Goal 4 Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services

Goal CS-4: Provide coordinated fire protection and emergency medical services to promote a safe and healthy community.

The quality of the City’s Fire Department and emergency medical services has a direct impact on Hayward’s overall health, safety, and quality of life.  This goal and its supporting policies are designed to enhance the fire protection and emergency medical services of the Hayward Fire Department.  The policies address a variety of issues, including staffing levels, emergency response times, training, fire facilities and equipment, and coordination with ambulance service providers and hospitals. 

The City shall maintain and implement a Fire Department Strategic Plan to:

·         Set near-term goals for the Department in response to a dynamic and changing environment.

·         Align fire and emergency medical services with the community’s desires and expectations.

·         Accurately assess the operational needs of the Fire Department to best serve the Hayward community.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall maintain optimum staffing levels for sworn, civilian, and support staff, in order to provide quality fire protection and emergency medical services to the community.

City Services and Operations (CSO)Financing and Budgeting (FB)

The City shall maintain the ability to respond to fire and emergency medical calls based on the following standards:

·         The first unit shall arrive on scene within five minutes of dispatch, 90 percent of the time.

·         All remaining units shall arrive on scene within 8 minutes of dispatch.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall ensure that growth and development does not outpace the expansion of Hayward Fire Department staffing and the development of strategically located and fully equipped fire stations. 

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall monitor call volumes at individual fire stations to determine if certain areas of the City are in high demand of fire and emergency medical services. The City shall consider reallocating resources (fire units and/or equipment) or building new fire stations to serve high demand areas.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)City Services and Operations (CSO)Financing and Budgeting (FB)

The City shall ensure that new fire stations are strategically placed to provide optimum response times throughout the Hayward community.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall develop, maintain, and implement a Fire Department Facilities Master Plan that serves as the long-term plan for providing the Fire Department with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. 

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall ensure that firefighters and paramedics have access to state-of-the-art training and professional development opportunities. 

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall maintain mutual aid agreements and coordinate with local, State, and Federal fire agencies to promote regional cooperation in the delivery of services. 

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)

The City shall invest in technology that enhances the City’s ability to deliver emergency medical response, fire-rescue, and fire protection services more efficiently and cost-effectively.

City Services and Operations (CSO)Financing and Budgeting (FB)

The City shall consider the establishment of community facilities districts to ensure that new development does not constrain the City’s ability to provide adequate fire services to the Hayward community. 

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall consider the establishment of development impact fees to fund Fire Department operations. 

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall consider the enhancement of the Advanced Life Support Medical Service capabilities of the Hayward Fire Department by expanding ambulance services to include Basic Life Support Transport Services.

City Services and Operations (CSO)Financing and Budgeting (FB)

The City shall encourage the expansion of emergency medical services offered at local hospitals and urgent care clinics.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall seek recognition by the Center for Public Safety Excellence by improving the service of the Hayward Fire Department.

City Services and Operations (CSO)