2020-2024 Chandler Fire Department Strategic Plan

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Photo: Ziemba Photographic Arts

Chandler Fire Department Strategic Plan 2020-2024

Photo: Ziemba Photographic Arts

Message from the Chief The men and women of the Chandler Fire Department have remained committed to providing the highest quality service in the industry. It is only through this commitment that our Department has achieved its success, and the City of Chandler receives this benefit. Our firefighters have worked diligently to continuously improve their skillsets in fire, hazardous material, technical rescue, and emergency medical response while our civilians have provided outstanding support and expertise. I take pride in encouraging the development of our members and appreciate the sacrifices and hard work they have contributed in the past and look forward to the accomplishments ahead.

The last few years have been defined by growth for the Chandler Fire Department. Three major projects, Fire Station 1 Relocation, Fire Station 11 Completion, and the Public Safety Training Center were completed since the last Strategic Plan was created. The relocation of Fire station 1 eliminated the need for a future station 12 by repositioning resources. Fire Station 11 was designed and situated to significantly reduce response times in South Chandler, one of the City’s fastest growing areas. The Public Safety Training Center was planned to enhance the Department’s current training facility by adding a Class-A burn building, classroom space, a 265seat auditorium, state-of-the-art training props, and a larger footprint to conduct both police and fire department training.

Along with these exciting projects, the Department continued its commitment to develop and implement innovative programs.

The Chandler Fire Department worked arduously to receive a Vitalyst Health Foundation Grant which funded the development of specialized training. This training increased the quality of the Department’s response to behavioral-health emergencies and will be used as a template for other agencies’ training around the country as well. As behavioral-health related emergencies have continued to grow in Chandler and throughout the country, this education will become vital to improving how this Department and others’ respond to calls for service by this important population.

The fire service is ever-changing, and the Chandler Fire Department has been quick to learn, improve, and adapt. The Department is dedicated to the service it provides, and have made many improvements to serve the residents and visitors of this community through effective service delivery models. In this Strategic Plan, you will find a document that defines the values of the Chandler Fire Department while identifying a path forward during the next five years. We welcome feedback and questions about any of the information found within the Strategic Plan and encourage our residents to reach out to Chandler Fire Administration for any additional information.

Sincerely,

Chief Tom Dwiggins

Our Mission Statement Foundational Values Chandler Fire is:

• Respect

• Responsive to the Needs of the Community • Committed to Community Involvement • Dedicated to Customer Service • Proud of our Professionalism

• Development

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• Wellness • Perspective • Communication • Reputation

Chandler Fire Department: Community Profile Fire protection for the Town of Chandler began in 1917 when the Chamber of Commerce organized a fire company consisting of 18 volunteers. At that time, the town had approximately 2,000 residents. The City of Chandler and the Chandler Fire Department (CFD) have since evolved. While the first services included putting out fires and a small box of basic medical supplies, the Department has worked for more than one hundred years to understand the needs of the community and develop the services it now delivers. CFD is an all-hazard response agency that has been trained to mitigate emergencies involving medical, fire, hazardous materials, technical rescue (including rope rescue, swift water, building collapse, and trench rescue), and weapons of mass destruction.

In addition to emergent response, CFD has worked to increase the health and safety of the community through education and fire prevention activities. Our trained technicians offer car seat installation clinics, fire and safety education to thousands of children in the community, hands-only CPR to classrooms and businesses, and smoke alarm installation for those in need. Door-to-door water safety efforts and an annual toy drive and distribution are also hallmarks of the Department’s efforts.

2018 Statistics Response times: 5:48

Call types

Sworn FireďŹ ghters: 214

Occupancy inspections: 4,741

Smoke detectors serviced: 253

Volunteer hours: 9,871

70% Rescue, EMS 13% Good Intent Call 10% Service Call 4% False Alarm, False Call 2% Fire, Explosion 1% Hazardous Condition

(90th percentile)

Call volume

Car seat installs: 953 2013 2017

26,449 25,593

Underlying all of these services is the strong commitment to operating in the most effective, safe, technologically advanced, and fiscally sound manner possible. To succeed in this area, the Department has worked to embrace important international benchmarks by implementing process improvements and enhanced datatypes collection.

Response Call Chandler became times: 5:48 the 14th fire department 70% Rescue, EMS in the world Intent to receive 13% Good Call (90th accreditation 10% Service Call percentile) 4% False Alarm, False Call 2% Fire, Explosion 1% Hazardous Condition

from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) in 1999. Chandler has since accredited in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.

The strategic plan for 2020-2024 is built with the community’s needs at the forefront. Social media, open houses, surveys, and business input have shaped the goals that have been developed. The Department serves the City of Chandler and will continue Sworn to work towards Occupancy supporting FireďŹ ghters:the 214 inspections: 4,741 community in new and innovative ways while honoring the Council’s vision, strategy and priorities.

Call volume

Car seat installs: 953 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

26,449 25,593 24,763 23,440 21,442

Smoke detectors serviced: 253

Volunteer hours: 9,871

Organizational Goals This document serves to set the stage for the City of Chandler over the next five years. The City Council has outlined five focus areas to concentrate efforts and provide their vision for what to work towards. The five focus areas shown here are further detailed in the pages that follow.

Invest In Our People

Provide Exceptional Service

Strengthen Organizational Resilience

Reduce Community Risk

Embody the City’s Vision

Photo: Ziemba Photographic Arts

Invest In Our People The Chandler Fire Department delivers a service to the community which hinges upon the talent and passion of the men and women who serve.

The Department will prioritize its employees’ health and well-being while providing individuals with opportunities to contribute, grow and succeed.

• Identify and implement nationally recognized best practices to promote a healthy workforce • Foster a culture of safety to understand risk and reduce accidents • Enrich recruitment efforts to attract and retain the best employees • Focus on training and promotion development at all levels to establish a robust succession plan

Strengthen Organizational Resilience The Chandler Fire Department must remain resilient to the challenges presented today and into the future.

Placing emphasis on maintaining and improving upon the resources needed to deliver services will position the Department for success and ensure the needs of the community are met.

• Maintain and enhance infrastructure that promotes aesthetics, safety and longevity • Encourage public/private partnerships while leveraging the strengths of each to ensure the maximum value to the community • Ensure fiscal sustainability through proper budgeting, effective forecasting, and identifying alternative funding sources • Cultivate strong regional relationships that safeguard public safety service delivery

Photo: Ziemba Photographic Arts

Provide Exceptional Service It is imperative to the safety of the community that the services the Department provides meet the expectations of our customers. The Department will continue to search for opportunities that improve our ability to save lives and property within the City and the region.

• Maximize effective deployment of resources by utilizing real-time data analysis • Leverage advances in equipment and technology to provide optimum service • Utilize outcome and performance data to evaluate current and future services • Encourage two-way communication with the community and actively seek new opportunities for feedback

Reduce Community Risk Mitigating potential emergencies before they occur is an essential role of the Chandler Fire Department. The Department will continue to work diligently to improve the health and safety of the community by working closely with neighborhood groups, the business community, and residents.

• Promote relationships within Chandler schools to improve safety and deliver preventative education to staff and students • Aggregate data from internal and regional sources to fully understand the demographics of disease across the City • Utilize neighborhood-specific data to construct customized annual risk reduction actions • Maintain a collaborative solution-based approach with businesses to improve community safety

Embody the City’s Vision The City of Chandler has well defined and articulated goals.

The Chandler Fire Department is committed to the attainment of those goals through integration and collaboration with the City and community.

Photo: Ziemba Photographic Arts

• Support infill and redevelopment with an interdepartmental approach • Assume an expanded role in every neighborhood by immersing staff in widespread activities across the City • Support innovation and technology through collaboration with the business community to provide public safety perspective • Provide contemporary services to ensure Chandler residents experience an unparalleled quality of life

Back row, from left: Councilmember Matt Orlando, Councilmember Mark Stewart, Councilmember Jeremy McClymonds, Councilmember Sam Huang Front row, from left: Vice Mayor Terry Roe, Mayor Kevin Hartke, Councilmember RenĂŠ Lopez