Frequently asked questions — and answers — about the proposed consolidation of the UC Davis and city of Davis fire departments — prepared by the city of Davis and UC Davis:

Background

The city of Davis and UC Davis are proposing a pilot consolidation of their fire departments. Once approved, a joint management services agreement between the UC Davis Fire Department and city of Davis Fire Department could go into effect as early as Sept. 1. The following questions and answers provide details about the proposed consolidation.

• What is changing?
• When would the change go into effect?
• Why are the two fire departments considering consolidation?
• Are these the first campus and city fire services to consider consolidation?
• Whose idea was it to consolidate?
• How much money would be saved by consolidating?
• Would there be other benefits, in addition to the cost savings?
• Would operating costs for the consolidated fire department be shared?
• Who would be in charge of the consolidated department?
• What impact would the consolidation have on fire and emergency services to the city and campus?
• Would fire department staff physically relocate?
• Would the UC Davis student firefighter program continue?
• Would there be any changes to police services?

What is changing?

The city of Davis and UC Davis are considering a pilot consolidation of their fire departments. Phase 1 of the consolidation would involve only management functions. All firefighters employed by each department would remain employees of their current departments, and all current bargaining agreements would remain in place.

Phase 1 of the consolidation would include sharing the cost of a single fire chief, restructuring administrative support functions, and exploring opportunities to leverage resources through joint purchasing power.

The two departments also would establish a single fire dispatch center and implement standardized training, policies and procedures.

When would the change go into effect?

At its July 27 meeting, the City Council authorized the city manager to enter into a management services agreement with UC Davis. The agreement defines the terms for Phase 1 of the consolidation. UC Davis is in the process of reviewing the agreement. If approved, the agreement would take effect on Sept. 1.

Why are the two fire departments considering consolidation?

The campus and city have each operated fire departments since 1917. There is a high level of cooperation between the two departments, yet they maintain separate organizational infrastructures.

As is the case in many areas, budgetary pressures are creating difficulties in maintaining appropriate levels of service. The goal of the proposed consolidation is to provide the best fire services possible to the city and campus communities given available resources. The plan would eliminate redundancy and duplication of effort, provide opportunities for cost savings, and enhance the level of service for both the campus and city. At the same time, the proposed consolidation would generate significant savings that could be used to maintain and improve fire services.

Are these the first fire services to consider consolidation?

No. Consolidating fire services is a nationwide trend to maintain fire service and emergency response in the face of budget challenges.

Whose idea was it to consolidate?

Several studies have been undertaken in recent years to identify areas where the campus and city fire departments could increase cooperation. Those studies had indicated that the possibilities were limited by the existence of two distinct management structures.

In 2009, both the campus and city fire chiefs announced their intentions to retire. This presented a unique opportunity to consider a new management model for fire service across the city and campus fire departments.

Before initiating the recruitment of new fire chiefs, City Manager Bill Emlen and UC Davis Vice Chancellor for Administrative and Resource Management John Meyer conducted a review to determine if full department consolidation would benefit both communities.

Meyer asked interim UC Davis Fire Chief Nathan Trauernicht to lead the review on behalf of the university, and Emlen assigned interim Davis Fire Chief Bill Weisgerber to lead the review on behalf of the city.

How much money would be saved by consolidating?

Phase I of the consolidation would save the campus an anticipated $110,000 per year and the city $140,000 per year for a total joint annual savings of $250,000. The consolidation plan calls for reinvesting these savings into operational areas to maintain and improve services.

Would there be other benefits, in addition to the cost savings?

Infrastructure improvements associated with the merger will improve service to the community. For example, both departments could begin using a common computer-aided dispatch system. A common dispatch system would allow a single dispatch center to handle radio traffic for the entire duration of an incident, and it would eliminate the need for firefighters to switch back and forth between campus and city radio frequencies. Emergency planning could also be improved through common practices and stronger communication.

Would operating costs for the consolidated fire department be shared?

Under the Phase 1 management services agreement Agreement, the only jointly funded position would be the fire chief, whose $149,316 annual salary would be split evenly between UC Davis and the city.

Who would be in charge of the consolidated department?

Beginning in Phase I, the fire chief would be shared by both departments. (Weisgerber would serve as interim joint chief, under the proposal.) In addition to the fire chief, both departments would share several senior command staff.

The fire chief would report to both City Manager Bill Emlen and UC Davis Vice Chancellor John Meyer.

What impact would the consolidation have on fire and emergency services to the city and campus?

The consolidation has the potential to improve fire services to the city and campus.

Would fire department staff physically relocate?

Shared personnel most likely would be relocated to the city Fire Department headquarters at Fifth and E streets.

Would the UC Davis student firefighter program continue?

The Student Resident Firefighter Program would continue as a campus program managed by the campus Fire Department.

Would there be any changes to police services?

Police services are not part of the proposed consolidation, and no consolidation of law enforcement services is planned at this time. Police and crime prevention services would continue to be managed by the campus and city police departments as separate, but mutually cooperative, agencies.