Score: -1 (0/8/1)

Sonoma County Grand Jury • 2012-2013

Weathering a Disaster

Published: June 26, 2013 5 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 10 findings

The County Road System is underfunded.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Board of Supervisors provide a continuing protected source of revenue to improve and maintain the deteriorating County Road System.

Some rural roads have deteriorated to a crisis condition, which could delay response time in case of a disaster. 19

Related Recommendations (1)

The Board of Supervisors provide a continuing protected source of revenue to improve and maintain the deteriorating County Road System.

Short-term and long-term solutions to the road crisis require collaboration among County residents, businesses, and elected officials.

No recommendations for this finding

The County has developed an organized disaster response plan.

No recommendations for this finding

The Telephone Emergency Notification System is vital for public notification.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Fire and Emergency Services Department monitor the progress of the Telephone Emergency Notification System and devote resources to inform the public of the activation and benefit of the system.

Public disaster education and preparedness are essential to minimize risks and increase the chances of weathering a catastrophe.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Department of Health Services update the “Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness” and continue to maintain it with current information.

The County lacks an outreach program to educate the residents of the need to prepare for the aftermath of a disaster in rural areas.

Related Recommendations (2)

The Fire and Emergency Services Department work with the Board of Supervisors to create and continually fund a position dedicated to outreach education and disaster preparation of residents.

The Fire and Emergency Services Department develop a program to distribute the “Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness,” particularly to rural residents.

Trained volunteers are a critical component in providing service at the time of an emergency.

No recommendations for this finding

There is no single County agency taking responsibility for public disaster preparedness training.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Fire and Emergency Services Department work with the Board of Supervisors to create and continually fund a position dedicated to outreach education and disaster preparation of residents.

F10

There is a lack of funds to support training programs to help residents prepare for a disaster.

No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 3

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

Board of Supervisors

January 09, 2014 • 2 pages • 5 responses • Score: -1 (+0, 4, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

The Board of Supervisors provide a continuing protected source of revenue to improve and maintain the deteriorating County Road System.

Response: Implemented

Scheduled: FY 2011-2012 Score: 0

Recommendation has been implemented. Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2001-2002, annually the Board of Supervisors has allocated an average of $7.4 million in ongoing General Fund Revenues. The lowest allocation during that time period was in FY 2011-2012, when the General Fund contribution was reduced to $5.3 million, as a result of extreme countywide budget reductions. In both FY 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 the Board allocated $7.5 million in ongoing General Fund support, as well as contributing an additional $8 million from other one-time sources to provide road maintenance and pavement preservation acti...

The Fire and Emergency Services Department monitor the progress of the Telephone Emergency Notification System and devote resources to inform the public of the activation and benefit of the system.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Recommendation has been implemented. With the support of the Board of Supervisors, the Fire & Emergency Services Department, Sheriff's Office and Information Systems Department is working to install, test and implement a more robust and capable Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS). The Board recently approved a cost sharing and usage agreement with the City of Santa Rosa that allowed for a 33% increase in the TENS dialing capacity. Department staff monitor the system and dedicate a portion of their time to inform the public about the system. R3. The Fire and Emergency Services Depart...

The Fire and Emergency Services Department work with the Board of Supervisors to create and continually fund a position dedicated to outreach education and disaster preparation of residents.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Recommendation has been implemented. The Board of Supervisors believes that the Fire and Emergency Services Department has sufficient staff to respond to requests for public outreach and education on disaster preparedness. There are three staff members who have outreach included in their job duties and the responsibilities are shared among the staff. R4. The Department of Health Services update the "Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness" and continue to maintain it with current information. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. The paper version of the "Pocket Guide to Emergency...

The Department of Health Services update the “Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness” and continue to maintain it with current information.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

The recommendation has been implemented. The paper version of the "Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness" is updated periodically with current information, as additional copies are printed. The Board of Supervisors encourages those who are not familiar with this useful guide to request a copy by calling 707-565-1152 or print an updated version from the Health Services website http://www.sonomacounty.org/health/topics/pdf/ep_guide.pdf R5. The Fire and Emergency Services Department develop a program to distribute the "Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness," particularly to rural residents. Res...

The Fire and Emergency Services Department develop a program to distribute the “Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness,” particularly to rural residents.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

Recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The Guide is widely available to the public as it is available at County offices, through the rural fire districts and volunteer fire companies, and on line. Also, Health Services and Fire and Emergency Services departments have made available the pocket guide by request to any individuals, community groups or organizations that wish to use or distribute them, regardless of their location within the County.

Board of Supervisors

February 26, 2013 • 1 pages • 3 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 3, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

The Board of Supervisors provide a continuing protected source of revenue to improve and maintain the deteriorating County Road System.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented. The Board of Supervisors uses multiple technologies to communicate its meetings, hearings, discussions, presentations and votes. Additionally, the County through the Department of Health Services will continue to consider additional avenues to communicate about future public meetings, including utility bill inserts where appropriate, bilingual notices and social media which the Board wholly supports. Recommendation R-2: With respect to fluoridation, the Board of Supervisors make impartial decisions based on the best evidence available, allowing for bot...

The Fire and Emergency Services Department monitor the progress of the Telephone Emergency Notification System and devote resources to inform the public of the activation and benefit of the system.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented. The Board of Supervisors has to date on all items relating to fluoridation made impartial decisions using the best evidence available and has allowed for all viewpoints to be heard and will continue to do so in the future. Recommendation R-3: The Board of Supervisors communicate to the public how fluoridation would be funded prior to a final vote. Board of Supervisors' Response: This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented when cost information has been evaluated and presented and options for funding have been vetted. The B...

The Fire and Emergency Services Department work with the Board of Supervisors to create and continually fund a position dedicated to outreach education and disaster preparation of residents.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

August 21, 2013 • 1 pages • 1 response • Score: 0 (+0, 1, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

1 response to findings and recommendations

The Department of Health Services update the “Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness” and continue to maintain it with current information.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Recommendation has been implemented. The paper version of the "Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness" is updated periodically with current information and additional copies are made available. The Board of Supervisors encourages those who are not familiar with this useful guide to request a copy by calling 707-565-1152 or print an updated version from the Health Services website at http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/topics/communitypreparedness.asp. Dendaci Signed: Rita Scardaci, PHN, MPH, Director Sonoma County Department of Health Date: August 21, 2013 3313 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, CA 954...

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

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