Minutes

Laguna Fire Safe Council Minutes Summary -12/6/01

January 3, 2002

1.      Progress announcements –presented by David Horne, Chair

-Received check from Sacramento. Regional Assoc. to fund project

-Paid bills

-Balance is in an interest earning account

-Continue contacts with interested participants via e-mail

-We have had several good ideas from the group for projects

-Need assistance with formalizing our non-profit setup (Volunteer Center of OC, OC Bar association suggested as possible sources for assistance)

-There are models of our type of organization in the State that we can use

-There are regional meetings to share ideas and projects

-Most projects, in other areas, are very specific to prevention since most haven’t experienced a fire

-We have a handbook to describe our organization and what we do.  We need to make copies for distribution

-Our website is- firesafecouncil.org

-We will be creating our own website

-We need to circulate website/handbook information to everyone in the area

-Insurance is a crucial issue to communicate with the public and the companies.

2.      Presentation of two Project ideas

Project # 1.  Red Flag Fire Patrol-Pat Cooper:  

Volunteers  act as fire lookouts on extremely high-risk days.  Would be alerted by Fire Dept. when needed.  Work with the Fire Dept. to select sites where volunteers would be stationed to be most effective in giving early warning, especially in high-risk areas.  Early detection could result in prompt and effective initial attack by Fire Dept.  High profile would discourage potential arsonists.  Expenses would include: T-shirts or vests, photo id, magnetic sign for car, flag for car, cell phones or two-way radios.

-Chief Reed stated that he has used fire personnel and equipment in a similar fashion.

-This system serves primarily as a deterrent

-Weather service provides information and alerts station

-Fire Dept. has this type of project in various areas.  These are paid professional firefighters (5-10 patrols on high-risk days)

-Fire Dept. can identify high risk areas, and then could send volunteers to that area

-Fire dept. could provide training to volunteers

-Need to clearly identify objectives and identify areas to be patrolled

-We have a unique situation in Laguna in terms of the interface with Crystal Cove, Aliso Canyon

-Only had two days of high risk this year

-We have several days notice before a high risk day from a contracted weather service through the Fire Service

-Cell phones would be the best way of communicating with other volunteers and the Fire Dept.

-Aerial observation is used to track changes in vegetation, but not on a regular basis.

-NASA has a similar (aerial observation) project for long term analysis.

-Use aerial observation in conjunction with weather reports to determine highest risk areas on a given day.  Various programs are in the works to analyze aerial information

-Our fire patrols are in traditional geographic areas (Fremont Canyon, Ortega)

Initial Steps:

-Provide information on current programs county wide

-Coordinate with Laguna Fire Dept. for phone contacts

-Contact CDF to discuss project

-Pat to help coordinate

-Need to clearly define where volunteers would be doing observations—no off road work

-“Canyon Watch” – could be the name of the project

-Post signs in canyon to let people know the area is being patrolled

Project #2.  Monitoring of Low Fuel Planting: 

The objective is to monitor what is happening with the low fuel plantings at the new reservoir in the north end of town, and then set up two or three other smaller areas where this same/similar seed mix could be tried in other parts of town.  The seed mix used at the reservoir was a standard one for open space, minus some plants.   The OCFD JPA felt there would have too much fuel for areas adjacent to residential areas.  The water district has temporary irrigation systems in the area of the reservoir, and will probably be taking the pipes out within the next year in those areas that were fully re-established.

Possible steps to take:

-Determine success of erosion prevention

-Begin with a literature review (UC Davis)

-Hire a botanist

-Contact the CDF

-Contact the CFA

-Specialist already working with the Fire Safe Council

-Contact Dr. Bill Roley –local expert of these issues.

-Possibly have a student do a dissertation on the issue

-Use this information as an appendix to the handbook

The committee felt that this project has already been done elsewhere, and that we should gather useful information to be shared, but that it wouldn’t necessarily be an “ideal” first project.

Find a building to make fire-safe:

-Several issues with liability were discussed as problems with this project.

Additional Topics:

-Call City for information about how to make your house fire safe

-The council could serve as an agency to come out to people’s homes, and tell them what they need to do to make their homes fire safe.

-Create a checklist to publish in  local paper telling residents what they need to do to make their homes fire safe

Suggestions/Next Steps: 

-The committee stated that the “Red Flag” project seemed to be the best potential “first” project for the Council.

-Consider a project whereby the council’s processes produce an example of the council’s “good work” i.e., “My house has been made fire safe by Laguna Fire Council.”

-Use the media to our advantage to let the public know our purpose, value and what we are doing.

-Work with the Canyon Foundation to coordinate/expand our efforts.

-Warren Cleary to begin investigation on insurance issues

Next Meeting:  January 26,2002

10-11:30am at City Hall