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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ 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 8 findings
F1
Page 25
The recommendations of the 2002/2003 Grand Jury were, for the most part, ignored by the County. The following list contains the recommendations of that Grand Jury. For each finding or recommendation, the current status, as found by the current Grand Jury, is shown in bold print. 2002/2003 Grand Jury Findings:
F2
Page 25
The County Fire Warden position is part-time and exercises no direct control over the fire districts within Plumas County. The Fire Warden does respond when requested by the fire districts to provide technical assistance and training. Current Status: The Fire Warden has resigned.
F3
Page 25
With few exceptions, Plumas County fire districts have inadequate funding to carry out their mission. Most equipment is outdated and each of the districts relies on volunteers to staff their departments. Current Status: No change in this situation.
F4
Page 25
Approximately 20 percent of the privately held land in the County is not in a fire district. Current Status: Little change in this situation.
F5
Page 25
A majority of fire chiefs interviewed favored more coordination and assistance from the County Fire Warden on fire issues such as funding, standardizing grant writing, training, recruiting and acquiring equipment. Current Status: Since there is now no fire warden, this situation has worsened. 22
F6
Page 26
There is no proactive effort by the County to inform new residents what level of fire protection, if any, exists in their area. In fact, on more than one occasion, witnesses responded with a “let the buyer beware” reply on that issue. Current Status: No change in this situation.
F7
Page 26
Plumas County Resolution No. 01-6534 is a resolution adopting a policy for County property tax exchanges with special districts providing fire protection services. Current Status: This Grand Jury has seen no evidence that this resolution has been acted upon. 2002/2003 Grand Jury Recommendations:
F8
Page 27
Provision of fire protection is not an essential element in the planning process for new real estate developments.
Recommendations 11
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R1Page 25The recommendations of the 2002/2003 Grand Jury be implemented except where modified by this Grand Jury’s recommendations.
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R2Page 25The office of Fire Warden be re-established and strengthened to provide more direct control of, and assistance to, the fire departments. This assistance would include funding, searching for grant opportunities and standardizing grant writing, providing or arranging for training, recruiting, and acquiring equipment. In addition, the Fire Warden should play a significant role in the activities of the Plumas Sierra Fire Chiefs Association.
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R3Page 25An equitable method of funding be found that will provide the resources needed to perform their jobs without undo concern for costs and at the same time not produce more revenue than can be efficiently utilized by the departments.
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R4Page 25No real estate project or development be approved without adequate coverage by an existing or new fire department.
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R5Page 25A Plumas County map overlay be developed that clearly shows the boundaries of all fire districts and highlights those areas that are not protected by any fire department.
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R6Page 25A plan to make all fire departments independent entities with their own funding and operational control be created. This should not exclude the creation of cooperative agreements with other departments or other government agencies.
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R7Page 25The County consider subsidizing the training of fire fighters and emergency medical personnel and the administrative personnel or services of the fire departments.
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R8Page 25The Board of Supervisors and the LAFCo undertake an educational program throughout the County to improve the understanding of its function and procedures and its place in the planning process.
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R9Page 25The fire departments make an effort to understand the LAFCo’s function and procedures and its place in the planning process.
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R10Page 25The LAFCo be audited by a qualified auditing company or agency.
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R11Page 25The Board of Supervisors and the LAFCo, in certain circumstances, consider subsidizing, reducing, or rescinding LAFCo fees for changes in fire districts. Commendation In spite of the problems facing the fire departments, there is a good esprit de corps among the fire fighters. They willingly assist other departments and agencies and respond to emergencies without regard to funding and the quality of their equipment. PLUMAS COUNTY FACILITIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT Function The Facilities Services Department (FSD) is charged with providing and maintaining acceptable environments in which all county employees are able to comfortably carry out their individual duties. The FSD maintains over thirty (30) facilities and real properties owned and/or operated by the county.
Conclusions 1
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CL1In the course of our investigation, this Grand Jury became informed of numerous allegations of impropriety by staff members. The Grand Jury has worked diligently to not only verify each allegation, but also attempted to categorize them in an effort to keep our focus on the Department as a whole, not on an individual mistake. Put succinctly, we feel many of this department’s problems are heightened by (if not a result of) interpersonal relationship conflicts. There were several seemingly improper actions by staff members that the Grand Jury felt were a result of the antagonism that is so pervasive throughout the Department. The Grand Jury’s findings were focused on the core issues and not the small details. The Grand Jury did its best to focus on areas that may help to make this department more productive. It is the Grand Jury’s hope that with consistent management and increased oversight, this department will again be one upon which our citizens may rely. 16 PLUMAS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT Function The Plumas County Mental Health Department (MHD) is an outpatient service providing a full range of outpatient, case management and socialization services. More intensive services such as acute hospitalization, long-term intensive residential and state hospital services are provided by contracting with the appropriate agencies in question. The services includes: emergency assessments, outpatient services, inpatient services, case management, day treatment programs, medication support and therapeutic behavioral services. The MHD is the managed care provider for all MediCal mental health services in the county.
Commendations 4
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CM1The main electrical breakers are now secured with fencing and locks. However, not only does the chain link structure need to be enlarged to adhere to PG & E's equipment clearance guidelines, but also the roof of the chain link structure has collapsed under the weight of snow requiring the need to redesign the structure as a whole.
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CM2Negotiations with the Public Works Department are underway for installation of food slots in the maximum security cell doors.
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CM3A full-time employee of the Facility Services Department is now assigned, specifically, to maintain the Jail. PLUMAS COUNTY ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPARTMENT Function The mission of the Plumas County Alcohol and Drug Department (A&D) is to improve the quality of life in the County through lowering the impact and incidence of alcohol and other drugs of abuse. The State requires five (5) primary divisions of the A&D Department. • The Prevention Program includes educational youth programs such as Friday Night Live. • The Drug Courts include an adult division that entails such services as drug testing and counseling. • The Treatment Services include outpatient and residential services. • The Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Program is a drunk driving school. • The Perinatal Program helps pregnant women, women with children and their families with recovery from substance abuse. The A&D Department is funded by State and Federal dollars as well as funds from legal fines and client payments for certain services. Therefore, it is imperative for the A&D Department to collaborate with many other County departments including the Mental Health Department and the District Attorney’s Office. The State and Federal funds are closely monitored by State and Federal agencies. Client fees are set by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.
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CM4In spite of the problems facing the fire departments, there is a good esprit de corps among the fire fighters. They willingly assist other departments and agencies and respond to emergencies without regard to funding and the quality of their equipment. 25 PLUMAS COUNTY FACILITIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT Function The Facilities Services Department (FSD) is charged with providing and maintaining acceptable environments in which all county employees are able to comfortably carry out their individual duties. The FSD maintains over thirty (30) facilities and real properties owned and/or operated by the county.