about half the calls Shaker does. Only 5 percent of both cities' calls result in actual structure fires. That amount is in line with state and national averages, Kouwe said.
ESCI used response-time data that the departments provided to the National Fire Incident Reporting System. In 2011, from the time a dispatcher received a call to arrival, Shaker's first unit, on average, responded in five minutes. University Heights averaged four minutes and 21 seconds. That similarity works in a merger's favor, Kouwe said.
"We don't see any significant differences — these two departments are actually performing very much in similarity to each other," Kouwe said. "The citizens of both communities have generally come to expect and experience a pretty similar level of service."
Another part of the preliminary study shows that it would take four minutes of travel time to get anywhere within the cities' service area from any of the three stations. Dispatching is one potentially problematic area of difficulty Kouwe sees between the communities. Shaker and University Heights both use the Eastcom joint dispatching system with Cleveland Heights, but the individual departments still get individual calls. Once a call is determined to be a fire or EMS call, it is transferred to Eastcom. That system isn't as efficient as one used in Hennepin County, Minn., where calls and dispatching are handled from one location, Kouwe said.
According to a June 2011 article in The Sun Press, Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley was disappointed he was not invited to participate in the fire department merger conversation, as he has supported the idea of joint operations in the past.
The Cleveland Foundation gave the cities a $40,000 grant to help cover the cost for North Carolina-based ESCI's $50,000 study, University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld said. The Cleveland Foundation told the cities $25,000 could go toward the study, while the remainder should be spent on implementation costs resulting from the study's conclusions. The cities agreed to split the remaining half based on population size. Under the agreement, Shaker will pay $17,000 and University Heights will pay $8,000.
The one-mile distance between the University Heights Fire Department and Station Two of the Shaker Heights department is large reason a merger makes sense, Infeld said. The mayor also cited the cities' desire to join regional efforts in general.
Infeld withheld comments on the likelihood of a merger.
"It's too soon to say, we need to have more information," Infeld said. "My hope is that it will show us ways that we can be more efficient and show us ways that we might save costs whether or not we merge some services, merge all services or merge none.
"At a minimum, it will gives us information on how we can operate more efficiently."
How would you feel about a merger between the fire departments of Shaker Heights and University Heights?
Tell us in the comments.
Nancy Drew
10:50 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
A town hall meeting was held to discuss the potential merger of SHFD and UHFD with the residents of University Heights on Thursday December 10, 2012. City Council, Mayor Infeld, UHFD, and University Heights residents were all in attendance. The general reaction of the University Heights residents and fire fighters was opposition. Apparently after reviewing ESCI's study UHFD discovered many inconsistencies and errors in the final report.
Nancy Drew
10:51 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Overall Shaker Heights response times are greater than UHFD response times. Just to clarify, less time for response is better thus UHFD is better. Also I would like to mention on Dec 18, 2011 two people died, a father and his infant daughter in a house fire in Shaker Heights. My intention is not to disrespect SHFD, but actions do speak louder than words. I don't understand what is the motivation behind this merger. In this article written by Patch mentions how cost will be reduced and money will be saved. There was NO evidence in the study conducted by ESCI, or arithmetic to support these claims.
Nancy Drew
10:53 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
It appears to me that Shaker Heights needs University Heights more than we need them much like Cleveland Heights uses University Heights as an ATM to help fund a failing school system. University Heights is a small municipality which when measured is 1.82 sq. miles while Shaker heights is 6.28 sq. miles. What the citizens of University Heights were presented with by city council along with mayor Infeld at the town hall meeting was shameful it lacked substance as well as merit. ESCI's proposal suggest that UHFD lay off the UHFD Fire Chief while shifting that responsibility to SHFD Fire Chief. The proposal also asks that UHFD give up their ladder truck (paid for by the citizens of University Heights) and along with it six fire fighters. The study conducted by ESCI also urges University Heights to give up one of its ambulances.
Nancy Drew
10:53 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
The UHFD would no longer be under contract with University Heights, but would now be under contract with Shaker Heights. Thus they would no longer be fire fighters of University Heights but employees of Shaker Heights. Would this result in more services for Shaker Heights While University Heights gets 2nd class service? Also I would like to mention that after this potential merger now this joint Fire Department controlled by Shaker Heights now has two authoritative bodies to answer to which would include the mayor of shaker heights and the mayor of University Heights. This whole thing sort of stinks of incompetence. Why did mayor Infeld and City Council go to North Carolina for the consulting firm? There were no consulting firms in Ohio who could have done this report and would have better known how to serve our community.
Nancy Drew
10:55 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
If Shaker Heights is having equipment issues they should buy more trucks. If Shaker Heights is having personnel issues they should hire and train more fire fighters. It is not the responsibility of University Heights to make up for the mistakes and fiscal short comings of Shaker Heights. ESCI wants to make Shaker Heights fire fighting duties the responsibility of University Heights by cutting services for University Heights residents. It's my belief that Shaker Heights should take care of Shaker Heights and University Heights should take care of University Heights. When speaking with some of the UHFD fire fighters I was saddened. Most of them seemed distraught and didn't understand why Mayor Infeld and City council were making it their mission to bring this factitious study to fruition. The numbers on the report are incorrect as well as some of the graphics. The fire fighters also made it evident that they themselves had not been interviewed or even talked to by ESCI. How are you gonna do a report about fire fighting and not include the input of the fire fighters?
Nancy Drew
10:56 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
ESCI's ultimate goal in this study was to cut cost. And while ESCI claims that cutting cost will not reduce service, that argument lacks logic and merit. University Heights residents were not provided a copy of the report at the meeting by Mayor infeld, or city council instead it was provided by UHFD with added notes to highlight inconsistencies. One fire fighter near summit county commented that this sort of plan proposed by ESCI had been implemented in his area. He says it did not work and four fire departments pulled out almost immediately. Apparently ESCI doesn't know what they are talking about and came here for a quick pay day and soon after left, for shame. I know money could not be the issue here because at the beginning of 2012 there was surplus of 1.3 million tax payer dollars. Half of which was immediately used to purchase a useless piece of property for the purposes of a park. It will cost money to tear down the building that sill stands there as well as money to haul it all away.
Nancy Drew
10:58 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I still am questioning the motivation behind this purchase, could it be to deliberately deplete needed funds from the city? I was there when resident after resident voiced their opinion against this measure. I guess the mayor and city council had already made up their minds and cared little for what the citizen's thought. University Heights residents please take the following into consideration. Earlier in the year it was announced that University Heights and Shaker Heights would enter in a joint effort to repair the two city's road ways. Now they are proposing that we merge fire departments and EMS services. Next they will be proposing that we merge police departments. I fear that the true motivation behind these actions is to dissolve the city of University Heights and sale off the pieces to the highest bidder. I love University Heights, It is my home and holds a special place in my heart. If you want to know the true intentions and motivaitons behind an individual's actions follow the money. University Heights, DON'T SALE OUT!!!!!!!!!
UH Resident
5:43 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
I love UH, too, but there is very little about it that it is truly unique. I support the merger of the fire departments if it means cutting out administrative duplication of services, but not if it means that boots-on-the-ground personnel would be cut.
And for the record, if later in the decade an opportunity arises for UH and SH to explore a potential full-on merger of the two municipalities, I would almost certainly support that, too. It's not a terrible idea at all.
Meghan Green
12:15 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
The city of Shaker Heights is in financial disrepair due to decades of growing a bloated and not needed government. They have been fiscally irresponsible and reckless with taxpayer dollars. Shaker needs to right size their government. Many communities need to band together and share duplicate services. University Heights is well-run and has a vast amount of retail, business and well maintained homes for its size. I don't blame University Heights for not wanting to be a part of the Shaker debacle. The problem is Shaker and Shaker officials are the only ones who can correct it. The residents of Shaker Heights need to get their heads out of the sand and elect diligent, responsible and intelligent elected officials. The patsies we have now are driving Shaker further and further into the ground. Shaker is a sinking ship in its current state, University Heights is wise not to hop on board.
Garry Kanter
12:38 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
I feel your pain, Nancy Drew. Even at this most local level, there is nothing "representative" about our so-called elected "representatives".
I face these same issues in CH - decisions have already been decided, We The People are then "informed" of how things are going to be
Logic, facts, laws, tradition... none of it matters to these politicians. Re-election, power, favors and $ is all that matters to them.
Brandon Baker
12:38 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
Thanks for reading everybody, here's an article I wrote nearly a month ago in which the counsel for the fire unions questioned the move - http://shakerheights.patch.com/articles/hed-3fc8a007
Nathaniel Brooks
6:37 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I agree with Gary. I live in Cleveland Heights and our city government is in shambles. In South Euclid they are planning on moving location of the library from the Telling Mansion to a new location. I discovered that renovating the telling library was of less cost then building a new library on a new site. Of course they chose the more expensive option lol. Where's the fiscal responsibility? I need not mention the botched facilities master plan. They act as if it's their money that they are spending. The elected officials care nothing for the citizens they are supposed to represent. It is shameful. City official are only motivated by greed, cronyism, and personal agendas. I don't know anything about mayor Infeld, but a friend of mine who lives in University Heights told me that she's a snake. I was told that she comes off as nice, but that shes dishonest. Omitting the truth is the same thing as lying. I don't know, I like green space, but at what cost? As I've said before if you want to know the truth follow the money. Prior to the purchase of the park the land was owned by Fuchs Mizerachi. Fuchs Mizerachi is owned and run by a certain congregation of people. Infeld belongs to that congregation of people and thus so does her loyalty. Birds of a feather flock together. I'm just saying.
UH Resident
5:39 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Well now this is complete nonsense. Mayor Infeld has no affiliation whatsoever to the congregation that runs Fuchs Mizrachi. In fact, she's not even of the same religion--the Infeld family has ties to Gesu. If you're not even from UH, but you're going to post on this forum, at least get your facts right.
Nathaniel Brooks
9:23 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
I can post wherever I want. Who are you, the thought police? And just because you say Infeld has no affiliation with someone, it automatically makes it true? So you tell me why she bought the park if you're so smart. Oh I know she did it for the good of the community. Yeah and they put fluoride in the drinking water because it's good for your teeth. You will have to do better than that lady. I bet you believe we landed on the moon too. Watch out everybody we got another kool aid drinker.
UH Resident
12:34 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
You are free to post wherever you please, but when you make wildly inaccurate and/or borderline insane comments, do not be surprised when someone calls you on them.
michaelschwartz
9:50 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
UH resident is a fraud who likes to present His/her facts without proof. UH resident is here for entertainment purposes only as someone that far out in left field is like the proverbial class clown, an always entertaining, but not taken seriously character!
UH Resident
12:12 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
michaelschwartz, that post you made is what medical professionals refer to as "projection."
Nathaniel Brooks
3:38 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
UH Resident if what I say is inaccurate? Prove me wrong. Oh that's right you can't so you attempt to discredit me by poisoning the well lol. I would hope you were smarter than that. The truth is you have questions, but no answers. I am supportive of constructive criticism, but when you fail to address the topics I have covered it makes me feel as if you are hiding something. Perhaps you are Mayor Infeld and you are trying to defend your mediocre name. Personally, I don't care. I stand by what I said initially. The purchase of the park, previously Norwood, and previously owned by Fuchs Mizerachi was an unintelligent purchase. It wreaks of incompetence. Our country is experiencing the largest fiscal crisis since the great depression and a remedy to that is buying a park? It won't increase the values of homes,nor increase tax revenues, but it will look pretty.
UH Resident
7:35 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
You're the one that made the claim, based on hearsay no less, so you're the one that needs to show some proof. All I will say is this, it is pretty common knowledge in University Heights that the Infelds are Catholic (associated with Gesu Parish). They have no ties to Fuchs Mizrachi. You may be thinking of the previous mayor who was Jewish, but I'm not even sure it's true that she had any ties to Fuchs Mizrachi.
FYI 1, I don't particularly care for Mayor Infeld, I voted for one of the other candidates. However I don't think Infeld has done a bad job, she's essentially just kept the seat warm.
FYI 2, UH is in solid fiscal shape, so the purchase of the park--a decision that was supported by residents--was not a bad one, particularly considering the other possibilities for that land.
Nathaniel Brooks
3:39 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
If she had done nothing at all and University Heights had collected the taxes they would have been better off. Why wouldn't you let Fuchs Mizerachi hold on to the property and continue to collect the property TAXES. Instead Mayor Infeld bought the property at an inflated price and now the city is responsible for the taxes as well as the upkeep of the property. It was a stupid decision and I can't see anything of merit coming from it. When they offered 500,000 for the milikin property it came along with 30 plus acres. The school Board was entertaining that offer and then decided it was too low. University Heights exceeded that offer for a less valuable piece of property. We haven't even addressed the cost of actually making it a park yet lol. I can tell you this much, it won't be cheap. I observe my community and make comments on those observations. That is all.
UH Resident
7:37 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
We'll have to agree to disagree here, as Millikin and Northwood are two different properties with two different appraisal assets.