DATE: January 29, 2008
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Strengthening the Region’s Fire Protection System
SUMMARY:
The horrific October 2003 and 2007 firestorms demonstrated the devastating impact a backcountry fire can have on the entire region. Although the response and level of coordination in 2007 was at an all-time high, there is no question that more can be done to better protect lives and property. While there has been a great deal of progress in improving fire protection and emergency services for more than four years, it is critical that our momentum continues to move forward.
On December 3, 2007, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) made a pivotal decision on an effort that first began with a 1999 fire funding study and included a Municipal Services Review, a Macro Report, a Micro Report and a ballot measure supported by over 81% of unincorporated area voters. The LAFCO action approved the Phase 1 reorganization proposal, which affects 13 fire agencies, 28 fire stations and over half of the geographic territory of the County (1.4 million acres). The Commission also directed the LAFCO Executive Officer to transmit the Phase 1 proposal and the testimony provided at the December 3, 2007 LAFCO meeting to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration.
Today’s action receives the Phase 1 proposal and directs the Chief Administrative Officer to evaluate the Phase 1 reorganization plan and the input provided at the December 3, 2007 LAFCO meeting while taking into consideration the County Fire Enhancement Program and the fire protection service being provided by state, local career, and local volunteer fire agencies, and provide a report back to the Board within 120 days with recommendations.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Chairman Greg Cox and Vice Chairwoman Dianne Jacob
- Receive the LAFCO Phase 1 reorganization proposal and the additional information shared at the December 3, 2007 LAFCO meeting.
- Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to evaluate the Phase 1 reorganization plan and the input provided at the December 3, 2007 LAFCO meeting while taking into consideration the County Fire Enhancement Program and the fire protection service being provided by state, local career, and local volunteer fire agencies, and report back to the Board within 120 days with recommendations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this recommendation.
BACKGROUND:
Whether it is a car accident on a backcountry highway or a raging inferno that engulfs hundreds of thousands of acres, our fire and emergency medical services system is only as strong as its weakest link. Considering that approximately 940,000 acres of unincorporated territory currently is not served by a formal fire protection agency and about another 700,000 acres is served by fire protection agencies that rely mostly on volunteers, the gaps that exist in our system impact how quickly agencies can respond to both life saving medical calls and the first signs of a fire in the wildland area.
The horrific October 2003 and 2007 firestorms demonstrated the devastating impact a backcountry fire can have on the entire region. Although the response and level of coordination in 2007 was at an all-time high, there is no question that more can be done to better protect lives and property. While there has been a great deal of progress in improving fire protection and emergency services for more than four years, it is critical that our momentum continues to move forward.
On December 3, 2007, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) made a pivotal decision on an effort that first began with a 1999 fire funding study and included a Municipal Services Review, a Macro Report, a Micro Report and a ballot measure supported by over 81% of unincorporated area voters. The LAFCO action approved the Phase 1 reorganization proposal, which affects 13 fire agencies, 28 fire stations and over half of the geographic territory of the County (1.4 million acres). The Commission also directed the LAFCO Executive Officer to transmit the Phase 1 proposal and the testimony provided at the December 3, 2007 LAFCO meeting to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration.
Since 2003, the County has invested almost $120 million into improving fire protection and emergency services. Part of this investment is the County fire program, which contributes $8.5 million annually to the fire protection and emergency medical service needs of the unincorporated area. A significant amount of the area included in the County fire program is also a part of the LAFCO Phase 1 area. In addition, there are 18 Cal Fire stations and 14 U.S. Forest Service stations that also provide service to this territory. The question is – how do we bring all of these pieces together and come up with a system that better serves the region? The LAFCO plan deserves consideration and while the service level in the plan may be the ultimate goal for this territory, there may be a more cost effective step in working toward this goal. Improving and reorganizing fire protection and emergency medical services in this area should move forward and it can with a coordinated plan which would include local, state and federal fire agencies.
Reorganizing fire agencies and providing them with additional resources offers clear benefits. Reducing the number of agencies from 13 to 1 provides a centralized command and control of the deployment of resources, vegetation management, inspections, purchasing of equipment, communications, dispatch and training, to name a few. It also reduces bureaucracy, eliminates duplication of services and creates a higher level of efficiency in operations.
Today’s action receives the Phase 1 proposal and directs the Chief Administrative Officer to evaluate the Phase 1 reorganization plan and the input provided at the December 3, 2007 LAFCO meeting while taking into consideration the County Fire Enhancement Program and the fire protection service being provided by state, local career, and local volunteer fire agencies, and provide a report back to the Board within 120 days with recommendations. We urge your support.
Respectfully submitted,
GREG COX
Chairman
DIANNE JACOB
Vice Chairwoman
