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Cocoa adopts five-year strategic plan for fire rescue after review by national experts
Summary
The Cocoa City Council unanimously adopted a five-year strategic plan for Cocoa Fire Rescue developed with the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The plan sets four goals including training, recruitment and wellness and outlines a five-year implementation roadmap.
The Cocoa City Council unanimously adopted a five-year strategic plan for Cocoa Fire Rescue on April 22, following a presentation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
The plan, presented by Brian Dean, technical advisor for the Center for Public Safety Excellence, lays out a new mission, values and four strategic goals the department will pursue over five years. Dean told the council the plan was created after community stakeholder input and three days of facilitated work with department leadership and firefighters.
"Dedicated professionals protecting the community from all hazards with service above self," Dean read as the department's new mission statement. He summarized the plan's four goals as: 1) create a formalized, consistent training system; 2) foster a work environment that improves recruitment and retention; 3) improve work efficiency and employee wellness; and 4) align service delivery and staffing to future community needs.
Chief Lamb and several Cocoa Fire personnel and community stakeholders participated in the planning process, Dean said, and the plan includes specific goals, objectives and task assignments intended to guide implementation. Chief Lamb told the council the plan is the department's first professionally produced strategic roadmap and will help the city maintain service quality.
Councilman Holmes moved to adopt the plan and Deputy Mayor Weeks seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously to approve the plan.
The plan's adoption triggers implementation work by the fire department and city staff; Dean and the Center for Public Safety Excellence offered continued technical assistance. Council discussion focused on supporting recruitment and addressing firefighter mental and physical health as part of the plan's execution.
The council did not approve budget allocations as part of the adoption; any financial commitments for implementation will be considered in future budget or staffing decisions.
Cocoa Fire Rescue will return to the council with implementation updates and staff will identify any required budget or policy changes needed to meet the plan's objectives.
