Lower Allen Township Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee

1. Lower Allen Township Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee Public Safety Program presentation

2. Fire/Rescue Service Presenters Lower Allen Fire Company No. 1 Fire Chief David Murdoch Lisburn Community Fire Company Fire Chief Frank Williamson Jr. Lower Allen Dept. of Public Safety Fire Captain Frank Wirth Jr.

3. Fire/Rescue Service Presentation Schedule • Tuesday June 18, 2019 • Cedar Cliff High School • Public Safety Officer Program

4. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • History of Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Department created in 1998 from Ad Hoc recommendations • Public Safety Officer project started in 2004 and needs assessment was performed: • Provide high quality services by the three public safety disciplines (Police, Fire, and EMS) • EMS calls on the rise (2001 at 2200/yr., currently at 3000+/yr.) • Police calls on the rise (2001 at 11,000/yr., currently at 15,000+/yr.) • Fire Companies continue to struggle with dwindling numbers (Lower Allen and Lisburn Fire combined at 700 calls a year, currently Lower Allen at approximately 700 calls a year and Lisburn at approximately 165 calls a year)

5. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • History of Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Presentation made to Board of Commissioners in 2004 for implementation of Public Safety Officer Program in 2005 • Chose middle of the road option that was the most cost effective and beneficial to township. • Police • Supplement current CSO positions on a 24/7 basis (Law Enforcement Centric) • Supplement Sworn Officers with Public Safety Duties • Directed Patrols/Neighborhood Watch • EMS • Potential second ambulance provider • Occasional back-up with EMS schedule

6. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • History of Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Fire • Fire Suppression • Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator • Assist with Public Relations and Fire Prevention • Recruitment and Retention of members • Rig Checks • Fire Reports • Pre-Fire Plans • Codes • Fire and Property Maintenance Code Inspection Program • Assistance with Notice of Violations

7. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • History of Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • PSO Program was not a primary focus of any one supervisor • 2005 – Frank Williamson – Police Chief/Public Safety Director • 2008 – Chris Yohn – EMS Captain • 2015 – Greg Thomas – Police Department • 2017 – Frank Wirth – Fire Captain • Training Requirements (from 2005 Job Description) • CSO • EMT and CPR/AED • Firefighter I Certification • Hazardous Materials Operations • Commercial Drivers License (within 6 months of hire)

8. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township

9. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Fire Captain • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Township Liaison with Lower Allen Fire and Lisburn Fire Companies • Administration • Fire Suppression Operations • Public Safety Officers • Accomplish tasks as needed • Public/Community Relations • Membership - point of contact • Training Oversight • PSOs • Volunteer Fire Services

10. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Fire Captain • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Fire Service • Driver/Operator (part of Job Description) • Firefighter (As a Volunteer) • Senior Fire Officer (in absence of a chief officer) • Fire Inspection Oversight • ICC International Fire Code • ICC International Property Maintenance Code • Fire Prevention Administration (with LAFC Fire Prevention Officer) • Public Fire and Life Safety Education • Child Safety Seat Program

11. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Fire Captain • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Public Safety Officer Program • Administrator • Supervisor • Policy Development • Live-In Program • Coordinator • Administrator • Point of Contact • Salesman • Supervision • Recruitment • Point of Contact

12. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Officers • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Community Service Officer • Emergency Medical Technician • Fire Service • Driver/Operator (part of Job Description) • Firefighter (As a Volunteer) • Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement • ICC International Fire Code • ICC International Property Maintenance Code • Fire Prevention • Public Fire and Life Safety Education • Child Safety Seat Program

13. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Community Service Officer • Abandoned Vehicles • Animal Loose/Complaint • Animal Lost/Found • Assist PD and Other Agencies • County Court or MDJ Hearing • Check Area • Community Event • CSO Administration/Paperwork • Detail for CCC/CLA Traffic • Directed Patrol • Detail to L.A.C.P. or Capital City Mall • Disabled Vehicle • Flood Emergency Detail • Lost and Found Detail • Lockout Building or Vehicle • Noise Complaint • Ordinance Violation • Parking Check or Complaint • Public Accident • Non-Reportable Accident • School Crossing • Traffic Control • Commissioner Packets • Subpoena delivery throughout West Shore area • MDJ paperwork throughout the County

14. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Emergency Medical Technician • Assist Lower Allen EMS • Cover the Ambulance/MICU shifts • Auto Accidents • Medical Assist (Lifting and Provide Care) • Do not respond to facilities with medical personnel unless requested • Will be QRS certified later this year • Drive ambulance to hospital

15. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Fire Service • Driver/Operator (part of Job Description) • Firefighter (As a Volunteer) • AED Checks - Monthly • Air Cascade - Fill Cylinders • Daily Rig Checks – Truck and Squad 12 • Weekly Rig Checks – • More thorough vehicle checks than daily checks • On a Rotating 7 day Schedule • Lower Allen Fire Apparatus during the Weekdays • Lisburn Fire Apparatus during the Weekend • Ladder/Hose/SCBA/Gas Meter Maintenance • Gas Meter Checks – Monthly • Portable Equipment Checks – Monthly • Incident Reports • Equipment Inventory Management • SCBA Fit Testing • Personal Protective Equipment • Care and Maintenance • Public Relations • In the Public View

16. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Fire Service • Fire Inspection Code Enforcement • Inspections • Documentation • Notice of Violations • Property Maintenance Code Enforcement • Verification Inspections • Documentation • Notice of Violations

17. Training and Utilization of PSO’s and CSO’s to Assist with the Enforcement of the Property Maintenance Code A Collaborative Approach to Maintaining Community Integrity

18. Background • The Commissioners of Lower Allen Township have expressed concerns regarding properties within the township becoming blighted and run down. • The number one goal in the 2018 Comprehensive Plan was to “Enhance the Township’s existing residential neighborhoods and community parks.” • Although we have a few pockets currently, there are no major issues at the present time. • The Commissioners have a valid concern regarding maintaining property values and changing the character of neighborhoods.

19. Extension of the Fire Inspection Program Successes With the addition of the PSO’s involvement in Fire Inspection Program, inspections have increased 57.7% since 2016 Inspections Completed - • 2018 – 161 • 2017 – 89 • 2016 – 93

20. Extension of the Fire Inspection Program Successes Permits Issued: • 2018 – 224 • 2017 – 105 • 2016 – 131 Total Occupancies – 430 • 2018 we did 37.5% of all occupancies

21. PSO Training Outline • Late January started in-house training • Bill Yeagley meeting with PSO’s and other employees twice per week 9-11 a.m. Monday’s and Wednesdays • Covering each topic twice per week to insure everyone is getting all the information • 2006 and 2015 International Property Maintenance Codes are being covered

22. PSO Training Outline (cont.…) • Training and mentoring will be completed by mid-May 2019 • All trainees will work directly with Code Compliance Coordinator (CCC) • Trainees will be afforded the opportunity to take the ICC On-line training program • All Trainees will be encouraged to take the ICC Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector Certification Test by Fall 2019

23. Toolbox • Implement an Abandoned Property Registry • Banks required by ordinance to notify the Township of a vacant property and supply a point of contact for property maintenance/safety concerns. • Implement use of “quick tickets” to hasten violation process • Ticket for small, understood violations i.e. grass height, snow removal, etc.. • Education - start quarterly Saturday morning outreach sessions with new residents about homeowner responsibilities, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), permitting for renovations, stormwater management

24. Toolbox (cont…) • Adoption of 2015 ICC International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) • Door hangers left on property so violators can be noticed at time of violation.

25. Priorities of Property Maintenance • Life-Safety/Fire Safety Issues • Structural deficiencies • Vacant properties • Fire safety impacts (teams with Fire Inspection Program). • Health Hazards • Rubbish • Infestation • Quality of Life • Height of grass • Trash cans

26. Process PSO finds violation while preforming regular duties: (They will determine the level of service required) Non-Life Safety Issue • Leave behind doorhanger • Enter into Alpine Software • Notify CCC to track • CCC request PSO to follow-up with inspection • PSO • Clears it- tells CES or • Leaves ticket- notifies CES or • CES sends Notice of Violation Life Safety Issue • Attempts to make in person contact • Enter into Alpine Software • Notify CCC – Notice sent • CCC request PSO to follow-up with inspection • PSO • Clears it- tells CES or • CES issues non-traffic citation

27. Update: 2 Months Check up An understanding of the first 2 months of the IPMC Program

28. Results • 9 Team members have been trained and are preforming inspections • Action time is less than 6 hours – Most times is less than 1 hour • Currently have 2 members certified – 3 are in the process of studying for the exam • Immediate positive impact • Neighbors see Township response (doorhanger)

29. April 2019 – Complaint Types 22 Complaints

30. April 2019 - Type of Contact Made

31. May 2019 – Complaint Types 58 Complaints

32. May 2019 - Type of Contact Made

33. Forecast……… • Continue to monitor the program and make adjustments as needed • Have all IPMC inspector certified by October 2019 • Implement the “quick ticket” in the 4th quarter of 2019 and explore a “repeat offender fee” ordinance • Update to the 2015 IPMC code • Integrate IPMC into Alpine RedNMX in 3rd or 4th quarter of 2019 • Education of the public

34. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Fire Service • Training • Scheduling • State Local Level Classes • Weekly Training • Specialized Classes • Coordination with PSOs and volunteers • Class Development • Training Records Management • Props and Scenarios • Driver/Operator Training • Development • Instruction • Evaluation

35. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Job Duties and Responsibilities • Fire Prevention • Public Fire and Life Safety Education • Child Safety Seat Program

36. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Officer Program has the following Strengths: • Flexible • Efficient use of personnel (little down time) • Multi-Disciplined • Is a force multiplier for each discipline. • High return on investment • One position with multiple skillsets (6) • Community Service Officer • Firefighter • Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator • Emergency Medical Technician • Public Fire and Life Safety Educator • Fire and Property Maintenance Inspector • Currently filling the volunteer role of firefighter during the daytime hours on the weekdays.

37. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Officer Program has the following Weaknesses: • Jack of all trades, Master of none. • Not necessarily the case • More of a reason to recruit right people and retain our currently trained personnel • Is used as a crutch by some disciplines • Crossing Guard responsibility • Cannot respond to any emergencies while doing Crossing Guard responsibility • Have been several instances of fires during crossing guard duties (double fatal fire on Carlisle Rd.)

38. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Officer Program has the following Opportunities: • Provide a smooth transition while there is a decline in volunteers for the fire service. • Consistent service provided • Efficient use of personnel

39. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Program Threats/Challenges • Transition from Law Enforcement Centric to Fire/EMS Centric. • Training/Qualification Levels vary • Majority are consistently at the same training/qualification levels • The position of Public Safety Officer requires to be knowledgeable and proficient in following: • Community Service Officer • Firefighter • Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator • Emergency Medical Technician • Public Fire and Life Safety Educator • Fire and Property Maintenance Inspector

40. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Program Threats/Challenges • Recruitment and Retention • PSOs strongly identify with Firefighters and are fully qualified as Firefighters • Salary is on low end of scale in Firefighter Salary Survey for 2019 • Does the Public Safety Officer position become an essential position? • 1 PSO on duty 24/7 • One off at a time • Swap Policy developed

42. Public Safety Program in Lower Allen Township • Public Safety Program Solutions • Raise salary to a competitive level with area fire departments in South Central PA • Explore the possibility of the Public Safety Officer position becoming an essential position - 24/7

44. Thank you!Next Meeting Monday July 1st 6:00 p.m. Location EOC/Training ROOM