Final Report of the Boston Fire Department Review Commission
8 Resource Allocation
8.1 Introduction
There have been a number of criticisms relative to the Department's allocation of resources. Some of the allegations of abuse of Department resources and inappropriate use of personnel are best left for a new management team to explore as part of a comprehensive review of the Department's operations. However, other criticisms as they relate to the operation of the Department are appropriately addressed in this forum. In particular, there have been calls for the abolition of the existing fire alarm call boxes, and the extensive network needed to maintain the system. Further, complaints surfaced relative to a manned operation on Long Island, and questions have been raised regarding the necessity and operation of a Marine Unit. The Commission questioned Department officials at length regarding these topics, and we have concluded that further review is necessary before the Commission could recommend that certain operations be eliminated. However, in advance of such a review, there are issues that should be addressed relative to these operations.
8.2 Marine Unit
The Commission agrees with several Department officials who argued that increased development on the waterfront justifies the presence of a marine unit. However, the Commission finds that a marine unit would be better served if it had both a land-based and water-based presence. As part of the development of the South Boston waterfront, the Department should review the possibility of establishing a marine unit in a new station house that will serve both the extensive land development planned in the area, along with the necessary presence of firefighting apparatus in the harbor. In this plan, one team could perform both land and water based roles. This would increase the efficiency of such a unit, and justify the expense of maintenance of a water-based firefighting presence on the harbor. This is also an area that may provide the Department with possibilities for public/private partnerships or state or federal grants. The Department should explore these avenues wherever possible. Finally, it was suggested to the Commission that the current location for the marine unit would be attractive to private development. The Department and the City should explore how the proceeds of this property might benefit the relocation of the marine unit.
8.3 Existing Fire Brigade at Long Island
The Commission reviewed concerns raised relative to the continued existence of a manned fire station on Long Island. Currently, Long Island houses several City agencies, and its tenancy has increased in recent years. Many of the buildings are not equipped with sprinklers. As of November 1999, there were 1,035 clients and staff who work or live at the Long Island Campus of the Boston Public Health Commission. In addition, an ongoing renovation project in the administration building is scheduled to be completed shortly. The renovated space will house two new programs, an adolescent service and an adult detoxification program. It is anticipated that these programs will increase daily usage to approximately 1, 125 people, not including the 75-100 visitors each day. The Public Health Commission has expressed concerns to the Commission relative to the closing of this facility. Among the concerns expressed are that due to weight restrictions on the Long Island Bridge, there exists a 20 MPH speed restriction that slows response time. In addition, due to the same weight restrictions, the bridge cannot sustain several pieces of firefighting equipment at once. Further, in the best case scenario, fire department response time from the nearest City station is eleven minutes. Response time from the closest Quincy station is seven minutes. The Commission believes that the increased usage of Long Island by both public and private entities, combined with the inadequate response times from the nearest manned facilities and the lack of effective fire suppression within the buildings, does not justify closing the Long Island Brigade facility. However, the Commission believes that if a continued presence is necessary on Long Island, the station should be treated appropriately for staffing purposes, and it should not be viewed as a "special assignment," and should be subject to the same bidding requirements as any other fire station in the City o Boston.
8.4 Fire Alarm Call Boxes
According to the Boston Finance Commission report, An Analysis of the Boston Fire Department, fire alarm call boxes accounted for 46.9% of all false alarms in 1993 and only 5.7% of all actual reported incidents. According to Department sources, fire alarm call boxes remain one of the main sources for a high rate of false alarms and they are rarely the sole source of an incident call. Extensive use of enhanced 911 and the proliferation of cellular technology suggest that fire alarm call boxes will be of decreasing value in the years to come. These factors raise serious questions regarding the value of maintaining the existing system. The Commission acknowledges the strong arguments against continuing to operate a fire alarm call box network in the City, and we agree that the system as currently in existence is outdated. Nevertheless, after consideration, the Commission defers to the Department's stated desire to maintain the existing call box network at this time. Many Department officials argue that the existing system, which is in good repair, would remain the only communication for neighborhoods in the event of a major catastrophe, such as hurricane or earthquake. This might be some justification to maintain the system, but in order to justify its expense, the City should leverage this network to insure that it is.utilized for the most effective purposes. For example, a project to tie City Hall to the central alarm office in the Fenway is underway which will upgrade the existing copper wire network to fiber-optic cable. Some have proposed a citywide fibre optic network that utilizes the existing fire alarm call box system supporting many City departments. It would be premature to dismantle the system before we understand the possible uses of an upgraded network, and explore the potential for private partnerships that would help to defray the cost of maintenance of the system.
8.5 Recommendations
The Commission recommends the maintenance of a station on Long Island staffed according to the same bidding requirements as any other fire station in the City of Boston.
The Commission recommends a review of a possible land and water facility on the South Boston waterfront to service significant planned development in that area.
The Commission recommends that the City MIS department assume control of the evaluation maintenance and future development of the fire alarm call box network and evaluate all possible technological uses, both public and private.
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