Fire chief offers detailed improvement plan

June 01, 2010

City of Belen Fire Chief Manny Garcia last month gave the city council a detailed improvement plan, highlighting the fire department’s needs.

Improvement plans were requested by Mayor Rudy Jaramillo and the city council as a part of the appointment of the police chief, fire chief and airport director in March.

Mike Chavez resigned as police chief shortly after presenting his department’s improvement plan to the city council. Interim Chief Dan Robb has said he will continue to move forward with that department’s plan.

Garcia’s 25-page plan, augmented by data, describes the fire department as a “value-drive organization” with strengths and weaknesses.

The plan includes eight goals:

GOAL 1: To professionally recruit staff, and retain [a] talented, committed, and diverse employee group in an effort to continue the strong legacy of service to the community and progress the organization into the future at a level which will enable it to deliver services to citizens in an effective, efficient, and safe manner.

GOAL 2: To enhance our services to the public to include advanced certified firefighters and emergency medical technicians beyond the basic level.

GOAL 3: To maintain current and purchase new apparatus, small fleet vehicles, and equipment that provide reliable and effective service delivery with high regard for member safety and comfort that represents the organization and the City of Belen in a manner that supports a positive public image.

GOAL 4: To plan for and maintain public safety facilities in a cost-effective manner with maximum consideration for service delivery, energy conservation, and the health, safety and comfort of organizational members.

GOAL 5: To deliver the highest level of emergency services in a safe and efficient manner in compliance with recognized standards.

GOAL 6: To identify areas of need and develop training programs to assist our members to become more proficient in personnel management and supervisory leadership, service delivery, customer service, incident management, safety and public education.

GOAL 7: To protect the health and safety of the organization’s members through effective training, education, and management and through the development of policies and procedures that prevent illness, injuries or death, and promote good health.

GOAL 8: To reduce the current insurance rating; reducing insurance rates; allowing additional fire protection funding for the fire department.

Each of these goals will be used in a 90-day and 180-day evaluation of the fire chief.

Posted in: Fire