Of Los County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury

Recommendations 1

• R9

  Page 1
  1 Utilities and Public Works departments shouid create interagency practices to avoid encroachments. Chief Executive Office for the Board of Supervisors and Chief Executive Office- Water. Water Everywhere Leaking from the Pipes 8.6 The LACFD budget should be increased to satisfy Partially agree. This recommendation requires further analysis as current personnel and department needs, which vary from LACFD is a Special District that relies primarily on property taxes and a wildfire season to wildfire season. special tax approved by voters in 1997. The BOS and CEO will work with Fire to identify additional funding, monitor department expenditures, and determine funding efficiencies. to the Fire Department's response for further information. 8.4 More funding to hire additional FSAs should be Agree. This recommendation has been partially implemented. LACFD evaluated after each fire season in anticipation of the next has been allocated state funding for one additional FSA wildland hand season to fulfiil the budgetary needs of the LACFD. crew in FY 22/23 and another in FY 23/24. Additional funding will require further analysis as LACFD is a Special District. The BOS and CEO defer 8.3 Arrange for a larger budget from LA County's general fund for the program, which changes from year to year depending on the wildfire season, to be adjusted accordingly on a case-by-case basis so the current personnel needs of the LACFD are met. 8.2 Fund and implement ASAP the new LACFD fire camp Agree. This recommendation wiil be implemented. The fire camp at at Camp Gonzales(motion passed recently by the BOS). Camp Gonzales is expected to be implemented in 2023. The BOS and CEO defer to the Fire Department's response for further information on ATTACHMENT (X)UNTY OF LOS ANGELES eo«»of8«iiv»iia NtllML SOUS HRE DEPARTMENT fmsToomcT isai MORTM eASTERN AVENUE LOS AWGafiSLCAUPOreSA 90083.3204 SEDOf® OSTRtCT (32^ ^1.2401 8MP1AKUEML www fimisectifyy-oow TMROOstittCT Pmcttora ofUHt, Fnpaxty.etaet^enffroaxinar' iMOCfi«A»©» cwni osar foumBOomiet July 14.2022 TO: FESIA DAVENPORT,CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROM: DARYILOSBY.FIRE CHIEF f^PONSE TO THE 2021-2022 LOS AHOELES COUNTY QVIL ORAND JURY FINAL REPORT Attached is the Los Angeles County Fire Department's response to the recommendations made in the 2021-2022 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury final report. We agree with and w@l take action to eddr^ the reoommendedons contairted m the report. If you have any questions, please contact me at(323)881-6160. DLOiJS AQachment c: Cheri Thomas ismaoi THE Ue^fCOnPORATEO AREAS OF LOS ANOElES COUHTV AND THE CITIES OF MUMXRAtfUS A7U£A aumviMPMEM am. OOLflAflWRB stuHjQM^ BJBwexrtT* CHLMA&KS CAOaOY ccRfUTQs CLAnwaMT ccttaance CevUM SlUORnC OLfilSXmA icAiemiMCAfiiisKS KAWTMOftMS C«0»t» uMwxnoeAM oviAfltc Me&ffii4a.a w«TmoTOMF*iK OCUSTOV tnatOMit LACSKa9AFt.£MTaqE^ iambsa* lAlCSMtA Ua«t{UtXC lOtaiA itKWOOa malqu tMUVmOO tAPVEtMW HOIMWJt uuswood raiKtMiLc LAKMsren «ft4Wiwtmii$isrAira P«aM*OW« PSORMIRA poatfiii* RMEtMOfWU^W^SCS ROuaiOHUA RaumOKlL»6BTA<(S aOOLKll wiwtLaflpnt alAAMOAie tgia^^eirT lOlbtQM "**^7, oAUitaMS aAJiTACuxarA irpthoixwcco wena^woAce voamut Attachment D Los Angeles County Fire Department RESPONSE TO THE CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT 2021-2022 CIVIL GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ONLY WE CAN PREVENT L.A. COUNTY WILDFIRES RECOMMENDATION NO.8.1 Keep and expand the prison camp program to help both the LA County Fire Department (LACFD)and prisoners who participate in this worthwhile program. RESPONSE Agree. This recommendation is implemented under the Department's agreement with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Currently LACFD operates five CDCR inmate firefighter camps with a total of nine fire crews available daily. The number of crews available daily has dramatically fallen over the last decade, decreasing from 28 fire crews available daily to the current nine . LACFD stands ready to increase the number of fire crews at each camp with additional CDCR inmate firefighters, however, CDCR controls participant eligibility and camp assignment. Ultimately the number of CDCR inmate firefighters, and where they are located is beyond the control of LACFD. The LACFD has the facilities to house additional fire crews at each of these camps and will continue to work with CDCR regarding participant eligibility and camp assignment. RECOMMENDATION NO.8.2 Fund and implement ASAP the new LACFD fire camp at Camp Gonzales(motion passed recently by the Board of Supervisors). RESPONSE Agree. This recommendation will be implemented; however, implementation is expected sometime in 2023. The Department is currently working with the CEO - Altematives to Incarceration (ATI) on the program. Fire will be providing specific program training elements which will be funded by CEO-ATI via Department Service Order (DSO) to recover actual costs incurred by LACFD. This program is currently being developed by CEO-ATI, however, is expected to transfer to the Justice Care and Opportunities Department(JCOD)once JCOD is operational. RECOMMENDATION NO.8.3 Arrange for a larger budget from LA County's general fund for the program, which changes from year to year depending on the wildfire season, to be adjusted accordingly on a case-by-case basis so the current personnel needs of the LACFD are met. RESPONSE Partially agree. This recommendation requires further analysis to identify options for the consideration of the BOS. LACFD, as a Special District, is funded independent of the County General Fund, and relies primarily on property taxes and a special tax approved by the voters in 1997 to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services. This recommendation will require further analysis and approval of CEO and BOS. RECOMMENDATiON NO.8.4 More funding to hire additional FSAs should be evaluated after each fire season in anticipation of the next season to fulfill the budgetary needs of the LACFD. RESPONSE Agree. This recommendation has been partially implemented. As a Cal-Fire Contract County, LACFD has been allocated state funding to add one 13-person, 40-hour workweek, Type-1 FSA wildland hand crew in FY 22/23 and a second in FY 23/24, with funding becoming on-going in subsequent years. The addition of these crews improves LACFD wildland hand crew staffing but is far short of the number of wildland hand crews needed. Funding beyond the level provided by the state requires further analysis as LACFD, as a Special District, is funded independent of the County General Fund, and relies primarily on property taxes and a special tax approved by the voters in 1997 to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services. The Department will continue to work with the CEO and BOS to identify additional funding, monitor department expenditures, and determine funding efficiencies. RECOMMENDATION NO.8.5 Add more fire academies to the local LA County community colleges that offer FSA training so that the LACFD will be able to hire additional trained personnel. RESPONSE Partially agree. The LACFD will not be implementing this recommendation due to it not being jurisdictional or under control of the Department. The LACFD is supportive of requesting additional fire training programs to be offered by local community colleges to create awareness of available fire service careers. RECOMMENDATiON NO.8.6 The LACFD budget should be increased to satisfy current personnel and department needs, which vary from wildfire season to wildfire season. RESPONSE Partially agree. This recommendation requires further analysis to identify options for the consideration of the BOS. LACFD, as a Special District, is funded independent of the County General Fund, and relies primarily on property taxes and a special tax approved by the voters In 1997 to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services, in March of 2019,the Department putforth a funding measure. Measure FD, which would have addressed the infrastructure and personnel needs. Unfortunately, while obtaining a majority vote, the measure did not achieve the required 2/3 voter super-majority needed to become enacted. As such,the LACFD continues to explore available revenue streams while working with the CEO and BOS to identify additional funding where possible, monitor department expenditures, and determine funding efficiencies. RECOMMENDATION NO.8.7 Personnel needs should be reviewed for each current wildfire season and should be adjusted to fit the needs of the LAOFD's wildfire division. RESPONSE Agree. This recommendation has been implemented and evaluated at the end of each fire season. However, one of the difficulties is the fire season varies from year to year due to variations in fire activity driven by weather and fuel conditions. Both indicators are extremely difficult to forecast. This is especially true throughout the state with the ongoing drought and above normal temperatures. The fire season continues to be a year-round staffing challenge that many predict will become far worse given the impacts of climate change. Response which includes developing new outreach materials. Timeframe: One year to implement an enhanced educational plan, conservatorship abuses. 8.2 Fund and implement ASAP the new LACFD fire camp at Camp Gonzaies(motion passed recently by the BOS). with a total of nine fire crews available daily. The number of crews being developed by CEO-ATI, however, is expected to transfer to the Agree. This recommendation will be implemented: however, implementation is expected sometime in 2023. The Department is currently working with the CEO - Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) on the program. Fire will be providing specific program training elements which will be funded by CEO-ATI via Department Service Order(DSO) to recover actual costs incurred by LACFD. This program is currently elioibilitv and camp assignment. these camps and will continue to work with CDCR regarding participant The LACFD has the facilities to house additional fire crews at each of ready to increase the number of fire crews at each camp with additional CDCR inmate firefighters, however. CDCR controls participant eligibility and camp assignment. Ultimately the number of CDCR inmate firefighters, and where they are located is beyond the control of LACFD. from 28 fire crews available daily to the current nine. LACFD stands available daily has dramatically fallen over the last decade, decreasing ATTACHMENT Agree. The recommendation will be implemented. The APS Program already promotes public awareness and educates the public about conservatorship as described in response to R10.4 above. However, we encourage and welcome additional opportunities to raise awareness about this important topic. The AD can work closely with the OPG to develop and establish outreach materials to inform the public about > 8.1 Keep and expand the prison camp program to help Agree. This recommendation is implemented under the Department's both the LA County Fire Department (LACFD) and agreement with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Currently LACFD operates five CDCR inmate firefighter camps prisoners who participate in this worthwhile program. Recommendation Fim - Onlv We Can Prevent LA. County Wildfires abuse and what to do about it. general community about how to spot conservatorship 10.5 APS should do outreach to promote public awareness and education about conservatorship abuses. APS should also offer more advocacy services to the ) ) wildfire season to wildfire season. 8.6 The LACFD budget should be increased to satisfy current personnel and department needs, which vary from Department. The LACFD is supportive of requesting additional fire training programs to be offered by local community colleges to create LACFD will be able to hire additional trained personnel. March of 2019, the Department put forth a funding measure, Measure Partially agree. This recommendation requires further analysis to identify options for the consideration of the BOS. LACFD, as a Special District, is funded independent of the County General Fund, and relies primarily on property taxes and a special tax approved by the voters in 1997 to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services. In awareness of available fire service careers. Partially agree. The LACFD will not be implementing this recommendation due to it not being jurisdictional or under control of the community colleges that offer FSA training so that the continue to work with the CEO and BOS to identify additional funding, monitor department expenditures, and determine funding efficiencies. special tax approved by the voters in 1997 to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services. The Department will of the County General Funi and relies primarily on property taxes and a wildland hand crew staffing but is far short of the number of wildland hand crews needed. Funding beyond the level provided by the state requires further analysis as LACFD, as a Special District, is funded independent subsequent years. The addition of these crews improves LACFD FY 22/23 and a second in FY 23/24, with funding becoming on-going in Agree. This recommendation has been partially implemented. As a CalFire Contract County, LACFD has been allocated state funding to add one 13-person, 40-hour workweek, Type-1 FSA wildland hand crew in BOS. Partially agree. This recommendation requires further analysis to identify options for the consideration of the BOS._LACFD, as a Special District, is funded independent of the County General Fund, and relies primarily on property taxes and a special tax approved by the voters in 1997 to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services. This recommendation will require further analysis and approval of CEO and operational. ATTACHMENT Justice Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD) once JCOD is ) 8.5 Add more fire academies to the local LA County season to fulfill the budgetary needs of the LACFD. evaluated after each fire season in anticipation of the next 8.4 More funding to hire additional FSAs should be accordingly on a case-by-case basis so the current personnel needs of the LACFD are met. depending on the wildfire season, to be adjusted fund for the program, which changes from year to year 8.3 Arrange for a larger budget from LA County's general ) ) Agree. This recommendation has been implemented and evaluated at