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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUpdate Documents - Human Resources (002)2026 Hiring Freeze Exception Form ��� Previously Funded Positions Only ��� Sea I -Position I Item I Current Data I Job# -Job Title -Community Risk Reduction Spec Department A A Pay Type/FLSA Non -Exempt — Salaried (SALYNE) Employee Type Full Time Regular Pay Band 9+ Pay Step 01 Rate of Pay $28.90 - $37.48 A Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Specialist is critical to the Fire Marshal's Office because the office is obligated to perform CRR duties under GCC 15-07-olo. This obligation has been unstaffed. The CRR Specialist role turns fire code enforcement and incident data into proactive, community wide prevention strategies that reduce fires, injuries, and other emergencies. The CRR Specialist is equally vital to the internal effectiveness of a Fire Marshal's office because the job bridges education, data analysis, and permitting and administrative functions in one role. The specialist monitors and documents fire related data to create metrics and analytical tools, then uses those results to adjust programs and implement corrective actions, helping the office base prevention work on measurable outcomes rather than assumptions. NEW POSITION: Department - Development Services Band (Level 1) - 9 Band (Leve12) - 11 Submitted by: El Gina 7 Christa El Decorah ® Dan El Laurissa 7 Jonathan Date: 01/26/26 Section 4 Authbirizfi% Signatures HR Director: Board Approval/ Disapproval and Signatures: Chair: El Approve El Disapprove Vice -Chair: El Approve 7 Disapprove Member: 7 Approve F-1 Disapprove Date: Date: _P P-6 Q PC] 0 10 0 0 r% Community Risk Reduction: Building Safer Communities Through Data -Driven Prevention Introduction Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is a proactive, data -driven approach designed to identify and mitigate emergency risks before they result in loss of life, injury, or property damage[l]. Rather than solely responding to emergencies after they occur, CRR empowers fire departments and community stakeholders to strategically address local hazards through evidence -based interventions [2]. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how communities protect themselves —moving from reactive emergency response to strategic risk mitigation. The need for CRR has never been more critical. Every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire, and over 8o% of fire department calls nationwide are for medical emergencies[3]. By identifying and prioritizing local risks, communities can allocate resources more effectively and implement targeted prevention programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes. National Fire Risk Overview The scope of fire -related emergencies across the United States underscores the importance of community risk reduction initiatives: Metric 2023 Data Trend Total Fires Reported 1,389,000 +9.1% since 2014 Civilian Fire Deaths 070 +15.9% since 2014 Civilian Fire Injuries 13�350 -12.3% since 2014 Property Loss $23.2 billion +16.3% since 2014 National Fire Death Rate 13.3 per million Table is National Fire Statistics (2023) Home fires remain particularly devastating, accounting for the vast majority of civilian fire deaths[4]. In 2023, the national average for residential structure fire casualties was 5.8 deaths and 19.7 injuries per 1,000 fires [51. Washington State Performance Washington State has demonstrated success in fire risk management, performing better than the national average: Metric Washington State National Average All Fire Death Rate 9.1 per million 13.3 per million All Fire Casualty Rate 1.9 deaths per i,000 fires 2.1 per 1,000 fires Residential Fire Death Rate 7.1 per 1,000 fires 5.8 per 1,000 fires Residential Fire Injury Rate. 14.9 per 1,o.00 fires 19.7 per 1,000 fires National Ranking lith lowest in nation Table 2: Washington State vs. National Fire Statistics Washington's strong performance reflects ongoing collaboration among fire agencies across the state in implementing effective risk reduction programs and suppression strategies[6]. ity The Five E's of CommunRisk Reduction Effective CRR programs utilize five integrated intervention strategies: 1. Education: Public fire safety awareness, training, and behavior change initiatives targeting high -risk populations 2. Engineering: Building code development, safety system installation, and infrastructure improvements 3. Enforcement: Code compliance inspections, safety regulations, and accountability mechanisms 4. Emergency Response: Optimized dispatch systems, rapid response protocols, and coordinated emergency services 5. Economic Incentive: Insurance rate adjustments, grant programs, and financial incentives for safety improvements By combining these strategies, communities create a comprehensive, multi -layered approach to risk mitigation[]. The Critical Role of Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms represent one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions in fire safety. Research demonstrates their impact: • Houses without smoke alarms have2-4 fire ignitions for every one ignition in a house with smoke alarms • Each 1% increase in smoke alarm penetration reduces reported fires by more than 2.6% • If smoke alarms were installed in all residences, reported fires could be reduced by 25% or more • Smoke alarms were present in three-quarters (74%) of reported home fires from 2018 to 2022 However, the presence of smoke alarms tells only part of the story. Research shows that nearly 75% of residences where fire fatalities occurred had no operable smoke alarms or had alarms that failed to operate[8]. This highlights the importance of not just distributing alarms, but ensuring they are properly installed, maintained, and functional. Data -Driven Decision Making Modern CRR programs leverage comprehensive data analysis to maximize impact. By examining historical fire incident data, injury statistics, building inspection records, and demographic information, fire agencies identify patterns and prioritize interventions to high - risk areas[g]. This approach ensures: • Targeted Resource Allocation: Prevention efforts are directed to neighborhoods and populations with greatest need 0 Evidence -Based Interventions: Programs are selected based on demonstrated effectiveness rather than assumption • Measurable Outcomes: Success is tracked and programs are continuously refined based on real results • Equitable Protection: Vulnerable populations receive proportional attention and resources • Accountability: Communities can demonstrate tangible progress to leadership and stakeholders The transition to real-time data platforms has significantly improved CRR effectiveness. Historically, fire service data suffered from reporting delays of up to 18 months or longer, making risk assessments dependent on outdated information [io]. Modern systems now provide timely insights that enable dynamic response to emerging community risks. Proven CRR Success Stories Communities across North America have demonstrated the transformative potential of structured CRR programs: • Surrey Fire Service (British Columbia): Reduced fire incidents by 80% over a 12-year period through focused mitigation strategies • Kankakee Fire Department (Illinois): Reduced fires in target focus areas by 40% over several years • Smoke Alarm Intervention Study: A targeted smoke alarm distribution program saw annualized fire -injury rates decline by 80% in the target area during the four years after intervention compared to pre -intervention rates These successes underscore a fundamental principle: strategic investment in prevention produces measurable reductions in fire loss and injury. Evaluation and Continuous Improvement Successful CRR programs incorporate three levels of evaluation: i. Process Evaluation: Tracks implementation of the CRR program, such as the number of smoke alarms installed or safety presentations conducted 2. Impact Evaluation: Analyzes short-term results including behavior changes, adoption of safety codes, and improvements in safety knowledge 3. Outcome Evaluation: Examines long-term results such as reductions in fire - related death and injury rates This multi -level approach allows communities to refine their strategies over time, ensuring resources are always directed toward the most effective interventions[ ill. Conclusion Community Risk Reduction represents a paradigm shift in public safety —from reactive emergency response to proactive risk management. By leveraging data to understand local risks, implementing evidence -based interventions across the Five E's, and continuously evaluating outcomes, communities can significantly reduce the impact of fires and other emergencies on their residents. Washington State's performance above national averages demonstrates that structured, collaborative CRR initiatives work. As communities face increasing emergency demands and resource constraints, the importance of prevention becomes ever more apparent. CRR is not a replacement for emergency response —it is a complement that allows fire departments to focus their limited resources on the emergencies that do occur, while systematically reducing the number that occur in the first place. By investing in Community Risk Reduction today, communities build safer, more resilient futures for tomorrow. References [i] Strategic Fire. (2025, January 17). Leveraging data to drive impactful community risk reduction. Retrieved from hops://strategicfire.org [2] U.S. Fire Administration. Community Risk Reduction. USFAYE1VIA.gov. Retrieved January 2026 L31 St. Albans Fire Department. (2025, January 6). Community Risk Reduction Week 2025. Retrieved from https://stalbansfire.com 141 National Safety Council. (2024, November 20). Fire -related deaths &injuries. Retrieved from https://injuryfacts.nsc.org L51 U.S. Fire Administration. (2023). Washington fire loss and fire department profile. USFA.FEMA.gov [6] Washington State Fire Marshal's Office. (2025, July 3). 2024 Fire in Washington Report. Retrieved from wsp.wa.gov 171 St. Albans Fire Department. (2025, January 6). Community Risk Reduction Week 2025. The Five E's of CRR. Retrieved from https-.//s-talbansfire.com [8] U.S. Fire Administration. (2001, March/December). Smoke alarm performance in residential structure fires. Topical Fire Research Series, 1(15). [9] Strategic Fire. (2025, January 17). Leveraging data to drive impactful community risk reduction. Retrieved from https-.//strategicfire.org [io] Fire Engineering. (2026, January 4). Leveraging data for community risk reduction with NERIS. Retrieved from https-.//,AivNv.fireengineering.com [11] Rural Health Information Hub. (2025, May 14). Fire prevention through community risk reduction. Retrieved from https-.//vv"T%v.ruralheal-thinfo.o-lvg 1/26/26, 9:49 AM Grant County, WA Code of Ordinances Chapter 15.07 - COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION (CRR) Sections: 15.07.010 - Community risk reduction (CRR). National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)1300, standard on community risk assessment and community risk reduction plan development, is a process to identify and prioritize local risks, followed by the integrated and strategic investment of resources to reduce their occurrence and impact. The county fire marshal is responsible for risk assessment and program development to address specific community risk, such as Learn Not to Burn, Senior Citizen Fire Safety, .Juvenile Fire Setter Program, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Fire Sprinkler System awareness. (Ord. No. 23-32-CC, 4-18-2023) about:blank 1/1