6 responses to findings and recommendations
F01
FPDs should expect to require increased resources to effectively prevent and respond to wildfires in the unincorporated areas given rising costs of personnel, construction, and equipment. Fact: Since 2008 SDCF has consolidated operational responsibility for fire services from multiple FPDs into what is currently known as the SDCFPD.51
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The County of San Diego agrees with this finding for itself but cannot respond on behalf of other agencies. The County of San Diego increased resources to County Fire in the Recommended Operational Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-27 to respond to wildfires in the unincorporated areas.
F02
Consolidation has improved response times, upgraded equipment, augmented staff, and in other ways improved fire prevention and response across SDCFPD's area of responsibility. Fact: Not all FPDs have the same standards for defensible space and controlled burn permits. 52
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The County of San Diego agrees with this finding.
R2
Lead an effort with current FPDs to standardize defensible space requirements and controlled burn permitting across the unincorporated areas
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
This recommendation requires further analysis. The County of San Diego cannot respond on behalf of other agencies. Every three years the San Diego County Consolidated Fire Code is updated. To promote consistency across the unincorporated area, San Diego County Fire leads recurring meetings of fire protection district fire marshals to minimize fire code differences between agencies. In 2025, San Diego County Fire will explore this recommendation with the fire marshals, but it will be up to each independent fire protection district to take action. Recommendation R3: Increase cooperation with FPD...
F03
Uniform defensible space and burn permit codes contribute to fire prevention efforts across unincorporated San Diego County. Fact: In response to Board of Supervisors' concern, SDCF has designated one SDCFPD official to help homeowners access the Wildfire Prepared Home program53
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The County of San Diego agrees with this finding for itself but cannot respond on behalf of other agencies.
R3
Increase cooperation with FPDs (and their respective fire safety councils) to maximize opportunities for homeowners and communities to meet wildfire hardening standards, receive home inspections, and enhance access to fire insurance REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Penal Code §933(c) requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations per...
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
This recommendation requires further analysis. The County of San Diego cannot respond on behalf of other agencies, including the California Department of Insurance, which has jurisdiction over access to fire insurance. In 2025, San Diego County Fire will engage with independent fire protection districts on opportunities to increase home hardening standards and home inspections, but it will be up to each independent fire protection district to take action.
F04
Homeowner participation in the Firewise, Fire Risk Reduction Community and potentially the Wildfire Prepared Home program enhance community fire safety and improve potential access to fire insurance.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The County of San Diego agrees with the finding that these initiatives enhance community fire safety, but the County cannot respond on behalf of the California Department of Insurance, which has jurisdiction over access to fire insurance.
ATTACHMENT A RECOMMENDATIONS The 2024-2025 San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that San Diego County Fire: Recommendation R1: Explore consolidation of additional willing FPDs to improve overall efficiency and community safety Response: This recommendation requires further analysis. The County of San Diego cannot respond on behalf of other agencies. Consol...
