Ventura County Grand Jury • 2022-2023

Water Availability for Wildfires in Ventura County

Published: June 12, 2023 22 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 14 findings

F01
The Grand Jury finds that an adequate supply of water is essential for successful suppression of wildfires. (SF-01, SF-02, SF-03, SF-04)
No recommendations for this finding
F02
The Grand Jury finds that the limited number of Fire Weather Watch (FWW) advisories amplifies the importance of establishing written procedures, protocols and training. (SF-01, SF-05, SF-07, SF-10)
No recommendations for this finding
F03
The Grand Jury finds that written procedures for actions taken by water purveyors during a Fire Weather Watch event is a best practice that is lacking in Ventura County. (SF-01, SF-05, SF-07, SF-10)
No recommendations for this finding
F04
The Grand Jury finds that the limited number of Red Flag Warning (RFW) events amplifies the importance of establishing written procedures, protocols, and training. (SF-01, SF-06, SF-07, SF-10) 6 Water Availability for Wildfires in Ventura County
No recommendations for this finding
F05
The Grand Jury finds that written procedures for actions taken by water purveyors during a Red Flag Warning event is a best practice that is lacking in Ventura County. (SF-01, SF-06, SF-07, SF-10)
No recommendations for this finding
F06
The Grand Jury finds that written procedures for actions taken by water purveyors during an active fire event is a best practice that is lacking in Ventura County. (SF-01, SF-08, SF-10)
No recommendations for this finding
F07
The Grand Jury finds that written procedures for actions taken by water purveyors during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events is a best practice that is lacking in Ventura County. (SF-01, SF-09, SF-10)
No recommendations for this finding
F08
The Grand Jury finds that backup power to critical infrastructure is not always available. (SF-01, SF-11)
No recommendations for this finding
F09
The Grand Jury finds that SCADA systems are not equipped with backup power in all instances. (SF-01, SF-12)
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Grand Jury finds that inadequate communication between adjoining water purveyors limits the ability to coordinate needed actions such as available water transfers. (SF-13, SF-14)
Related Recommendations (1)
R03
The Grand Jury recommends that water purveyors establish common communication protocols with adjoining water purveyors to coordinate needed actions, including water transfers during active fires. (F-10)
F11
The Grand Jury finds that notification to water purveyors of FWWs and RFWs is inconsistent due to out-of-date contact lists. (SF-13, SF-15)
Related Recommendations (1)
R04
The Grand Jury recommends that Ventura County Sheriff’s OES develop a current contact list of water purveyors, updated at least once a year. (F-11)
F12
The Grand Jury finds that enrolling in GETS and WPS would allow Ventura County water purveyors priority access to landline and cellular telephone networks in emergency situations. (SF-16, SF-17)
Related Recommendations (2)
R05
The Grand Jury recommends that water purveyors enroll their employees in the FCC Wireless Priority Service (WPS) providing cell phone priority in emergencies. (F-12)
R06
The Grand Jury recommends that water purveyors enroll in the Government Emergency Telecommunications System (GETS) providing landline phone priority in emergencies. (F-12)
F13
The Grand Jury finds that enrolling in CalWARN would allow Ventura County water purveyors access to statewide resources. (SF-18)
Related Recommendations (1)
R07
The Grand Jury recommends that all water purveyors enroll in CalWARN, a network of water and wastewater agencies that can provide emergency resources. (F-13)
F14
The Grand Jury finds that Ventura County Fire Code section 4907.8 regarding brush clearance around water tanks, water supply pumps, pump houses and related infrastructure applies to all rural and unincorporated communities, and all cities except Fillmore, Oxnard and Ventura. (SF-19, SF-20, SF-21) Water Availability for Wildfires in Ventura County 7 RECOMMENDATIONS
Related Recommendations (2)
R08
The Grand Jury recommends that all water purveyors provide brush clearance around water tanks, water supply pumps, pump houses and related infrastructure. (F-14)
R09
The Grand Jury recommends that Ventura City Fire Department, Oxnard Fire Department and Fillmore Fire Department adopt the Ventura County standard for brush clearance around water tanks, water supply pumps, pump houses and related infrastructure. (F- 14) 8 Water Availability for Wildfires in Ventura County RESPONSES Responses required from: The following elected officer : Ventura County Sheriff (F-11, R-04) The following governing bodies : Camrosa Water District, Board of Directors (F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, F-06, F- 07, F-08, F-09, F-10, F-12, F-13, F-14, R-01, R-02, R-03, R-05, R-06, R-07, R-08) Casitas Municipal Water District, Board of Directors (F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, F- 06, F-07, F-08, F-09, F-10, F-12, F-13, F-14, R-01, R-02, R-03, R-05, R-06, R-07,

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.