Contra Costa County Grand Jury • 2023-2024 • Agency Response

A Report of The 2023 – 2024 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury

Published: June 10, 2024 12 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

F1
An opt-out rather than an opt-in system for all cell phone numbers of county residents should increase the percentage of residents receiving accurate and timely information regarding hazardous material releases.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By March 31, 2025, the Board of Supervisors should develop a plan to modify CWS so that it automatically registers all available contact data for all county residents and businesses into CWS and provides a mechanism for residents and businesses to opt out of the automatic registration process.
F2
A Level One incident that may include flaring, fire/smoke/plume, odors, or other conditions that can be observed or sensed by the public off site is not presently reported by CWS to landline telephones or registered cell phones, and the system can be modified to do so.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
By December 31, 2025, the Board of Supervisors should complete the implementation of the plan to modify CWS so that it automatically registers all available contact data for all county residents and businesses into CWS and provides a mechanism for residents and businesses to opt out of the automatic registration process.
F3
Contra Costa Health Services has hired an outside contractor to perform a CUPA fee study which is in draft status and currently not available for inclusion in this report.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors should approve a modification to HMINP giving residents the option to receive awareness messaging from CWS for Level One incidents that can be observed or sensed by the public off site.
F4
One purpose of the new CUPA fee study is to support the request from Contra Costa Health Services for a change in its organizational structure to establish the job classification of Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors should consider approval of the request from Contra Costa Health Services to establish the job classification of Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.
F5
Contra Costa Health Services is in the process of receiving approval from the Board of Supervisors to add three Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialists to its staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors should consider approval of the request from Contra Costa Health Services to add three Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialists to the staff at HazMat.
F6
Placing a toxicologist on retainer would enable Contra Costa Health Services to obtain a toxicology report needed for some hazardous material release incidents without the delay of the current procedure.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisor should consider approval of the retention on retainer of a toxicologist by Contra Costa Health Services.