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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.

Amador County Grand Jury • 2021-2022

Amador County Fire-Related Resources and Community Communications – Unreliable and Inconsistent

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Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F1 Page 16
The County General Plan Housing and Safety Elements are out of date and need to be updated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 17
The Grand Jury recommends that the Housing Element along with the Safety Element be brought into compliance with State statue as soon as possible and no later than December 31, 2022. (F1)
F2 Page 16
There are insufficient County plans or procedures to mitigate fire dangers for existing residential properties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 17
The Grand Jury recommends that the County further consider prioritizing, implementing, and enforcing fire safety programs including the new Ordinance No. 1820 for residences and private landowners. (F2)
F3 Page 16
We commend the BOS for passing Ordinance No. 1820, which the County recently adopted.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 16
The County has insufficient staffing for grant programs that support fire safety in the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 17
The Grand Jury recommends that the BOS consider coordinating with State representatives and neighboring county partners to more efficiently utilize grant funding resources and to petition State and Federal government to address staffing shortages at the State and Federal levels. (F4)
F5 Page 16
The AFSC, a non-profit organization, is focused and active in fire mitigation and protection within the County. Several County officials referred the Grand Jury to AFSC for information, despite AFSC being a non-profit organization unaffiliated with the County. We commend AFSC for its service to the community.
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 16
There is insufficient County-level accountability or funding for fire safety enforcement in the County. 8
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 17
There are insufficient funds to enforce County Ordinance No. 1820.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 17
The Grand Jury recommends that the County consider hiring or assigning a County employee the responsibility to enforce Ordinance No. 1820 and any other defensible space laws and regulations. (F7). 9
F8 Page 17
There is insufficient communication within the County fire related agencies, due to the lack of staffing and funding.
No recommendations for this finding
F9 Page 17
There is no County department devoted to finding, applying for, and managing grant funding.
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 17
The County provides the public insufficient fire-safety resources that are reliable, current, and educational. As a result, the Grand Jury finds the County is not meeting its General Plan Safety Element Goal S-2 to reduce fire risks to current and future structures.
No recommendations for this finding
F11 Page 17
The Grand Jury finds that information on fire safety and prevention websites are fragmented and not current. Many links for resources are not useful or functioning.
No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 3

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.