Minutes

Laguna Fire Safe Council  Meeting 10-27-01

Overview:

Minutes of First Laguna Fire Safe Council Meeting held at City Hall, Laguna Beach, California

The meeting was opened by David Horne – Chair and Founder of the Laguna Fire Safe Council.  The following comments summarize the information provided during the session.  Minutes recorded by facilitator, Carole Zavala of CZ Associates.

Summary Comments

David Horne-Chair and Founder

-Lost his own home in the Mystic Hills area to the fire.

-Laguna residents were faced with the problem of not being able to get fire insurance.

-1994 conversations got insurance companies and  city entities to discuss how city was reducing fire hazards.  The state became involved, and Fire Safe Councils were being formed.  Laguna was one of the first.

-Meeting twice a year helped citizens get insurance

-Bureau of Land Management was given funding to encourage Fire Safe Councils – California is unique with these partnerships, and currently has about 100 of them.

-Fire changed focus in Laguna to keep hazard reduction a priority.

-Grant has made us a more formal entity and allows us to develop projects.

-Objective—to seek regional and other grants to help our region.

-Greater Laguna Coast  emphasis reflects expected expansion beyond city of Laguna Beach—Aliso Viejo—eventually Dana Point and Laguna Niguel

Mark Baker-Battalion Chief, City of Laguna Beach Fire Department

Battalion Chief Baker reviewed the City’s efforts and direct the audience to see the handouts that were distributed.  He noted that:

-We are still in fire season

-Fire Dept. still needs help

-Questions from the audience focused on current regulations, current activities, etc.

1. The new emergency center has power on second floor.

2. Class A Roofs

-Tile

-Concrete, non-combustible materials

-Asphalt Class C—clarify for future meeting what this means.

3. Fuel modification plan for interior slopes includes expanding the Laguna goats program –funding situation.

4. Downside to the goats—trying to control their “speed” through an area can be a challenge.

5. Goats are managed 24 hours a day by contract sheepherders/dogs. 

6. Does city know where swimming pools are located?  Not at this time.  Suggestion -  put a “Bots”  dot in front of homes with pools.

David then discussed the current situation with the Water District

-We now have two reservoirs

-Incorporated fire data into their new master plan

-Pipes to be replaced

-Which water should be used first?

-Modifications to reservoirs = hook-ups fit fire hoses

Dan  Drake- Battalion Chief, Orange County Fire Authority spoke on the County’s current response systems.

-Coordinates major fire resources

-2 helicopters/ water dropping capabilities are available county-wide

-Vegetation  “manager”

-Working with other cities to reduce hazards (San Clemente- vegetation/urban interfaces)

-El Toro /Yorba Linda sites have two bulldozers –one New bulldozer to assist other cities

-5 engines available

-Questions:

1. Two new helicopters used recently were very effective.  Based in Fullerton-“snorkel capabilities” into a pond then hit the fire.

2. Pumps available to utilize pool water

3. Grand Jury suggested a GSI study of pools

4. Is there anything available for homeowners to use the pool water at their homes?  The pool pumps can be used to bring water to water down houses/fires.

5. New reservoir in North Laguna

6. Seed mix debate?

7. If there is a fire in Laguna, how do we get the helicopter?  City fire department requests it, and it is available since we have automatic aid agreements

8. OC plan on brush control is it current?  How is it enforceable?

John Fox:  Emerald Bay spoke about the volunteer emergency group that has been formed and how it works.

-Focus on 4 areas in fire control

-Questions related to:

1. Fuel management plan- requires a 300 ft. wide area around us.  Had to negotiate with several groups – County, Irvine Co., City.

2. Internal Program—managing common area landscaping and fire “ladders”

3. Management of private property in coordination with county –all new contracts.  Increased numbers of fire hydrants

4. Emergency Preparedness Group—operations, Commission, medical support.  12 zone leaders and  assistants.  For quick organization, we use walkie-talkie radios, person to person contact.

5. Tried out system recently, and it was very successful , but there is still much to do.

Questions:

-Volunteer Emerald Bay Fire department?  Yes, very dedicated

-Radio system?  Signed frequencies-using Motorola walkie talkies—a weak spot –we have 2 frequencies-radios are kept in one place/security distributes them.

-160 acres, 550 homes

-How strictly is landscaping restricted for fuel management? Very, and includes wildlife protection.

-Are your district leaders involved in evacuation?  Yes.  Primary focus is communication.  We Are not fighting fires.  Used for earthquake emergency also.  Took two years to organize. 

Pat Freeman- Allstate Insurance Co. –Citizen of Laguna Beach gave information on insurance-related issues and the current situation:

-Potential for fires is still great here

-Allstate paid $1,500,000 per loss/replacement in 1993

-Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, Chubb are among the 10 insurance companies who still insure here.

-Laguna has done an excellent job

-If an owner needs 300 ft clearance for protection or to get insurance, and doesn’t have 300 ft., what can they do?

-Is there a benefit to have insurance company send a letter to people with dead vegetation? NO

-Letter to the editor about the problems with eucalyptus –there was some prolonged discussion about the danger of eucalyptus trees and the reluctance of homeowners to get rid of them!

-The fire council can do some of these projects

Bryan Zollner: Deputy Chief/Public Education – The Resources Agency – Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.  Bryan presented a power point presentation that outlined current challenges as well as programs related to fire protections

-The City council is more effectively influenced by a group rather than as individuals.

- “The common voice” is the Fire Safe council

-Key Point: As development and population increase, cost of fire suppression, damage and loss is proportionally larger than overall loss in actual acreage.

-Collaboration is essential

-State wide public Education is the key as well as

-Importance of individual responsibility

-Fire Plan Framework

1. Committee

2. Assess risks

3. Prioritize/Implement Projects -we must be partners in prevention

·-Funds are available for these projects

-Communication is essential

-Government can’t do it alone

-Partnerships are essential

-Individual  response

-Funding

Comments/Questions:

-“Thinning of forests is an economic issue—it’s cheaper to take an entire forest.”

-There are very few places in California where we can allow a natural fire because of population/density.

-Next step is to formalize organizational/structure (see agenda)

-Money for projects

-Pool identification study is a good example of a project.

Ideas

The following topics/issues were suggested as possible projects for the Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council to pursue:

-Fuel “seed mix” issues – we need information on what is appropriate for each area in Laguna.

-Examine County directions on controlling what works for Laguna.

-Confusing information comes from government agencies related to fines for hazardous areas around homes- the Nyes Place problems were brought up. endangered. 

-A procedure for a homeowner to notify authorities about a high risk area

-Need to educate ourselves about entities that are involved in fire safety/ resources

-Use grant money to do fuel modification on our own property

-Consider using grant money with homeowner  associations as partners, such as a with a “chipping” program.

-Silverado Canyon can share ideas with our group

-Swimming pools study/marking

-Publicize what we are doing with non traditional sources such as churches

-Web site/communications to get the word out

-Involve Boy Scouts and high schools students as volunteers

-Form guidelines for local neighborhoods

-Relation to fuel management/erosion, floods, etc.

-Information clearing house

-Red tag by Fire Department needs to be done when brush is too close to homes

-Pre-fire assessments need to be categorized/also post-fire issues take all risk assessment

-Bi-lingual publications about fire hazards/prevention

-Adopt a government program

NEXT STEPS:  Next meeting is to be held on Saturday, November 10, 2001 –at City Hall – 11:15 a.m. –1:15 p.m. – The group will begin to draft a strategic plan with ideas for future projects.