This email was sent out today.

 

To:

Mike Bailey

Township Supervisor

Oakland Township

 

cc: Board of Trustees, Dale Stuart, Paul Strelchuk, Lou Danek

 

Subject: Request for Supervisor to add an agenda item at 12/12/17 Board of Trustees meeting – “Set deadline for initial report (description of problems) on fire and EMS response times”

 

I ask that you add an agenda item allowing a motion to be made at 12/12/17 Board meeting that “Fire Management should present, no later than the January 9, 2018 Board meeting, a description of the fire and EMS response time problems. This should include response time historical data to illustrate the problems and serve as a baseline to judge the effect of any changes in the “response protocol”

I am disappointed that a report Chief Strelchuk and Assistant Chief Danek are not included on the agenda for the 12/12/17 Board of Trustees meeting. After 27 months it seems that now is the time for the Board to set some deadlines for this ongoing work to improve response times.

But, how can any solutions be pursued until Fire Management and the Board agree on the problem to be solved or improvement to be made? Defining a problem (with data if possible) and getting agreement on the level of improvement desired and by when before pursuing solutions, is standard industry practice in today’s world. The attached Chapter 16 “Project Charter” gives very good guidance on this point.

We have been quite properly reminded that the “Board speaks through its motions”, when we have tried to hold the Board accountable for a statement from an individual Board member.

What follows is the entire Board record on this issue – one motion and two statements by individuals. The Board has assigned nothing specific to be done via a motion.

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES  AUGUST 25, 2015 – REGULAR MEETING  PAGE 4 of 5

“1. Chief Strelchuk – 10-Year Strategic Operating Plan

 

MOTION by Langlois, supported by Reilly to form a subcommittee regarding a 10-Year Strategic Operating Plan for the Fire Department consisting of Trustees Ferriolo, Giannangeli and Buxar.

 

Motion carried unanimously.”

 

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Dale Stuart, Township Manager, 11-4-2017 Board of Trustees Meeting, Video Chapter 11

“Recently there have been comments regarding the response time experienced by the fire department while responding to medical issues and fires. It has been proffered that the Oakland County medical control board has set certain standards as to acceptable response times for an ALS unit. That is true; there are such standards. Fire Management is currently re-evaluating its response protocol and exploring ways to improve all fire tactical operations. This is an ongoing exercise and one that we take seriously and that has been ongoing for some time. There is no simple, easy or quick way to deal with the various issues; but as we get those prepared we will deal with the fire subcommittee and the Township Board to provide to you what options we think are available. “

 

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Mike Bailey, Township Supervisor, 11-4-2017 Board Trustees Meeting, Video Chapter 12

“And as Township Manager Stuart indicated, the Board awaits input from Chief Strelchuk and Assistant Chief Danek as to their plan to improve our EMS and Fire response times. That’s a matter of record and they are challenged to come back and tell us, the fire subcommittee first, and then the board what things they are going to be doing in that regard.”

 

As always, I stand ready to assist Fire Management with problem definition and/or data analysis if invited.

Voters have a right to understand these problems now, so they can input to the Board the fire / EMS response times they desire.

 

Bob Yager

12/9/17