Ventura County Grand Jury Report Oxnard Harbor District

Recommendations 3

• R1
  That open dialogue between the Oxnard Harbor District and the Ventura County Fire Protection District continue;
• R2
  That an understanding be reached as soon as possible on the chain of command for fighting a fire aboard ship, particularly if the ship is registered under foreign flag;
• R3
  That the cooperative partnership be formalized in a written agreement. County Fire Chief Bob Roper and Bill Buenger, Executive Director of the Oxnard Harbor District agreed to all recommendations as listed. All recommendations were to be concluded by the end of the calendar year. Methodology The 2000-2001 Ventura County Grand Jury, as part of its oversight responsibili- ties, made a protocol visit to the Ventura County Fire Protection District. The visit, on April 16, 2001, was positive and included open dialogue between Chief Roper and members of the Grand Jury. Part of the dialogue addressed the progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the 1999-2000 Ventura County Grand Jury. Findings County Fire Chief Bob Roper gave members of the 2000-2001 Ventura County Grand Jury the impression that implementation of the 1999-2000 recommenda- tions was at an impasse. He seemed concerned and willing to lend any assistance to the 2000-2001 Ventura Country Grand Jury in their endeavor to facilitate open dialogue between the two districts. Members of the 2000-2001 Ventura County Grand Jury met with Bill Buenger on May 4, 2001. He also expressed concern that no progress had occurred, and likewise offered any support necessary. Conclusion The 2000-2001 Ventura County Grand Jury is pleased to report that dialogue between the Fire District and the Harbor District has resumed, and there is now an agreement that has been ratified by the Oxnard Harbor District and 71 Final Report 2000-2001 Ventura County Grand Jury is expected to be ratified by the Fire District Board of Directors on June 5, 2001. The tug mentioned in the 1999-2000 report is presently in operation, and the firefighting specifications requested have been met and, in many cases, exceeded. Recommendations Since the draft of the agreement is quite comprehensive, no further recom- mendations are necessary. Responses Required None 72