Minutes

California Southern Regional Meeting

November 2, 2002

Laguna Beach City Hall

9:00 AM-Noon

Agenda

I.    Introductions:  David Horne

A.  Opened meeting, discussed the purpose of the meeting, and introduced guests

B.     Regional representation was from the following communities – Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Tuolumne, Idyllwild, Chino Valley, Mountain Rim, Carbon Canyon, Santa Barbara, Ventura, State Farm Insurance, California Department of Forestry, San Diego, Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino, Silverado and Modjeska Canyons, Orange County Fire Department, State Fire Council, Anaheim, Mountain Rim, Monrovia, Pine Grove, Piñon

II.  Welcome:  Ken MacLeod, Fire Chief of Laguna Beach

A. Community Education at the grass roots level is the best means to combat disasters

         1.  Ideas coming from the community bring credibility

      B.   There is a diversity of opinion on important choices between amenities and the risks communities are ready to accept in return, e.g., vegetation, water supply, etc.—there needs to be a balance between the two extremes,

C.  Disasters from extreme weather conditions are beyond any fire department resources—vigilance and community awareness is the only solution to prevent fires during extreme weather conditions.

III. Objectives of this Regional Meeting:  David Horne

A.  The primary focus of this meeting is to understand all concerns other fire safe councils have in this large region, different concerns based on geography, economic issues, etc.

B.   The second part is to build as a group what we can do for the individual fire safe councils, the strategic issues of what is important in the long run, e.g., viability of fire safe councils in this region

C.  The third part is to speak in one voice and work together to come up with a priority list of important issues

      IV. Concerns of Regional Fire Safe Councils:  Carole Zavala, Moderator

A.  The process is to develop a strategic plan

      1.      The first part is to divide into groups of six or seven

                                    ●   determine a facilitator and a note taker for each group

         ●   work together to develop key issues – what are your major issues and concerns, finding that there are similar and different issues

         ●  develop the priority issues for David to take back to the state board,

                                    ●  identify the four or five key concerns, then rank most critical issues confronting you in your area,

2.  The second part is to state what we need from the state,

3.  The third part is to decide what we want to do next, how to stay connected and become a powerful voice

V.               Rank Ordering of the Concerns:

A.  Infrastructure - legal issues, organizational insurance issues, start-up support, sustainability, standardized educational materials, organizational structure, by-laws, sustainability

B.  Creating Regional Organizational Plan - specific to forest issues of abatement, etc., environmental plan

C.  Communication, Interagency Cooperation - all agencies, fire safe councils, related entities (business, government) develop   cooperative approach

D.  Funding - identifying sources, grant identification, writing, compliance, maintaining

E.  Legislative Influence - what can we do/not do

F.  Hazard Reduction - red flag, standard codes, vegetation management, insurance company interface, public as well as private

G.  Education - community/government, Public Service Announcements, year long master calendar, web sites

H.  Homeowners Insurance - big issue, provide assistance to ensure availability

VI.       Consensus of the Priorities of the Concerns:  Carole Zavala

A.  What do you think the top priority should be for my council?

      ●  Hazard Reduction -Public and Private, Funding, Infrastructure

B.   Now, after the additional discussion, what do you think the top priority should be for the Statewide Fire Safe Council?

●  Funding, Infrastructure, Hazard Reduction

VII.     Southern Regional Fire Safe Council Structure

●  December 9 David goes to a planning meeting

●  Continue discussion of local issues with solutions

●  Share ideas/solutions among the less/more financed councils

●  How can we use the internet instead of driving?

●  Regional web site on state-wide web site

VIII.    Southern Regional Fire Safe Council Meeting Schedule

●  Regional meetings—councils take turns hosting meeting

●  Semi annual meetings – necessary for good communication between meetings

●  Next meeting – May, Saturday – central location host

●  Agency personnel appearance

IX.       Other – Forest Health Alliance Concept – Larry Kueneman

Adjourn at 12:15