Reform 3.5: Public Safety
Form Task Force on Public Safety Service Delivery and Staffing Optimization Other Information:
The Mayor and City Council should form a task force comprised of outside experts to critically and comprehensively look at
the current staffing models and service process utilized in the Fire/Rescue Department and the Police Department. For example,
cities and counties across the country have addressed the ramifications of rising EMS demand by reducing use of fire engines
for EMS and shifting additional resources to dedicated EMS provision, by utilizing the practice of priority dispatching, increasing
their and EMS vehicle fleet diversification. The purpose of the task force would be examine the following questions: Could
the City of San Diego increase response times and achieve cost efficiencies by expanding the use of ambulances versus fire
trucks for responses to EMS calls? Could the City of San Diego make greater use of priority dispatching and utilizing other
kinds of vehicles for responses? Could the City of San Diego benefit from creating cross-trained Public Safety Officers, perhaps
starting with targeted areas such as downtown or the beach communities? The Task Force we recommend creating should be comprised
of independent, outside experts that can offer a fresh perspective on these and other options for improving public safety
services in the city. Some of the issues we recommend exploring further are discussed below.
Indicator(s):
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