Tangipahoa Parish Fire District 2 approves $74,995 fire and EMS master plan study

Tangipahoa Parish Rural Fire District 2 approved hiring Fitch & Associates to produce a fire and EMS master plan study for $74,995 during a special meeting.

Board members said the study will examine emergency runs, station locations, staffing and equipment and produce recommendations that could inform requests for additional revenue. A presenter said the district will provide one representative from each department to work with the consultant to set a work plan and scope.

The board discussed the purpose of the study: to identify where coverage or funding is lacking and to quantify needs for planning or potential voter measures. Members noted the value of an outside assessment rather than relying solely on internal estimates; the board cited a recent St. Martin Parish assessment as a local example of how consultants identified ‘hot spots’ for additional apparatus or personnel.

Mr. Wells moved to approve hiring Fitch & Associates; Mr. Joseph seconded. The board then conducted a roll-call vote and approved the contract (roll-call responses in the transcript indicated unanimous support among those voting). The meeting record shows the vote was taken by individual roll call.

The study’s scope, as described to the board, includes analysis of dispatching, run volume, station siting, manpower levels, equipment inventories and insurance-cost implications; it is intended to create a baseline assessment that could be used to justify future funding requests to voters if needed. The board noted the study may also highlight opportunities to reduce equipment lists and lower insurance costs.

Next steps: the district will finalize the consultant work plan and identify department representatives who will participate in the study.