Meeting Summary
December 13, 2004

Short Fire Council Meeting
Pre-Ambassador Training

 

 

In Attendance: Kristie Borchers, Marsha Porter-Norton, Laurie Robison, Richard ??,
Ron Tyner, Joy Mathis, Dan Ochocki, Howard Rachlin, Pam Wilson, Harry Bruell, Dan Noonan, Mike Dunaway, Joe Griffith.

Introductions.

Reviewed and approved last month’s meeting summary.

Proposed Driveway Standards – Special Guest, Chief Mike Dunaway.

Dan Noonan introduced Chief Mike Dunaway, saying that all emergency and fire programs are challenged by access issues. Mike Dunaway said that the County Commissioners talked to the County Manager several years ago, to develop a committee of fire chiefs and county staff to develop a committee for making our forested communities safer from wildfire. This committee has looked had several options, including a point system. There have been numerous roadblocks, the committee was also asked to include the HomeBuilders Association – the get buy-in from the beginning and reduce later problems. Over the next 12-14 months, the committee came up with a decent plan – not perfect, but with more stipulations in place than ever before.

The County Attorney (Jeff Robbins) did not want the Proposed Driveway Standards to go to public hearing along with the Land Use Code, so these items have been separated. The Chief feels that this is a solid document, that can be built upon in the future. It is imperative for County Staff and the Fire Chiefs to be in agreement. An original issue of concern was requiring certain access regulations, and putting the county in a position to have to buy properties. The new proposal offers second or third action solutions (such as increased defensible space). This will give property owners more wiggle room to meet such standards, and legally protect the county.

Discussion centered around the difference between public and private property, and accompanying rights of individuals and rights of individuals using public property (the expectations that an area is safe). Ron Tyner mentioned the idea of targeting the developer, and Dan Ochocki believes this is being addressed through the Public Review Board, the subdivision-wide thinning. New developments and major remodels will catch the majority of new, high-risk areas. Continued education is necessary for “retrofitting” existing homes. Chief Dunaway believes that if the community stands up to the commissioners, saying “we expect this” - - forward movement will occur. Joy Mathis suggested looking at other communities as models.

Action Items for Council

  • Become the constituency FOR wildfire regulation.
  • Further explore other entities for support, such as Mercy Medical, propane deliverers, FedEx/UPS etc.
  • Write another Fire Council letter of support.
  • Write individual, respective letters of support.
  • Attend public meetings.
  • Encourage others to attend public meetings.
  • If appropriate, use our own networks/contacts to push for support.
  • Create a Fire Council “talking points” sheet – for distribution to subdivisions, community groups etc.

A copy of Chief Dunaway’s previous email to Fire Council, including talking points sent 11/29/04

The Fire Standards Committee was put together April 2003. We have met
many times over the past year and a half trying to produce a document
that all parties involved would and could support. This document would
also have to be supported by the County Commissioners who put this group
together to begin with. Attached is the final draft put together by Jeff
Robbins the County Atty. Yes, it may not be the perfect standard or
exactly what everyone wanted to see however in the opinion of the County
Fire Chiefs it is better than any thing we had in the past. It is our
hope that after the adoption of this standard enforcement will take
place. As we are all aware there can be adoption of any standard or code
it is the fair and consistent enforcement that is the key of success. I
believe this would be the first and most important talking point.

Talking points:

1. Enforcement fair and consistent
2. Economic impact to the community from wild land fires
3. Create condition that will allow an opportunity for a large wild
fire not to occur again
4. Standard does not create a financial burden on the citizens
5. Standard allows for negotiation to meet a safe condition.
6. Does not put County in a legal position or the Fire Districts
7. Rights and freedoms of citizens are not hampered.

If you need any questions answered please contact any of the Fire
Chiefs who have been working on this. I do appreciate very much that
County Manager Michael Scannell involved the County Fire Chiefs in this
process.

Mike

Michael R. Dunaway

April is Fire Month – Nicole Smith of SJMA is coordinating this year’s fire month (this is the third annual). Ideas - - bringing in a speaker from somewhere else (do we have funding for?), subdivision events, focusing on the policy, newspaper insert. Send ideas to Nicole, will be discussed more at the next meeting. Nicole – Nicole@sjma.org

Election of Officers – Marsha Porter-Norton proposed the same slate of officers, motion was seconded and approved. For the next 12 months, officers will remain Nicole Smith, Sec/Treas; Ron Tyner, Vice President; and Kristine Borchers, President.

Ambassador Training followed the meeting – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Great training. Marsha will follow-up with more notes later.

Next Meeting:
January 18, 2005
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
La Plata Electric

Items for Next Meeting
Update of County Fire Plans – Marsha Porter Norton
“Fire Council Recognition” or designation update – Kristine Borchers
April is Fire Month discussion – Nicole Smith
Action Plan for Proposed Driveway Standards
Ambassador Update

 

Prevention | Fire Info | Pine Beetles | Mailing List | Calendar | Contact | Home