South County Fire rolling out new deployment model says it will monitor for needed changes

South County Fire has introduced a new deployment model that adds three firefighters each day across 15 fire stations, totaling 69 firefighters during the day and 67 at night. This model aims to enhance service reliability by allocating dedicated crews for fire engines and ambulances. Fire Chief Bob Eastman noted that this collaborative approach among cities within the regional fire authority allows for efficient responses to emergencies. The deployment ensures that a minimum of 22 firefighters respond to house fires and 34 to commercial building fires, reflecting a well-researched strategy based on response data. The changes include relocating a paramedic unit to areas with higher emergency call demand, optimizing resource allocation.

The new model launched in mid-July will undergo monthly monitoring to assess its effectiveness. If improvements are not observed within three months, adjustments will be made according to the data. This proactive strategy underscores South County Fire's commitment to adapting services to meet community needs effectively.