Score: +16 (47/22/31)
Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

Mendocino County Emergency Services An Update March 28, 2012

Published: March 28, 2012 6 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 22 findings

F1
At the time of this report, the OES Coordinator primarily works alone. Currently, an intern provides occasional assistance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The BOS approve a full time assistant position to the Office of Emergency Service Coordinator. (Findings 1-2)
F2
The OES Coordinator has other assigned duties, including being a member of the MCSO Search and Rescue Team, Mutual Aid Coordinator and as Communications Leader.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The BOS approve a full time assistant position to the Office of Emergency Service Coordinator. (Findings 1-2)
F3
The OES Coordinator is pro-active in providing information concerning OES. He has arranged with all five county radio stations to broadcast public service messages in regards to emergency services. On March 12, 2012, the OES 3 Coordinator spoke before the BOS to promote tsunami awareness. The BOS named the week of March 25-31, 2012 as “Tsunami Preparedness Week”.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The OES Coordinator has proven proficient in grant writing. Currently, the County has secured four grants totaling approximately $400,000 a year.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The EOC was not used during the March 2011 tsunami surge in which Noyo Harbor suffered substantial pier damage.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Utilize the Emergency Operations Center during any emergency. (Finding 5- 6)
F6
California National Guard personnel effectively utilized the EOC as a Command-and-Control Center during “Operation Full Court Press”, a three- week long multi-agency marijuana operation during the months of July and August 2011.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Utilize the Emergency Operations Center during any emergency. (Finding 5- 6)
F7
The GJ learned that the telephone emergency warning system, “Reverse 911”, has proven to be effective in emergencies. In 2011, the County paid $35,000 to contract for this service. There are plans to submit a formal Request for Proposal for this service beginning 2013-2014.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The “Gang of Five” authorized individual agency funding for a year to purchase the HAZMAT vehicle. The HAZMAT team is comprised of personnel from County fire agencies and various state agencies (CalFire/Cal Trans/CHP). REHIT operates on an annual grant funding of $278,000.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
REHIT responded to 22 incidents in 2011 and 6 incidents during the first quarter of 2012.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Meth lab cleanup transportation costs will no longer be financed by the state.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The County paid $228,000 in overtime pay to MCSO personnel during the Fort Bragg manhunt.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
In early 2012, a proposed Assembly Bill, AB1863, requested the State reimburse Mendocino County for costs involved in the Fort Bragg manhunt. The bill would also ensure that emergency funds be made available to rural areas for such incidents in the future.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
An audit, paid through MCSO, questioned whether there was a need for a sergeant's position to staff the OES.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Retain the position of Office of Emergency Service Coordinator under the direction of the MCSO. (Finding 13-14)
F14
The audit recommended that OES revert to staffing by the CEO’s office.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Retain the position of Office of Emergency Service Coordinator under the direction of the MCSO. (Finding 13-14)
F15
Countywide communications have vastly improved over the past few years. Seven microwave towers, located within Mendocino County, have replaced the older and ineffective “repeater system” that made communications with the south coast difficult and problematic.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
By January 2013, all emergency agencies will have to adhere to the federally mandated “narrow banding” of all frequencies within Mendocino County. The narrowing of the band could cut down effectiveness 10% to 25%.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
In 2012, the County purchased four tsunami-warning sirens from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office. These sirens will be placed in low-lying areas susceptible to tsunamis. Two sirens are to be installed at Noyo Harbor and one at Point Arena by May 2012.The fourth siren, partially funded by the City of Fort Bragg, will be installed later in the Pudding Creek Area of Fort Bragg.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
Each spring, the counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte participate in a coordinated “Live Code” exercise, which simulates an impending tsunami. Other agencies involved include the California Emergency 4 Management Agency and the West Coast Tsunami Warning Center. The scheduled date in 2012 was March 28.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
An after-action report of the March 2011 tsunami reported there were several minor glitches involving inter-agency communication regarding road closures along Highway 1.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The local EMS Agency is mandated by the State to implement and enforce the provisions of the safety code in order to promote effective and efficient pre-hospital care. This is accomplished by providing certification and accreditation in monitoring training programs and investigating complaints. Funding has been a long-standing problem.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The BOS provide sufficient funding to the Emergency Medical Service to perform mandated training, certification, public education, and preparedness of emergency personnel. (Finding 20)
F21
The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), completed in 2006, is outdated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Emergency Operations Plan, approved by the BOS in 2006, be updated. (Finding 21)
F22
Debris from last year's Japanese earthquake/tsunami is expected to wash ashore along the Mendocino coastline in 2013. There is no state or federal funding for cleanup costs.
No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 9

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

No Responses Found 1

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

Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office