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Vote on a request to approve the Interlocal Agreement between Chatham and Durham County acting by and through its Fire and Rescue Department to provide Fire and Rescue Services within the Parkwood Fire District
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Vote on a request to approve the Interlocal Agreement (Attachment A) between Chatham and Durham County to provide fire and rescue services acting by and through its Fire and Rescue Department within the Parkwood Fire District and to authorize Mr. Charlie Horne, Chatham County Manager, to execute the agreement.
Introduction & Background:
The Parkwood Fire District is located in an area in the northeast section and/or corner of Chatham County (Attachment B). The Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department, located in Durham County, had contracted with Chatham County to provide fire and rescue services. Audits and inspections of the Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department revealed deficiencies in financing, budgeting, staffing, and emergency response requirements. After discussions with Durham County, the Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors met on October 29, 2014, and voted to accept Durham County's offer to absorb Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department's employees, assets of the corporation, and all fire and rescue operations with the legal transfer date to be July 1, 2015.
Discussion & Analysis:
The Durham County Fire and Rescue Department is well established and possess the personnel and equipment to provide highly professional, effective, and efficient level of fire and rescue services to Chatham County citizens living within the Parkwood Fire District. The personnel, equipment, and response capabilities will also ensure that the current Parkwood Fire District insurance protection class rating is maintained and possibly improved which has a direct and positive effect on the citizens homeowner's insurance premiums. The Durham County Fire and Rescue Department and the North Chatham Volunteer Fire Department will enter into new automatic aid agreements which will provide two (2) department responses within the Parkwood Fire District and North Chatham Fire District to designated emergency responses. Emergency Medical Services previously provided by the Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department will be provided by a separate agency contracted through Chatham County and overseen by Chatham County Emergency Management.
Recommendation:
Vote to approve the Interlocal Agreement between Chatham and Durham County to provide fire and rescue services acting by and through its Fire and Rescue Department within the Parkwood Fire District and to authorize Mr. Charlie Horne, Chatham County Manager, to execute the agreement.