Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2004-2005
Seven Fire Districts of Rural Mendocino County (June 28, 2005)
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 31 findings
F1
The Hopland Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) protects an area of 350 square miles and a population of approximately 1,400.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Water supplies for the CFPD are provided by one hydrant; water is supplied by one well. Electricity is backed up by a generator. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): I agree with this finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors create, as soon as possible, a centralized authority for overseeing the operations and funding of the rural fire districts. (Finding 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District strongly disagrees with the need to create another level of oversight between local Districts and the Board of Supervisors. In our opinion this would generate an additional cost to operate (much as LAFCO did) and drain away more of the precious few taxpayer dollars that do manage to trickle down to the District. Response (Safety Officer): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that I have no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building: The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that the department has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The recommendation requires further analysis. The Board of Supervisors will be relying on the County Executive Office to look into this matter and identify potential solutions for Board consideration within the next 6 months. (707) 463-4320 ALBION/LITTLE RIVER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ALBION/LITTLE RIVER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Specific Findings
F3
The CFPD has sufficient equipment to accomplish its mission, but much of the equipment is old and in need of replacement. For example, the 1970 International Type III engine is outdated. (707) 463-4320 Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): I agree with this finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The CFPD has 23 members, two salaried and 21 volunteers, including two cadets. At present, the District also has three volunteers in training. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): I agree with this finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors reevaluate the financial support given to rural fire districts in order to prevent impending rural fire department financial ruin and collapse. (Findings 4,5,6,7). Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this recommendation, however we feel there is very little more the Board of Supervisors can do to increase the financial support given to the rural Fire Districts. Response (Safety Officer): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that I have no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that the department has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Board of Supervisors): The recommendation requires further analysis. The Board of Supervisors will be relying on the County Executive Office to look into this matter and identify potential solutions for Board consideration within the next 6 months.
F5
The CFPD annual revenues from taxes are $34,000; this amount is supplemented by donations, fundraisers, and interest from an endowment. Calls answered to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) lands are usually reimbursed if it is a wildlands fire. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): I agree with this finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Grand Jury recommends that, to the extent possible, rural fire districts provide incentive pay and/or other benefits to assist in recruiting and training volunteers. (Findings 5,10,11) Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): Although the recommendation states “to the extent possible –“ the District feels this recommendation is not realistic. The Districts are under funded to the point that it is almost impossible to supply needed safety clothing and necessary tools. Incentive pay or other benefits would be wonderful to provide but will have to wait until the ageing fleet and obsolete equipment is replaced and required training has been provided. Sources for funding incentive pay and/or benefits are not now or in the foreseeable future available. Response (Safety Officer): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that I have no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Planning and Building): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that the department has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The recommendation will not be implemented due to the fact that the Board of Supervisors has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
F6
Some rural fire districts indicate that the services they receive from LAFCO fall far short of the value of the funds they lose to support this agency. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Many rural fire districts incur more annual expenses than revenue. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no (707) 463-4320 direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Workman’s Compensation absorbs a major part of the budget in many of the surveyed districts. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Most rural fire districts must supplement their budgets with fundraising events. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the FCA continue to inform the public of the accomplishments of rural fire districts as well as the increasing difficulties in some districts in recruiting and training staff and volunteers. (Findings 9,10,11,28) Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this recommendation, however we feel the FCA is currently doing everything possible to fulfill this recommendation. Response (Safety Officer): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that I have no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that the department has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The recommendation will not be implemented due to the fact that the Board of Supervisors has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
F10
Those districts which operate their own ambulance service derive a portion of their income from this service. (707) 463-4320 Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Most surveyed fire districts are 100% volunteer. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Some rural fire districts do not offer adequate training. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that the FCA encourage and assist rural fire districts in facilitating staff and volunteer training through cooperation and, where feasible, collaboration. (Findings 10,11,28 ) Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this recommendation, however we feel the FCA is currently doing everything possible to fulfill this recommendation. Response (Safety Officer): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that I have no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that the department has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The recommendation will not be implemented due to the fact that the Board of Supervisors has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
R7
The geographic isolation of Covelo creates problems in training EMTS and volunteer firepersons. The problem is compounded by volunteer inability to devote time to travel and training while committed to fulltime employment. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): I agree with this
F13
Some rural fire districts offer training both on-site and out of district. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
No rural fire district has 24/7 station staffing although volunteers are on-call 24/7. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no (707) 463-4320 direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Most fire district volunteers carry their turnout gear in their vehicles. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Most fire district volunteers carry radio receivers. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the FCA, in conjunction with local fire districts, raise public awareness of the need to replace aging equipment that is expensive to maintain and becoming obsolete. (Findings 16,28) Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this recommendation, however we feel the FCA is currently doing everything possible to fulfill this recommendation. Response (Safety Officer): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that I have no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The recommendation will not be implemented, due to the fact that the department has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Board of Supervisors): The recommendation will not be implemented due to the fact that the Board of Supervisors has no direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
F17
Most rural fire districts have defibrillators and the Jaws of Life readily available. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. (707) 463-4320 Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
Many rural fire districts must rely on aging vehicles requiring frequent and expensive maintenance. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
Some rural fire districts have difficulty recruiting volunteers. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The majority of calls in the surveyed fire districts are for medical emergencies. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
A high percentage of the medical emergencies cited in Finding 18 are the result of traffic accidents. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no (707) 463-4320 direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
Insurance Service Organization (ISO) ratings for rural fire districts are scaled from 1 to 10; the higher the number, the higher the insurance premium for structure owners. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
Most of the surveyed districts are rated at 7 or 8 by the ISO. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
ISO ratings for rural districts are based, in part, on the number of hydrants available within the district; without hydrants, a district is rated no lower than 8. (707) 463-4320 Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F25
The California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) assists most of the fire districts countywide, providing technical support and paid personnel; all surveyed rural fire districts depend upon this support and reciprocate. The districts are most often first on the scene to suppress a wildlands fire. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
Most CDF stations are closed on a seasonal basis. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. (707) 463-4320 Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F27
The surveyed districts all have mutual aid agreements with CDF and adjacent districts. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F28
CDF provides, if requested, arson investigation services for any county fire district. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F29
There are numerous structures, including residences, which do not have adequate fire protection because of their isolation and/or inaccessibility. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F30
The Mendocino County Fire Chief’s Association (FCA) meets on a regular basis with representatives of other County and State agencies, public utilities and private organizations to discuss mutual needs and concerns and to attempt resolution of problems. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. (707) 463-4320 Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that the Board has no direct contact, oversight, or complete knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F31
Mendocino County does not have a program of fire prevention, as opposed to fire suppression. The Mendocino Board of Supervisors has the authority to adopt a more stringent fire safety code that would incorporate a fire prevention program. Response (Covelo Fire Protection District Fire Chief): The District agrees with this finding. Response (Safety Officer): I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that I do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Planning and Building): The department can neither agree nor disagree with this finding, due to the fact that we do not have any direct contact, oversight, or knowledge of the seven local Fire Districts. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding if it pertains to County Government.
No recommendations for this finding
Comments 1
-
CO1In a State as huge and geographically diverse as California, fire protection services range from well-trained, well-paid urban districts using state of the art equipment to rural, 90% to 100% volunteer districts struggling for time and funds to train members and searching for ways to replace aging, outmoded equipment. Much of Mendocino County is served by the latter, many caught in an economic “perfect storm” as they attempt to protect their communities. Even as retirees flock to the County and developers rush to meet the demands of the second home market, the cost of firefighting equipment increases, potential volunteers see jobs decline and home prices soar, and the State imposes additional training hours and mandated services on rural fire districts. The portion of property taxes allotted to rural fire districts has not increased since1956, although the cost of district operations continues to rise. While some fortunate districts receive endowments and gifts from members of the community, others write and rewrite grant requests, raffle patchwork quilts, and pray that the annual district barbeque will attract paying customers from beyond their boundaries into the outlying areas. It is estimated that a rural fire district in our County of between 20-25 volunteers and an annual budget of between $75,000-$85,000 is equal to the cost of one fully equipped journeyman firefighter employed by the San Francisco Fire Department. The volunteer, who may well hold a full time job and cherish time with his/her family, must also manage on-call and training hours and State mandated services to public buildings in addition to dwellings, small businesses and wildlands. Volunteer EMTS may be called to the scene of a midnight heart attack or a vehicle accident on State 101, State 1 or any of the myriad of winding, deteriorating County roads. Mendocino County residents would surely agree with the thought that one of the finest ways to serve your community is to join their volunteer fire department. Thousands of us depend on rural fire districts for our safety, our health and the integrity of our communities. The Grand Jury recommends that both State and County governments serve these districts as fairly and faithfully as these districts serve their residents. Response Required Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Page 26 of 27 Mendocino County Grand Jury 2004/05 County of Mendocino Post Office Box 629 Grand Jury Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 463-4320 Response Requested Chairman, Local Agency Formation Commission President, Mendocino County Fire Chief’s Association Mendocino County Safety Officer Director, Mendocino County Department of Building and Planning Mendocino County Unit Manager, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Chief, Little River Fire Department Chief, Covelo Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Service Chief, Hopland Fire Department Chief, Long Valley Fire District Chief, Potter Valley Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire District Interim Chief, Piercy Fire Department Page 27 of 27 Mendocino County Grand Jury 2004/05