DATE: July 27, 2004
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Board Conference: Progress Report On Actions Taken To Make The Region Safer Since The October 2003 Wildfires

SUMMARY:
Despite the unthinkable amount of damage and vegetation loss that resulted from the October 2003 wildfires, over two-thirds of San Diego County was left untouched. It is not a matter of if a firestorm will happen again; it is only a matter of when. As we learned first hand during the disaster and in the reports that followed, there was a litany of inadequacies in our emergency response system at the time of the fires.

The question that all of us have struggled with since the fires - how do we prevent this kind of devastation from happening again? It has been eight months since the flames were extinguished and progress has been made on many fronts to make this region better prepared.

Today's action will establish a Board of Supervisors Conference on September 29, 2004 for the purpose of providing agencies the opportunity to report to the public on actions taken to make this region safer from wildfires. Invited to participate will be each local, state, and federal agency that is a part of the collective response to a large-scale wildfire.

Recommendations
CHAIRWOMAN DIANNE JACOB

1. Designate September 29, 2004 as a Board Conference for the purposes of reviewing the progress that has been made to make the region more fire safe since the October 2003 Wildfires.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chair's signature, inviting the appropriate local, state and federal agencies to the Board Conference.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact resulting from these actions.

Background
Despite the unthinkable amount of damage and vegetation loss that resulted from the October 2003 wildfires, over two-thirds of San Diego County was left untouched. It is not a matter of if a firestorm will happen again; it is only a matter of when. As we learned first hand during the disaster and in the reports that followed, there was a litany of inadequacies in our emergency response system at the time of the fires.

The question that all of us have struggled with since the fires - how do we prevent this kind of devastation from happening again? It has been eight months since the flames were extinguished and progress has been made on many fronts to make this region better prepared.

As the governing body for the San Diego region, it is appropriate for the Board of Supervisors to host a Conference to take a candid review of what has been done to better protect lives and property from future wildland fires. Invited to participate will be each local, state, and federal agency that is a part of the collective response to a large-scale wildfire.

Some of the agencies to be invited, in addition to County Departments, will include:

• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• United States Forest Service
• United States Marine Corps
• United States Navy
• Local Fire Protection Agencies
• Sheriff's Department
• State Office of Emergency Services
• State Insurance Commissioner's Office
• U.S. Attorney's Office
• FEMA
• SBA
• Disaster Relief Organizations

Some of the topics that will be discussed:

• Fire Protection Resources
• Communication Systems
• Vegetation Management
• Evacuation and Notification
• Immediate and Long-Term Victim Assistance
• Building Code Requirements

Today's action will establish a Board of Supervisors Conference on September 29, 2004 for the purpose of providing agencies the opportunity to report to the public on actions taken to make this region safer from wildfires. I urge your support.

Respectfully Submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Chairwoman