Board Of Aldermen

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Current or Upcoming Areas of Interest

In 1993, Nashua voters passed a Budget Control Charter Amendment that limited budget growth to an
increase of no more than the average annual consumer price index (CPI-U) over the past 3 years. This could
severely limit the flexibility of the city to respond during an economic crisis. In 2019, the New Hampshire
Supreme Court upheld the decision by lower courts that the Amendment was unenforceable, making this no
longer a concern.

Master Plan

Itemized Grant Awards 2016 through 2020 are as follows.

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 48. Itemized List of Nashua Fire Rescue FEMA/State Grants, FY 2016-2020

ce cc

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 46. Nashua Fire Rescue Budget by Category, FY 2016-2020

$30,000,000
$25,000,000
$20,000,000
$15,000,000
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
S-
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
= 51-Salaries and Wages u 52-Fringe Benefits
53-Professional & Technical Services ™ 54-Property Services
55-Other Services 61-Supplies and Materials
m 68-Other Expenses § 71-Equipment

= 90-Budget Adjustments

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Historical Expense

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 42. Nashua Fire Rescue Fire Appropriation, FY 2016-2020

$25,000,000 10%
$24,500,000 9%
$24,000,000 8%
$23,500,000 7%
$23,000,000 6%
$22,500,000 oe
$22,000,000 3%
$21,500,000 2%
$21,000,000 1%
$20,500,000 + tr 0%

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

ma General Fund Fire Appropriation === Percentage Change
Percent of Total GF

Figure 43. Nashua Fire Rescue General Fund Budget Growth, FY 2017-2020

TE eae

2.55% 6.10% 2.93% 0.27%

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

The financial health of Nashua Fire Rescue is critical to ensure that the department can continue to provide
fire services at an acceptable level to the community. To assist the department in determining how its
financial policies have impacted its financial stability, a data-driven model was developed to represent these
policies fairly and consistently. The models offer an overview of the current state of Nashua Fire Rescue.

Master Plan

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 40. Internal Survey: Morale

Excellent_ __No Opinion
0% 0%

Average
27%

An analysis of the individual results of the 20-question internal survey presents a very clear picture of the
current state of Nashua Fire Rescue. The survey results, as well as the in-person interviews, both revealed
five common themes that stood out within Nashua Fire Rescue. These themes were:

Nashua Fire Rescue members are proud to be part of Nashua Fire Rescue.

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 38. Survey Participant Years of Service

20+ years
hee

10-20 years

LO

6-10 years
21%

The ranks of the survey participants were representative of the makeup of Nashua Fire Rescue: 66% held the
rank of Firefighter, 22% were Lieutenants, 5% were Captains, 3% were Chief Officers, and 4% were Fire Alarm
Operators (Dispatchers).

Figure 39. Survey Participant Ranks

Chief Officer Fire Alarm
. 3% Operators
Caprain (Dispatchers)

4%

Lieutenant
22%

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Section Ill. Evaluation of Fire Department Current Conditions

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Nashua Hazard Mitigation Actions

39. Identify the best approach to prevent new development or to require flood-resilient site &
building design in developable parcels adjacent to the Merrimack River.

40. Develop a coordinated GIS Department. Find out who uses GIS, determine how it is used,
and identify other potential uses.

41. Obtain hazard data and using GIS to map risk for various hazards.

42. Develop and maintain a database to track community exposure to flood risk, particularly