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Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Nashua Fire Rescue has established a Capital Equipment Replacement Fund (CERF) that is intended to serve
as a guiding document in planning for the replacement of its entire fleet of emergency and non-emergency
units. As a general rule, the CERF uses a unit’s age as an initial assessment factor in planning to move a unit
from frontline status to a reserve unit status. However, the ultimate determination to replace a unit is
conducted on a case-by-case basis using many of the factors previously mentioned. According to the
Department’s CERF document, fire engines are scheduled to be used in a frontline capacity for 12 years
before moving into a reserve status, and reserve units are maintained until a newer unit is cycled into reserve
status. Nashua Fire Rescue has also identified a frontline benchmark of 15 years for an aerial (ladder)
apparatus before a unit is rotated into a reserve status, with the reserve unit being kept until a newer unit is
cycled into reserve status. The current benchmarks utilized by Nashua Fire Rescue are considered to be within
generally accepted industry standards. Beyond the frontline lifecycle of fire engines and aerial units, the
Department has also established various frontline service lifecycles of all capital assets and has been
relatively successful in adhering to the established schedule, with the ultimate replacement made upon a
comprehensive assessment of the unit’s operational status.

As previously mentioned, the replacement of apparatus based entirely on age does not account for many
factors that should be considered. ESCI encourages Nashua Fire Rescue leadership to continue using the
following additional criteria when evaluating a unit for replacement:

» Mileage and/or engine hours.
= — Reliability schedule (based on days or shifts in which the vehicle is out of service for maintenance).
» Maintenance and repair costs (excluding fuel).

= Current financial value, or financial cost/benefit, associated with keeping or disposing of the
apparatus.

A variety of fleet analysis models exist to assist a department's leadership in evaluating when a unit should
be replaced. One system for evaluating apparatus replacement is to score the relevant factors ona scale (i.e.,
a 1-5 or 1-10 scale), which may be weighted to reflect the importance or value (e.g., repair & maintenance
costs coupled with decreased reliability measures may overshadow an arbitrary aged-based replacement
schedule). A second model establishes a point value for each of the following factors:

» Every year of age adds one point.
» Mileage (1 point for each 10,000 miles).
= Repairs/month, on average (< 1/month =1 point, 1 per month = 2 points, > 2 months = 5 points).

» Maintenance/repair costs (excludes non-routine): 1 to 5 points awarded based on life-time
maintenance/repair costs for the apparatus (e.g., 5 points awarded for M&R costs = 80% to 100% of
vehicle purchase price, prorated for lesser cost amounts).

Total ultimate “points” earned by a particular unit can help to determine when a vehicle should be
transitioned from frontline status to reserve status and ultimately taken out-of-service

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These examples are presented as a “total picture” approach to determining an apparatus’s operational
status, as opposed to simply replacing a unit based upon an arbitrary number that may or may not apply to
the department. Should Nashua Fire Rescue's leadership establish a similar model, it must be understood
that the entire fleet should be updated annually.

A comprehensive review of the distribution and deployment of Nashua’s fire engines and aerial units is
provided in the Service Delivery section of this report. The current number and types of apparatus are
sufficient in quantity to service the City of Nashua. The determination to locate types of units within any
community’s jurisdiction cannot be based entirely on a one-size-fits-all approach, and the needs of each
community must be considered. With this in mind, any future decisions relative to the locations of these
apparatus should be based upon the actual performance of each apparatus when measured against adopted
performance standards.

The full inventory of Nashua Fires Rescue’s fire engines and aerial units is listed in the following figure.

Figure 61. Nashua Fire Rescue’s Engines and Aerial Apparatus

Pen Manufacturer Type Scheduled Replacement Unite ID
yP Replacement Cost (2018 S$) Number

Pumpers
2019 Pierce 1500 Pump/750 Tank Not in CERF Not in CERF Eng. 6 (132)
2016 Pierce 1500 Pump/750 Tank 2028 644,490 Eng. 4 {T14)
2014 Pierce 1250 Pump/750 Tank 2026 688,787 Eng. 1 (131)
2011 Pierce 1250 Pump/750 Tank 2023 688,787 Eng. 2 (T01)
2010 Pierce 1250 Pump/750 Tank 2022 688,787 Eng. 5 (105)
2009 Pierce 1250 Pump/750 Tank 2021 688,787 Eng. 3 (T22)
2008 Pierce {reserve} 1250 Pump/750 Tank Missing CERF Missing CERF Eng. 7 (113)
2004 Pierce {reserve} 1250 Pump/750 Tank Missing CERF Missing CERF Eng. 8 (141)

Tower Ladder/Ladder Company

2015 Pierce 95' Tower 2030 1,458,608 Lad. 2 (T02)
2012 Pierce 105’ Ladder 2027 1,389,150 Lad. 1 (T11)
2005 Pierce 105’ Ladder 2020 1,389,150 Lad. 3 {T03)
1995 Pierce {reserve} 105’ Ladder Missing CERF 908,736 Lad. 4 (T29)

In addition to the emergency response units, Nashua utilizes the units identified in Figure 62 as staff and
utility functions relative to emergency response, administration, and fire prevention. As with the emergency
response units, Nashua Fire Rescue leadership has identified these units within its capital replacement
planning activities. In general, Nashua Fire Rescue has established a range of seven to ten years as a guideline
for the replacement of these units. In reviewing these types of units, the Department currently has an average
age of 6.69 years.

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Figure 62. Nashua Fire Rescue’s Staff and Utility Vehicles

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Scheduled Replacement

2020
2018
2018
2018
2015
2015
2016
2014
2013
2013
2012
2009
2006
2004

Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Ford
Chevy
Ford
Ford

International

F150 4x4
Explorer
Explorer
F150 4x4
Interceptor
Interceptor
F250 4x4
Interceptor
F150 4x4
F150 4x4
Tahoe
F350 4x4
F350 4x4
7400

2025
2025
2025
2022
2025
2025
2025
2024
2023
2023
2020
2021

Missing CERF

2035

67,352
40,060
38,834
67,352
38,596
36,853
49,333
35,202
56,937
40,937
52,722
58,486

Missing CERF
$265,564

R-1 (137)
C-1 (C02)
C-2 (CO3}
C-4 (133)
K-2 (CO1}
-] (127)
M-1 (T19)}
K-3 (T39)
R-2 (T06)
W-1 (136)
Spare (T04)
F-3 (712)
Utility (107)
Bucket Truck {T38)

Figure 63 provides an understanding of the age and anticipated replacement schedule for each of Nashua
Fire Rescue’s boat and support assets. Unlike the previous figures listing vehicles, Nashua Fire Rescue's
support assets inventory includes breathing air compressors, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and
trailers. While these units are not commonly recognized as part of the emergency response system, they are
critical to the success of the Department, and have the potential of creating a significant impact on the

department's budget when replacement must occur.

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Figure 63. Nashua Fire Rescue’s Boat and Support Asset Inventory

Scheduled Replacement Fi
SC)

Boat/Water Craft
2011 Rescue One Boat 2023 14,062 Marine One (B01)
2011 Zodiac Boat 2020 6,524 Marine Two

Support Assets

2019 Pierce Rescue/Air Supply 2039 752,456 SH-1
2015 Baver Compressor 2033 53,188 Station 2
2008 Ford F550/Foam 2026 159,565 CFR-1 (128)
2004 Eagle Compressor 2022 59,098 Station 6
1989 International Rescue/Dive Truck 2024 275,625 T16
2011 MFI TRL 18-20 Fire Alarm Wire Trailer 2023 5,535 TR8
2011 Haulmark Decon Trailer 2023 3,893 TR7
2006 Scott Utility Trailer (air) 2026 100,507 TRS
2015 Scott Breathing Apparatus 2030 624,377 N/A
2017 Amkus Extrication Rescue {2) 2036 81,682 N/A
1999 Allegheny Trailer Missing CERF 8,502 TR4
1947 Mack LS95 Antique N/A T08
1997 Ford F350 4X4 Missing CERF Missing CERF F1 (T10)
2020 Ford F350 4X4 2030 65418 M2({T35)
2005 Surrey Trailer Missing CERF Missing CERF T42
2006 Haulmark Confined Space Trailer Missing CERF 6,295 TR6

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Section IV. Analysis of Service Delivery and Performance

An evaluation of service delivery and performance within the City of Nashua provides the fire department
and its community with the baseline performance that it can expect. As the City continues to grow and
develop, public services should maintain pace with that growth if effective and equitable services are to be
provided to all taxpayers. In this section, multiple areas of evaluation will be identified and discussed, andthe
performance and deployment methodology of Nashua Fire Rescue compared with national and industry
standards. Ultimately, the decision regarding the appropriate level of fire and rescue services for the City of
Nashua and their related costs will be made by Nashua’s citizenry.

SERVICE DEMAND ANALYSIS

The demand for services drives Nashua Fire Rescue’s mission to provide a safe and vibrant community
through risk reduction, preparedness, and a proactive all hazards response. The ways in which Nashua Fire
Rescue is deployed, the types of services provided, and the way training is accomplished should be reflective
of the types of incidents to which the department responds, the level of risk associated with those incidents,
and the relative frequency of occurrence of these incident types.

Trends in the data provided can provide insights into how service demand may change year to year and the
major categories of incident types. Knowledge of when high demand periods occur will assist Nashua Fire
Rescue in determining whether staffing levels are sufficient for that demand. Additionally, that knowledge
will assist in scheduling additional duties such as training, fire safety inspections, and vehicle maintenance.

First, annual calls for service by calendar year are displayed.

Figure 64. Annual Calls for Service, 2014-2019

16,000
14,000 13,531 13,513
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000

2,000

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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When service demand is examined by annual calls for service, a sharp increase in demand occurred in 2016
and 2017, then leveled off and reduced in 2019. The increase in demand rose 56.2% from 2015 through 2017
and fell by 40.5% from the peak in 2017 to 2019. The reason for this increase and decline was due to a change
in policy regarding medical call types that the department responded to. In 2016, the fire department began
responding to low level nonemergency medical calls in addition to their emergency responses; however, it
was determined that this policy was not needed and placed additional wear and tear on equipment and
apparatus. In 2018, the decision was made to return to the previous policy of not responding to
nonemergency medical calls, resulting in the decline in annual call volume.

Figure 65 provides additional information about Nashua Fire Rescue’s annual service demand. In this figure,
service demand by incident type was evaluated. Categories used in this analysis are based upon the National
Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) guidelines for grouping of incident types. Within the NFIRS
classifications, the following incident types are grouped within the corresponding series:

= 100 Fires

= 200 Overheat/Overpressure
= 300 EMS

» 400 ~~ Hazardous Conditions

= 500 Service Call

= 600 Good Intent

= 700 False Alarms

= 800 Severe Weather

= goo Special Incident

The following figure displays service demand during 2014 through 2019 by general NFIRS classifications.

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9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000

0

m 2014
2015
2016

m2017

™2018
m2019

Fire

196
300
325
223
244
157

Figure 65. Service Demand by NFIRS Classification, 2015-2019

Hazardous

Overpress
6 4170
6 4209
3 6615
0 8331
11 8038
8 4562

Condition
413
399
327
430
348
175

Service

Call
1221
1083
1264
1576
1838
996

Good
Intent

1392
1374
1462
1676
1586
1296

False
Alarm

1275
1284
1270
1264
1442
853

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Severe
Weather

6
2
2
25
1
4

7

WwW Ae Oo oO

Special
Incident

When annual demand is displayed by incident type, EMS is clearly the driving force for the increased demand

with service calls and good intent calls also contributing to overall service demand increases. In 2019, the

demand for EMS calls for service fell nearly as sharply as it rose from 2015 to 2017.

Finally, the distribution of call types from 2017 through 2019 is presented as a pie chart to provide an

understanding of service demand relative to incident categories.

Figure 66. Service Demand by Incident Frequency, 2017-2019

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EMS
60%

Hazardous
Condition

Fire
2%

3%

Service Call

12%

Good Intent

13%

False Alarm
10%

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Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

When the relative frequency of incident types is compared, the majority (59.6%) of Nashua Fire Rescue’s
demand is for emergency medical services. Additionally, 35.7% of Nashua’s total call volume across the three-
year period was for nonemergent call types such as service calls, good intent, and false alarms. Fires,
hazardous conditions, and overpressure/overheating emergencies accounted for 4.5% of the total call

volume.

In Figure 67, GIS software was used to create a 10-acre hexagon grid across the City of Nashua. Geocoded
incident locations were added, and the number of incidents that occurred within each hexagon was
calculated and presented. Dark green hexagons represent 1 incident occurred within the hexagon, while red
hexagons represent incident counts from 250 to 1,200.

Figure 67. Incident Count by 10-Acre Hexagons, 2017-2019

s

~~ Senter
= NH 101A Form Estates

™
me

a ae

ws mE

@ — Fire Station
v

Number of Calls by 10 Acre Hexagons {
1
2-10
11-25
26-50
51-100
101-250
>250

®
@
®
BD)
®
@
®
74 Nashua Boundary
Co
a

Fire Districts

Q 1 2

Flints Hill

Four Hills
tondfill

NH 122

pas iy

ope Technical
Park

MA 3A gener

The areas of highest demand cluster between stations 1, 2, and 4 with additional increased demand in the
southeast and northwest areas of Nashua. The areas north of the airport should anticipate increased travel
times due to the location of Station 5 on the southeast corner of the airport. Outside of the areas identified,
most locations across Nashua accounted for lower levels of service demand, with many 10-acre areas
producing 2 to 10 calls for service from 2017 through 2019.

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Temporal Variation Analysis

Temporal variations are the patterns of activity occurring within certain periods of time. In this section, these
patterns are displayed by month, day, and hour to provide Nashua Fire Rescue with insights into when
increases and decreases in service demand based on historical patterns are anticipated. In Figure 68, the
temporal variation by month of the year for Nashua is shown.

Figure 68. Service Demand by Month, 2017-2019

10.0%
9.0%
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0.0%

Demand for services increases slightly from April through October, with a decline during late fall and winter
months, November through March. This is most likely due to increased activity coinciding with warmer
weather. In the next figure, service demand patterns are displayed by the day of the week for 2017 through
2019.

Figure 69. Service Demand by Day of the Week, 2017-2019
15.5%
15.0%
14.5%
14.0%
13.5%
13.0%
12.5%
12.0%

11.5% 4

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When demand for service is analyzed by the day of the week, Fridays and Saturdays stand out as the days of
greatest demand while Sundays have the least amount of demand. Monday through Thursdays are relatively
constant with nearly equal levels of demand.

Finally, in Figure 70, the demand by hour of the day is shown.

Figure 70. Service Demand by the Hour of the Day, 2017-2019
10.0%
9.0%
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%

0.0%
0123 45 6 7 8 9% 10111213 1415 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

While Nashua’s data generally presents the typical pattern observed in fire departments with demand
beginning to rise in the early morning hours, peak around the middle of the day, and decrease in the evening
hours, a significant spike in demand is present from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. This spike is due to how the fire
department issues burn permits. Although burn permits are currently issued online, in the past fire crews
would travel to the location requesting a burn permit and issue it in person at 3 pm each day. These burn
permits requests would receive a NFIRS number, which is why they appear within this figure. Today this is no
longer the practice.

Of note is that while demand is lower in the early morning hours, fatal residential fires occur most frequently
late at night or in the early morning. From 2014 to 2016, fatal residential fires were highest between 1:00 a.m.
to 2:00 a.m. The 8-hour peak period (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) accounted for 48% of fatal residential fires.

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