Lake Almanor Basin

EMCC Sub-Committee Findings and Recommendations

Charter:

In fall of 2023 following the defeat of Measure A, a parcel tax to the residents of Chester California, and the continued diminished service capability of Chester Fire Department (CFD) Fire/EMS operations, the EMCC was directed by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to convene a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency sub-committee meeting with the task of addressing the service void left when CFD reduces or eliminates services.  The charter of this committee was to explore potential “short term” and “long-term” solutions.

Findings:

The sub-committee met five (5) times over the course of 6 months.  Discussion encompassed updates from Peninsula Fire Chief related to response numbers and run times including delays associated with response from the Peninsula into the Chester/West Shore response area.  Additionally, Seneca used run type/volume during this period to assess whether the financial viability using the cost-based reimbursement option if Seneca Healthcare were to run EMS.  Several findings became evident and are chronicled below.

1.      The Lake Almanor Basin is in need of two (2) ambulances for EMS response based on geographic coverage, response time and redundancy should one unit be out on an inter-facility transfer (IFT).

2.      Based on the aggregate run volume, billing in a “fee for service” model, without the advantage of cost-based reimbursement does not cover the operating costs of two (2) EMS ambulances.  Even using the cost-based model that could be attained if Seneca began EMS response services, this reimbursement model does not adequately support multiple EMS units and staff.

3.      After the failure of Measures B & C (CPUD Parcel Tax) in May 2024, Chester Fire can no longer provide Fire or EMS response to the communities they serve rendering them out of service for long periods of time, and leaving Peninsula and West Almanor Fire responsible for Fire response and Peninsula Fire solely responsible for EMS response.  The spring, summer and fall season in the Lake Almanor basin experience a surge in population 7 to 10 times the year-round population.  This factor alone puts Peninsula and West shore mutual aid at risk and severely impacts the resource availability and subsequent response times.

4.      Peninsula Fire/EMS, if they were to continue providing service coverage in the Chester response area is in need of an additional fully equipped Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance and Fire suppression apparatus.

5.      Peninsula Fire/EMS, if they were to continue providing service coverage in the Chester response area is in need of additional apparatus and crews quarters.

Recommendation of the Plumas County Emergency Medical Care Committee:

Annexation/Consolidation of Chester Fire Protection District with Peninsula Fire Protection District

The most viable option is to push for annexation/consolidation of the Chester Fire Protection District by Peninsula Fire.  This action would provide the necessary infrastructure to expand staff and operations for Peninsula Fire into Chester and utilize the existing equipment, apparatus and quarters now currently vacated by CFD.  Annexation would carry the current parcel tax of $442.50 (improved) and $394.50 (unimproved) levied to the community of Lake Almanor Peninsula to the tax base of Chester thus creating a revenue stream in support of a full-time Fire/EMS operations.  While one may believe that Measure B was defeated because of the cost, it may be that the defeat was that the parcel tax of Measure B did not adequately provide for a full-time professional fire service and was devoid of the EMS service all together.  With the annexation and subsequent carry forward of the Peninsula Tax, Chester would receive both Fire and EMS services from an already established Fire/EMS District.  This option is subject to support of both CPUD and Peninsula Fire Boards of Directors as well as LAFCO procedures and public comment.  It is our recommendation the CPUD and Peninsula Fire Boards draft resolutions to start the LAFCO process of annexation.