Fee Study for Fire and Emergency Response

The Fire Department is seeking proposals from qualified consultants/firms to develop a comprehensive and sustainable fee structure for all services provided by the Fire Department, including, but not limited to emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, rescue, fire investigation, and hazardous materials responses. The fee structure should be equitable, financially sustainable, and aligned with industry standards and best practices. The selected consultant will be responsible for conducting an in-depth analysis of current operations, identifying revenue generation opportunities, reviewing industry benchmarks, and creating a fee structure that optimizes cost recovery while ensuring fair access to services for all community members. The main objectives of this project are to:

• Assess the existing fee structure for Fire Department services, including EMS, fire suppression, and other related services.
• Develop a comprehensive, transparent, and sustainable fee structure for all Fire Department emergency response services.
• Ensure that the new fee structure aligns with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provide a fee system that ensures cost recovery, while considering equity for low-income individuals and vulnerable populations.
• Develop recommendations for the implementation and communication of the new fee structure to stakeholders and the public.

The Fire Department strives to implement a fair, transparent, and sustainable fee structure that ensures the financial stability of services while maintaining equitable access for the community. The consultant will play a crucial role in developing a fee system that aligns with the Fire Department’s objectives and the needs of the community.

The Tuolumne County Fire Department (TCFD) is growing to meet the needs of the community on very limited funding and resources. TCFD, through a cooperative fire protection agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), provides for the preservation of life and property through emergency medical response, rescue, extrication, fire control, fire and life safety inspections to over 2,200 square miles and approximately 55,000 residents of Tuolumne County.

In calendar year 2023, there were 6,760 total incidents within the TCFD jurisdiction, compared to 6,431 in 2022 for a 5% increase. This is an increase of 35.9% from ten years ago. Of the 2023 incidents 4,703 were calls for medical assistance, 585 fires, 393 hazardous materials/fire standby, and 1,079 other incidents.

The increased demand for fire protection services in Tuolumne County has prompted County Fire to explore ways to enhance its response capabilities. One approach is to expand how TCFD can recoup costs from the users of the services provided.