Kenner Fire Department Millage: Historical Data and Budget Needs

1. City of Kenner fire department

2. Millage Historical Data • Millage was originally passed in 1983 @ 10.25 mils • It generated 1.9 million dollars in 1983 • The fire department budget was 1.9 million dollars at that time

3. Millage Historical Data

4. Why do your firefighters need your help? • The City of Kenner’s Fire Department currently possesses a PIAL rating of Class 2 • This Class 2 rating was granted contingent on KFD making the necessary improvements and upgrades • There is no funding to make the required improvements and upgrades to remain a Class 2 or to meet the goal of becoming a Class 1 fire department • If KFD loses its Class 2 rating, the property insurance cost of Kenner’s citizens will increase; conversely, if KFD meets its goal of a Class 1 rating, Kenner’s citizens will see a decrease in property insurance cost • St. Tammany Parish Residents are battling this issue as their fire class rating was not entered correctly by some insurance companies and dropped from a rating of three (3) to four (4) • This has caused major increases in their homeowner’s insurance premiums • Most importantly, a Class 1 fire department will provide better service and safety to the residents of Kenner

5. Why do your firefighters need your help? • Rating deficiency exists as current employee schedule does not provide the most efficient use of manpower • All facilities and equipment cannot be manned at all times • NFPA recommends a firetruck be manned by 4 men at all times • Currently, Kenner staffs a firetruck with 3 men • Most local fire departments use a 56 hour per work week schedule • Kenner does not possess the funding for this • Kenner’s apparatus fleet is the oldest in the Greater New Orleans area, creating unreliability and high repair costs • Most apparatus fleet is out of warranty; • Some manufacturers are out of business, which creates high costs for repairs

6. How Our Fire department can improve its class rating • Placing a dedicated aerial device in service • Upgrading apparatus fleet • Appropriate staffing • Change work schedule to 56 hour work week to better utilize employees • Man firetrucks with 4 men as recommended by NFPA

7. How Our Fire department can improve its class rating • Replace Stations 35 (1801 Williams) & 38 (400 Veterans) • Proper allocation of equipment • Replacement of five (5) pumpers • Replace essential fire fighting equipment • Air packs and bottles • Turnout gear • Non-fire fighting vehicles • Station equipment • Acquire aerial ladder truck • Purchase 100’ aerial device

8. Insurance cost for A class 3 fire department

9. Insurance Savings for A class 1 fire department

10. Net cost of fire millage increase If Class 1 rating is achieved, the following is the net cost for a home valued at $150,000.00 Millage increase= $45.00 per year - Insurance Savings= $33.00 per year ______________________________________________ Net Cost of Millage Increase $12.00 per year

11. Advantages • More efficient services for the public • More experience in positions • Shift some of the public’s expenses to pay for services instead of insurance • Property Tax is a deduction on Federal Income Taxes and insurance is not • Employee retention • Less maintenance cost for equipment