(A) Due to the diversity of demographics and density of communities across Frederick County, each authorized Fire, Rescue and Ambulance company will be classified as an urban company, suburban company, or rural company for the purpose of evaluating compliance with minimum response criteria.
(B) The Director of Fire and Rescue Services, in consultation with the Fire and Rescue Advisory Board, shall determine the designation for each authorized volunteer Fire, Rescue and Ambulance company.
(C) Each authorized Fire, Rescue or Ambulance company must meet the following minimum response criteria:
(1) Urban Fire, Rescue or Ambulance companies must respond within 4 minutes from the time of first dispatch for an emergency incident for at least 99% of the dispatches received during each calendar month.
(2) Suburban Fire, Rescue or Ambulance companies must respond within 6 minutes from the time of first dispatch for an emergency incident for at least 90% of the dispatches received during each calendar month.
(3) Rural Fire, Rescue or Ambulance companies must respond within 8 minutes from the time of first dispatch for an emergency incident for at least 80% of the dispatches received during each calendar month.
(D) The County Executive may consider the minimum response criteria separately for weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. The failure of a Fire, Rescue, or Ambulance company to achieve the minimum response criteria established in subsection (C) above during any of the separate time periods (weekdays, weeknights, or weekends) shall constitute a failure to meet these response standards.
(E) The County Executive shall establish procedures to handle a failure to achieve minimum response criteria. Notwithstanding the establishment of these procedures, the county governing body may establish a special taxing district pursuant to § 2-8-6 of the Frederick County Code for any failure to meet the minimum response criteria established in subsections (C) and (D).
(Ord. 89-49-580, 8-15-1989; Ord. 13-01-629, 1-8-2013; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014; Bill No. 16-14, 9-20-2016)