Fall 2015

How likely is it that your jurisdiction will change its service delivery arrangement (e.g., provided directly, indirectly via contract, etc.) for fire services in the next 2 years?

To what extent, if any, do you think recent high-profile incidents of police-community violence such as those in Ferguson and Baltimore have lowered the morale of law enforcement officers that serve your jurisdiction?

Thinking about the primary service delivery arrangement in your jurisdiction for fire services, do you think your jurisdiction pays too much, about the right amount, or not enough of the total costs of services provided, or does your jurisdiction not share service delivery for fire services?

To the best of your knowledge, how likely or unlikely is it that the primary law enforcement agency serving your jurisdiction will use the following equipment or practices in the near future, or are they already being used?

e. Citizen notification systems (to alert residents of weather-related or man-made emergencies)

Now, do you think your jurisdiction appropriates too much, about the right amount, or too little funding to meet its ambulance/EMS needs? (Among jurisdictions that reported having enough funding to meet their current ambulance/EMS needs)

Do any of the public safety departments that serve your jurisdiction offset expenses by using cost recovery policies/ordinances (for example, charging for fire runs, hazardous material incidents, police calls, or imposing extra fees on drunken driver or moving vehicle citations, etc.) for law enforcement?

Thinking about fire and medical issues, to what extent, if any, would you say hazardous material incidents are currently (or have recently been) problems in your jurisdiction?

Thinking about law enforcement issues, to what extent, if any, would you say violent crimes (e.g., rape, assault, homicide, etc.) are currently (or have recently been) problems in your jurisdiction?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that people generally feel confident that law enforcement will arrive in time to handle an emergency in your jurisdiction?

In your role as a local official, how satisfied are you with the ambulance/emergency medical services (EMS) provided in your jurisdiction?

Thinking about the primary law enforcement agency that serves your jurisdiction, overall, how would you describe the relationship today between your Board/Council and the law enforcement agency?

To the best of your knowledge, how likely or unlikely is it that the primary law enforcement agency serving your jurisdiction will use the following practices in the near future, or are they already being used?

c. Proactively make agency policies available for public review (e.g., on agency website)

Which public safety unit most often provides an emergency medical response in your jurisdiction?

Recently, there has been national attention on the transfer of military equipment (e.g., body armor, armored vehicles, etc.) to local law enforcement agencies. In general, do you support or oppose local law enforcement agencies having this type of equipment in other communities across the state?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction has enough funding to meet its current fire protection needs?

Some people think that in order to prevent crime, it is important for law enforcement agencies to maximize surveillance, as through the use of dashboard cameras, body cameras, and public surveillance, even if this threatens personal privacy. Others think it is more important to ensure personal privacy, even if that might raise the risk of crime. How do you think the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens feel about the trade-offs between protecting the privacy and ensuring public safety?

In recent years, has your jurisdiction tried to raise local funding for ambulance / EMS through either new or renewed public safety millage(s) or special assessment(s)?

Thinking about any important aspects of the cost recovery policies/ordinances used in your jurisdiction (e.g., cost savings, collection issues, public satisfaction), overall, would you say you have been generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the use of cost recovery for law enforcement? (Among jurisdictions that report using cost recovery policies/ordinances for law enforcement)

Thinking about fire and medical issues, to what extent, if any, would you say distance to the nearest hospital is currently (or has recently been) a problem in your jurisdiction?

Thinking about law enforcement issues, to what extent, if any, would you say public-order offenses (e.g., DUI, weapons violations, disorderly conduct, traffic violations, etc.) are currently (or have recently been) problems in your jurisdiction?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that most people in your jurisdiction trust the law enforcement officers that serve your jurisdiction?

How satisfied do you think the majority of your citizens are with the county sheriff services provided in your jurisdiction?

To the best of your knowledge, how likely or unlikely is it that the primary law enforcement agency serving your jurisdiction will use the following practices in the near future, or are they already being used?

To what extent, if any, would you say that recruitment and/or retention is a problem — either now or recently — for volunteer (including paid-on-call) firefighters in the public safety departments that serve your jurisdiction? (Among jurisdictions reporting that volunteer firefighters serve their jurisdiction)

To the best of your knowledge, how likely or unlikely is it that the primary law enforcement agency serving your jurisdiction will use the following equipment or practices in the near future, or are they already being used?

Now, do you think your jurisdiction appropriates too much, about the right amount, or too little funding to meet its fire protection needs? (Among jurisdictions that reported having enough funding to meet their current fire protection needs)

Thinking about the overall fiscal stress of your jurisdiction today and what you expect it to be down the road - including any future financial obligations it may have - on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the best: perfect fiscal health and 10 is the worst: fiscal crisis, how would you rate your jurisdiction's overall fiscal stress today?

Would you, in your role as a local official, support or oppose your jurisdiction pursuing additional local funding for ambulance/EMS services through either a new millage or special assessment?

Thinking about fire and medical issues, to what extent, if any, would you say wildfires are currently (or have recently been) problems in your jurisdiction?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that most people feel confident that first responders will arrive in time to handle a medical emergency in your jurisdiction?