Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

Conduct a cost benefit analysis regarding the provision of Grant Approval Authority Body CDF, 4 months dispatch services. HCFCA, Six Rivers NF, local dispatch providers, OES Evaluate County-wide fire/EMS dispatch and identify issues & Grant Approval Authority Body, Planning 3 months opportunities Consultant, HCFCA, Six Rivers NF, HCFDC, CDF, local dispatch providers, County Sheriff, Cities Propose “ideal” dispatch structure All of the above 1 months Evaluate costs & prepare cost-share allocation All of the above 1 months Review funding alternatives Grant Approval Authority Body, Planning 1 months Consultant, HCFCA, HCFDC, Six Rivers NF, CDF, County Sheriff, Cities Coordinate with countywide funding strategy effort Humboldt County Planning & all of the above 24 Months May require an additional consultant Prepare implementation plan All of the above TBD Host a regional Incident Command System (ICS) training. HCFCA TBD

COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community4 (Priority Ranking5) Schedule Notes Acquire Cell Phone Tower Shelter Cove (1) Radio system coverage improvements; esp. in S. Broadway, alluvial valleys, CR Greater Eureka (2) Orleans Mt. Repeater (install) Orleans (3) *As funding and staff are available

4 Community refers to one or more of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 5 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.1 Fire Protection Capability Topic: FIRE PROTECTION CAPABILITY FSC Goal: Assure adequate Recommendation: Identify strategies to provide a fire protection for people, support network for fire service agencies and 8.1-4 IMPROVE INTER- AND INTRA-FIRE property, and communities. organizations via improved communication and SERVICE COMMUNICATION AND coordination. (Recommendation 6.1-9) COORDINATION Description: This implementation strategy outlines actions that can be taken to improve communication and coordination between fire service agencies and organizations in Humboldt County. A Lead Group will be established to support local fire departments in their efforts to improve fire protection service.

Need: Many fire departments within Humboldt County are finding it increasingly challenging to provide a level of service that is commensurate with growing demands on their limited resources. Given the relatively high number of fire organizations and agencies that provide fire protection services in the County, and the challenges they all face, coordination of local fire service delivery is a critical need. Improved coordination and communication between all local, state and federal fire protection agencies is necessary to improve the delivery of fire protection service.

Implementation: A Lead Group will be established to improve communication and coordination between fire service agencies and organizations. This group will be structured with consideration of, and coordination with, the established fire service support groups. One possibility for a structure is a Lead Group that includes the County Fire Warden and a representative from all local, state and federal agencies and fire protection organizations. The Lead Group will meet regularly to oversee the implementation of key measures of this Fire Plan and to help improve communication and coordination between all fire service agencies and organizations in the County. Initially, the Lead Group will work with CDS Staff to implement applicable measures of this Fire Plan. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes Establish a lead group and agree on an action strategy to Fire Warden and All Fire 2 months implement this measure. Agencies/Orgs. Develop a schedule to support implementation of applicable Fire Lead Group and CDS 1 month Plan measures. Improve Communication and Coordination among all agencies Lead Group On -Going and organizations *As funding and staff are available

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8.2 Fire Safe Education Topic: FIRE SAFE FSC Goal: Promote local Recommendations: Provide fire safety education to residents, and the EDUCATION fire safe planning, fire safe homebuilding, insurance, real estate, landscaping and building supply standards, fire education industries. This would include information about non-combustible roof Measure 8.2-1 FIRE SAFE programs addressing fire coverings, fire safe construction for high fire risk/hazard areas, techniques for EDUCATION risk and hazard in rural reducing flammability in home ignition zones, adequate emergency water areas, and measures that supplies, address and road identification/signage, access road clearances, and local communities can emergency evacuation procedures (Recommendation 6.2-1). Provide education implement to be fire safe. to residents connecting fire-safe forests, timber production and ecological restoration efforts (Recommendation 6.2-9). Increase public awareness of fire as a tool for improving community fire safety, forest health, and ecological diversity through a public education program and by working with local FSCs (Recommendation 6.2-8). Description: This measure focuses on establishing fire safety education programs that will help to reduce fire risk and minimize loss due to fire. Programs will be designed to expand the public’s understanding of fire safe strategies and the associated costs of not utilizing them. The likely result of this effort will be less fire related damage to community resources in the advent of a wildfire. Additionally, programs will focus on educating citizens about the overall benefits to the forest as a result of appropriate fuels reduction (for example, increased species diversity, soil water retention, and aesthetics). This knowledge will likely increase the public’s motivation to engage in fuels treatment activities.

Implementation of this measure will help communicate the overall message that facilitating the re-integration of fire into the region through prescribed burning can reduce maintenance costs for fuel reduction projects, greatly improve forest health, and contribute to the aesthetic quality of the forest. Increasing public awareness of safe burning practices, liability issues, and sources of support (e.g., the CDF Vegetation Management Program) is critical to this goal. This measure will establish a long-term demonstration program to foster an informed and re-assured populace.

Need: The Fire Plan acknowledges that effective fire safe education programs are one of the most successful ways to reduce fire risk and to minimize losses due to fire. The HCFCA Fire Prevention Officers (Fire Prevention Officers) have been working diligently for some time to address citizen fire safe education. However, there is still a need for more coordination between fire prevention and fire planning organizations in the delivery of fire safety education throughout the County. Additionally, there are no countywide standards for school- or community-based fire safety education programs—such standards would support overall fire safe education efforts. Also, there is a need to improve citizen’s understanding of prescribed fire as a fire prevention tool.

With fuel reduction efforts limited by the high costs of implementation, prescribed fire may be the only way to meet fuel reduction goals for the County. However, there are added risks to prescribed burning such as air quality impacts, vegetation mortality, and escape liability. At the same time there is much misunderstanding about the integral role of fire in maintaining forest health, including the resiliency of forests to stand-replacing fire. Thus, it is necessary to increase public awareness of the beneficial uses and consequences of fire, and of the state and federal programs supporting prescribed burning.

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Implementation: Successful implementation of Countywide fire safety education programs will involve the cooperation of local FSCs, professionals in construction and real estate, home building supply retailers, schools, local media organizations, and community groups. These entities can assist local government and fire departments with the distribution of information regarding fire safe standards (see Measure 8.1-1). Contractors and real estate agents can be instrumental in education efforts by disclosing information regarding high fire risk areas. Local government and emergency service providers can facilitate disclosure via the development of location-specific hazard maps (see Measure 8.4-3) and evacuation information. .

Steps toward implementation of this measure include: establishment of partnerships with construction, real estate, and retail interests; compilation and dissemination of materials regarding local fire safe standards and home fire safety techniques (construction materials, defensible space, rural water supply, road maintenance and signing, etc); disclosure of hazard zones and evacuation strategies; and establishment of local real estate disclosure requirements for high fire hazard areas.

As part of this measure, workshops will be sponsored in coordination with CDF to encourage development of Vegetation Management Plans and utilization of CDF resources for prescribed burning. Mutually beneficial partnerships with willing private or public landowner can be sustained to develop demonstration programs that demonstrate long term benefits of fuels management using fire. Additionally, a public education program can be coordinated through appropriate agencies and groups, including FSCs, to educate County residents about the beneficial uses of fire. Tasks Implementation Time Frame* Notes Partners Review existing fire safe education programs and materials HCFSC, Local FSCs, 3 months Another resource: CDF, CDS, Fire Institute for Prevention Officers, Sustainable Forestry California FSC (ISF) Establish partnerships with real estate, contractors/developers, building All of the above 3 months supply stores, media outlets, schools and community groups. Prepare/compile fire safe materials, including hazard zone maps, All of the above 6 months evacuation/disaster preparedness, curriculum etc. Distribute new and current local fire safe materials All of the above Ongoing Develop materials that educate the public about the overall benefits to the CDF, Local FSCs, ISF 6 months with forest as a result of appropriate fuels reduction ongoing updates Develop a centralized, accessible, well-publicized library of fire safety All of the above 6 months with materials. Make pamphlets from this collection available to homeowners, ongoing building supply stores, real estate agencies, and homebuilders. updates Develop and present workshop in coordination with CDF on the Vegetation HCFSC, CDF Management Program.

Solicit partnership with public or private entity to initiate a “Using Fire as a HCFSC, USFS, BLM, Tool” demonstration program. Local FSCs, North

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Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (Air Quality), Timber Companies Identify curriculum for various age levels and audiences that introduces the CDF, HCFSC, local concept of fire as a beneficial tool for fire safety and forest health FSCs Disseminate curriculum to groups and agencies in the County conducting CDF, HCFSC community outreach

COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community6 (Priority Ranking7) Schedule Notes Red truck program (with community defensible space education) Fieldbrook (1) Education on: smoke & burning, broadcast burning benefits, where to call re broadcast burning Rio Dell (1) Defensible space education in interface areas Greater Eureka (2) Fuels reduction demonstration at Dump Petrolia (2) Community Alert Sirens Palo Verde (3) Community defensible space education Rio Dell (3) Encourage defensible space; all of Arcata east of Hwy 101 Arcata (4) Community fire safety education Bayside (4) Community defensible space education Fieldbrook (4) Pacific Lumber burn notification hotline Kneeland (4) Sirens for fire & tsunami: Samoa, Fairhaven, Manila, ORV Park Samoa (4) Regular community fire-safe education (annually or every 6 mo) Blue Lake (5) Community defensible space workshop Kneeland (6) Defensible space/fire safety education in schools Petrolia (6) Acquire KMUD Repeater Shelter Cove (6) Fox Farm Road- fire safe rd options pilot project Trinidad (6) *As funding and staff are available

6 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 7 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.3 Risk Reduction and Management Topic: RISK REDUCTION AND FSC Goal: Encourage Recommendations: Emphasize increased countywide MANAGEMENT countywide efforts to coordination of fuel modification projects by all involved Measure 8.3-1 FUEL MODIFICATION reduce or modify fuel agencies and organizations (Recommendation 6.4-8). loads for community Develop a biomass utilization program to develop protection and fire commercially viable markets for fuel reduction project prevention. wood byproducts and residue such as slash, small diameter logs, foliage, wood chips, etc. (Recommendation 6.4-1). Description: The combination of increased coordination of hazardous fuels reduction projects and woody biomass utilization will lead to a more strategic and sustainable approach to reducing the buildup of hazardous fuels in Humboldt County. Biomass is organic material from living matter and in this case refers to the forest residue produced from fuels reduction projects. Biomass and its by-products can be used as sources of energy and in a variety of other value added products. Implementation of this measure will result in coordinated fuels management for regional- and landscape-level fire hazard reduction and an increased level of collaboration between agencies and other entities accomplishing fuel reduction efforts in the county. This measure will also explore the feasibility of biomass utilization in Humboldt County as it relates to reducing fuel hazards in the wildland-urban interface.

Need: Wildland-urban interface (WUI) conditions extend into nearly every community in Humboldt County. Consequently, numerous communities are on the list of Communities at Risk to wildfire prepared by CDF as a component of the National Fire Plan (see Table 2-3). Historic development patterns in Humboldt County have resulted in the establishment of many small, isolated communities that have only limited municipal services, particularly in terms of fire protection, communications, water, and electricity. In addition, the combined effects of altering historic fire regimes through wildfire suppression, and increased fuel loading, if not addressed, will likely lead to higher fire intensities, greater loss of life and property, and higher fire suppression costs.

The implementation of fuels reduction programs (i.e., defensible space, shaded fuel breaks, forest thinning, and forest plantation management) is known to reduce fire hazard and the resulting risk to life and property. However, such measures are most effective when they are tailored to address specific hazards such as community ingress and egress issues, protection of economic resources, and landscape level fire management. Regrettably, funding for these activities is scarce. Agencies are often limited by the boundaries of their jurisdiction in their ability to consider landscape-level fire threats. As demonstrated by recent wildfires in the County in 2003, without fuel management planning that transcends public/private property lines, relations between land management agencies and private landowners can deteriorate in the event of wildfire. Further, fuel reduction efforts are not currently keeping pace with fuel loading. As a result, wildland fuel hazards to communities continue to increase. It is important that all affected and responsible entities play a role in addressing this issue.

Currently, limited countywide coordination exists for the fuel modification planning efforts being undertaken by individual agencies and FSCs.. These planning projects are often linked to the agency or local fire planning document developed for that area. However, grant funding is proven more likely when cooperative projects are identified as priorities within multiple plans or in one regional plan. Additionally, areas in the County exist that do not have fire agencies or FSCs developing fuel modification plans. These areas could benefit from having projects identified through a regionally coordinated process. Facilitating stakeholder-inclusive fuels management planning will greatly improve fire prevention and response on a regional level and help to focus resources on the most critical projects. Moreover, the establishment of programs to add incentives to carry out

8-15 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan fuels reduction, such as a biomass utilization program, will increase the likelihood that it will occur.

Implementation: Implementation of this measure will be accomplished via the following: Expand the HCFSC’s role to include support for fuels modification projects (such as has been implemented by Del Norte, Siskiyou, and Trinity FSCs); establish a Regional Fuels Reduction Sub- Committee (RFRSC) of the HCFSC; support coordination between regional FSCs in inter-agency/inter-FSC fuels reduction planning. Also, encourage the revitalization of the CDF Vegetation Management Program (VMP) to augment currently available funding for fuels reduction and support larger area fuel treatment on private lands. The RFRSC will develop and steward a website for gathering, holding and disseminating information on all planned, prioritized, and completed fuel reduction projects in the county.

The RFRSC will also be tasked with identifying strategies to implement, coordinate, and fund fuels reduction projects throughout the County on both public and private lands. A commitment must be made by RFRSC members to plan fuels reduction strategically across the landscape on both private and public lands so that the greatest benefit to resources and communities is achieved. To this end, the RFRSC will oversee the production and maintenance of an annual fuels reduction project identification plan. Via implementation of this plan, funding sources would be explored and grants cooperatively pursued. Additionally, the most cost-effective strategies for coordinated fuels reduction in prioritized areas would be set into motion. In the absence of the formation of a Resource Advisory Council (RAC), the RFRSC could play a similar advisory role and assist in prioritizing grant funding.

Successful implementation of a self-sustaining biomass utilization program will require the following steps: establishment of an industry/agency working group (including resource and air quality management agencies as well as environmental interests); compilation of all local and regional biomass utilization studies; identification of additional local biomass utilization resources and assets as well as of potential local, state and federal funding sources and programs; development of recommendations by the industry/agency working group to stimulate biomass utilization and fire hazard and risk reduction. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Notes Frame* Establish RFRSC of the HCFSC as the group responsible for RFRSC , CDS, CDF, Six Rivers NF, 2 months maintaining a website and developing and annually updating a fuels BLM, Local FSCs reduction project identification plan. Set up and maintain website for storing and disseminating information HCFSC, Local FSCs, USFS, CDF, 5 Months on fuels reduction projects. BLM, Air Quality, Timber Companies Draft the first version of the fuels reduction identification plan RFRSC , CDF, BLM, Six Rivers NF 6 months (coordinate with CDF’s annual Fuels Management Plan development). Hold an annual fuels reduction project identification workshop to RFRSC , CDF, Local FSCs, BLM, Six Annually gather data for the fuels reduction project identification plan. Rivers NF Revitalize the CDF VMP program (HCFSC to write letter to CDF CDF, HCFSC, Local FSCs Letter in about importance of this program) one month Establish County/Agency/Industry biomass utilization working group CDF, HCFSC, CDS Planning and 2 months ISF, and the that includes: CDF, Timber Companies, PG&E and local biomass Economic Development, Six Rivers Hoopa

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energy producers, Tribes, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Air NF, BLM, State and National Park Tribe have Quality, USFS, HSU, Humboldt County, and others. Service, Tribes information on this Compile and review existing local/regional biomass planning reports Industry Working Group, RFRSC 3 months Develop preliminary biomass utilization strategy Industry Working Group, RFRSC Seek funding and prepare feasibility study for developing a biomass Industry Working Group, , RFRSC, utilization industry in Humboldt County. CDS Planning & Economic Development

COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community8 (Priority Ranking9) Schedule Notes Fuel Break on Rancho Sequoia Road Alderpoint (1) Sprowel Creek Road Fuel Break at entrance Benbow (1 - Sprowel Cr.) China Creek Fuel Break Briceland (1) Elk Ridge Shaded Fuel Break Briceland (1) Bridgeville fuel break Bridgeville (1) Defensible Space around identified Values at Risk Garberville (1) Fuel Break from Dean Creek to Garberville on 101 Garberville (1) Fuel Break on East Side of Garberville Garberville (1) Fuel Break on East Side of Redway Garberville (1) Fuel Break on Redwood Drive Garberville (1) Shaded fuel breaks behind Dows Prairie area and Eastern interface zone along interface zones McKinleyville (1) Defensible Space in/around Myers Flat, Weott Miranda (1) Miranda State Park Fuel Break Buffer Miranda (1) Mouth Of Camp Creek including Gold Dredge Road (and other areas that were previously burned) Orleans (1) Local biomass development Petrolia (1) Beaver Flat brush clearing & helicopter Landing Zone Redwood Valley (1) Bigfoot Subdivision fuel break- WC Willow Creek (1)

8 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 9 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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West of Willow Creek fuel break- WC (from confluence of WC to China Creek) Willow Creek (1) Fuel-Break South of Alderpoint Community Alderpoint (2) Sunnybrae shaded fuel break & protection zone Arcata (2) Hog fuel/biomass utilization support Bayside (2) Defensible space incentives for upper Jacoby Creek neighborhoods Bayside (2) ID Strategic Fuel Break to Isolate Benbow Valley Residential from Wildland Benbow (2 - Benbow) Fuel Break Oak Rock Road- Sprowel Creek Benbow (2 - Sprowel Cr.) Clear around Briceland CSD Water Briceland (2) Miller Creek Fuel Break Briceland (2) Hwy 36 fuelbreak Bridgeville (2) Thomas Road (Salmon Creek) Miranda (2) Cathey Road Fuels Reduction Miranda (2) Dike vegetation- brushing/burning Orick (2) Owl Mine Road Fuel Break Orleans (2) Bair Road bridge to Hwy 299 shaded fuel break Redwood Valley (2) Slash treatment/vegetation management along timber roads Rio Dell (2) Enhance & enforce weed abatement & implement on absentee properties Shelter Cove (2) Brush removal on State fee lands- H Willow Creek (2) Campbell Creek brush removal- H Willow Creek (2) Sunnybrae Forest shaded fuel break & protection zone Arcata (3) Fuel Break along 101- Benbow Benbow (3 - Benbow) Fuel Break West Moody Road- Sprowel Creek Benbow (3 - Sprowel Cr.) Land Trust North Road Fuel Break Briceland (3) Perry Meadow Fuel Break Briceland (3) County clearance along Fieldbrook Road Fieldbrook (3) Tim Mullan Road shaded fuelbreak Kneeland (3) Incline Ridge Shaded Fuel Break Miranda (3) Dyerville Loop Fuel Reduction Miranda (3) Airstrip Clearance and Shaded Fuel Break Palo Verde (3) Prosper Ridge Road Petrolia (3) Stover Road (from school to end) shaded fuel break Redwood Valley (3)

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Clear Shelter Cove Subdivision Greenbelts Shelter Cove (3) Luffenholtz shaded fuelbreak Trinidad (3) Community Service Road brushing- H Willow Creek (3) Fuel Break around Casterlin School Alderpoint (4) Fickle Hill shaded fuelbreak Bayside (4) Ridge Road Fuel Break- Sprowel Creek Benbow (4 - Sprowel Cr.) Ferrin Road Fuel Break Briceland (4) Old Briceland Road Fuel Break (off map) Briceland (4) Identify priority fuelbreaks along private roads Bridgeville (4) Old Redwood Grade- clearance Fieldbrook (4) Pacific Lumber burn notification hotline Kneeland (4) South Boundary Humboldt Redwoods State Park /Salmon Creek Shaded Fuel Break (improve/maintain) Miranda (4) Elk Creek Road Fuel Reduction Miranda (4) Community chipper days Orick (4) Strawberry Rock/BLM broadcast burn Petrolia (4) Green Fir/Squaw Creek Broom Petrolia (4) Downtown Petrolia fuelbreak/Scotchbroom removal Petrolia (4) King Range Road Petrolia (4) Mill Creek/Mathews Ranch Road Petrolia (4) Stansberry Road shade fuelbreak Petrolia (4) Wilder Ridge Phase II Petrolia (4) Scheinman/Lost Coast Camp fuels reduction Petrolia (4) Clearing under power lines Rio Dell (4) Shelter Cove Road Fuelbreak Shelter Cove (4) Baldwin fuel break- WC Willow Creek (4) Horse Linto fuel break- WC Willow Creek (4) Sun Valley fuel break- WC Willow Creek (4) Brushing Around Historical Buildings in Blocksburg Alderpoint (5) Pepperwood Springs Fuel Break- Sprowel Creek Benbow (5 - Sprowel Cr.) Clear around transient camps along Hwy 299 Blue Lake (5) Ferrin/Elk Ridge Fuel Reduction Briceland (5) Shaded Fuel Break on Seely/Leggett Ridge Briceland (5)

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Sawdust Trail- shaded fuel break Fieldbrook (5) Pacific Lumber slash collection day Kneeland (5) ID shaded fuelbreak in upper Freshwater area + fuel reduction Kneeland (5) Greenwood Hts + Freshwater Road fuel reduction (no clearcuts) Kneeland (5) Felt Road Fuel Reduction Miranda (5) Perch Creek Watershed private and public land (municipal water source) protect watershed resources Orleans (5) Controlled Burns at Lauffer Ranch Palo Verde (5) Defensible Space Assessments via VFD's Palo Verde (5) Bell Springs Road (Alderpoint to 101 in Mendocino County) Shaded Fuel Break Palo Verde (5) Miller Ranch Road Shaded Fuel Break Palo Verde (5) Fox Springs Road shaded fuelbreak Petrolia (5) Panther Gap Road- bottom Petrolia (5) Paradise Ridge/Queenmine Road BLM proposed fuelbreak Shelter Cove (5) Community-wide mobile chipping program Trinidad (5) Clearance around repeater- WC Willow Creek (5) Fuel Break on Alderpoint Road Alderpoint (6) Clearing above freeway below Green Hill Road Blue Lake (6) Buck Gulch Fuel Reduction Briceland (6) Lower Shop Road Briceland (6) Community chipper Kneeland (6) Tine Fuel Break (shaded fuel break) Miranda (6) Old Hodges Fuel Reduction Miranda (6) Redcap Road fuel break on public and private land Orleans (6) Power pole (PGE) fuel reduction Trinidad (6) CSD Road Mowing Project Briceland (7) Clear Roads in "The Zoo" (Telegraph Ridge) Shelter Cove (7) Clear Road, Blue Ridge Shelter Cove (8) Clear Road, Shaller Road Area Shelter Cove (9) *As funding and staff are available

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8.4 Community Preparedness and Response Topic: COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND FSC Goal: Support Recommendations: Maintain the continuance of the RESPONSE efforts of local fire Humboldt County Fire Safe Council after the Fire Plan Measure 8.4-1 HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND organizations and Fire is completed (Recommendation 6.5-3). Support the LOCAL FIRE SAFE COUNCILS Safe Councils to maintain efforts of local FSCs to protect communities adequate staffing levels (Recommendation 6.5-1). Provide technical support to and to serve as public local FSCs in their fire protection and prevention safety agents, and planning efforts, including GIS analysis, creation of monitor these efforts. publications, internet access, and FSC administration, funding, and business management (Recommendation 6.5-9). Description: Implementation of this measure will result in active and effective local and county FSCs. Additionally; this measure will promote the formation of local FSCs in communities not currently served by an FSC, and improve coordination between all FSCs.

Need: As documented by the findings of the MFPP, community preparedness training and workshops providing fire risk awareness, such as community workshops put on by local FSCs, are essential to reducing fire risk. Findings also indicated that aside from what is accomplished by state and federal agencies, fuel reduction projects are implemented by local FSCs. Based on these findings, it is important to support existing and cultivate new FSCs to perpetuate these activities throughout the county.

FSCs play an integral role in implementing fuels reduction projects, identifying community assets and values, supporting the efforts of fire departments, and educating community members about fire safety. Local FSCs provide an essential bridge between community residents and other local, county, state and federal entities. They also provide a forum for community involvement in fire prevention and preparedness. The HCFSC is essential as an advisory body providing input toward completion of the Fire Plan, as a source of experience and knowledge, and to ensure that the countywide fire planning process is truly collaborative. The HCFSC is an ideal entity to play the important role of implementing many of the measures in this Fire Plan, overseeing and guiding the process of forming a countywide funding strategy to address the needs of fire service agencies in the county, and coordinating funding to local FSCs and fire departments.

This measure recognizes the need to increase public participation in fire prevention and planning efforts across the county, as well as the need to address the capacities of local FSC’s serving the pre-fire planning needs of all rural areas of Humboldt County. To this end, local FSCs can be much more effective in remote areas where County institutions are not as familiar with an area or may not be well received by local residents. Empowering communities to take responsibility for fire prevention and preparedness is an important component of establishing fire safe landscapes in remote regions. Recognition of the need to provide funding for FSC administration and coordination is essential to this goal.

The proficiency of local FSC members with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other mapping and planning technologies is highly variable. Local FSC staff may need individual training and assistance in order to increase their pre-fire planning skills. CDS currently has GIS specialists and fire planners on staff who could help local FSC staff complete Community Wildfire Protection Plans and accomplish Fire Plan goals for community fire preparedness, especially for the rural communities of Humboldt County.

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Implementation: On September 28th, 2004 the Board of Supervisors (BOS) revised the HCFSC “Purpose” and “Term” contained in the Resolution establishing the HCFSC and provided the resources necessary to support the FSC until September 7th, 2006. Before the end of its current term, the HCFSC will oversee the completion of the Fire Plan and come to agreement on a strategy for Plan implementation. The HCFSC will also work to determine the most effective and sustainable structures to support continued Fire Plan implementation and countywide fire planning efforts.

Further implementation of this measure includes the formation of a subgroup of the HCFSC to conduct outreach in communities that currently do not have a local FSC; the establishment of an annual FSC workshop where FSCs can share ideas and receive instructional presentations (tie in with the implementation of 8.3-1); the continued provision of funds through Title III specifically for administration and coordination of local FSCs; and the revision of the HCFSC criteria for project funding through the Title III grant program to include local FSC coordination and administration as a prioritized expenditure.

Humboldt County CDS Department Planning Division currently offers some GIS and planning support to local FSCs. This measure would formalize this transfer of information and skills to local FSCs; allowing them to more effectively meet their fire planning goals via this relationship. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes Complete the Fire Plan and gain the approval of the BOS. CDS, HCFSC, BOS Before September of 2006 Establish an action strategy for Fire Plan implementation. CDS, HCFSC Before September of 2006 Review activities of other County FSCs CDS, HCFSC Ongoing Determine best structure for the continuance of the HCFSC to HCFSC Before September of further countywide fire planning efforts. 2006 Ensure continuance of Title III funding to support the HCFSC as BOS, HCFSC, local FSCs, Annually well as local fire departments and FSCs. Include coordination and HCFCA administration as a prioritized expenditure in the HCFSC ranking criteria. Identify members of the HCFSC outreach subgroup HCFSC 1 month Identify communities and areas that could benefit from a local FSC HCFSC subgroup, CDF, State FSC 4 months and identify interested community members in such communities. representative Plan an annual workshop for local FSCs CDF, Six Rivers NF, HCFSC, Annually State FSC, local FSCs, BLM Provide some level of support for local FSC staff involved in pre- CDS, CDF Ongoing fire management Share appropriate County GIS data with local FSCs to aid in their CDS Ongoing fire planning efforts.

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COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community10 (Priority Ranking11) Schedule Notes Start a fire safe council Kneeland (4) Start Fire Safe Council Blue Lake (5) Multi-stakeholder Fire Safe Council Trinidad (5) *As funding and staff are available

10 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 11 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.4 Community Preparedness and Response Topic: COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND FSC Goal: Support efforts Recommendations: Update Humboldt County Fire RESPONSE of local fire organizations Safe Standards to identify specific hazard zones, Measure 8.4-2 FIRE SAFE STANDARDS and Fire Safe Councils to improve fire safe measures for community planning maintain adequate staffing areas and/or other unincorporated rural residential levels and to serve as public areas in Humboldt County, and to address roads, safety agents, and monitor vegetation setbacks, and enforcement. these efforts. (Recommendation 6.5-8) Description: The implementation of uniform fire safe standards can reduce future losses of life and property. Implementation of this measure will insure that the most current fire safe techniques are incorporated into the planning regulations, and that the enforcement of these regulations is well coordinated in local jurisdictions throughout the County.

Need: Ongoing residential developments in unincorporated rural areas of the county and multi-agency involvement in the implementation of fire safe standards present a challenge to building and maintaining fire safe communities. The topic of community protection from wildfire has received much attention in recent years and many new strategies and techniques have been developed. It is crucial at this time to determine whether and how new community protection findings should be incorporated into current fire safe standards.

Additionally, a plan to respond will be developed if phase I of the new Wildland-Urban Interface building standards become effective and are enforceable by local government. With these new standards come new requirements for building construction. Implementing these new standards and communicating the associated new requirements to builders and home and business owners will be an important means to reduce structural ignitability throughout Humboldt County.

Implementation: To accomplish this measure, the HCFCA and CDF will meet with local agency planners to evaluate the standards currently in effect within each jurisdiction. The Fire Prevention Officers have already begun working to clarify the implementation of State and Federal fire prevention construction and occupancy standards in order to assist contractors, business operators, local government, and local fire agencies to improve fire safety. To that end, they are developing standards for smoke detectors, key boxes, fire department connections, fire sprinkler inspector test and alarm monitoring, fire extinguishers, cooking hoods, premises identification, roads, burn permits, and gated communities. The work of the Fire Prevention Officers will serve as an effective springboard for additional coordinated fire safe planning and enforcement efforts.

Additionally, standardized procedures will be drafted and roles will be clarified for performing building permit inspections and implementation of County Fire Code 1952. This work will be coordinated between CDS and the Fire Prevention Officers. Standardized procedures will streamline the process of applicant compliance with County Fire Code 1952, and will be made available to involved agencies. This is intended to result in better coordination between all agencies. As a step in this process, CDS, CDF and fire departments will reach agreement on their roles in the process and in the implementation of procedures. Additionally, a specific “as built” inspection for fire safe compliance will be included in the procedures as part of the final sign off of the building permit.

If the new Wildland-Urban Interface building standards become effective Humboldt County building officials will conduct outreach to notify the

8-24 Implementation Measures August 2006 Edition public and incorporate the new requirements into the plan check process.

Steps toward accomplishing this measure include: establishing priorities for the HCFCA and local planners; performing research regarding model standards available from State and Federal agencies; establishing agreement between jurisdictions (fire departments, cities and the County) as to minimum County wide standards; development of enforcement mechanisms (responsibilities and revenue sources); and codification of standards by local agencies.

Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes Review current procedure for permit inspections and fire CDS Building & Planning Divisions, 6 months code implementation and draft standardized procedures Fire Prevention Officers, CDF Clarify roles of all agencies involved in permit CDS Building &Planning, Fire 6 months inspection and fire code implementation Prevention Officers, CDF Incorporate new state Wildland-Urban Interface building CDS Building and Planning Divisions, standards into County Fire Safe Standards (Ordinance and BOS NO. 1952) and implement through the plan check process.

Inform the public and interest groups of new CDS Building and Planning Divisions requirements associated with the Wildland-Urban Interface Building standards through handouts at the building counter and presentations to the Builders Exchange, Northern California Association of Home Builders, the HCFCA, and other organizations and agencies as appropriate. Review State and Federal model fire safe standards and Fire Prevention Officers, CDF, 3 months existing local ordinances Develop model ordinance for uniform County & City HCFCA, CDF, 3 months fire safe standards Work with County and Cities to come to agreement on Fire Prevention Officers, CDF, CDS, 3 months minimum standards. Cities Coordinate with countywide funding strategy effort All of the above 24 months May require a consultant Implement model fire safe ordinances CDS, cities, CDF 2 months

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COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community12 (Priority Ranking13) Schedule Notes Road signs (Humboldt County/Caltrans); Bair, Stover, Green Point School (mile marker signs)e Redwood Valley (1) No development without year round water & good road grading Fieldbrook (2) Pressure on Regional Air Quality to allow more burning Rio Dell (2) Address signs (house #'s) program Fieldbrook (3) Stop burning at Redwood National Park at Bald Hills in summer Orick (4) *As funding and staff are available

12 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 13 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.4 Community Preparedness and Response Topic: COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS FSC Goal: Support efforts of Recommendations: Work with local FSCs, fire AND RESPONSE local fire organizations and protection organizations, and other applicable entities Measure 8.4-3 FIRE SAFE PLANNING AND Fire Safe Councils to to incorporate wildland fire safety measures, fire hazard HAZARD IDENTIFICATION maintain adequate staffing mitigations, accessible roads data, emergency water levels and to serve as public supply locations, flammable vegetation clearance for safety agents, and monitor defensible space techniques, and other fire safety these efforts. techniques, into local community planning (Recommendation 6.5-7) Description: The Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies (RAMS) analysis prepared for this MFPP has established a baseline for the development of fire hazard zones for Humboldt County. The addition and refinement of vegetation, fire protection capability, community resources and hazards and fire history data over time should produce even more accurate fire hazard zones. The use of these zones in community planning can work to facilitate better allocation of fire prevention, suppression, and code enforcement resources as well as land use planning decisions.

Need: Continued development in high fire hazard areas in the wildland-urban interface increases the potential for the loss of assets to wildfire. Strategic fire risk identification and the incorporation of fire safe measures into community development planning can greatly reduce the negative impacts of wildfire on valuable resources.

Implementation: Successful implementation of this measure will require the adoption of a standard risk assessment technique/model; implementation of procedures to continually gather data and update Humboldt County GIS systems; incorporation of applicable findings into policy recommendations in the Humboldt County General Plan; and incorporation of fire hazard identification into the regular update of local emergency operations plans and Community Plans for community planning areas (CPA). CDS will maintain communication with local FSCs and fire departments in order to share pertinent GIS risk/hazard data. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes Work with local FSCs, HSU, local governments, and State and Federal CDS, HCFSC, Local Ongoing Agencies to continually improve risk/hazard GIS data. Make risk FSCs, CDF, USFS, assessment methodologies and technologies available to local FSCs and Tribes, BLM fire departments. Regularly update risk/hazard mapping and make products and data CDS, HCFSC, Local Ongoing available to local FSCs and fire departments. FSCs, CDF, USFS, Tribes, BLM Incorporate fire risk findings into the updated General Plan CDS 12 months Incorporate findings into emergency operations plans OES, EMS, CDS Ongoing as plans are updated Incorporate findings into CPA Community Plans CDS Ongoing as plans are

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updated Implement risk/hazard reduction programs based on most current data. HCFSC, Local FSCs, Ongoing CDF, USFS, Tribes, BLM

COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community14 (Priority Ranking15) Schedule Notes Improve Access to Benbow day use water drafting site Benbow (1 - Benbow) Fix McKay Tract bridge Greater Eureka (1) Fix Riverview Road access Orick (1) Permissions to access ponds on private lands Blue Lake (2) Close loop on dead-end/access roads where possible Greater Eureka (3) Remove fence at Haygood's & Elkhorn; blocks access, dangerous Orick (3) Identify water access to river for fire trucks Bridgeville (5) M Road Repairs/widening for Fire Suppression Access Palo Verde (5) Dam at Redwood Creek & Princess Rock (impoundment) Redwood Valley (5) Alternate access road from Fox Farm Road to Stumptown Road Trinidad (6) *As funding and staff are available

14 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 15 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.5 Fiscal Issues Topic: FISCAL ISSUES FSC Goal: Support fire prevention and Recommendation: Develop reliable sources resource protection efforts of local of on-going funding for fire protection Measure 8.5-1 DEVELOP RELIABLE communities, Fire Safe Councils, special districts and departments, such as revenue REVENUE SOURCES FOR FIRE districts with fire safety responsibilities, fire exchange agreements, benefit assessments, PROTECTION organizations, and Joint Powers Authority and mitigation and user fees (JPA) cooperative services (dispatching, (Recommendation 6.6-1). hazmat, training and other cooperative opportunities). Description: Implementation of this measure would result in the identification and institution of reliable revenue generating structures, such as an appropriate assessment and funding implementation strategy to fund fire protection and emergency services, fire prevention, and training. Examples of such strategies are the formation of a countywide County Service Area (CSA) or fire protection service zones allowed by section 53978 of the State Government Code. In this case, specific county-wide service benefits provided to an area would determine the appropriate level of benefit assessment.

The CSA or other countywide funding strategy could “overlay” existing fire-related districts to extend new services (e.g., dispatch or training) or to augment existing services. Most likely, the implementation of the CSA or other countywide funding strategy would result in contracting with existing fire entities to provide services. This program would need to be coordinated by a single entity such as the “Lead Group” referenced in 8.1- 4.

Need: Funding for local fire departments is one of the most critical issues identified during this planning effort. Some local departments indicate that revenue is insufficient to cover even the basic costs of operation and administrative tasks. Personnel related costs such as workman’s compensation, even in all volunteer departments, have increased many times faster than the growth of revenue. Proposition 13 and subsequent changes to the State Constitution have made it extremely challenging for local agencies to increase taxes for fire protection, and fund raising by all-volunteer departments is difficult and time-consuming. Moreover, the impact of additional occupational safety requirements mandated by SB 1207, no matter how critical to firefighter safety, could be “the straw that breaks the camel’s back” in terms of departmental survivability.

To maintain capable fire protection, it is important to establish adequate and reliable revenue sources for local fire departments as well as innovative cost-sharing programs to increase the efficiency of service provision. The most stable sources of revenue for fire protection are ongoing assessments and recurring agency programs. One-time funding (such as grants) can be effective for establishing a program or service, but must be replaced by an ongoing source for long-term viability. The variety of methods by which local fire departments are organized, and the funding sources that are available to each type of department, makes identifying “one size fits all” funding solutions very difficult.

A special circumstance of fire protection need lies in areas of the county where there is no obligated service provider. Currently, these unprotected areas may receive “good will” service from nearby fire companies. However, these companies are not compensated for this good will service and it represents an additional strain on their already overburdened resources. A county-wide funding strategy could mitigate, this type and other types of service delivery problems.

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Implementation: The Humboldt County BOS has established a County/Fire District Working Group (Working Group) to evaluate and report on fire district funding requests. The efforts of this group should serve as a spring-board for additional work to be coordinated by the HCFSC and/or the Lead Group (see 8.1-4). Based on the Working Group’s findings, the Lead Group will prepare recommendations for implementation of a countywide funding strategy.

The steps necessary to accomplish this measure include: identify funding sources to support CSA funding strategy planning; evaluate the range of services to be provided; analyze the gap between the “true” cost of providing fire protection at the level-of-service desired and available funding; compile information regarding funding strategies used by other counties and fire districts within counties; and explore the feasibility of offering a menu of services to existing districts, cities, and allied agencies.

County staff will work with the HCFCA and CDF to create zones in the county for a “special assessment” (see Appendix A for description). The County will also develop a tool kit for establishing an assessment for the expansion or formation of fire protection districts. HCFCA and individual fire departments will then be able to apply the appropriate numbers for their zones and use the resulting data to create promotional arguments to gain the support of their respective communities.

County staff will work closely with local fire protection providers to ensure that there is local support for any proposed action. Additionally, the willingness of local fire departments to utilize their community image and political capital to move aspects of this measure forward will have to be assessed. The potential benefits will need to be determined and clearly communicated to the members of the HCFCA so that they are able to embrace proposed actions and promote them to their respective communities.

Parallel to the process of identifying an appropriate and reliable source of countywide funding, organizations will continue to pursue grants. An appropriate website will be identified where grant availability information, grant writing tips, information on consulting grant writers, grant writing class dates, and other pertinent resources can be posted. A grants coordinator representative will be designated and tasked with monitoring grant needs and availability, coordinating timely grant submission and reporting, and identifying when joint grant submittals might be the most efficient strategy. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes Seek funding to support planning associated with Humboldt County, HCFCA, CDF Completed identifying a countywide funding source Research funding strategies of other counties, including HCFSC, CDS, HCFCA 3 months the implementation of a special assessment. Compile information on funding strategies and cost of Lead Group, CDS Planning & 3 months service data. Include findings of the Working Group. Economic Development Develop recommendations for ways in which reliable Working Group, CDS 12 months revenue can be consistently generated. Develop a tool kit for establishing or expanding CDS 5 months assessments for fire protection

8-30 Implementation Measures August 2006 Edition

Create special assessment zones CDS, CDF, HCFCA, Local Fire Will very depending Departments on target location Utilize tool kit to create special assessments Local fire departments and HCFCA Will very depending on location and size of zone Set up systems for improved fire department support grant HCFCA, HCFSC, OES, CDS 6 months coordination including website development and a grants Economic Development coordinator representative.

COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community16 (Priority Ranking17) Schedule Notes Sustainable revenue for fire department Arcata (1) Sufficient funding for adequate fire protection Bayside (1) Start a Bridgeville VFD Bridgeville (1) Funding for fire fighting resources Kneeland (1) Sufficient funding for fire protection McKinleyville (1) Benefit tax assessment Kneeland (2) More $$ for Fire Dept. Samoa (2) Grant Writing Support Palo Verde (3) *As funding and staff are available

16 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 17 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.5 Fiscal Issues Topic: FISCAL ISSUES FSC Goal: Support fire prevention and resource protection efforts of Recommendation: Support local communities, Fire Safe Councils, special districts with fire safety reallocation of a portion of Measure 8.5-2 responsibilities, fire organizations, and Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Proposition 172 funds to local fire REALLOCATION OF cooperative services (dispatching, hazmat, training and other agencies (Recommendation 6.6-2). PROPOSITION 172 cooperative opportunities). Description: This measure supports the reallocation of a portion of Proposition 172 funds to fire related districts.

Need: The Fire Plan identifies funding to local fire departments as a critical issue. To maintain capable fire protection, it is important to explore all possible funding sources. In 1993, the voters of California passed Proposition 172, the Local Public Safety Protection and Improvement Act of 1993 (Art. XIII, Sec 35, California Constitution), which added an additional ½ cent to the Sales and Use tax to fund public safety (including fire protection). This tax was placed on the ballot by the Governor and the Legislature in an attempt to reduce the impact of the shift of property tax funds from local government to schools that resulted from the implementation of the Education Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF). Proposition 172 also created the Public Safety Augmentation Fund. Subsequent laws approved by the Legislature that implemented Proposition 172 (Gov. Code Sec. 30051-30056) included fire protection but did not specifically mention Special Districts providing public safety services as entities eligible to receive allocations from the Public Safety Augmentation Fund, even though Special Districts were affected by the ERAF shifts.

The Humboldt County Fire Chief’s Association has been actively working to include local fire related districts in the allocation of Proposition 172 funds. The California Attorney General's opinion (Cal. Atty. Gen. Op No. 03-804) states Independent Fire Protection Districts are eligible for this funding. On October, 18th, 2005, as an amendment to the FY 2005-06 County budget, The Board of Supervisors allocated $100,000 from the General Fund to Special Districts providing fire protection in Humboldt County as a one time payment. Subsequently, the BOS directed the County Administrative Office to reevaluate such payments to the fire service for the FY 2006-07 budget. County Administrative Office (CAO) staff continued to meet with a Board appointed Working Group, referenced in Measure 8.5-1, and has tentatively reached an agreement on an equitable solution to this issue. See the Sales Tax discussion in Appendix A for more detail on this.

Implementation: Based on the percentages outlined in the Working Group’s agreement, beginning in FY 2006-07, a specific annual allocation of a portion of the Proposition 172 revenue will be paid to Humboldt County Fire Districts. The Working Group and CAO staff will evaluate the effectiveness of this distribution of Proposition 172 funds and, should either party desire, discussions on this issue will re-open in January of 2009. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes The Humboldt County BOS annually allocate a portion of BOS, HCFCA, Humboldt County Annual analysis Proposition 172 revenue to Fire Protection Districts per the Administrative Office (CAO), County and allocation percentages agreed upon by the Working Group. Working Group Continue County/Fire District Working Group and coordinate County Working Group, HCFCA, CAO Continuous until closely with HCFCA January 2009 *As funding and staff are available

8-32 Implementation Measures August 2006 Edition

8.5 Fiscal Issues Topic: FISCAL ISSUES FSC Goal: Support fire prevention and resource Recommendation: Establish protection efforts of local communities, Fire Safe funding and resource pools to Measure 8.5-3 POOLING OF Councils, special districts with fire safety responsibilities, reduce costs associated with items RESOURCES FOR COST fire organizations, and Joint Powers Authority (JPA) such as insurance, purchasing, and SAVINGS cooperative services (dispatching, hazmat, training and vehicle maintenance other cooperative opportunities). (Recommendation 6.6-5). Description: Implementation of this measure will establish resource pools that will provide fire departments with: administrative support; reduced- cost medical exams; insurance premium reductions; CALOSHA compliance assistance; breathing apparatus fit testing; injury and illness prevention plans; standardized record keeping for training; standardized incident reporting and tracking (fire and EMS incidents); aid in the acquisition and maintenance of fire fighting apparatus and equipment; and the development and maintenance of fire department facilities (emergency water supplies, fire stations, etc.). Provision of such countywide pooling of resources would also provide the advantage of certain efficiencies, and overall fire service costs could be reduced through economies of scale as the quality of service becomes more reliable.

Need: Although the HCFCA is a forum via which many firefighter resources are shared, additional pooling of resources would benefit fire departments in Humboldt County. Many departments are composed solely of volunteers, and may not have the time or capacity to efficiently attend to the many administrative aspects that maintain a department in operation and in compliance with the law. In some cases, the cost of Workman’s Compensation and liability insurance consumes the greater part of a department’s annual operating budget, and any cost reduction associated with transfer to Humboldt County’s carrier would be beneficial. The challenges associated with acquiring and maintaining necessary firefighting apparatus and equipment are great and have been identified in numerous capability assessments. Some fire departments are forced to operate with insufficient equipment as well as apparatus that in some cases is in poor condition. Identification of situations where pooling of resources would be beneficial is a necessary step in the larger process of ensuring that an adequate level of fire protection service is maintained or, in some cases, achieved.

Implementation: A program will be developed by which one administrator (possibly through a contract with an existing agency such as CDF) is available to support small fire departments with needed administrative functions (e.g., training records, CALOSHA and NFPA requirements, paying bills, bookkeeping, incident reporting, etc.).Firefighter recruitment and retention will also be emphasized, to help fire departments improve their level of service. To this end, the HCFSC and HCFCA will design a firefighter recruitment publicity campaign that fire departments can modify and implement at their local level.

The HCFCA and CDF will work together to develop a maintenance program to facilitate inspection and servicing of fire engines. The current countywide fleet includes approximately 115 engines. As funding is identified, this program will be expanded to include safety equipment inspection and maintenance (self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), turnouts, and emergency medical services (EMS) gear). Additionally, resources will be identified to support the establishment of a countywide system of equipment acquisition and facility development and maintenance. Equipment acquisition will include engine replacement and reserve engine supply. The facility program will include stations, water sources, regional training centers, emergency generators, and other essential components as identified by participants.

The Humboldt County Risk Manager will continue to work with interested fire districts to file all of the paperwork necessary for switching to

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Humboldt County’s insurance carrier. If fire protection service zones are established through implementation measure 8.5-1, an agreement will be formalized between fire departments within these zones and the County that will allow a reduction in Workers’ Compensation and liability insurance rates. This effort would be spearheaded by the County. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Notes Frame* Develop an administrative assistance program for fire HCFSC, CDF, HCFCA, CDS 1 year departments. Determine the level of need, the cost and the most logical administrative entity.

Design and implement firefighter recruitment strategies. Local fire department, HCFCA, HCFSC 6 Months Draft a Board report outlining the necessary steps for CDS, Co. Risk Management Done The HCFCA will creating the insurance umbrella for Fire Protection Districts. need to be a resource for this task Continue to work with fire departments to determine their CDS, Co. Risk Management, Fire Ongoing eligibility and the level of benefit they would receive under Departments the County insurance policy. Identify fire service zones that are appropriate for the CDS, Co. Risk Management, HCFCA. CDF 6 months establishment of insurance coverage agreements (Per measure 8.5-1). Continue to work with fire departments to establish them CDS, Co. Risk Management, local fire Ongoing under the County insurance umbrella. departments Develop a mobile mechanic program linked to a safety HCFCA, CDF 12 months equipment inspection program Develop an equipment and facility acquisition strategy for HCFCA, CDF, CDS Economic 12 months Humboldt County fire departments. Development, USFS COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED PRIORITY PROJECTS Project Community18 (Priority Ranking19) Schedule Notes County paid fire training officer for all rural departments Ferndale (1) County paid mechanic for all rural departments Ferndale (2) *As funding and staff are available

18 Community refers to one of the 24 communities where a meeting was held as part of the Community Fire Planning process. 19 Priority Ranking refers to the prioritized ranking given by those present at the specified community meeting. At each meeting, several projects were prioritized, 1 representing the highest priority. See Chapter 5 for more information on the community meeting process.

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8.5 Fiscal Issues Topic: FISCAL ISSUES FSC Goal: Support fire prevention and Recommendation: Identify a reliable resource protection efforts of local funding source or combination of Measure 8.5-4 DEVELOP A RELIABLE communities, Fire Safe Councils, special funding mechanisms that will support REVENUE SOURCE FOR FIRE districts with fire safety responsibilities, fire the efforts of local Fire Safe Councils SAFE COUNCILS organizations, and Joint Powers Authority (Recommendation 6.6-6) (JPA) cooperative services (dispatching, hazmat, training and other cooperative opportunities). Description: Grant funds have played a major role in the achievements of FSCs in Humboldt County. Implementation of this measure will support FSCs in their efforts to secure grant funding and explore other more reliable forms of funding.

Need: Throughout Humboldt County, FSCs are involved with public fire safe education and fire prevention programs. The level of organization among FSCs varies greatly, ranging from well-established non-profits to FSCs in the very beginning stages of formation. Similar to fire departments, local FSCs depend on volunteers and operate with minimal revenue. Their greatest challenges sustaining local support and participation, gaining organizational support for engaging in activates such as convening meetings and developing project proposals for funding, and securing enough funding to sustain and continue fire prevention efforts. Local FSCs, while somewhat successful at getting federal and state funding for implementation of fuels reduction projects, have been unable to establish secure funding for community planning and coordination efforts. It is essential to continue to support both organizational (administrative, coordination) and implementation goals of local FSCs. To this end, Title III funding has greatly increased the capacity of FSCs. It is critical that this funding continue to be made available for both specific projects and general coordination.

Implementation: A subcommittee of the HCFSC (possibly the RFRSC) will track grant availability, assist FSCs with grant applications, administration, and reporting, as well as coordinate with the activities outlined in 8.3-1. Ongoing coordination with all local FSCs to identify sources of funding other than grants for fire prevention activities such as woody biomass utilization and timber production (see 8.3-1) will be established.

The HCFSC, local FSCs, and local fire protection organizations will support legislation supporting the reauthorization of Title III funding. Pending reauthorization, planning staff will present a staff report to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) requesting a specified amount of Title III funding be allocated to the FSC fire planning support grant program. Said grant program will be evaluated to identify possible improvements. Tasks Implementation Partners Time Frame* Notes Create or identify a sub-committee of the CDS Planning & Economic 12 months HCFSC to provide grant assistance to local FSC Development, HCFSC, Local FSCs, Research FSC funding sources other than grants CDS Planning & Economic Ongoing Development, HCFSC, Local FSCs, Keep track of the legislative reauthorization CDS, HCFSC, Local FSCs, HCFCA Ongoing up until October 06 process for Title III funding and provide information and support when necessary.

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Write staff report to BOS requesting an CDS Following reauthorization of allocation of Title III funding for the FSC funding source support grant program Evaluate effectiveness of Title III grant program CDS, HCFSC Annually Administer Title III grant program CDS Ongoing With guidance from the HCFSC *As funding and staff are available

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Glossary

All-Risk Fire Protection: Protection associated with fire response that may include fire protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), hazardous materials (HazMat), and rescue.

Apparatus: Fire apparatus includes firefighting vehicles of various types. For the purposes of the Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan, fire apparatus includes wildland fire engines, rescue vehicles, ladder and aerial trucks, engines, and water tenders.

Aspect: The compass direction toward which a slope faces.

Automatic Aid Agreement: An agreement between two or more agencies whereby such agencies are automatically dispatched simultaneously to predetermined types of emergencies in predetermined areas.

Benefit Assessment: An assessment of taxes levied on the property owners in a district who enjoy a “special benefit”. Proposition 218 establishes a strict definition of "special benefit." For the purposes of all assessment acts, special benefit means "a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property located in the district or the public at large. General enhancement of property value does not constitute 'special benefit.'" In a reversal of previous law, a local agency is prohibited by Proposition 218 from including the cost of any general benefit in the assessment apportioned to individual properties. Assessments are limited to those necessary to recover the cost of the special benefit provided the property.

Brush: A collective term that refers to stands of vegetation dominated by shrubby, woody plant, or low-growing trees.

Brushfire: A fire burning in vegetation that is predominantly shrubs, brush, and scrub growth.

Buffer Zone: An area of reduced vegetation that creates a barrier separating wildlands from vulnerable residential or business developments. This barrier is similar to a greenbelt in that it is usually used for another purpose such as agriculture, recreation areas, parks, or golf courses.

Burning Conditions: The state of the combined factors of the environment – such as winds, temperature, fuel moistures, and humidity – that affect fire behavior in a specified fuel type.

Burning Index: An estimate of the potential difficulty of fire containment as it relates to the flame length at the most rapidly spreading portion of a fire’s perimeter.

Burning Period: That part of each 24-hour period when fires spread most rapidly, typically from 10:00 a.m. to sundown.

Candle or Candling: A single tree or a very small clump of trees burning from the bottom up.

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CEQA: The California Environmental Quality Act (Chapters 1 through 6 of Division 13 of the Public Resources Code). A state statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.

Community at Risk. Wildland interface (see definition below) communities in the vicinity of Federal lands that are at high risk from wildfire. (See list in Federal Register, January 4, 2001).

Complex: Two or more individual incidents located in the same general area and assigned to a single incident commander or unified command.

Contain a fire: A situation where a fuel break around the fire has been completed. This break may include natural barriers and/or manually built fireline and/or mechanically constructed line.

Control a fire: To complete a control line around a fire, any spot fires, and any interior islands to be saved; burn out any unburned area adjacent to the fire side of the control lines; and cool down all hotspots that are immediate threats to the control line, until the lines can reasonably be expected to hold.

Creeping Fire: A fire spreading slowly with a low flame.

Crown Fire (Crowning): The movement of fire through the crowns of trees or shrubs more or less independently of the surface fire.

CSA: County Service Area. CSAs are single purpose dependent special districts (governed by the County Board of Supervisors) authorized under §25210.1 of the Government Code as a means to “extend” services to growth areas within the unincorporated area, as well as provide funding for that extended service.

CSD: Community Services District. CSDs are sometimes called “junior cities” and are authorized under §61000 of the Government Code. CSDs can provide a broad range of municipal services including fire protection to unincorporated areas. CSDs are governed by a five member elected Board of Directors and receive revenue from taxes and fees. In cases where a CSD is responsible for fire protection in Humboldt County, services are provided by a volunteer fire department with facilities and funding provided by the CSD.

Dead Fuels: Fuels with no living tissue in which moisture content is governed almost entirely by atmospheric moisture (relative humidity and precipitation), dry-bulb temperature, and solar radiation.

Debris Burning: Any fire originally set for the purpose of clearing land or for burning rubbish, garbage, range, stubble, or meadow burning.

Defensible Space: An area, either natural or manmade, where material capable of causing a fire to spread has been treated, cleared, reduced, or changed in order to provide a barrier between an

Glossary-2 Glossary August 2006 Edition advancing wildland fire and the loss to life, property, or resources. In practice, defensible space is defined as an area with a minimum of 100 feet around a structure that is cleared of flammable brush or vegetation. Distance from the structure and the degree of fuels treatment vary with vegetation type, slope, density, and other factors.

Detection: The act or system of discovering and locating fires.

Direct Attack: Any treatment of burning fuel, such as by wetting, smothering, or chemically quenching the fire or by physically separating burning from unburned fuel.

Direct Protection Area: Fire protection responsibility areas as delineated for state, federal, and local agencies.

Dispatch: The implementation of a command decision to move a resource or resources from one place to another.

DMA 2000: Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended by Public Law 106-390, October 30, 2000. DMA 2000 is intended to establish an orderly and continuing means of assistance by the Federal Government to State and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage which result from such disasters by (1) revising and broadening the scope of existing disaster relief programs; (2) encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the States and by local governments; (3) achieving greater coordination and responsiveness of disaster preparedness and relief programs; (4) encouraging individuals, States, and local governments to protect themselves by obtaining insurance coverage to supplement or replace governmental assistance; (5) encouraging hazard mitigation measures to reduce losses from disasters, including development of land use and construction regulations; and (6) providing Federal assistance programs for both public and private losses sustained in disasters .

Duff: The layer of decomposing organic materials located below the litter layer of freshly fallen twigs, needles, and leaves and immediately above the mineral soil.

Extreme Fire Behavior: "Extreme" implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One or more of the following is usually involved: high rate of spread, prolific crowning and/or spotting, presence of fire whirls, strong convection column. Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise some degree of influence on their environment and behave erratically and/or dangerously.

Federal Responsibility Area: Areas within which a federal government agency has the financial responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires (see also State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Area).

Fee: A direct charge or dedication collected on a one-time basis as a condition of an approval being granted by the local government. Also termed “exaction”. The purpose of the fee or exaction must directly relate to the need created by the development. In addition, its amount

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must be proportional to the cost of improvement. Includes development impact fees, permit and application fees which cover the cost of processing permits and development plans; and regulatory fees

Fine (Light, Flash) Fuels: Fast-drying fuels, generally with a comparatively high surface area- to-volume ratio, which are less than ¼-inch in diameter and have a time-lag constant of one hour or less. These fuels readily ignite and are rapidly consumed by fire when dry.

Fire Behavior: The manner in which a fire reacts to the influences of fuel, weather, and topography. Common terms used to describe behavior include: smoldering, creeping, running, spotting, torching, and crowning.

Fire Flow: The flow rate of a water supply expressed in gallons per minute (gpm), measured at 20 pounds per square inch (psi) residual pressure, that is available for fire fighting.

Fire Flow Requirement: A measure comparing the amount of heat a fire is capable of generating (based on building construction and occupancy) versus the amount of water required for cooling the fuels below their ignition temperature.

Fire Intensity: A general term relating to the heat energy released by a fire, measured in kilowatts/meter (kW/m).

Fire Management Plan (FMP): A strategic plan that defines a program to manage wildland and prescribed fires. The plan is supplemented by operational plans such as preparedness plans, preplanned dispatch plans, prescribed fire plans, and prevention plans.

Fire Occurrence Interval: See Fire-Return Interval.

Fire Perimeter: The entire outer edge or boundary of a fire. Note that while acreage of a fire is determined or estimated by the fire's perimeter, it is possible that some substantially smaller acreage may have actually been burned within that perimeter.

Fire Regime: The combination of fire frequency, predictability, intensity, seasonality, and size characteristics of fire in a particular ecosystem.

Fire-Return Interval: The number of years between two successive fire events at a specific site or an area of a specified size.

Fire Safe: For the purposes of the Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan this term is defined as: Action(s) that moderate the severity of a fire hazard to a level of "acceptable risk," as discussed in the Safety Element of the County General Plan. In a broader context this term describes the state of lessened severity or action(s) that moderate the severity of a fire hazard or risk, while protecting structures and surrounding property from fire, whether fire is inside the structure or is threatening the structure from exterior sources.

Glossary-4 Glossary August 2006 Edition

Fire Season: 1) Period(s) of the year during which wildland fires are likely to occur, spread, and affect resource values sufficient to warrant organized fire management activities. 2) A legally enacted time during which burning activities are regulated by state or local authority.

Fire Severity: The effect of fire on plants. It is dependant on intensity and residence of the burn. An intense fire may not necessarily be severe. For trees, severity is often measured as percentage of basal area removed.

Fire Safe Standards: Standards adopted by ordinance for the purpose of establishing a set of standards that will result in fire safe development within a specified area.

FIRESCOPE: FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies. A cooperative effort involving all agencies with fire fighting responsibilities in California. The goal of this group is to create and implement new applications in fire service management, technology and coordination, with an emphasis on incident command and multi-agency coordination. This dynamic state-wide program serves the needs of California fire service management as an ongoing program.

Flame Height: The average maximum vertical extension of flames at the leading edge of the fire front. Occasional flashes that rise above the general level of flames are not considered. If flames are tilted due to wind or slope, this distance is less than the flame length.

Flame Length: The distance between the flame tip and the midpoint of the flame depth at the base of the flame (generally the ground surface); an indicator of fire intensity.

Flaming Front: The zone of a moving fire where the combustion is primarily flaming. Behind this flaming zone combustion is primarily glowing. Light fuels typically have a shallow flaming front, whereas heavy fuels have a deeper front. Also called fire front.

Flash Fuels: See Fine Fuels.

FPD: Fire Protection District. Districts authorized under §13800 of the California Health and Safety Code to provide fire protection and emergency medical services. Fire Protection Districts are generally governed by a five member elected Board of Directors.

Fuel: Combustible material. Includes vegetation such as grass, leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs, and trees that feed a fire. (See Surface Fuels.)

Fuel Bed: An array of fuels usually constructed with specific loading, depth and particle size to meet experimental requirements; also commonly used to describe the fuel composition in natural settings.

Fuel-break: A natural or constructed barrier used to stop or check fires that may occur, or to provide a control line from which to work.

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Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

Fuel Description: Designation of fuel materials into categories based on size and drying times. Fuel descriptions in use are described below:

Description Material Diameter Fine Needles, leaves, etc... 1 Hour Woody material, generally drying out within 1 hour. <1/4" 10 Hour Woody material, generally drying out within 10 hours. 1/4"-1" 100 Hour Woody material, generally drying out within 4 days. 1-3" 1000 Hour Woody material, generally drying out within 40 days. 3"+ Downed Fuel on the ground Heavy Large logs and snags

Fuel Load: The amount of available and potentially combustible material, usually expressed as tons/acre.

Fuel Loading: The volume of fuel present expressed quantitatively in terms of weight of fuel per unit area.

Fuel Model: (1) A standardized description of fuels available to a fire, based on the amount, distribution and continuity of vegetation and wood. (2) Simulated fuel complex (or combination of vegetation types) for which all fuel descriptors required for the solution of a mathematical rate of spread model have been specified.

Fuel Moisture (Fuel Moisture Content): The quantity of moisture in fuel expressed as a percentage of the weight when fuel is thoroughly dried at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fuel Reduction: Manipulation (including combustion and/or removal of fuels) to reduce the likelihood of ignition and/or to lessen potential damage and resistance to control.

Fuel Type: An identifiable association of fuel elements of a distinctive plant species, form, size, arrangement; or other characteristics that will cause a predictable rate of fire spread or difficulty of control under specified weather conditions.

Ground Fuel: All combustible materials below the surface litter (including duff, tree or shrub roots, punchy wood, peat, and sawdust) that normally support a glowing combustion without flame.

Hazard Reduction: Any treatment of a hazard that reduces the threat of ignition and fire intensity or rate of spread.

Hazardous Fuels Reduction: Any treatment that reduces the amount of hazardous fuels.

Glossary-6 Glossary August 2006 Edition

Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA): A portion of the 2003 President’s Healthy Forests Initiative intended to reduce hazardous fuels on public and private lands. Establishes CommunityWildfire Protection Plans and sets standards for those plans.

Heavy Fuels: Fuels of large diameter (such as snags, logs, and large limb wood) that ignite and are consumed more slowly than flash (fine, light) fuels.

Helibase: The main location within the general incident area for parking, fueling, maintaining, and loading helicopters. The helibase is usually at or near the incident base.

Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association (HCFCA): An independent organization comprised of fire chiefs from each of the County’s fire departments. The HCFCA serves as a sounding board for local fire service issues and contains several subgroups that carry out specific functions, such as fire prevention, training, and arson investigation.

Humboldt County Fire Dispatch Co-op: A Joint Powers Authority that includes 31 fire and EMS related service providers who have pooled resources in order to contract with CDF for dispatch services.

ICS: Incident Command System. A standardized, on-scene emergency management concept specifically designed to allow its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

Ignition Management: A program that includes fire prevention program activities that are aimed at preventing the ignition of wildland fires and/or reducing damage from fires. Components include law enforcement, public education, engineering, fuels modification, and fire-safe planning.

Impact Fees: Fees (often called "developer fees" or “development impact fees”) that are levied on new development to cover the cost of infrastructure or facilities necessitated by that development.

Incident: A human-caused or natural occurrence, such as wildland fire, that requires emergency service action to prevent or reduce the loss of life or damage to property or natural resources. Incident management teams also handle other non-fire emergency response, including tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters or large events.

Initial Attack: The actions taken by the first resources to arrive at a wildfire in order to protect lives and property and prevent further extension of the fire.

Interface Community. (Defined in the Federal Register, January 4, 2001) The Interface Community exists where structures directly abut wildland fuels. There is a clear line of demarcation between residential, business, and public structures and wildland fuels. Wildland fuels do not generally continue into the developed area. The development density for an interface community is usually 3 or more structures per acre, with shared municipal services. Fire

Glossary - 7

Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

protection is generally provided by a local government fire department with the responsibility to protect the structure from both an interior fire and an advancing wildland fire. An alternative definition of the interface community emphasizes a population density of 250 or more people per square mile.

Intermix Community: (Defined in the Federal Register, January 4, 2001) The Intermix Community exists where structures are scattered throughout a wildland area. There is no clear line of demarcation; wildland fuels are continuous outside of and within the developed area. The development density in the intermix ranges from structures very close together to one structure per 40 acres. Fire protection districts funded by various taxing authorities normally provide life and property fire protection and may also have wildland fire protection responsibilities. An alternative definition of intermix community emphasizes a population density of between 28– 250 people per square mile.

ISO: Insurance Services Office. Private organization that formulates fire safety ratings based on fire threat and responsible agency’s ability to respond to the threat. ISO ratings from one (excellent) to ten (no fire protection). Many insurance companies use ISO ratings to set insurance premiums. ISO may establish multiple ratings within a community, such as a rating of 5 in the hydranted areas and one of 8 in the non-hydranted areas.

Ladder Fuels: Fuels which provide vertical continuity between strata and allow fire to carry from surface fuels into the crowns of trees or shrubs with relative ease. They help initiate and assure the continuation of crowning.

LAFCO: The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Created by the State Legislature in 1963 to discourage urban sprawl and encourage the orderly formation and development of local government agencies. LAFCOs review proposals for the formation of new local governmental agencies and for changes in the organization of existing agencies. There is a LAFCO in each county in California except San Francisco. LAFCO is a seven-member Commission comprised of two city council members (chosen by the Council of Mayors), two county supervisor members (chosen by the Board of Supervisors), two special district members (chosen by Independent Special District election), and one public member (chosen by the members of the Commission).

Large Fire: 1) CDF defines a fire burning more than 300 acres as a large fire. 2) A fire burning with a size and intensity such that its behavior is determined by interaction between its own convection column and weather conditions above the surface.

Late Seral/Succession Forest: A forest that has evolved, through successional processes, near to the end of the successional line, or climax forest. Only through disturbance (fire or clear- cutting, for example) will the forest return to an earlier seral (successional) stage.

Level-of-service standard (LOS standard): Quantifiable measures against which services being delivered by a service provider can be compared. Standards based upon recognized and accepted professional and county standards, while reflecting the local situation within which services are being delivered. Levels-of-service standards for fire protection may include

Glossary-8 Glossary August 2006 Edition response times, personnel per given population, and emergency water supply. LOS standards can be used to evaluate the way in which fire protection services are being delivered, for use in countywide fire planning efforts.

Light Fuels: See Fine Fuels.

Lightning Activity Level (LAL): A number, on a scale of 1 to 6, that reflects frequency and character of cloud-to-ground lightning. The scale is exponential, based on powers of 2 (e.g., LAL 3 indicates twice the lightning of LAL 2).

Litter: Top layer of the forest, scrubland, or grassland floor, directly above the fermentation layer, composed of loose debris of dead sticks, branches, twigs, and recently fallen leaves or needles, little altered in structure by decomposition.

Live Fuels: Living plants, such as trees, grasses, and shrubs, in which the seasonal moisture content cycle is controlled largely by internal physiological mechanisms, rather than by external weather influences.

Local Agency: Pursuant to Government Code §56054 means a city, county, or district. For the purposes of the Fire Plan, a Local Agency refers to a city or special district that provides fire protection.

Local Responsibility Area: Lands in which the financial responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires is primarily the responsibility of the local jurisdiction.

Local Agency Boundary: A specific land area that has been approved by LAFCO, within which a local agency (either a special district or a city) is obligated to provide services and from which the local agency generates tax revenue.

Mutual Aid Agreement: A reciprocal aid agreement between two or more agencies that defines what resources each will provide to the other in response to certain predetermined types of emergencies. Mutual aid response is provided upon request.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): The basic national law for protection of the environment, passed by Congress in 1969. NEPA sets policy and procedures for environmental protection, and authorizes Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments to be used as analytical tools to help federal managers make decisions on management of federal lands.

National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS): A uniform fire danger rating system that focuses on the environmental factors that control the moisture content of fuels.

National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS): A database of fire incident reports compiled at the local fire department level. NFIRS was an outgrowth of the 1974 National Fire Prevention and Control Act, Public Law 93–498. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an

Glossary - 9

Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

entity of the Department of Homeland Security, developed NFIRS as a means of assessing the nature and scope of the fire problem in the United States.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): An international non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG): An organization formed under the direction of the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior that includes representatives of the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Association of State Foresters. The group’s purpose is to facilitate coordination and effectiveness of wildland fire activities and provide a forum to discuss, recommend action, or resolve issues and problems of substantive nature. NWCG is the certifying body for all courses in the National Fire Curriculum.

Peak Fire Season: That period of the fire season during which fires are expected to ignite most readily, to burn with greater than average intensity, and to create damage at an unacceptable level.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment and clothing used and worn by all firefighting personnel in order to mitigate the risk of injury from, or exposure to, hazardous conditions encountered while working.

Structure PPE, or Bunker Gear, includes NFPA/OSHA compliant helmet, goggles, hood, coat, pants, boots, gloves, pocket tools, and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.

Wildland PPE includes 8-inch laced leather boots with lug soles, fire shelter, hard hat with chin strap, goggles, ear plugs, aramid shirts and trousers, leather gloves, and individual first aid kits.

Planning Compartment: Geographic subdivisions of Humboldt County developed to support the Master Fire Protection Plan risk and capabilities assessment. The boundaries of the Planning Compartments were developed using existing Humboldt County planning tools, taking into consideration watershed boundaries, established community planning areas, fire department/district protection boundaries, tribal land boundaries, and State and federal agency administrative boundaries.

Prescribed Fire: A fire ignited under known conditions of fuel, weather, and topography to achieve specific objectives.

Prevention: Activities directed at reducing the incidence of fires. Include public education, law enforcement, personal contact, and reduction of fuel hazards.

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Resort Improvement Districts (RID): Districts authorized under §13000 of the Public Resources Code to provide a broad range of services (similar to CSDs), including fire protection, in unincorporated areas that are occupied seasonally for recreation and/or resort purposes.

Resource Management Plan (RMP): A document prepared by field office staff with public participation and approved by field office managers that provides general guidance and direction for land management activities at a field office. The RMP identifies the need for fire in a particular area and for a specific benefit.

Response Area: The Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan defines two types of response areas, District Response Areas and Non-District Response Areas.

District Response Areas are areas outside the local agency boundaries of the special district or city within which the fire department associated with local agency provides fire protection.

Non-District Response Areas are areas within which a volunteer fire company (see definition of VFC) provides fire protection. The primary difference between a response area (district or non-district) and a local agency boundary is that there is no legislated obligation for a fire department to provide structural fire protection within a response area.

Response Time: For the purposes of the Master Fire Protection Plan, response time is the time that elapses between the moment a 911 call is placed to the emergency dispatch center and the time that a first-responder arrives on scene. Response time includes dispatch time, turnout time (the time it takes firefighters to travel to the fire station, don their PPE, and prepare the apparatus), and travel time.

Safety Zone: An area cleared of flammable materials used for escape in the event the line is outflanked or in case a spot fire causes fuels outside the line to render the line unsafe. In firing operations, crews progress so as to maintain a safety zone close at hand, allowing the fuels inside the control line to be consumed before going ahead. Safety zones may also be constructed as integral parts of fuel breaks; they are greatly enlarged areas which can be used with relative safety by firefighters and their equipment in the event of a blowup in the vicinity.

Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS): (Government Code § 8607). The group of principles developed for coordinating state and local emergency response in California. SEMS provides for organization of a multiple-level emergency response, and is intended to structure and facilitate the flow of emergency information and resources within and between the organizational levels--the field response, local government, operational areas, regions and the state management level. SEMS incorporates by reference: the Incident Command System (ICS); multi-agency or inter-agency coordination; the State's Mutual Aid Program; and Operational Areas.

Slash: Debris left after logging, pruning, thinning, or brush cutting; includes logs, chips, bark, branches, stumps, and broken understory trees or brush.

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Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

Special District: As government organizations, special districts are a type of local agency that delivers specific public services within defined boundaries. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (the state law that governs the activities of LAFCO) more narrowly defines a special district and excludes school related districts, financing districts and numerous other districts.

Special Tax: Any tax imposed for specific purposes, including a tax imposed for special purposes, which is placed into a general fund. (Subdivision (d), Section 1, Article XIII C of the California Constitution). All taxes imposed by any local government shall be deemed to be either general taxes or special taxes. Special purpose districts or agencies, including school districts, shall have no power to levy general taxes (Subdivision (a), Section 2, Article XIII C of the California Constitution)

Spot Fire: A fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by flying sparks or embers.

Standard: A criterion; the ideal in terms of which something can be judged. An acknowledged measure of comparison for quantitative or qualitative value.

Stand-Replacing Fire: A fire that kills most or all of the trees in a section of forest.

State Responsibility Area: Defined in California Public Resources Code § 4125 – 4127 as lands in which the financial responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires is primarily the responsibility of the state. State Responsibility Areas are defined by code:

§ 4126. The board shall include within state responsibility areas all of the following lands: (a) Lands covered wholly or in part by forests or by trees producing or capable of producing forest products. (b) Lands covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, undergrowth, or grass, whether of commercial value or not, which protect the soil from excessive erosion, retard runoff of water or accelerate water percolation, if such lands are sources of water which is available for irrigation or for domestic or industrial use. (c) Lands in areas which are principally used or useful for range or forage purposes, which are contiguous to the lands described in subdivisions (a) and (b).

§ 4127. The board shall not include within state responsibility areas any of the following lands: (a) Lands owned or controlled by the federal government or any agency of the federal government. (b) Lands within the exterior boundaries of any city, except a city and county with a population of less than 25,000 if, at the time the city and county government is established, the county contains no municipal corporations. (c) Any other lands within the state which do not come within any of the classes which are described in Section 4126.

Structure Fire: Fire originating in and burning any part or all of any building.

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Suppression: All the work of extinguishing or containing a fire, beginning with its discovery.

Surface Fuels: Loose surface litter on the soil surface, normally consisting of fallen leaves or needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches that have not yet decayed enough to lose their identity; also grasses, forbs, low and medium shrubs, tree seedlings, heavier branchwood, downed logs, and stumps interspersed with or partially replacing the litter.

Underburn: A fire that consumes surface fuels but not trees or shrubs.

Vegetation Type: A standardized description of vegetation. The type is based on the dominant plant species and the age of the forest. It also indicates how moist a site may be and how much fuel is likely to be present.

Volunteer Fire Department: A fire department associated with a local agency (either a city of a special district authorized to provide fire protection) that is comprised almost entirely of volunteer, unpaid, firefighters, whose primary objective is community fire protection.

Volunteer Fire Company: A fire department not associated with a local agency (either a city of a special district authorized to provide fire protection) that is comprised almost entirely of volunteer, unpaid, firefighters. Volunteer Fire Companies also include volunteer firefighting organizations associated with Indian Tribes whose primary objective is community fire protection rather than wildland fire suppression, and volunteer firefighting organizations associated with timber/lumber companies who provide community fire protection.

Water Tender: A ground vehicle capable of transporting specified quantities of water.

Wildland Agency: Any federal, tribal, state, or county government organization participating in wildland fire protection with jurisdictional responsibilities.

Wildland Fire: Any non-structure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland.

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI): The zone where structures and other human developments meet, or intermingle with, undeveloped wildlands.

Glossary - 13

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations August 2006 Edition

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

Alliance California Fire Alliance ALS Advanced Life Support AED Automated External Defibrillator BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs BID Humboldt County Building Inspection Division BLM Bureau of Land Management BLS Basic Life Support BOS Humboldt County Board of Supervisors CAD Computer Aided Dispatch CalOSHA California Occupational Safety and Health Administration CalTrans California Department of Transportation CDF California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection CDF-HUU California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Humboldt-Del Norte Unit CDS Humboldt County Community Development Services CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CHP California Highway Patrol CPA Community Planning Area CPR Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation CSA County Service Area CSD Community Services District CR Collage of the Redwoods CWPP Community Wildfire Protection Program DMA 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 DOI Department of the Interior ERAF Education Revenue Augmentation Fund EMS Emergency Medical Services EMT Emergency Medical Technician ERC Energy Release Component FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

Acronyms-1 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

FICC Fortuna Interagency Command Center FIRESCOPE FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies FMP Fire Management Plan FPD Fire Protection District FRA Federal Responsibility Area FRO First Responder--Operational FSC Fire Safe Council GIS Geographic Information System GPU General Plan Update HazMat Hazardous Materials HCFCA Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association HCFSC Humboldt County Fire Safe Council HCFDC Humboldt County Fire Dispatch Cooperative HCOE Humboldt County Office of Education HFPD No. 1 Humboldt Fire Protection District No. 1 HFRA Healthy Forests Restoration Act HROP Humboldt Regional Occupation Program HRSP Humboldt Redwoods State Park HSU Humboldt State University IC Incident Command ICS Incident Command System ISF Institute for Sustainable Forestry ISO Insurance Services Office JPA Joint Powers Authority LAFCO Local Agency Formation Commission LAL Lightning Activity Level LOS Level of Service LRA Local Responsibility Area MCI Plan Multiple Casualty Incident Plan MFPP Master Fire Protection Plan MOUs Memorandums of Understanding MSR Municipal Service Review

Acronyms 2 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations August 2006 Edition

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NF National Forest NFDRS National Fire Danger Rating System NFIRS National Fire Incident Reporting System NFPA National Fire Protection Association North Coast EMS North Coast Emergency Medical Services Agency NPS National Park Service NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group OA Operational Area OASIS Operational Area Satellite Information System OES Office of Emergency Services OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PASS personal alert safety system alarms PPC Public Protection Classification PPE Personal Protective Equipment RAWS Remote Automated Weather Stations RAC Resource Advisory Council RAMS Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies RAWS Remote Automated Weather Stations RID Resort Improvement District RFRAC Regional Fuels Reduction Advisory Committee RMP Resource Management Plan RNSP Redwood National and State Parks RTF Regional Training Facility SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus SEMS Standardized Emergency Management System SRA State Responsibility Area

SRNF Six Rivers National Forest USFS United States Forest Service USDA United States Department of Agriculture VFC Volunteer Fire Company VFD Volunteer Fire Department

Acronyms-3 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

VMP Vegetation Management Program Working Group County/Fire District Working Group WUI Wildland Urban Interface

Acronyms 4 Resources August 2006 Edition

RESOURCES

Bureau of Land Management. Arcata Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy Plan, (2003).

California Board of Forestry and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. California Fire Plan, (2000).

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Management Plan, Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, (2003 and 2005). 2005 plan is available at the CDF website at: http://www.fire.ca.gov/FireEmergencyResponse/FirePlan/pdf/Humboldt.pdf

Dyett and Bhatia. Humboldt County 2025 General Plan Update, Natural Resources and Hazards: A Discussion Paper for Community Workshops, (2002). http://www.planupdate.org/meetings/natl_res/nr_report.asp

Hackett, Steven C. The Humboldt County Economy: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going? (1999). http://www.humboldt.edu/~economic/humcoecon.html

Humboldt County. General Plan Update Critical Choices Report. (Draft 2001). http://www.planupdate.org/meetings/critical/CCreport.asp

Humboldt County. Humboldt County General Plan, Volume I, Framework Plan, (1984). http://192.168.1.3/planning/Genplan/Framewk/index.htm

Humboldt County Community Development Services. County of Humboldt Geographic Information System, (2005).

Humboldt County Planning Department. Humboldt County Local Coastal Program Technical Studies: Visual, (1979).

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Services, County of Humboldt Emergency Operations Plan: Humboldt Operational Area. (June 2002). http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/sheriff/OES/EOP/default.htm

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Services. Humboldt County Operational Area, (2002). http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/sheriff/OES/

Lower Mattole Fire Safe Council. Lower Mattole Fire Plan, (September 2002). http://www.mattole.org/affiliates/0/pdfs/1052768224_Fire_Plan.pdf

North Coast Emergency Medical Services Authority. Multi-Casualty Incident Plan, (2004). http://www.northcoastems.com/WhatsNew/MCIPlanFinal.pdf

Resources-1 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

North Coast Emergency Medical Services Authority. North Coast Emergency Medical Services Authority Policy Manual, (nd).

Pilliod D. S., and P. S. Corn. “Changes in stream amphibian populations following large fires in Idaho”, presented at the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology symposium, Amphibians and Fire, (19-22 March 2003, Arcata, California). http://leopold.wilderness.net/staff/pubs/2003SNVB_PilliodAbstract.htm

State of California Economic Development Department. Labor Market Info website, (2005). http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=L abforce

State of California Governor's Office of Planning and Research. A Planners Guide to Financing Public Improvements, (June 1997). http://ceres.ca.gov/planning/financing

US Departments of Agriculture and Interior. A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment: 10-year Comprehensive Strategy, (August 2001). http://www.fireplan.gov/reports/7-19-en.pdf

US Departments of Agriculture and Interior. A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment: 10-year Comprehensive Strategy Implementation Plan, (May 2002). http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/fire/implem_plan.pdf

US Departments of Agriculture and the Interior. National Fire Plan, Website, (2001).

US Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States Fire Administration. Funding Alternatives for Fire and Emergency Services, (1998). http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-141.pdf.

US Forest Service. Protecting People and Sustaining Resources in Fire-Adapted Ecosystems: A Cohesive Strategy, (2000). http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/2000/cohesive_strategy10132000.pdf

US Forest Service, Six Rivers National Forest. Fire Management Plan: Six Rivers National Forest, (2004).

Resources-2 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services August 2006 Edition

Appendix A: Funding For Fire Safety and Services

FUNDING FOR LOCAL FSCs Local FSCs are funded primarily through federal and state grants. The SRNF and BLM have provided funding directly to local FSCs to develop organizational capacity, construct fuelbreaks, and disseminate fire safe information in the community. The California Fire Safe Council manages a “Grants Clearinghouse”, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior that caters to local FSCs and volunteer fire organizations.

FUNDING FOR LOCAL FIRE ORGANIZATIONS Fire protection service providers in Humboldt County operate with limited resources and demonstrate a strong need for additional funding. Expenses for essential budget items such as the maintenance of aging apparatus, worker’s compensation, and liability insurance outstrip department revenue. Although local fire organizations have demonstrated that they are very resourceful—using volunteers, surplus and donated equipment, and by working cooperatively to deliver services—most fire departments report that they do not have sufficient funding to support the desired minimum level of service. As a result, fiscal stability is one of the most critical issue facing local fire related organizations.

SB 1207 (Romero – approved by the legislature in 2001 and codified as California Labor Code Section 6303), which took effect on January 1, 2004, revised the Labor Code to define volunteer firefighters as “employees” for the purposes of the California Occupational Safety and Health Act. This law establishes new requirements for volunteer fire departments including:

ƒ A requirement for an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan ƒ OSHA compliant PPE (including an annual pulmonary examination and “fit testing”) for all personnel ƒ Staffing requirements to achieve “two-in/two-out” policies ƒ Requirements for hazardous materials and confined space rescue training ƒ Department blood borne pathogen programs ƒ Hazard labeling; and ƒ Personal liability for managers and supervisors in the event of serious Labor Code violations

Although some of the County’s fire departments may be substantially in compliance with these regulations already, most local fire departments will need to significantly increase training, purchase new equipment, and devote additional time to department administration in order to comply with this law. As described in the previous paragraph, local department budgets are stretched beyond their limit. The addition of the SB 1207 requirements could profoundly affect the fiscal stability of local departments.

Establishing new funding sources to meet the ever-increasing demands on local fire organizations is a difficult undertaking. There is not an easy “one size fits all” solution that can be applied to each fire department for meeting funding shortfalls. Tax revenue is limited by state

A-1 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan law and requires voter approval. Grant funds are highly competitive, require considerable time and administrative capacity, and their use is limited. Fund raising, like grants, is competitive, time consuming, and is limited by the incomes of residents and businesses that receive services from the particular fire department.

The following is a discussion of existing ongoing and one-time funding sources for fire protection in Humboldt County, as well as a partial listing of alternative funding sources. For the purposes of this analysis, on-going funding sources are considered recurring revenues that residents/agencies are obligated to pay such as property taxes, assessments, other government aid, and fees. One-time funding sources are grants, donations, and the like. Portions of this section were excerpted from Funding Alternatives for Fire and Emergency Services (FEMA- U.S. Fire Administration) and the Planner's Guide to Financing Public Improvements (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research).

FUNDING BY DEPARTMENT TYPE For the purposes of this Fire Plan, local fire organizations are divided into two types: Local Agency Fire Departments (city departments and special districts) and Non-Agency Fire Departments (volunteer fire companies not supported by a city or special district.) Humboldt County and its non-fire related district role in local fire protection funding is discussed separately. For each department type, the most common sources of funding will be described as well as some of the additional funding sources that are authorized by the State Legislature, but may not be currently in use. This analysis may not describe all funding types available to all local agency types or all funding sources utilized by all departments.

Humboldt County

As described in Chapter 2, Humboldt County plays various roles in local fire protection. The County Board of Supervisors serves as the ex officio Board of Commissions/Directors of four fire related districts. However, neither County staff nor County funds are used in the administration of those districts.

Humboldt County is a political subdivision of the State of California. The primary function of a County is to provide health, welfare, and criminal justice related programs to the people of the County. In fiscal-year 2003-04, over 80% of the $212 million dollar County budget went to Public Assistance (30%), Public Protection (22%), Health and Sanitation (30%) and Transportation Ways and Facilities (10%). The largest source of revenue supporting this budget comes from the state and federal governments (64%), with local property taxes accounting for only 6.6% of the total County revenues. Funding for fire protection is derived almost entirely from taxes and assessments within the four special districts for which the County has authority.

The County does use some General Fund money for fire protection related activities. CDF receives approximately $13,000 through the Amador contract with the County for dispatch services, as well as approximately $60,000 for CSA-4 related contract services. Funding for CSA-4 is derived from a property assessment and the funding for dispatch services is derived from the County General fund. Competition among County programs for General Fund revenue is very tight. The likelihood that County General Revenue expenditures for fire protection will

A-2 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services August 2006 Edition increase in the near future is very low, given recent statewide reductions in funding to counties without commensurate reductions in program responsibilities.

Non-Agency Fire Departments Non-agency fire departments are volunteer fire companies established by local communities to protect themselves. In Humboldt County there are three general types of volunteer fire companies: volunteer fire companies protecting Tribal communities that receive at least some portion of their regular ongoing funding from the Tribal government; volunteer fire companies associated with a timber company that protect a mill and other timber company property and receive at least some portion of their ongoing funding from the timber company, and the remaining volunteer fire companies who rely almost exclusively on their own fund raising efforts.

With few exceptions, non-agency fire departments have no certainty as to their funding levels from one year to the next. Fund raising is the primary source of revenue for volunteer fire companies. Additional sources of funding for non-agency volunteer fire departments include event promotion (for example, the Honeydew Volunteer Fire Department organizes the “Roll on the Mattole” each year – a music event in the Honeydew area), wages and equipment rental derived from State and Federal wildfire related work, raffles, and bake sales. Volunteer fire companies are eligible to apply for many fire related grants; however, most grants will not fund recurring expenses such workers compensation, liability insurance, and utilities. Grant funding sources will be discussed generally at the end of this Section.

Many local departments have had regular success as result of their fund raising efforts. Some volunteer fire companies generate more revenue from fund raising than fire related districts do from taxes. Fund raising does provide an opportunity for local departments to meet the community they protect. However, a significant investment of time and energy is required by the volunteer company in order to raise funds. Time and energy are scarce resources for any community volunteer, but especially for volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters, whether associated with a local agency or not, are often expected to perform at the same level as career firefighters who train 20 to 40 hours per month. The time spent fundraising for volunteer firefighters could be better devoted to training or department administration.

Although fund raising is the primary source of revenue, it is not the sole domain of volunteer fire companies. Local agency fire departments also perform a good deal of fund raising to supplement their revenue. Fund raising will always be an important component of non-agency and local agency volunteer fire department revenue and community relations. However, it is clear that fund raising efforts can detract from the time and energy required to be a volunteer firefighter. Table A-1 lists taxes and the primary funding sources available to non-agency fire departments.

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Table A-1 Non-Agency Fire Department Funding Sources Funding Source Notes

Federal, State, Local, Foundation Grants Generally available only for one-time purchases only, not for ongoing expenses such as insurance Informal Subscriptions/Dues Program that seeks participant/household fees rather than large service charges if services are provided Fundraising Solicitations Door to door or letter writing fund raising campaigns directed towards residents within the service area Interest / Rent Revenue from volunteer fire company assets such as investments, real property, or equipment Wildfire Wages Payments from responsible Federal and State fire agencies for assisting in wildfire suppression Events / Promotions Events and promotions such as raffles, pancake breakfasts, bake sales, and shows

Local Agency Fire Departments Providing fire protection is not a requirement for counties and not a clear requirement for cities. Counties have no requirement to provide fire protection or dedicate any portion of their revenues to this service. Pursuant to Government Code §’s 38600 and 38601, the legislative body of a city may provide fire engines and all other necessary or proper apparatus for the prevention and extinguishment of fires. However, § 38611 states that cities shall establish a fire department, and that the fire department shall be under the charge of a chief who shall have had previous training and experience as a firefighter. But, § 38611 further states that no general law city shall be required to appoint or elect a fire chief or establish a fire department if such city is included within the boundaries of an established fire protection district.

As a result a range of special districts have been formed to provide fire protection services, including: Fire Protection Districts; Community Services Districts; a County Service Area; and a Resort Improvement District. State law defines the sources of revenue available to each of these local agencies as well as the method of establishing appropriations (or spending) limits.

Taxes are a significant source of ongoing revenue for local agency fire departments. Even though its budgetary significance has steadily declined since the passage of Proposition 13, property tax remains one of the primary revenue sources for most local fire related special districts. In addition to the one percent property tax that all property owners are familiar with, some local agency fire departments with actively harvested timber resources within their district boundaries also receive Timber Yield Tax, which is a property tax on the value of timber that has been harvested. Other significant taxes and fees that are collected as part of the property tax bill include special taxes and special assessments approved by voters of the district for fire protection. Special taxes and assessments will be discussed in greater detail in the following Section.

The California State Controller’s Office publishes an annual report or fiscal transaction for special districts (most recent edition - Special District Annual Report, 1999-2000, State Controller) that lists the revenue and expenditures of each special district. Table A-3 contains revenue and expenditures by Humboldt County fire related district for fiscal year 1999-2000 (the

A-4 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services August 2006 Edition most recently published report.). Table A-2 lists taxes the primary funding sources available to local agencies providing fire protection services. The following paragraphs describe these and other funding sources in greater detail.

Table A-2 Local Agency Fire Department Funding Sources Funding Source Notes

Property Tax The portion of the 1% base property tax available to districts formed prior to 1978 Assessments / Special Taxes Subject to rigorous approval process, including voter approval Timber Tax Property tax based on the value of timber harvested within the district Federal, State, Local, Foundation Grants Generally available for one-time purchases only, not for ongoing expenses such as insurance Homeowners Property Tax Relief Home Owner Property Tax Relief revenues are received from the State as reimbursement for property tax revenues lost due to the $7,000 Home Owners Exemption. Interest / Rent Revenue from district assets such as investments, real property, or equipment Funding Raising See Non-Agency Fire Department Funding Sources above Education Revenue Augmentation Fund Back-fill payments in an effort to hold fire districts harmless from (ERAF) the effects of ERAF shifts

A-5 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan Table 2-3 Fire Related District Revenues and Expenditures 1999-00 Community Services Districts Other Fire Protection Districts County Service Area Resort Imp Item Carlotta Fieldbrook1 Miranda1 Orick1 Weott1 No. 4 District No. 11 Arcata Blue Lake2 Samoa REVENUES Property Tax Current Secured $147,375 $11,651 $17,001 $2,156 $38,420 $784,765 $51,665 $103,141 Current Unsecured 4,466 988 1,397 294 2,513 67,808 4,422 8,785 Prior Year (186) 40 60 8 66 2,785 186 380 SPAF Property Assessments 110,237 11,821 1,271 276,372 68,974 Penalties, Etc. Licenses & Permits Fines, Forfeitures, Etc. Rev. from Money & Property Interest 71,489 3,246 1,360 9,073 31,584 3,909 4,362 Rents 252 1,700 9,629 Aid from other Govt. State Aid for Construction HOPTR 3,287 379 531 71 26,035 1,698 3,431 Special Supplemental Subventions Other 25,314 72 194 2,240 1,612 264 Federal Aid for Construction Other 2 Other Govt. Agencies 75,926 Charges for Current Services 350 4,869 38,455 102,400 Other Revenues Aid from Private Parties All Other 4,638 3,222 2,790 32 2,198 116,290 31,133 15,623 Total Revenue $443,150 $31,419 $0 $25,033 $7,430 $38,455 $155,941 $1,307,879 $94,625 $214,589 EXPENDITURES Salaries & Benefits 5,772 300 970 82,002 981,164 2,450 99,174 Services & Supplies 231,728 37,573 3,870 16,606 5,856 38,455 71,615 370,137 35,923 65,513 Other Charges Contributions for other Agencies 1,000 3,000 5,400 Interest Judgments ROW Taxes & Assessments Exp Applied. To Prior Yrs Fixed Assets Land Structures & Improvements 25,851 7,595 Equipment 218,996 7,104 37,952 37,100 3,382 Expenditures Transactions & Reimb. Total Expenditures $483,347 $52,272 $3,870 $16,906 $6,826 $38,455 $191,569 $1,351,301 $78,473 $173,469 Net Revenue Over Expenditures ($40,197) ($20,853) ($3,870) $8,127 $604 $0 ($35,628) ($43,422) $16,152 $41,120 Source: Special District Annual Report FY 99-00, California State Controllers Office, 2003. Notes: 1. District provides services in addition to fire protection. 2. Blue Lake Fire Protection Districted added a special tax for fire protection, prevention, and EMS (Gov. Code §53978) through Measure "M" in March 2000.

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Table 2-3 Fire Related District Revenues and Expenditures 1999-00 (continued) Fire Protection Districts Humboldt No. Telegraph Item Fortuna Garberville 1KneelandLoletaMyers FlatPetroliaRedwayRio DellRidge REVENUES Property Tax Current Secured $175,969 $33,960 $1,108,938 $4,272 $22,450 $6,447 $12,400 $36,906 $33,356 $4,272 Current Unsecured 15,466 2,674 71,824 369 1,918 559 970 3,207 2,850 369 Prior Year 672 113 3,566 16 89 23 40 127 122 16 SPAF Property Assessments 74,171 10,965 40,944 20,573 4,397 Penalties, Etc. Licenses & Permits Fines, Forfeitures, Etc. Rev. from Money & Property Interest 29,282 2,779 58,461 835 3,278 186 739 3,889 4,508 1,722 Rents 120 2,768 Aid from other Govt. State Aid for Construction HOPTR 5,853 1,027 32,967 142 736 215 373 1,231 1,094 142 Special Supplemental Subventions Other 1,550 38 9,571 1,091 274 224 57 Federal Aid for Construction Other Other Govt. Agencies Charges for Current Services 220,930 Other Revenues Aid from Private Parties All Other 10,423 8,167 7,957 5,634 1,099 11,633 550

Total Revenue $313,386 $48,758 $1,514,214 $16,599 $76,260 $8,529 $26,429 $48,352 $63,110 $10,918

EXPENDITURES Salaries & Benefits 11,200 1,277,477 2,135 6,311 Services & Supplies 91,048 19,910 377,615 8,141 34,656 7,508 26,473 17,738 20,355 8,170 Other Charges Contributions for other Agencies 150 7,500 Interest Judgments ROW Taxes & Assessments Expenditures Applied. To Prior Yrs Fixed Assets Land Structures & Improvements 2,409 43,873 33,590 Equipment 62,386 10,017 34,299 10,736 3,000 Expenditures Transactions & Reimb.

Total Expenditures $167,193 $29,927 $1,740,764 $8,141 $36,791 $18,244 $26,473 $17,738 $63,256 $8,170

Net Revenue Over Expenditures $146,193 $18,831 ($226,550) $8,458 $39,469 ($9,715) ($44) $30,614 ($146) $2,748

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TAX REVENUE SOURCES FOR FIRE PROTECTION

PROPERTY TAX (ONE PERCENT AD VALORUM BASE PROPERTY TAX RATE) All property (real and personal) is taxable unless otherwise provided in State Law or the State Constitution. Proposition 13, approved by the voters of California in 1978, capped the property tax rate at one percent of assessed value, limited the increase in assessed value to a maximum of two percent per year, and reset assessed value to 1975-1976 values. Once property is sold, the sale price becomes the new assessed value. Personal property is not subject to the Proposition 13 limitations on growth in assessed value.

The County Tax Assessor uses Tax Rate Areas (TRAs), geographic areas based on groupings of local taxing entities that provide service within that geographic area, to calculate property tax revenue to local agencies. There are over 100 different TRAs within Humboldt County. Property tax generated within each TRA is distributed according to formulas established by State law to the taxing entities providing service within that TRA.

Special districts that provide fire protection services that were formed prior to 1978, the year that Proposition 13 was passed, receive a portion of the one-percent ad valorum base property tax rate collected within the TRAs in their services area. Special districts formed after the passage of Proposition 13 are not eligible to receive property tax, and must instead seek voter approval to receive special taxes or assessments.

Prior to the passage of Proposition 13, revenue from the base property tax rate accounted for approximately 90 percent of the fire districts’ total revenue statewide. Currently, Humboldt County fire related districts receive an average of just over 50 percent of their revenue from the base property tax rate (ranging from zero percent to over 80 percent). The total fire district base property tax revenue ranges from approximately $0 to over $1.0 million per year, with the median fire department revenue from base property tax less than $40,000 per year (State Controller’s Office, 2000.)

Eighteen of the 22 special districts that provide fire protection services in Humboldt County receive an allocation of the one percent base property tax rate. The other four special districts, Kneeland, Telegraph Ridge Fire Protection Districts, CSA No. 4, and Weott Community Services District, were formed after the passage of Proposition 13, and therefore are not eligible to share in the one-percent base property tax. When the Kneeland and Telegraph Ridge Fire Protection Districts and CSA No. 4 were formed, the voters approved additional benefit assessments to be imposed on property in the district to pay for fire protection. The election to approve the formation of the Weott Community Services District did not include an assessment to fund fire protection service. These three districts do indirectly receive a small amount of property tax funds through a locally negotiated relief fund (in part due to the State mandated transfer of property tax revenue from special districts to the Education Revenue Augmentation Fund - ERAF.) County Service Area No. 4 is funded through a voter approved benefit assessment.

A-8 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

In the future, if new fire districts are formed or existing fire districts are to expand to provide fire protection to unserved communities, either additional special taxes or assessments will need to be imposed on the formerly unserved property, or the County and the expanded (or new) district will need to negotiate an exchange of property tax revenue to fund fire protection services. The following section describes the exchange of property tax revenue in greater detail.

Property Tax Exchange After Changes in Jurisdiction State law governing the distribution of property tax revenue among taxing entities is complex. The laws governing the exchange of property tax between local agencies when there is a “change in organization” is even more complex (changes in organization are defined as a change in jurisdiction, e.g. annexation, detachment, new district formation, dissolution, or consolidation.)

The State Government Code and Revenue and Tax Code establish the procedures for property tax exchange in the event of a change in jurisdiction. If a change in jurisdiction includes an existing district that assumes existing service responsibilities (detachment from one district and annexation to another), the district that assumes responsibility is entitled to a share of the property tax revenue. In the case of annexation of a previously unserved area, existing special districts must negotiate on their own behalf and negotiations are limited to revenue from the annual increase in assessed value, or annual tax increment (ATI). A new district formed to provide fire protection to an unserved area is not entitled to any portion of property tax revenue.

Some counties have attempted to share base property tax revenue with newly formed districts in order to facilitate the provision of fire protection services to unserved areas. As an example, San Diego County negotiated property tax exchange agreements as an encouragement for new districts to form and to provide newly formed fire protection districts with at least some share in the ATI. The San Diego County experience may be a useful resource in evaluating funding and organization alternatives to alleviate fire protection funding shortfalls.

SPECIAL TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS A special tax is “any tax imposed for specific purposes, including a tax imposed for special purposes, which is placed into a general fund,” as defined in the State Constitution. Because it is a tax, not a fee or an assessment, the amount of the special tax is not limited to the relative benefit it provides to taxpayers. Special taxes cannot be imposed on an ad valorum (property value) basis. They must be levied uniformly on all eligible properties or taxpayers. Typically, they are "per parcel" taxes apportioned according to the square footage of the parcel or on a flat charge. An Assessment on the other hand is a levy and is not considered a tax. An assessment is described as a charge based on the cost of providing the special benefit to the property.

Since the passage of Proposition 13, 15 local agency fire departments have received the approval of voters within their district for an additional special tax or assessment to augment their revenue. Special taxes and assessments comprise 18 percent of revenue,

A-9 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan on average, (ranging from 0 to 100 percent) for fire related districts (State Controller, 2000). On August 6, 2003, the landowners within CSA No. 4 approved a significant increase in their benefit assessment for fire protection, allowing the current $13 per unit assessment (four units of benefit assessment equals one single family dwelling) to increase to $29 per unit over the next several years. The increase in revenue was required because of changes in the labor agreement between CDF and the firefighters union, and general increases in the cost of providing fire protection services.

Table A-4 Fire Related Special Tax / Assessments for Districts in Humboldt County District Name Year Amount* Notes

Arcata VFPD 1997 $5 / unit Blue Lake FPD 2000 $9 / unit Carlotta FPD 1993 $25 / unit CSD #4 2003 $13 / unit Assessment per unit increases to $29 by 2005 Fieldbrook CSD 1992 $42 / parcel Special tax approved by voters of District in Spring 2004 and will expire in 10 years Ferndale 1997 $5 / unit Fortuna 1997 $3 / unit Humboldt FPD #1 1985 $6 / unit Legal opinion that complies with Prop 218 Kneeland FPD 1990 $5 / unit Approved the year the district was formed. District receives no property tax other than assessment. Loleta FPD 1998 $15 / unit Resort Imp. Dist. #1 1995 $25 / parcel Rio Dell FPD 1997 $4 / unit Samoa Peninsula FPD 1997 $40 / unit Telegraph Ridge FPD 1990 $30 / unit District receives no property tax other than assessment. Willow Creek FPD 2001 $6 / unit Public review hearing every five years

*Unit refers to unit of benefit, not household unit. In the case of CSA No. 4, a single-family residence equals four units of benefit and therefore pays $52 in 2003-2004.

Although both special taxes and assessments are usually paid for as part of the property owner’s property tax bill, there are significant differences between the two revenue sources.

Table A-5 Fire Related Special Tax / Assessments for Districts in Humboldt County TYPE OF FUNDING SOURCE REQUIRED STEPS SPECIAL TAX ASSESSMENT Required Analysis An ordinance shall be prepared A detailed engineer's report prepared specifying the amount of each of such by a registered professional engineer, special tax levied on a parcel, class of the contents of which are established improvement to property, or use of by state law property basis, or a combination thereof, within the local agency to which fire protection services or police protection services are made available Assessment/Tax Amount Amount specified in ordinance Cannot exceed amount of benefit Public Noticing Normal hearing noticing process Notice to all property owners at least Requirement 45 days prior to the hearing containing:

A-10 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

TYPE OF FUNDING SOURCE REQUIRED STEPS SPECIAL TAX ASSESSMENT o the total amount of money chargeable to the assessment district, o the amount chargeable to each parcel in the district, o the duration of the payments, o the reason for the assessment, o the basis upon which the proposed assessment was calculated, o disclosure that a majority protest will result in the assessment not being imposed. and o a summary of the ballot procedure, as well as the date, time, and location of the public hearing. Public Hearing Normal ordinance approval process All protest must be considered. Assessment district proceedings must be abandoned if a majority of the ballots received by the conclusion of the hearing protest creation of the district. Vote Approval of two-thirds of the voters Ballots are to be weighted according voting upon such proposition to the proportional financial obligation of the affected property - the larger the financial obligation, the greater the weight that must be assigned to that property

Aside from the requirement to prepare a detailed engineer’s report, the major difference between assessments and special taxes is the requirement that an assessment confer a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property located in the district or the public at large. A general enhancement of property value does not constitute 'special benefit.' This can be very difficult to demonstrate and many fire related districts have chosen to seek a 2/3 majority approval for a new special tax rather than demonstrate the additional benefit from an assessment.

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Types of Special Taxes and Assessments

Special Tax. Government Code § 53978 authorizes any local agency that provides fire protection, fire prevention services or police protection (either directly or by contract with another agency) to levy special taxes for fire protection/prevention and police protection. Prior to placing a tax proposition on the ballot, the agency must adopt an ordinance describing the rate of taxation and maximum tax levy. When a local agency determines the amount of tax annually, it must not exceed the maximum amount established by the original ordinance. The taxes must be levied on a parcel, class of improvement to property, or use of property basis and may be varied to each parcel, improvement or use of property based on the degree of availability of fire or police services in the affected area.

The local agency need not impose this as a jurisdiction-wide special tax. It can establish particular areas or zones that will be assessed taxes to pay for services in those areas. This tax may be used to pay for "obtaining, furnishing, and maintaining fire suppression and police protection equipment or apparatus or either such service" (Government Code § 53978(b)). It may also be used to pay salaries and benefits for firefighting or police protection personnel and for related expenses. Like other special taxes, a police/fire protection tax is dedicated to the use for which it was levied. It is subject to approval by two-thirds of the voters within the jurisdiction or zone proposed for taxation.

The Mello-Roos Community Facilities District (CFD) Act of 1982 established a different type of special tax system. A Mello-Roos CFD allows any city, county, district, or JPA to establish a CFD to finance public facilities and services (including fire protection. CFDs are often used in undeveloped areas to fund infrastructure to support new home construction or in older areas to fund new schools or parks. A Mello-Roos CFD establishes a lien on property requiring owners to pay a special tax. The CFD special tax can repay bonds over time to construct facilities and infrastructure. Procedural requirements for establishing CFDs are similar to special assessments: a detailed report is prepared; the local agency adopts a resolution of intent; a hearing is held where protest can be made; and an election is held requiring a 2/3 majority.

Special Assessments. State Government Code § 50078 authorizes special districts, county service areas, counties, and cities that provide fire suppression services (including those provided by contracting with other agencies) to levy assessments. The resulting revenues may be used to obtain, furnish, operate, and maintain firefighting equipment and to pay salaries and benefits to firefighting personnel.

Unlike the other special assessment acts, invocation of fire suppression assessments does not require establishment of an assessment district. Instead, the jurisdiction levying the assessment specifies those parcels or zones within its boundaries that will be subject to assessment.

A-12 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

Assessments are based upon uniform schedules or rates determined by the risk classification of structures and property use. Agricultural, timber, and livestock land is assessed at a lower rate on the basis of relative risk to the land and its products. The local agency may establish zones of benefit, restricting the applicability of assessments. In addition, assessments may be levied on parcels, classes of improvement or property use. Assessments are proportional to the fire protection benefits received by property and improvements, but may be levied whether or not the service is actually used.

SALES TAX Local Public Safety Protection and Improvement Act of 1993 (Proposition 172) The Local Public Safety and Improvement Act of 1993 (Proposition 172) placed an additional one-half cent tax on taxable sales and use transactions; revenues that are to be used exclusively for local public safety activities, including police, sheriff, fire protection, district attorney, county probation, and jail operations. Revenue from this tax was intended to offset part of the revenue loss that cities and counties experienced from the property tax (Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF)) shift to schools. Proposition 172 funds are not distributed to independent special districts1 providing fire protection in Humboldt County.

The Humboldt County Fire Chief's Association has led an effort to include independent special districts in the distribution of Proposition 172 funds. Although the Legislature specifically included fire protection as an eligible activity for funding as part of this constitutional amendment, Proposition 172 only mandated the distribution of funds to cities and counties. Even though independent special districts were affected by the ERAF shift, no provision was made to provide Proposition 172 funds to independent special districts. As such, only the Eureka and Trinidad City Fires Departments would be eligible to benefit from Proposition 172 related sales and use tax funds.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors created a working group to evaluate Proposition 172 as it relates to funding for independent special districts. The working group is made up of representatives from the: Humboldt County Fire Chiefs’ Association; County Administrative Office; County Sheriff’s Department; County Probation Department; County District Attorney’s office; County Coroner; and two members of the County Board of Supervisors (Jill Geist and Jimmy Smith). This group has been working together since 2002.

The Humboldt County Counsel requested an opinion from the State Attorney General’s Office to determine whether or not an independent fire protection district can be considered an “otherwise eligible public safety service agency” for the distribution of Proposition 172 funds. The California Attorney General responded with an opinion (Cal. Atty. Gen. Op No. 03-804) that acknowledged the fire protection districts’ eligibility for a share of the Proposition 172 funding. The opinion also specified that distribution of Proposition 172 funds was at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ discretion. In

1 In this context, “independent special district” refers to Fire Protection Districts, Community Services Districts, and a Resort Improvement District that provide fire protection services in Humboldt County.

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August of 2005, in response to several requests from the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs’ Association to consider the matter, the Board of Supervisors directed the Humboldt County Administrative Office (CAO) to evaluate the feasibility of independent special districts receiving a portion of the Proposition 172 funding.

The Humboldt County Fire Chiefs’ Association requested that the County agree to share either 2% of total annual Proposition 172 revenue, or 50% of each year’s growth increment. On October, 18th, 2005, as an amendment to the FY 2005-06 County budget, the Board of Supervisors responded to the Chiefs’ request and allocated $100,000 of County General Fund monies to independent special districts providing fire protection in Humboldt County as a one time payment. The BOS then directed the County Administrative Office to reevaluate such payments to the fire service for FY 2006-07.

The Working Group created by the Board of Supervisors to assist with the reevaluation of potential Proposition 172 payments to independent special districts continued to seek resolution. A tentative agreement on an equitable solution was reached by this group in June of 2006. The Proposition 172 funding formula that was agreed upon and recommended to the Board of Supervisors includes a multi year term and a built in annual growth factor of 0.2%. This translates to a Proposition 172 revenue allocation for independent special districts equal to 1.4% of the total Proposition 172 revenue in FY 2006-07, 1.6% in FY 2007-08, and so on. Should either party desire, discussions on this funding formula would re-open in January 2009. The Working Group would then meet to discuss and, if necessary, update the revenue-sharing agreement.

Other Public Safety Related Sales Tax Counties, especially rural counties with their relatively limited tax base, have felt the impact of diminishing general funds and transportation related funds. In an attempt to assist counties, State legislation was enacted in 1987 that allow cities and counties to increase their sales tax to finance transportation improvements or general expenditures. At the same time, the maximum allowable sales tax rate was increased.

Revenue and Taxation Code §7285 provides that any city/county may levy a sales tax increase to pay for general expenditures. This increase may be either 1/4 cent or 1/2 cent per dollar. The board of supervisors must approve the proposed increase by two-thirds vote before placing it on the countywide ballot. The tax must then be affirmed by a simple majority of the voters taking part in that election. The proceeds of the additional sales tax may be used for any government purpose, including capital improvements, salaries, maintenance, and equipment purchases. Based on information from the State Board of Equalization, at least three cities in California (Clearlake, Clovis, and Placerville) have approved additional sales tax rates (ranging from 0.25 to 0.50 percent) to fund “public safety.”

OTHER REVENUE SOURCES Fees that do not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the regulatory activity or service for which they are charged and which are not levied for general revenue purposes are not "special taxes" (Government Code § 50076). Fees may be further distinguished from

A-14 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan taxes because they are voluntary (i.e. development or the construction of a house is a voluntary act) rather than compulsory and are imposed only upon those developing land rather than upon all landowners or taxpayers uniformly.

A local government's legislative body may impose fees for services only after a noticed public hearing. When a local agency charges fees for permits, inspections, and other services "those fees shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged” (§ 66014.) Fees that exceed the reasonable cost are considered special taxes and must be submitted to the jurisdiction's voters for a two-thirds voter approval. The amount of the fee must be based upon a needs study or other evidence in the hearing record so that the reasonableness of the fee can be ascertained.

Plan Review and Inspection Fees It is not unusual for fire departments to charge a fee for the review of building plans and building inspection or for the periodic inspection of commercial or special occupancy premises. The fee is normally based on the cost associated with performing the service. Although many other local fire departments review building plans, the Eureka Fire Department is the only local fire department known to receive a fee for fire and life safety code related building plan review and inspection. Other fire departments outside of Humboldt County charge fees for the annual inspection of commercial properties.

Humboldt County does charge a State Responsibility Area Fire Safe Inspection Fee as part of the plan review and building inspection process. Applications that trigger the requirement for a State Responsibility Area Fire Safe Inspection include: subdivisions, building permits for new construction, activities requiring a use permit, road construction (excluding existing roads), and siting of a mobile or manufactured home. Humboldt County Building Inspectors perform fire safe inspections in the unincorporated area. CDF inspectors are involved if there is an exception to the County Fire Regulations requested. The Fire Safe Inspection Fee covers the cost of the County building inspectors.

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Impact Fees and Exactions A development impact fee is an exaction that is imposed as a pre-condition for the privilege of developing land. Such fees are commonly imposed on developers by local governments in order to lessen the impacts of increased population or demand on services generated by that development. The purpose of the fee or exaction must directly relate to the need created by the development. Local governments derive their authority to impose exactions from two sources: the "police power" granted to them by the State Constitution; or specific state enabling statutes such as the Subdivision Map Act.

Many local governments in California require that new development pay a fee to finance new fire protection facilities and equipment necessitated by that development. Currently, no fire related impact fees or exactions are imposed on new construction in any jurisdiction in Humboldt County. Based on the responses to surveys sent to local fire departments, fire related facilities and equipment needs are profound and funding is not readily available to satisfy those needs. A countywide impact or mitigation fee, or specific fees for certain areas, could be useful tools in improving local fire protection capacity.

Suppression Fees In some jurisdictions, parties responsible for fires may be held liable for the costs associated with the fire. Imposing fire suppression fees is not a common practice in the United States. If a person has suffered a loss due to a fire, fire departments are not accustomed to billing for costs associated with responding to the fire. However, the California Health and Safety and Public Resources Codes contain sections that authorize fire departments to take action to recover from responsible parties the costs associated with fire suppression.

The Willow Creek Fire Protection District adopted an ordinance establishing a schedule of fees to be charged for services provided outside of the district. It is not know how many other local agencies providing fire protection have similar fee ordinances. It is also not known to what degree local agencies have generated revenue based on fee ordinances. Based on information available from the State Controller’s Office, no fire district in Humboldt County received revenue from this source in 1999-2000.

County-Wide Service Area for Fire Protection The Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan has been prepared as a means to reduce fire risk/hazards and improve the capabilities and fiscal condition of local fire departments. The Countywide Service Area implementation measure outlined further in chapter 7 is intended to establish a county-wide mechanism to provide services and organizational support for local fire departments, establish a means of funding to improve department stability, and support a higher level-of-service to County residents.

A-16 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

Background Information

Many Counties throughout the State of California use County Service Areas (County Service Area Law, Government Code Sec. 25210 – 25211) to provide fire protection services. County Service Areas (CSAs) were created by the State Legislature as a means for counties to “extend” municipal services, including structural fire protection, to areas of the county that are experiencing growth. Humboldt County has already used a CSA to fund winter-time fire protection. CSA 4 provides fire protection to communities along the coast between Crannell and Freshwater Lagoon, excluding Trinidad.

One of the most promising solutions to the County’s fire protection service gaps and funding short-falls throughout Humboldt County is to extend CSA 4 or to form a new fire related CSA. This could involve the annexation of those areas not currently served by a local fire protection agency (either by a special district or city providing fire protection) and voter approval of additional assessments to fund fire protection. Or, this County- wide CSA could involve the annexation of the entire County and the establishment of zones providing different services and levying different assessments depending on the needs of that community.

Many other California counties use CSAs to provide fire protection services in the unincorporated area. Shasta County, for example, has used a CSA to provide fire protection to a significant portion that County since 1974. Shasta County established CSA #1/Shasta County Fire Department to provide fire protection to all areas of the county outside existing fire protections districts and cities providing fire protection. The SCFD contracts with CDF to provide all department administration and operations functions. In addition, the SCFD supports 19 volunteer fire companies by providing oversight, administrative support, training, maintenance, funding, and dispatching.

County Service Area Organization and Operations

The desired outcome resulting from the formation of a County-wide CSA and establishment of new fire related assessments would be: x A local government agency providing fire protection throughout the County; G x Continued and expanded management of CSA operations by CDF; x The desired minimum level-of-service provided to all residents of Humboldt County (minimum level-of-service to be established through the Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan process);G x Enhanced Fire/EMS dispatch services including all or most Fire/EMS providers through increased funding to CDF; x Training, technical assistance, support services, provided to volunteer fire departments;G x Administration of assessment revenue/ongoing funding, technical assistance with grant applications, pooling of insurance and administrative costs, and other services by Humboldt County; and

A-17 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan x Augmented community fire protection services, both winter-time and year-round, provided by CDF, depending on the specific area of the County and community need.

Fire Plan Objectives

Aside from meeting the County-wide minimum level-of-service, the services listed above represent a menu of alternative services that can be provided within specific portions of the County or throughout the entire County. The various “zones of benefit” within the CSA could range from a low assessment to fund only enhanced dispatch services to a high assessment funding all enhanced services including augmented CDF community fire protection. However, establishing zones of benefit could make the engineering/financial/legal work associated with implementation more complex and costly.

How Establishing a County Service Area Meets Fire Plan Objectives 6.1-1 Minimum Level of Service Standard. Provides additional funding and resources (training, technical assistance) to departments to facilitate their achievement of the minimum level of service standard. 6.1-2 Regional Training Facility. Can include funding for training related personnel as well as specific assessment to support training facility. 6.1-3 Communications / Coordination. Can include enhanced dispatch services to encourage more agencies to participate as well as specific assessment to support dispatch center. 6.2-2 Fire Safety Education. Can assume Education/Prevention/Engineering role for most of County and develop and compile education and prevention information materials for distribution. 6.2-2 Fire Safe Standards. Education/Prevention/Engineering staff can take the lead role in implementing standards developed in concert with HCFCA. 6.6-1 Develop Reliable Funding Source. New assessments will be part of the ballot measure put to voters at the time of district creation. In addition, Humboldt County will play a greater role in seeking out district revenue.

Steps to forming a County Service Area

1. Task the FSC and County Planning staff to implement the development of the CSA 2. Seek funding to support analysis. (County) 3. Develop punch list of required steps to form district (organization/reorganization) and establish assessment. (FSC) 4. Evaluate range of services to be provided and feasibility of offering menu of services to existing districts, cities, allied agencies that chose to be part of districts that chose to contract for services. Develop rough estimate of cost of providing service. (FSC) 5. Evaluate potential district boundaries and determine the level of interest of cities and existing districts to become part of district. (FSC, existing service providers)

A-18 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

6. Research issues relating to assessments, parcel tax, fees, property tax exchange, other revenue, zones of benefit, and develop rough estimates of revenue. (FSC) 7. Seek Board of Supervisors support for establishment of district. (County) 8. Proceed to district formation. (County).

OTHER SOURCES Other ongoing revenue sources of funding that may be available to local fire departments may include: x Rental/Leasing Fees. At least three local related districts receive revenue from rental or leasing. In most cases, the revenue is derived from the rental of the department’s fire hall. x Fines. Fines from matters such as code violations, false alarms, etc. are a common source of revenue for fire departments. Based on information available from the State Controller’s Office, no fire district in Humboldt County receives revenue from this source.

SOURCES OF GRANT FUNDING Successful grant applications by local fire departments in Humboldt County have been approved by state and federal agencies and have been reported in the news in recent years. Grants can be useful in supplementing local funds to purchase equipment and apparatus, off-set training costs, and to fund the construction of new facilities. Grants do not generally fund ongoing costs such as insurance, utilities, salaries or benefits. The most common sources of grant funding for local fire departments include the CDF, USFS, and FEMA.

As described earlier, preparing grant applications and administering grant contracts can be burdensome to volunteer fire departments. Grant programs are also very competitive, making it extremely important that departments submit a polished and compelling application. Programs available to Humboldt County fire departments are also available to tens of thousands of departments throughout the nation. In 2001, the U.S. Fire Administration received 31,000 applications for the FEMA Firefighter Assistance grant program and awarded funds to 1,855 departments. With the injections of Homeland Security funds following the September 11, 2001 bombing, in 2003 FEMA made over 8,000 awards to departments out of a total of 19,000 applications.

The California Fire Safe Council has established a grant clearinghouse on its website to make it easier for communities statewide to find grants to reduce their wildfire risk and to get technical assistance. The clearinghouse gives eligible organizations the ability to apply to multiple programs with one concept paper. This broadly distributed concept paper gives funding agencies the ability to coordinate planning and to consider funding projects they might otherwise not know about.

Agencies participating in the grants clearinghouse include USDA Forest Service and agencies within the Department of Interior. Eligible applicants include state, county, municipal and tribal governments, special districts, independent school districts, state

A-19 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan controlled institutions of higher learning, private universities, profit organizations and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include: community fire plans; fuels reduction projects; development of fire safe councils; wildfire prevention education; and biomass utilization. Like most grants cost sharing or matching funds may be required and vary by program from 0 to 20 percent. Applicants are encouraged to show the maximum amount of match, which will make their project more competitive.

Table A-6 contains a listing of successful FEMA Firefighter Assistance Grant Applications by Humboldt County local fire organizations.

Table A-6 Humboldt County FEMA Firefighter Assistance Grant Funding Year Local Fire Organization Funding Category Amount

2003 Beginnings Vol. Fire Dept. Fire Operations and $48,960 Firefighter Safety 2003 Blue Lake Fire Dist. Fire Operations and $50,614 Firefighter Safety 2003 Eureka Fire Dept. Fire Operations and $54,322 Firefighter Safety 2003 Fruitland Vol. Fire Co., Inc. Firefighting Vehicle $45,000 2003 Humboldt #1 Fire Prot. Dist. Fire Operations and $164,105 Firefighter Safety 2003 Orleans Vol. Fire Dept. Fire Operations and $16,978 Firefighter Safety 2003 Weott Vol. Fire Dept. Fire Operations and $15,750 Firefighter Safety 2002 Myers Flat Fire Prot. Dist. Fire Operations and $24,138 Firefighter Safety 2002 Yurok Vol. Fire Dept. Fire Operations and $16,470 Firefighter Safety 2001 Fieldbrook Volunteer Fire Department Personal Protective Equipment $10,270 2001 Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company Personal Protective Equipment $27,200 2001 Yurok Tribe, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe Personal Protective Equipment $61,551

Total Humboldt County 2001-03 $535,358 Source: FEMA, U.S. Fire Administration, 2004.

U.S Department of Homeland Security - Funding has been made available through the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen the capabilities of the first responder community to respond to terrorism-related events. Funding is available for planning, training, exercises, and the purchase of certain equipment. Grant funds are allocated from the state to counties based partly on population. The County Office of Emergency Services (OES) coordinates the disbursement of the Homeland Security Grant Program to local first responders. Equipment and planning, training, and exercise support is dispersed to local first responder agencies based on need and level of responsibility.

A-20 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

According to Dan Larkin, the OES Emergency Services Coordinator, Humboldt County local agencies have received/are receiving the following Homeland Security-related funding amounts for first responder equipment and support purchases (FFY = Federal Fiscal Year):

FFY99: $38,401 – was actually distributed in 2002. FFY00/01: $107,643 – was actually distributed in 2003 (ended 31 Dec 03). FFY02: $170,552 – was actually distributed in 2003/2004 (ended 31 Mar 04). FFY03: $466,034 – was actually distributed in 2003/2004 (ended 31 Oct 04). FFY04: $607,664 – is being distributed in 2004/2005 (ends 30 Nov 05). FFY05: $490,296 – will be distributed in late 2005 and 2006 (unknown ending date)

In the two-year period from late-2003 through mid-2005, $1,351,893 was/is being distributed to Humboldt County first responder agencies.

Additional Homeland Security grants totaling $170,000 have been received from FFY02, FFY03, and FFY04 allocations for local area first responder exercises, training, and planning support for the County and area cities. Beginning in 2005, two new, smaller grants will be used to acquire needed first responder equipment for specific purposes. The new CEDAP (Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program) grant will supply a few specific items to local law enforcement agencies to increase response capabilities. The new BZPP (Buffer Zone Protection Plan) grant will supply $50,000 to purchase needed equipment for local law enforcement agencies to support their protection of identified critical infrastructure sites and key resources.

Firefighter Assistance and Homeland Security. U.S Department of Homeland Security - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding programs:

Assistance to Firefighter Grants: Annual grants to local fire departments for Operations and Firefighter Safety Program, Fire Prevention Program, and Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program (maximum request $750,000; local match from 10 percent to 30 percent)2. The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAGP): Fire Management Assistance is available to States, local and tribal governments, for the mitigation, management, and control of fires on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands, which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This program provides a 75 percent Federal cost share and the State pays the remaining 25 percent for actual costs3. Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants: The purpose of the SAFER grants is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase their cadre of firefighters. Ultimately, the goal is for SAFER grantees to enhance their

2 Information on the Assistance to firefighter grants program is located at: http://www.firegrantsupport.com/ 3 Additional information provided on the FEMA website http://www.fema.gov/rrr/fmagp.shtm

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ability to attain 24-hour staffing and thus assuring their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards4.

National and State Fire Plans. U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, etc. In an effort to stream-line the application process for National Fire Plan federal grants, the USDA-Forest Service and Department of Interior agencies (BLM, BIA, and NPS) have developed a One-Stop-Shop for grant applications. All agencies now use the same grant proposal format, and eligible applicants can submit one application and be considered by multiple agencies with National Fire Plan grant programs. (www.grants.firesafecouncil.org)

Rural Fire Assistance: To organize, train and equip local fire fighting forces in rural areas and communities to prevent, control and suppress fires threatening life, resources and other improvements. State Fire Assistance: (Administered by CDF) Development and transfer of new and improved fire control technologies; effective and efficient prevention, suppression and pre-fire programs. Volunteer Fire Assistance: Funding to organize, train and equip local forces in rural areas and communities to prevent, control and suppress fires threatening life, resources and other improvements. Economic Action Program: Preparation of community Firesafe plans to reduce fire hazards and utilize byproducts of fuels management activities in a value added fashion. Demonstrate economic use of small diameter and underutilized forest products.

Community Development Block Grants (Cities and County). U.S. Housing and Urban Development/California Housing and Community Development

Community Development Block Grants: Highly competitive grant program that can be used to develop facilities and programs. Funding requests can be made through the County.

USDA Rural Development

Community Facilities Program: Programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas including, fire and rescue stations that are readily available to rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program

Local Foundations

Humboldt Area Foundation

4 Additional information on the SAFER program is provided at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/safer/

A-22 Appendix A: Funding for Fire Safety and Services FSC Draft Plan

Simpson Foundation Mel and Grace Mclean Foundation

A-23 Appendix B: Fire Organization Survey Summaries August 2006 Edition

Appendix B: Fire Organization Survey Summaries

Fire Organization Survey #1

This survey was developed with the assistance of the Humboldt County Fire Chief’s Association and was mailed to all known local fire departments in the County. Forty-two local and two federal agency fire departments in Humboldt County responded to the first Fire Organization Survey. The survey was first mailed out in February 2003, and surveys were returned as late as September 2003. Some of the fire departments chose to complete the survey through telephone interviews.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE This question asked fire departments to report their organization structure. The information received by departments is best described in other sections of this Plan; however, it is important to note that volunteer fire departments associated with most special districts have their own organizational structure. Many volunteer fire departments are formally organized as non-profit corporations, whether or not they are associated with a local government organization. Volunteer fire departments often have separate budgets from the underlying special district and in some cases even apply for grant funds separate from the fire district.

FIRE SERVICE ORGANIZATION STAFF This question included numerous sub-categories of total personnel and firefighters (full-time vs. part-time, paid vs. volunteer, employees vs. firefighters, etc.) The format for this question may have been somewhat confusing to survey respondents because the manner in which the question was answered varied significantly. The categories most often responded to were full-time volunteer and full-time paid firefighters. The total number of firefighters associated with local departments in Humboldt County is 436, 357 of whom are volunteers and 79 are paid (or career). The average number of firefighters (volunteer and career) per department is approximately 10.5. The department with the largest number of firefighters is Fortuna with 65 and the department with the fewest is Salmon Creek with 5.

FIRE FIGHTING/EMERGENCY RESPONSE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING This question asked departments to briefly describe their organization’s available fire and emergency response equipment, training routines, and the equipment and training needs that are currently unmet. Departments listed the apparatus that they have, and included some description as to the age, capacity, and condition, and also reported some of the firefighting equipment possessed by the department. The needs most often listed by departments were apparatus maintenance, “newer” apparatus (since most departments received their apparatus used), new self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), personal protective clothing, and communications equipment.

Departments reported having everything from set training routines and regularly scheduled training drills, to ad hoc training. For the most part, volunteer fire departments regularly train twice per month and vary the subject of the drill. Most departments reported having significant training needs. The Eureka Fire Department (the local fire department with the greatest resources and capacity to provide service) best characterized the response to training needs with the following, “the scope of our needs would overwhelm such survey.” The training needs reported by departments are profound and include everything from medical, technical rescue, wildland firefighting, and structure firefighting.

B-1 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE GAPS. This question asked for departments to identify any known fire protection service gaps, particularly unmet structural fire protection needs. Responses to this question ranged widely, but there were several notable trends:

1. Districts noted that they had difficulty providing service beyond their boundary – response times were unacceptably long and they receive no funding for the service; 2. Water for fire protection is an issue, especially in outlying areas; 3. fire department staffing and recruitment is inadequate, especially staffing during normal work hours; 4. Lack of personal protective gear and other essential equipment and skills (coupled with the fact that this condition puts departments in jeopardy with respect to NPFA and OSHA standards);

LOCAL GEOGRAPHIC AREA FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORTING DATA & FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE HISTORY INFORMATION. Many departments provided response information for multiple years. Survey responses, and other available data, indicate that most calls for service are medical related. Based on a combination of data sources, including the first and second surveys, there are approximately 8,173 fire related calls for service to local agencies in Humboldt County. The average number of calls per department is 272 calls, with Eureka Fire Department reporting the most calls (2,002) and Sprowel Creek VFD reporting the least number of calls (2).

DISPATCHING SYSTEM. This question asked departments to briefly describe their fire service organization’s dispatching system, including how it works, equipment used, who manages it, and what agreements or coordination is involved. Most departments reported that the CDF operated Humboldt Fire Dispatch Cooperative provides their dispatching services. Departments also described some of the communications systems that they possess (i.e., handheld and mobile radios, and pagers.)

Several departments reported that they do not participate in the Humboldt Fire Dispatch Cooperative or other local police dispatch services. For instance, the Sprowell Creek VFD has 24 households in which they use a phone tree, C.B. radios and vehicle horns, Willow Creek FPD self dispatches and receives calls through 911, CDF, and Hoopa dispatch, and the Yurok VFD currently self dispatches but is joining the Humboldt Fire Dispatch Cooperative.

PLEASE USE THE ENCLOSED “FIRE SERVICE AREA MAP” TO IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING: Survey respondents made edits to maps provided by Humboldt County Community Development Services, indicating items such as: primary service area jurisdiction and sphere of influence; mutual or backup fire service response capabilities; fire access route mapping; fire hydrants and water access sites; hazard sites; gated roads; fire service facilities. In addition, departments were asked to list the location of fire facilities by address.

The mapping information provided by fire departments is available on the Humboldt County Community Development Services website at www.co.humboldt.ca.us/planning/maps/fire_map03.asp.

MUTUAL OR BACKUP FIRE SERVICE RESPONSE CAPABILITIES. Survey respondents were asked to list all the entities with which they have mutual aid agreements or interagency protection agreements, and briefly explain any special conditions. Most departments have

B-2 2 Appendix B: Fire Organization Survey Summaries August 2006 Edition mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments and with CDF. Departments that are located near National Forest and Recreation Area lands also have agreements with the U.S.F.S. and B.L.M. Most local fir department agreements are informal and not written.

8. PLEASE SHARE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR FEEDBACK Arcata FPD: See attached letter. Eureka Fire Dept.: Refer to survey response for firefighting class specs. Ferndale Fire Protection District: Check mapping: our district follows Eel River, map doesn't show this. Cock Robin Island needs to be handled by Loleta. Rosemary Rd shown on map isn't right. Road is called Coffee Ck. Fieldbrook Volunteer Fire Dept.: We are a very small district- all volunteer, we cover about 10 miles square. Fruitland Volunteer Fire Dept.: Fruitland is a fire small fire co that does not really fit in to standard "check the box" questionnaire you have submitted. We used the internet to draw you maps. Honeydew Volunteer Fire Dept.: Total population served 400 - 1,000. Working on detailed service map. Need funders, and providing professional communication and judgment to incoming resources Kneeland Fire Protection District Hum Co has no fire protection in the majority of rural areas. There is no fire protection north, south, or east in the Kneeland District. Loleta Fire Protection District: With Fortuna's Main Station not responding to medical Aid calls, Loleta is dispatched for such within their District along Fernbridge Drive and Tomkins Hill Rd. As far as medical, we are an ALS Dept. Orleans Volunteer Fire Dept.: There are over 100 homes scattered in the woods. Work by the Fire Safe Council to help reduce fire hazard around these homes and the edges of the various communities is a big need. Work of the County Sheriff made for locating homes for 911 should be converted to a map and made available to the fire depts. All emergency groups from the deputies, ambulance, fire crews need a good map of where homes are and the roads to them. In all this time we have not accomplished this. I am hoping through the Fire Safe Council we can accomplish this. Petrolia Fire Protection District: The Fire District's boundaries were established in the early 1950's. Since then the roads have improved, more people have moved in and built homes all through the hills. We not only get more calls, we are asked to cover more areas and incidents far out of the District's boundaries. Salmon Creek Volunteer Fire Dept.: See attached letter. Sprowell Creek Volunteer Fire We have 8 or 9 active volunteer, but of course everyone helps Department: when we have afire (about 60 people). I wish I has a better map with all the access roads leading to all the houses. Something I'm going to work on in the future. Telegraph Ridge Fire Protection District: Because FRVFC, Beginnings, Whale Gulch, and Whitethorn Fire are all volunteer with only one or two pieces of equipment and small memberships it is important that we respond as early as possible to each others calls. CDF needs to be clear on location of incident (there are many sound alike names in area)

B-3 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

8. PLEASE SHARE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR FEEDBACK Whitethorn Fire Protection District: 30-40% of calls are mutual aid to state responsible lands or local districts that are not covered. W.F.P.D. averaged 12-14 calls per year over 10 years. 18 calls max.

FIRE ORGANIZATION SURVEY #2 – SUMMARY

This is the second of two surveys conducted as part of the Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan. The survey was distributed to 47 fire departments (federal resource agencies, Tribal wildland fire agencies, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, city fire departments, fire protection districts, other special districts authorized to provide fire protection, fire brigades associated with the timber industry, and volunteer fire departments not associated with a government agency). The survey was accompanied by maps, available for the departments to use to show the locations of fire infrastructure, as well as illustrate response times and service gaps, and identify other fire protection constraints. Surveys were collected by County staff and Planwest Partners staff.

Survey results were be used in the Risk Assessment section of the Fire Plan and as a tool in the preparation of Humboldt County LAFCo Master Service Reviews, and County planning in general.

This survey was distributed to 42 local and five state and federal fire departments. Surveys were returned by 39 local, three federal, and one state fire department. Surveys for the remaining four fire departments were completed by CDF, County, and Planwest Partners staff based on personal knowledge, prior surveys, and where possible through discussions with fire department staff.

BASIC INFORMATION Population Protected. Most fire departments in Humboldt County protect rural areas. The median population protected is 750 (which indicates that half of all local fire departments protect populations which are less than 750), with the maximum population protected of 36,000 – City of Arcata Fire Department and the minimum of 42 – Korbel Volunteer Fire Department). The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Humboldt-Del Norte Unit (CDF) reported that they protect a population of 80,000, but this figure duplicates the protection provided by many rural fire departments protecting the same population. CDF was removed from calculations for purposes of analyzing this response.

Protection Area. Protection area is expressed in square miles and was reported by the local fire department rather than calculated from special district or city/community boundaries. Some fire departments did not report a protection area. In those cases, no protection area was used for that department rather than estimating protection area. This was done because a department protection area can extend beyond jurisdictional boundaries. Therefore, the true mean, median, maximum, and minimum may be different than the results of this survey indicate.

The median protection area (where 50 percent of department protection areas are larger and 50 percent smaller) is 25 square miles (the calculated average is 29 square miles). The largest local department protection area is Maple Creek Volunteer Fire Company at 125 square miles, and the smallest is the Trinidad Fire Department at less than one square mile (CDF reports that their protection area, known as the State Responsibility Area, as 3,068 square miles). Both the median and calculated average local department protection areas indicate that departments protect large land areas with limited resources (as becomes apparent from the remainder of the survey).

ISO Rating. An “ISO” rating is established by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) and represents the fire protection capability available to households protected by the local department. ISO uses a department’s past performance records, equipment and resources, availability of water for fire protection,

B-4 4 Appendix B: Fire Organization Survey Summaries August 2006 Edition proximity of fire stations to the population protected, response time, training, and other factors to derive the ISO rating. ISO ratings range from “1”, the best possible rating (usually found in urban areas with well funded fire departments) to “10” in rural areas with no organized fire protection. ISO ratings are used to calculate home insurance premiums and are available at the address or zip code level. Departments were given the opportunity to report a primary and secondary ISO rating. Secondary ISO ratings usually represent households within a department’s protection area that are more than five miles from the fire station or are not connected to a municipal water supply.

The median primary “ISO” rating reported by local fire departments (state and federal agencies that provide fire protection did not report ISO ratings) is “7”, with a minimum rating of “3” and a maximum of “10”. Of the 26 departments that provided an ISO rating, half reported ratings of “6” or higher. Twelve departments provided a secondary ISO rating, all of which were greater than 6 (in fact 75 percent are “9” or above).

Emergency Calls. Not all departments reported the total number of calls for service or indicated the percentage of calls attributable to emergency vs. fire calls (33 departments responded to this question). The department that reported the greatest number of calls is the Eureka Fire Department (2,002 in 2002) and the department that reported the least number of calls was Sprowell Creek Volunteer Fire Department (2 in 2002). The median number of calls reported by fire departments (including state and federal departments) was 50.

Because these data do not represent all fire department calls for service, it is not appropriate to use them as a basis regarding statements about Countywide calls for service. Therefore, these statistics only represent the number and type of calls reported by each particular department. At least 50% percent of all calls were medical related. The department with the fewest medical related calls reported that five percent of total calls were medical related (aside from zero or non-response) and the highest was 90 percent.

B-5 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

BUDGET INFORMATION Apparatus replacement. 62 percent of fire departments indicated that they have a plan for apparatus replacement and 42 percent of department indicated that their normal budget covers the cost of apparatus replacement. Given that there was no opportunity for the departments to report additional information regarding the substance of their plan, the schedule for apparatus replacement, or the amount of their budget dedicated to apparatus replacement, it is difficult to make comparisons between departments.

Source of Department Revenue. The average fire department in the County (federal and state included) receives over a third of its revenue from a “Special District”, about 10 percent of its revenue from an assessment, and about 30 percent of its revenue from fund raising. “Special District” as a source of revenue is intended to mean general fund revenue (most likely to be ad valorum property tax revenue) from a district providing fire protection as apposed to a special assessment. In general, volunteer fire companies, not associated with a city or district, receive 100 percent of revenue from fund raising, with periodic grant funding for specific purposes. Special districts often receive 50 to 80 percent of revenue from local property tax and the remainder from assessments.

Source of Apparatus. Approximately one third of fire apparatus was purchased new and an equal percentage purchased used. Approximately ten percent of all fire apparatus was donated used.

PERSONNEL CAPABILITIES Survey respondents reported 286 professional firefighters and 804 volunteer or seasonal firefighters in the County. Subtracting federal fire departments and CDF, there are 73 professional firefighters and 598 volunteers associated with local special districts, cities, or unaffiliated all-volunteer fire departments. Nine fire departments (including state and federal) reported having career staff (paid professional), four of which are local departments (including CSA No. 4). The remaining fire departments have all volunteer firefighters. The question did not give the department (most particularly the state or federal wildland fire related department) an opportunity to distinguish between levels of seasonal staffing.

- Avg. Number of Career Firefighters per Department: 6 (max = 136) - Median. Number of Volunteer Firefighters per Department: 12 (max = 80) - Avg. Number of Paid on Duty Firefighters per Department: 2 (max = 46) - Median Number of Volunteer Available to Respond Mid-Day: 5 (max = 56)

B-6 6 Appendix B: Fire Organization Survey Summaries August 2006 Edition

Table 1. Emergency Services Role Department Performs Number of Degree to which members of Departments Department That have received formal training Role Perform Role All Most Some None Structural Firefighting 41 11 12 16 2 Emergency Medical 45 11 14 20 1 HazMat 34 3 19 9 3 Wildland Fire 45 9 17 11 5 Technical Rescue 28 2 12 6 7

Departments reported their scope of service and the level of training of their personnel by service type. 29 departments reported that they have firefighters who have received Firefighter I training, and nine departments report that they have firefighters who have received Firefighter II training. In terms of medical training, 36 departments report that they have firefighters that are qualified medical First Responders, and 31 reported that they have firefighters that are qualified EMT BLS at a minimum. Only 20 departments report that they have firefighters that are trained to at least the Hazardous Materials Awareness level. Approximately half of all County fire departments report that they perform technical rescue, but very few have firefighters with formal technical rescue training.

Other Department Health Related Programs. A total of nine departments report that they have a basic fitness program and 25 departments report that they have an infectious disease control program.

FIRE PREVENTION Inspection and Plans Review. Approximately half of all departments (federal, state, and local) are involved in plans review as part of the building permit process. However, only 30 percent are involved in permit approval. Between 20 and 30 percent of departments carry out inspections of business, school, or residential premises. 34 percent of departments reported that they perform inspections other than those described above that include inspections of rest homes, day care, mills, and other public buildings.

Fire Education. Many departments reporting carrying out fire related education, including: 40 percent of reporting departments perform some sort of community fire education; 28 percent perform school fire education; and 40 percent perform wildland urban interface, defensible space related community education.

Fire Code Inspection. Only nine percent of reporting departments have a full-time inspector who performs fire code related inspections. The remainder use “In-Service Personnel” (21 percent); the “Building Department” (19 percent); or “Other” which most cases were reported to be CDF or the State Fire Marshall (32 percent). 17 percent reported that no one preformed fire related code inspection and 15 percent reported that fire code inspections were not applicable.

Arson Investigation. Most departments (45 percent) reported that they utilize the services of the Regional Arson Task Force to perform arson investigation. An equal number (32 percent) reported that they either utilize “Fire Department or Agency Arson Investigator” or “Incident commander or other first line personnel” to perform arson investigation. The remainder uses the “State Arson Investigator” (13 percent); “Contract investigator” (2 percent); “Other” (most often reported to be CDF or State Fire Marshall - 15 percent); “Insurance” (9 percent); “Police” (2 percent);

FACILITIES, APPARATUS, AND EQUIPMENT Fire Stations. Based on survey responses, there are a total of 85 fire stations in Humboldt County. Most fire departments have only one fire station, however, CDF reports having 12 fire stations , 2 conservation camps 1 helitack base and 1 air attack base in Humboldt County. The local department with the most stations is three (Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna, and HPFD No. 1), although some small rural departments may

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house their apparatus at more than three locations. Of the total fire stations in the County, 32 are over 40 years old.

Fire Engines. Responding fire departments report having 152 fire engines and four ladder/aerial units (since this total includes state and federal departments, some of the engines may be in Del Norte County). Of the 152 fire engines, 100 are over 15 years old - 82 of which are over 20 years old. Only four departments report having ambulances and 23 departments report having rescue apparatus. Thirty-two departments report having a total of 103 wildland fire engines, and twenty departments have wildland engines equipped with foam systems.

Equipment. Survey questions relating to equipment was intended to help illustrate whether or not local departments possessed basic items such as radios, personal protective equipment (PPE), and self contained breathing apparatus. The survey asked whether all, most, some, or none of personnel had each type of equipment.

Over 60 percent of all departments have radios for all or most of “on-duty” personnel, nearly 50 percent of which are water resistant. 60 percent of departments report that they have self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for all or most of their firefighters and only 43 percent of departments report that all or most of their SCBA are over ten years old. 87 percent of departments report that they have personal protective equipment (which normally means helmet, hood, face-shield, turnout jacket, gloves, turnout pants, and boots for structural fire protection); however, it is assumed that some departments only have wildland PPE. 21 percent of departments report that all or most of their PPE is at least 10 years old. 51 percent of departments report that all or most of their personnel have PASS (personal alert safety system alarms).

Communications. Almost all departments (federal, state, and local) reported that they can communicate with cooperating fire agencies by radio. In terms of dispatch service, the following table summarizes the means of dispatch for all responding fire departments:

Table 2. Method of Dispatch for Humboldt County Fire Departments Humboldt Fire Dispatch Interagency Combined Department Coop CDF Police Public Service Other 4 26 6 3 2 5

At least one fire department uses a “phone tree” to dispatch firefighters to an incident. Eleven departments report that they have a backup dispatch system.

Coordinate System. 19 departments indicate that they use a “Local” coordinate system (the type of local system was not specified) to direct respondents to incident locations, nine departments report that they use a system based on Latitude and Longitude, and two departments indicate that they use another system.

Internet Access. 25 departments indicate that they have Internet access, however, many departments indicate that “home” is where they access the Internet rather than at the fire station.

TRAINING AND CAPABILITIES/DEPARTMENT SCOPE Training. 42 of 47 departments (all departments included) reported that they train regularly. The median hours of training per department per month is six, with a minimum of zero and a maximum of 60 (Bureau of Land Management). The Chief, Training Officer, or other department officer delivers the monthly training for most departments. Most departments participate in regional training opportunities.

Department Scope. Table 3 summarizes departments’ response regarding their scope of service, and how far they would need to go for additional resources.

B-8 8 Appendix B: Fire Organization Survey Summaries August 2006 Edition

Department Needs. Table 4, which begins on page 8 and extends to page 18, lists each department’s needs relating to equipment, training, safety, personnel, as well as other needs: The needs listed are identical to the responses provided by the departments.

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Table 3. Humboldt County Fire Department Scope How far do you have to go to find Do you have a plan for working enough trained people? with other, if yes what type? % % Regional Yes Yes Yes Yes No YES NO Local /Area State National written informal Other No Is Technical Rescue/EMS with 10 occupants and 19 28 40% 60% building collapse part of your scope How far do you need to go for trained assistance 17% 26% 6% 0% How far do you need to go for special equipment 15% 26% 6% 0% Do you have an agreement for working with 9% 13% 6% 15% others Is HazMat involving chem./bio agents and 10 14 33 30% 70% injuries part of your scope How far do you need to go for trained assistance 13% 21% 6% 0% How far do you need to go for special equipment 11% 21% 9% 0% Do you have an agreement for working with 11% 19% 2% 6% others Is wildland urban interface fire of 25 – 50 acres 32 15 68% 32% part of your scope How far do you need to go for trained assistance 23% 38% 2% 0% How far do you need to go for special equipment 23% 36% 2% 0% Do you have an agreement for working with 36% 17% 4% 4% others Is mitigation of a major flood part of your scope 15 32 32% 68% How far do you need to go for trained assistance 6% 26% 2% 0% How far do you need to go for special equipment 4% 26% 2% 0% Do you have an agreement for working with 6% 6% 2% 15% others Is mass casualty incident involving 25 fatalities 23 24 49% 51% and 40 injuries part of your scope How far do you need to go for trained assistance 13% 30% 9% 0% How far do you need to go for special equipment 6% 36% 9% 0% Do you have an agreement for working with 11% 17% 6% 9% others

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Fieldbrook Personal Protective Wildland firefighting The cost of workman’s Tax assessment on Community Gear comp is getting so high property Services District we may not be able to keep volunteers Yurok Volunteer Need additional fire Fire Department trucks (Type III) Scotia Volunteer Ladder or aerial 50 ft. to More confined space, Fire Department 75 ft.; Updated medical HazMat, ICS and MCI response vehicle; Confined space equipment Willow Creek Fire Water Tender; Firefighter I for all Portable radios, SCBA's Firehouse software, GPS system Protection District Command Vehicle personnel; laptop computer First Responder for all personnel; Wildland certifications Humboldt Fire Basic operation funding Local provision of fire Updated SCBA (we may Both our stations are State legislators who do Protection District that is not stolen officer, and driver received FEMA Grant) - unreinforced masonry not view local No. 1 annually by the State; operator course huge sums of money buildings prone to government as the Regional dedicated would be required to failure in substantial bank. training facility; meet NFPA 1710 and earthquakes. We are Dedicated training 1720 unable to provide a 25% officer match for a FEMA grant and lost the opportunity. Replacement costs for both stations are currently estimated at $2.25 m

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Beginnings / 90% WUI and 80 With 4 - EMTS, two of Two to four hours each Unfortunate that it all Briceland medical rescue calls, we which are AED, ETAD month, 8 hours equates to money Volunteer Fire could use 4x4 200 - 300 trained, we could use minimum per month Department gal quick attack w/ full more EMTs with EAD, rescue gear and ETAD training and we medical equip; Over the need equipment to do bank equipment (new so; HAZMAT basic basket stretcher, training to technician backboards, 2 haul level pulleys, ascenders, carabineers); AED now! and extrication equipment Fortuna Fire Upgrade ladder truck, Protection District tender, and rescue rig Arcata Fire Replacement of two More State Fire Marshal Yearly medical and New headquarters fire Protection District older engines one 25 classes offered locally pulmonary function station. The current one years the other with testing is almost 60 years old; 100,000 miles; Additional career Replacement of old personnel to increase SCBA on duty staffing to two or three an engine. Staffing of an addl. Engine. We will have 1800 call/yr, too many for vol. dept Fruitland Water tender; Quick Structural fire training; Yes We get a lot of support Volunteer Fire response truck Confined space rescue from CDF as well as all Department of our training as well Resort A need for more Improvement HazMat equipment and District No. 1 a ridged hull inflatable boat, suitable for ocean rescue

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Miranda Newer engines; More Weott CDF to stay open Community radios; PASS; generator year round Services District Korbel Fire CPR & first aid for all Brigade members Maple Creek Newer fire truck (Type Volunteer Fire III engine 1980s or Department newer) Sprowel Creek Fire hoses, nozzles and Wildland firefighting First aid box and first Grants to pay someone Volunteer Fire adaptors, chainsaws, training films; First responder equipment to write grants; An Department week wacker; SCBA, responder training films enclosed building to use ladders for truck; Water and training in first as a firehouse. We storage tanks responder/EMT for really only have carports certification for our two engines. No central place to secure equipment - could build it if we had the materials

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Palo Verde 3/4 ton or larger 4x4 Yearly training courses Use of County of Workmen’s comp Volunteer Fire diesel quick held in Southern Humboldt motor pool to insurance for the Department attack/rescue rig with Humboldt, including service VFC, VFD, and smallest VFDs would utility bed and 200 wildland, FF 1A, SAR, FPD equipment; A help immensely. Even gallon slip-on fire pump swift water rescue, etc reimbursement from the just 4 firefighters and code 3 ready; 1500 County of Humboldt for EMS per dept and the gallon or larger 4wd multiple thousands of dept would save from water tender; New dollars that we have had $1,000 to $3,600 per SCBA and wildland gear to spend in fees and dept. and it may cost permits to insure the the County significantly citizens of this area of less.; Consolidation of the County have liability insurances adequate EMS and fire should be looked at protection; Buy a also. building and garage to house the equipment needed to perform fire/EMS services Weott Community Hydraulic jaws of life Continue recertification As of now yes, we are Currently, the CSD Services District and training in its use. of EMT 1s and we need OK with CDF Amador handles most of our There is no set within to certify to First but when it expires we administrative our district Responder level 2 won't meet safety and requirements. Although volunteers; We would assistance requirements we could use a like to certify 4-6 computer to maintain personnel to SFM FF 1 current personnel level training we need a records and fire program which will allow department operational personnel to receive this information; A phone certification in house line for station operation and with their limited and internet connection free time; Provide funding to CDF to assist in training

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Orleans Volunteer Five pagers, newer Firefighter I, EMT1; All Need a countywide Orleans may not be Recruitment is the Fire Department SCBA, addition to fire training courses conference on what are aware of what help we biggest problem. We house for storage and planned for a current requirements can get on this, or we had one consultant from hose drying rack, newer department should be and how we are going don't even know what Arcata tell us not to use apparatus, hydraulic passed on to other to acquire them we should be doing loggers, because they extrication equipment departments in an alert have the wrong attitude. with the total seats Loggers have been available after that particularly good about department knows how emergency services, but many of their members there are few of them in will participate Orleans area. Honeydew Four modern 4x4 Continuing wildland and Insurance, insurance, See insurance Local departments Volunteer Fire chassis quick attack EMS training; If there $12,000 per year out of trying to do everything Department wildland units; We need are requirements such $16,000 discretionary by the book and getting apparatus garages as "Red Card" etc., that is almost criminal jerked around by somebody better let us consultant (from Menlo know Park) hired the County Planning/Building. Little new construction undertaken by VFDs is minimal, the County shouldn't make it hard Whitethorn Fire Upgrade fire trucks; Training programs Protection District Radios; Turnouts Redcrest New fire truck with Firefighter I training for Lack of firehouse is a Radio repeater (urgent) Volunteer Fire 1,000 gallon pumper; five people; Structural major concern; and HazMat training Department Wildland firefighting firefighting training; Computer; Own truck; First responder rig Vehicle extrication classroom for training and vehicle extrication training equipment

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Eureka Fire Adequate funding to We have experienced a Need comprehensive A drill facility with tower, Staffing: same as 70's, Department establish a replacement significant turnover of fitness and wellness drafting pit, classroom in it’s not just the calls that fund to allow the personnel within the last program; Dedicated a central location; Four have increased but the purchase of equipment 3 years. Training of training officer; Drill man engine companies, programs and projects. and apparatus on a entry level firefighters, facility within jurisdiction four man truck Consolidation of planned schedule; engineers, and capts., companies; Upgrade neighboring Purchase of new pickup while trying to meet facilities to modern jurisdictions. truck, rescue apparatus NFPA standards is earthquake standards challenging; Technical rescue, structural collapse, trench, water, marine firefighting for land based firefighting, a sound fundamental training program for all ranks of young department; Prioritized time for all above Six Rivers Access to Federal grant National Forest money Petrolia Fire 1990's vintage 4x4 High angle rope rescue Protection District wildland fire engine with 500 gallon water tank and foam in good condition; New structural fire gear; New SCBAs

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Garberville Fire Wildland vehicle and Additional training in As above Better distribution of Water supply system in Protection District rescue squad - general; Inter agency vehicles in district; private ownership; dedicated vehicles, training; Resources to Expanded district Needs significant currently take structure current standards, boundary with upgrade; Additional vehicles to extrication visual/video, etc. assessment based for hydrants; Water stores and wildland; Firefighter needed revenue; in various locations. safety is #1 need; Volunteer dept PASS; updated SCBA; assistance for SOPs; additional gear; Better operational; structure; P communications ability & Ps etc. at the scene; more reliable dispatching services Prosper Ridge Working fire truck; water We cannot fulfill the Volunteer Fire storage facilities; rescue service gap (our Department gear; and potential service area) communications due to lack of equipment equipment and apparatus. Our radios don't get over the hill, so we are "alone," however, we do have the personnel, the will, and the need to protect the lines/homes (more)

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Blue Lake Fire Evening and weekend OSHA/NPPA compliant Administrative needs Financial support for Protection District training for all required risk management are our biggest responding outside our classes and person to see if downfall. Most o the district boundaries to qualifications compliant and write and time it takes our areas that have no fire or implement the department weeks to or rescue year round. policies and procedures get things like this finished; Prevention programs (education and inspection) are very difficult to administer with all volunteer departments; Samoa Fire New apparatus, at least Firefighting and HazMat Protection District 1 but need 2 engines; skills; First aid; EMT; Defibrillator machines; and driving skills SCBA; turnouts Ferndale Fire Air system to refill our More with pump Always could use more All departments are Protection District SCBA bottles, what we operations, need for time for inspections finding it more difficult to have now is outdated; firefighters to operate find new members Stay with replacement pumper trucks; real fire system 20 - 30 years for or good training area for our fire apparatus; New newer members SCBA and turnout replacement Carlotta New SCBA (at least four Community sets) Services District Salmon Creek Have plenty of decent Volunteer Fire equipment, short on Department volunteers

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Telegraph Ridge Better radios for VCR and monitor in GPS and good map Fire Protection vehicles, newer wildland training area with videos book District engine; Newer better for training; Rescue and structure gear, SCBAs, over the bank training meeting space in firehouse with seating area; GPS Trinidad Fire Newer pumper w/ 1000 More HazMat; Structure Department gal, 1000 gpm and fire training exposures seats for five; New SCBA plus PASS; Myers Flat Fire We are in need of a Have received Getting certified in Assistance in grant Protection District newer engine, one extensive training different areas; Training writing, we have lost out engine out of service, through CDF-amador, is costly, especially if we on the chance to get engines too slow; but have no have to travel to it several grants due to Extrication equipment, certifications need to lack of knowledge; grant saws-all, airchizels; deal with this writing is important enough medical because dept has very equipment to fully equip little money and every a second engine and bit helps first responder vehicle Kneeland Fire Newer vehicles; stop More $ to afford more $ To finish building our We operate this Protection District the county from volunteers and their fire station department on siphoning any more $$ training $15,000/year. There from our assessment; are mandated expenses We do not get a penny of $9,000. Of the from County, State, or remaining $6,000, the Feds, but $ is taken out state, county remove for schools, LPs, funds for schools, reevaluations, audits, ERAF, LP's and now LAFCO reevaluation, and now LAFCO. If this continues we will not exist.

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Loleta Fire Doing very well; Doing very well Doing very well Doing very well Protection District Rio Dell Fire Tender or tanker; Air MCI training; Live fire More dedicated MCI drill in the Protection District compressor for refilling training; Swift water personnel Redcrest, Weott area SCBA cylinders; rescue Rescue engine County Service Area No. 4 CDF Humboldt / Old equipment Disaster prep - Search Quarterly meeting/bi- Del Norte Range and Rescue; Auto annually Unit extrication - Hazmat tech and above; Countywide accountability system Orick Community Emergency van; Scott Hazmat training; Any More breathing Computer Services District air pack; radio other training but it must apparatus equipment be on the weekends for volunteers to attend Redway Fire Second fire station Grant writing training Closer HazMat, Eureka Protection District located at the industrial (local classes seems like it is too far park, including coordinated through away. More decontamination shower sponsorship by So Hum coordination between and one addl pumper Fire Chiefs) Co Supervisors/Co Administrative Officer and the remote fire districts. Phillipsville Protective clothing - Basic firefighter training, Would like to bring Personnel, (local guys), Volunteer Fire turnouts, replace quick medical training (EMT) everything up to grant writing Department attack with 4-wheel standard drive, and finish fire station

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Table 4. Humboldt County Fire Department Needs ORGANIZATION NAME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TRAINING NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PERSONNEL NEEDS OTHER NEEDS Bureau of Land No Data No Data No Data No Data No Data Management - Arcata Whale Gulch No Data No Data No Data No Data No Data Volunteer Fire Department Redwood National No Data No Data No Data No Data No Data Park Hoopa Volunteer No survey Fire Department Hoopa Valley No survey Tribe Wildland Fire Department Westhaven No survey Volunteer Fire Department

B-21 Appendix C: RAMS Risk/Hazard Rating Factors and Background Data by Compartment August 2006 Edition

Appendix C: RAMS Risk/Hazard Rating Factors and Background Data by Compartment

The RAMS model was developed as a comprehensive fire planning approach for fire managers to analyze six primary risk/hazard rating factors contributing to the overall risk of catastrophic fire. The six factors are: fire related fuels hazard, resources and economic assets at risk, wildland ignition risk, wildland fire history, catastrophic fire potential and fire protection capability. The following information summarizes how each of the six factors is analyzed as part of the RAMS modeling and applied to each Planning Compartment.

Factor 1: Fuel Hazard and Topography The hazardous fuels and topography assessment component evaluates the potential for large, catastrophic fires that are related to existing fuel loads, fuel models, fire behavior characteristics, and related topographical influences such as slope, aspect and elevation. The potential for loss of valuable assets to fire is strongly related to its surrounding fuels. This assessment tool provides the ability to compare asset location to landscape fuel hazards and fire risk factors.

Topography affects both the intensity and spread of wildfires. Wildfires exhibit different types of fire behavior, depending on the degree/percent of slope, the slope’s aspect, and in some cases, the elevation of where the fire is burning. Slope and aspect also acts to partially determine the fuel/vegetation variety and loading found within California’s wildlands, as well as having a significant affect on fuel temperature (a function of solar heating/radiation).

Fuel assessment information was compiled by accessing vegetation data and maps from the California Department of Forestry’s Forest and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP), the Six Rivers National Forest, Humboldt State University, and the National Park Service, Redwoods National Park. Topographic assessment values were derived from an analysis which utilized the following Humboldt County DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data and Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

The following paragraphs describe the components that contribute to the fuel hazard and topography assessment category. Specific wildfire/fuel hazard and topography assessment components include: x Wildland Fuels; x Flame Length (fire intensity); x Crowning Potential; x Slope steepness; x Aspect; and, x Elevation.

WILDLAND FUELS Wildland fuel is classified by vegetation type, loading, arrangement, volume, and other physical characteristics. This fuel classification is referred to as a “Fuel Model”. Fuel models contain physical and mathematical formulas that represent fire behavior characteristics, fuel loading and fire damage potential of a given fuel type. The National Fire Danger Reporting System (NFDRS) Fuel Models were utilized for this project, as well as four custom models developed by CDF-FRAP. NFDRS Fuel Model “G”, which is described below, is the most common fuel model found in Humboldt County. Less predominant NFDRS Fuel Models that are also found in Humboldt County are described in the Fire Plan Glossary.

Fuel Model G –Fuel Model G is used for dense conifer stands where there is a heavy accumulation of litter and downed woody material. Such stands are typically over mature and may also be suffering insect, disease, or wind damage – natural events that create a very heavy

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buildup of dead material on the forest floor. This fuel model exhibits a high “resistance to control”, and can result in an intense and highly damaging wildfire.

The predominant fuel model within each planning compartment is factored into the fuel hazard and topographic component of the risk assessment for that compartment.

FLAME LENGTH Flame length is described as the average length of the flame front of the fire as measured from the ground to the flame tips. Flame length is largely determined by fuel type and is used as an indicator of fire intensity, with higher flame lengths indicating greater fire intensity. The flame length hazard factor is used in this analysis to reflect differences in difficulty of fire suppression as well as the severity of fire effects on resource outputs.

Flame length as a fire behavior hazard factor is ranked in the following manner:

HAZARD RATING Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Flame Length 0 to 4 feet 4 – 8 feet 10 feet plus

CROWNING POTENTIAL A crown fire is the movement of fire through the crowns of trees or shrubs more or less independently of the surface fire. Crowing potential is the probability that a crown fire may start, calculated from inputs such as fire danger indices (a measure of the likelihood of a forest fire, rate of potential fire spread, and fire intensity, which is based on temperature, relative humidity, wind force and direction, and the dryness of the fuel), foliage moisture content and height of the lowest part of the tree crowns above the surface.

Crowning potential as a hazard factor is ranked in the following manner:

Hazard Rating Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Crowning Potential 0 to 2 Rating 3 – 5 Rating 6 plus Rating

SLOPE STEEPNESS Slope refers to the angle which any part of the earth’s surface makes with respect to level ground, and is generally measured in percent of slope (100% slope = 45 degrees). Slope has a significant impact on wildfire spread: the steeper the slope, the more quickly a fire moves and the hotter it burns, due to fuel pre- heating. For example, a fire will spread twice as fast on a 30% slope than it will on flat ground. Slope also makes fire suppression operations more difficult for the following reasons: extreme slopes may exclude the use of some mechanized equipment (i.e.; bulldozers); increases access difficulty for ground forces; and can represent increased safety hazards for fire personnel due to rolling debris, and high rates of fire spread. The slope hazard was determine using GIS to calculate the median slope percent range for each individual fire planning compartment.

Slope steepness as a hazard factor is ranked in the following manner:

Hazard Rating Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Slope Steepness 0 to 25 percent 26 to 50 percent 51 percent plus

ASPECT Aspect is defined as the orientation of an earth’s surface with respect to the sun, expressed as one of the cardinal directions (e.g.; East, South, and West) with respect to magnetic North. Aspect affects the

C-2 Appendix C: RAMS Risk/Hazard Rating Factors and Background Data by Compartment August 2006 Edition microclimate of an area by regulating the angle and the duration at which the sun’s rays strikes the surface of the earth. In California, slopes with south-eastern and south-western aspects are warmer and have higher evaporation rates and lower water storage capacity than north-eastern- and northwester aspects. Therefore, after a fire a slower recovery of vegetation is expected in southern aspects and higher erosion rates than in Northern aspects.

The affect of aspect on wildfire is easily observed on South-facing slopes, which are characteristically dryer with relatively lighter fuels such as annual grass and brush. Fires burning on south-southwest slopes generally exhibit faster rates of spread. Conversely, North-facing slopes characteristically have higher moisture content than south, west and south-east facing slopes, with north slopes also generally supporting heavier fuel types such as conifers and hardwoods. Fire behavior on north-facing slopes is generally less intense than the other slope aspects. The aspect hazard factor was determined using a GIS to calculate the average aspect range for each individual fire planning compartment.

Aspect as a fire hazard factor is ranked in the following manner:

Hazard Rating Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Aspect North East, Flat South, South West, West, South East

ELEVATION Elevation is also a function of topography that can have an affect on wildfire hazard. Generally, the highest elevations (sub-alpine vegetation types) have reduced fuel loadings. These reduced fuel loadings have a tendency to decrease fire behavior activity, particularly with fuel-driven wildland fires. In contrast to higher elevations, lower elevations generally do not exhibit the steep mountainous slopes that the mid-to- higher elevations posses. This lack of slope at the lower elevations serves to have a mitigating affect on fire behavior, as flat ground normally limits the rate of fire spread, and allows the use of ground forces in suppression operations. As a general rule, the critical wildfire elevations usually encompass those elevation bands that are more characteristic of steeper slopes, and have combustible fuel loadings that perpetuate fire spread. The elevation hazard factor was determined using GIS to calculate the average elevation range for each individual fire planning compartment.

Elevation as a fire hazard factor is ranked in the following manner:

Hazard Rating Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Elevation 5,001 Feet plus 0 to 500 feet 500 to 5,000 feet

FUEL HAZARD AND TOPOGRAPHY RATING EXAMPLE

South Eel Planning Compartment – Fuel Hazard and Topography Ranking FACTOR CHARACTERISTIC DESCRIPTION / RATING Fuel Models Model G Dense conifer, heavy litter accumulation, downed woody material Flame Length 12 + Feet High Crowning Potential 6 + High Slope 31 – 50 percent Moderate Aspect South & West High Elevation 1,000 – 5,000 feet High Fuel Hazard and Topography Rating High

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Factor 2: Resource and Economic Assets The Fire Plan identifies and evaluates natural resource and economic assets and their degree of risk to fire. This is a critical aspect of the plan, as wildland fire protection systems are designed and funded in a manner that reflects the assets and their values as defined by the community.

Resource and economic assets generally include communities and populated areas, structures and commercial development, timber, watersheds, range, recreation, cultural and historic resources, scenic areas, wildlife, sensitive species, plants, and air quality. This part of the risk assessment does not place specific economic values on asset loss or damage. Rather, the assessment ranking represents the degree to which the asset is present in the planning compartment and its relative risk to wildfire. Assets at risk are further discussed in Chapter 2, Section 2.3, Humboldt County Fire Environment and Assets and Risk.

The following table contains the resource and economic assets that are evaluated as part of this analysis. The following table further describes the characteristics of each asset that contribute to its ranking of “Low”, “Medium”, or “High.”

Assessment Factor Risk Rating Low Moderate High Recreation Undeveloped average Undeveloped high Developed recreation recreation use recreation use site within or adjacent to area Public Infrastructure Few or no Public Public Infrastructure High value or numerous Infrastructure sites sites are present Public Infrastructure sites Wildlife/Fisheries Relatively insignificant Significant habitat Highly significant habitat habitat. Range Use Little or no range use Range allotment within Range allotment within area, normal/average area, significant use use Watershed Stream Class III, IV, VI. Stream Class I, II. Stream Class PI, I. Little riparian Rocky, little riparian Important water vegetation. No mass vegetation. No specific use/riparian area. movement potential water use. Low hazard. Domestic water use. Forest/Woodland Standing forest/ Standing forest/ Standing forest/ woodland on 25% or woodland on 26 – 50% woodland on 51+% of less of area of area area Forest Plantations 15% or less of area in 16 – 30% or less of 31+% of area in or or programmed for area in or programmed programmed for forest forest plantations for forest plantations plantations Threat to Structures Little or no threat or Threat to structures and High loss and threat loss potential property potential due to numbers and placement Cultural Resources No archaeological/ Archaeological/ Archaeological/historical historical findings, little historical findings, findings of high potential for Native potential for Native significance American use American use. Special Interest Areas No Special Interest Area is adjacent to a A majority of the area is area within or adjacent Special Interest area classified as Special to the area Interest area Visual Resources Maximum modification Partially retain existing Preserve and retain dominates. character. existing character. Threatened & Species not present Species present. No Species present. Endangered Species confirmed use for reproduction Soils (Erosion Hazard Low significance (EHR Erodable (EHR 4-12). Highly Erodable (EHR

C-4 Appendix C: RAMS Risk/Hazard Rating Factors and Background Data by Compartment August 2006 Edition

Assessment Factor Risk Rating Low Moderate High Rating) < 4). 13+). Air Quality Low receptor sensitivity Receptor sensitivity High receptor sensitivity Vegetation No sightings, little Potential for sensitive Plant occurrences of potential, minimal plants. significance significance

RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC ASSET RATINGS EXAMPLE

South Eel Planning Compartment – Resource and Economic Asset Ranking FACTOR CHARACTERISTIC DESCRIPTION / RATING Recreation Developed recreation site High within or adjacent to area Public Infrastructure High value or numerous High Public Infrastructure sites Wildlife/Fisheries Highly significant habitat. High Range Use Range allotment within area, Moderate normal/average use Watershed Stream Class PI, I. Important High water use/riparian area. Domestic water use. Forest/Woodland Standing forest/ woodland on High 51+% of area Forest Plantations 16 – 30% or less of area in or Moderate programmed for forest plantations Threat to Structures High loss and threat potential High due to numbers and placement Cultural Resources Archaeological/historical High findings of high significance Special Interest Areas A majority of the area is High classified as Special Interest area Visual Resources Preserve and retain existing High character. Threatened & Endangered Species present. High Species Soils (Erosion Hazard Species present. No Moderate Rating) confirmed use for reproduction Air Quality Erodable (EHR 4-12). Moderate Vegetation Receptor sensitivity Moderate Resource and Economic Assets Rating High

Factor 3: Wildland Ignition Risk Ignition risks are defined as those uses, human activities or natural events that have the potential to result in an ignition, or the starting of a fire. Wherever there are concentrations of people or activity, the potential for a human-caused ignition exists. Risk is most often defined in terms of fire planning as the probability of an event, normally an undesirable event, occurring. In terms of fire ignition, the undesirable event is generally initiated through the interaction of a hazard. For example, dense housing within a high wildfire

C-5 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan hazard area may have a higher probability or risk of burning than homes adjacent to a mitigated or reduced fuel load area.

The RAMS model contains nine different categories of human activities that assess wildfire ignition risk and uses an algorithm, based on the statistical probability that such activities will causes a wildfire, to rank those activities that are present within the planning compartment. RAMS then generates a composite ignition risk factor of “Low”, “Moderate”, or “High” for each planning compartment.

Ignition Risk Factor Description Population Density / Wildland One of five population ranges that best represents the population of Urban Interface the planning compartment Power line Power transmission and distribution facilities that may be present within the compartment (power lines, substations, etc.)

Industrial Operations Industrial activities that may occur within the planning compartment, such as timber harvesting, construction, or mining.

Recreation Recreational activities that may occur within the planning compartment, such as camping, hunting, hiking, or off highway vehicle use. Flammables Present The model selects one or more flammable item that may be stored within the planning compartment, such as gas, oil wells/transmission, or a powder magazine.

Other Miscellaneous activity that may occur within the planning compartment, such as the use of fireworks, children with matches woodcutting, and cultural activities.

Railroads Whether or not a railroad is located within the planning compartment. Transportation System Road types that are present within the planning compartment including highways, county roads, and public access roads.

Commercial Development The types of non-residential development that are present within the planning compartment, including camps, business, agricultural/ranching, and schools

WILDFIRE IGNITION RISK RATINGS EXAMPLE

South Eel Planning Compartment – Wildfire Ignition Risk Ranking

Ignition Risk Description Population Density / Wildland 1001+ Dwellings/structures Urban Interface

Power line Transmission Lines Distribution Lines Sub-station Industrial Operations Active timber sale

C-6 Appendix C: RAMS Risk/Hazard Rating Factors and Background Data by Compartment August 2006 Edition

Ignition Risk Description Construction project Debris/slash burning Mining Maintenance/service contracts Recreation Dispersed camping areas, party areas, hunters, water-based, hiking Developed camping areas Off highway vehicle use Flammables Present Gas or oil wells/transmission Gas pumps or storage Powder magazine Other Dump Fireworks, children with matches Electronic installations Woodcutting area, power equipment Shooting/target Government operations Incendiary Cultural Activities Railroads Railroads are present Transportation System State/Federal highway(s) County road(s) Public Access Road(s) Commercial Development Camps, resorts, stables Business, agricultural/ranching Schools Wildfire Ignition Risk Ranking High

Factor 4: Wildland Fire History The fire history assessment identifies human and lightning caused fires that have occurred in Humboldt County over the last decade. The historical fire ignition information was compiled from state, federal and local government fire occurrence records. Humboldt County’s ignition records have been subsequently converted into a countywide ignition occurrence map. The map product readily demonstrates wildfire risk as a component of historical fire ignition occurrence.

By using historical fire occurrence records and analyzing other factors, Humboldt County planners and fire managers can more easily assess and anticipate the probability of wildfire within specific geographic areas.

The following historical wildland fire ignition information is used in assessing fire risk: fire and emergency incident occurrence history (annual average); and wildland acres burned by wildfire (annual average). RAMS then generates a wildland fire history factor of “Low”, “Moderate”, or “High” which contributes to the wildfire risk/hazard ranking for that planning compartment.

Average annual wildland fire occurrence and wildland acres burned for Humboldt County was calculated over a ten year period from 1993 to 2002.

C-7 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

Humboldt County Wildfire Ignition Data 10 Year Average 1993-2002* Average Annual Average Annual Acres Fire Planning Compartment Fires Burned 1. Lower Klamath 13 25.1 2. East Klamath 15 1,616 3. Trinity 172 5,918 4. Redwood Park 4 3 5. Trinidad 45 1.2 6. Humboldt Bay 58 57 7. Upper Redwood Creek 7 13.2 8. Mad-Van Duzen 14 60.5 9. Main Eel 6 117 10. South Eel 41 85 11. Mattole-Lost Coast 17 122 *State, Federal Agency, data edited for wildland fire occurrence in Humboldt County for the period of 1993-2002. CFIRS and NFIRS vegetation fire data included for the Humboldt Bay Fire Planning Compartment.

Factor 5: Wildland Fire Protection Capability and Suppression Complexity

WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION CAPABILITY Fires can become costly and destructive events if not attacked quickly by fire protection forces. The time from dispatch to the first attack or arrival at the incident scene is a critical element in evaluating fire protection system capability, as well as measuring the risk of incurring costly and damaging fire events. Fire protection response times and fire response areas are identified and analyzed in greater detail in Chapter 4.

The following fire protection resource characteristics contribute to the assessment of fire protection capability within each planning compartment:

x The number of acres and population that are within the CDF State Responsibility Area; x The number of acres that are protected by a federal wildland fire agency x CDF State Responsibility Area within local fire related district jurisdiction.

Figure D-2 illustrates the location of federal and state wildland fire protection agency resources and responsibility areas within Humboldt County. CDF State Responsibility Area (see Section 2.4 and the Glossary for a more detailed description of the State Responsibility Area) is indicated in red, and federal and Tribal lands are indicated in bright yellow (BLM), dull yellow (Hoopa Valley and Yurok Reservations), green (Six Rivers National Forest), and purple (Redwood National Park). The diagonal lines indicate whether CDF or a federal or Tribal agency has protection responsibility (green represents federal or tribal agency responsibility and red indicates CDF responsibility.

C-8 Appendix C: RAMS Risk/Hazard Rating Factors and Background Data by Compartment August 2006 Edition

Figure D-2 ¤ ¤

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Petrolia Humboldt RedwoodsS o Weott McCann Riv u SRA data obtained from CDF, Oct. 2003. Stations and Public Lands data le er t to State Park ¤h a t F Sequoia collected by HCCDS, 2000 - 2004. M o rk Ee Eel Rock l R This map is intended for display purposes and should not be used for precise i ve measurement or navigation. Honeydew Myers Flat r ¤ E el Miranda Riv Map compiled by Humboldt County Community Development Services (HCCDS), ¤ er Phillipsville Fort Seward June 2004. Contact: [email protected]

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C-9 Humboldt County Master Fire Protection Plan

The map icons represent fire station locations or other fire protection resources (helibases or air attack bases). Figure C-2 shows that there is a significant amount of land within Humboldt County for which state and federal agencies have responsibility and that fire protection resources are widely dispersed.

The fire protection capability assessment estimates the average amount of time it takes for state or federal fire agencies to make an initial attack on a wildland fire from one of the fire stations or other fire protection resource locations indicated on Figure 3.2. Initial attack capability is ranked in the following manner:

Ranking Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Initial Attack Time 0 to 15 minutes 15 to 30 minutes 30 minutes plus

FIRE SUPPRESSION COMPLEXITY Wildfires that occur in rural Humboldt County communities can involve both residential structures and wildland vegetation simultaneously. This type of fire can rapidly become a highly complex incident, which quickly exhausts the initial attack fire responder’s capability to successfully control the burning structures as well as contain the growing wildfire perimeter threat to adjacent structures. Other fire suppression complexity issues include the degree of road access to high-hazard areas, fire equipment utilization restraints, land management constraints, and the presence of highly valued economic and natural resources in fire-prone areas.

This section contains a large-scale evaluation of fire suppression complexity factors for each compartment. The fire suppression complexity assessment estimates the impact of factors that can increase fire complexity that will confront fire protection personnel, including barriers to access, and the proximity of structure to the wildland urban interface. Fire suppression complexity is ranked in the following manner:

Ranking Assessment Factor Low Moderate High Suppression Complexity Simple Average Complex

FIRE PROTECTION CAPABILITY AND SUPPRESSION COMPLEXITY RATINGS EXAMPLE

South Eel Planning Compartment - Fire Protection Capability & Suppression Complexity Ranking FACTOR CHARACTERISTIC DESCRIPTION / RATING Fire Protection Capability and Suppression Complexity CDF SRA Wildland Fire Total Square Miles of 410.5 sq. mi. (99% of compartment area) Protection Compartment Population Protected 6,817 persons Households Protected 2,775 households CDF SRA w/in Fire Total Square Miles of 3.9 sq. mi. (1% of compartment area) Related District Compartment Jurisdiction Federal Agency Total Square Miles of 0 sq. mi. (0% of compartment area) Wildland Fire Protection Compartment Initial Attack 30 + minutes High Suppression Complexity Complex High Fire Protection Capability and Suppression High Complexity Rating

C-10