Madera County Grand Jury • 2010-2011

…. it was not a good time for them to fund any increased staffing

Published: October 13, 2010 4 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F1
Add one Operator and one Firefighter to Station #8
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Add two On-Duty Firefighters to Station #8
No recommendations for this finding
F3
During the winter months, the County could staff the CAL FIRE Coarsegold station with two positions. This would directly help Station #8 due to the proximity of CAL FIRE Coarsegold to the Casino. From May through October, CAL FIRE staffs both engines at Coarsegold at four person staffing levels. The Fire Captain indicated that they do have support from several sources, specifically, volunteers from Yosemite Lakes Park Fire Station #10, Coarsegold Fire Station #13, and CAL FIRE Coarsegold located at 34555 Highway 41, Coarsegold, CA. Winter responsibilities of Station #8 are expanded due to the Amador program, which designates station closure during non-fire season. Originally the Amador program affects four CAL FIRE stations in this area: Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Rancheria, and Raymond. These designated stations close from November through April of each year. Public evacuation drills at the Casino have been lax due to logistics and financial considerations. Staff evacuation drills are conducted on a yearly basis. The Casino takes the lead. Personnel from Station #8 are present. Written emergency preparedness/ evacuation expectations were not available. The Division Chief reported preventative pre-planning has been done to ensure the safety of patrons and personnel. Firefighting gear and equipment have been placed at various levels of the building, and state-of-the-art materials and construction methods have been incorporated. Staff living quarters at Station #8 have not been connected to the existing emergency power supply. This issue was noted in the Grand Jury Final Report for 2009 – 2010. Connection costs are estimated to be less than $2,000. There is no response to this
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The staff living quarters at Station #8 should be connected to the emergency power system. This is a repeat recommendation from the 2009-2010 Grand Jury Final Report, which to date has not been responded to by the Board of Supervisors as required by law.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
A clear emergency preparedness plan should be posted.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The County should fund CAL FIRE Station located at 34555 Highway 41 to remain in operation on a year-round basis.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The MOU between the County of Madera and the Tribe needs to be re-negotiated to reflect realistic staffing needs, vehicle replacement needs, and comprehensive emergency preparedness planning. Respondent: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West Fourth Street Madera, CA 93637 Respondents: Response Optional Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians Chairperson 46575 Road 417 Coarsegold, CA 93614 Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Manager 46575 Road 417 Coarsegold, CA 93614 Madera County Fire Chief 14225 Road 28 Madera, CA 93638 CAL FIRE State Fire Marshall P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The staff living quarters at Station #8 should be connected to the emergency power system. This is a repeat recommendation from the 2009-2010 Grand Jury Final Report, which to date has not been responded to by the Board of Supervisors as required by law.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
A clear emergency preparedness plan should be posted.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The County should fund CAL FIRE Station located at 34555 Highway 41 to remain in operation on a year-round basis.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The MOU between the County of Madera and the Tribe needs to be re-negotiated to reflect realistic staffing needs, vehicle replacement needs, and comprehensive emergency preparedness planning. Respondent: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West Fourth Street Madera, CA 93637 Respondents: Response Optional Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians Chairperson 46575 Road 417 Coarsegold, CA 93614 Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Manager 46575 Road 417 Coarsegold, CA 93614 Madera County Fire Chief 14225 Road 28 Madera, CA 93638 CAL FIRE State Fire Marshall P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
No recommendations for this finding

Conclusions 4

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.