The City of Placentia announced on December 20, 2018, that they
will be undertaking a competitive proposal process to review and consider a
number of highly qualified Fire and Emergency Medical Service providers –
including Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) - in an effort to enhance and expand
life-saving 911 services for local residents.
A selection panel with representatives from the
community, local leaders, and nationally-renowned fire and life-saving experts
will be reviewing service proposals.
“Nearly 80% of
911 emergency calls to our Fire Department by Placentia residents are for
medical emergencies. The City seeks to maintain and enhance rapid
medical emergency response times and ensure a high level of these life-saving
services over the long-term, for our residents,” said Mayor Rhonda Shader,
“Towards this end, the City will be going through a comprehensive,
methodical process of evaluating
different fire and paramedic proposals to ensure our service delivery model is
well-positioned to provide high quality life-saving and fire safety services
well into the future.”
Although our risk is low, and Placentia is a
suburban community with very few structure fires, recent California wildfires
have jumped into suburban areas, and the nature of firefighting has changed.
Unfortunately, no community is immune from the risk of a devastating fire. As
fire hazards have become deadlier, City leaders believe that Placentia must be
prepared for any form of this type of disaster.
“The City views long-term public safety and
disaster response services as a holistic approach that includes not only fire
and paramedic services, but also our local Police Department,” said Police
Chief Darin Lenyi. “In natural disasters, law enforcement plays a critical
coordination and preparedness role. And
of course, over the long-term, the City has an interest in expanding proactive
community policing, investigation, gang reduction efforts and other approaches
to preventing crime before it starts.”
“OCFA’s level of service has generally remained
the same since 1995; however, OCFA’s contract costs have increased by 47% since
2009. The City has a fiduciary and moral responsibility to examine other
methods of continuing these life-saving services for our residents in a
fiscally sustainable manner - whether it is through other fire service
providers or through our own local fire department,” said City Administrator
Damien R. Arrula.
For more information about Placentia’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services competitive proposal process, please visit www.placentia.org/fireems.