Command Decisions During Catastrophic Urban- Interface Wildfire: a Case Study of the 1993 Orange County, California, Laguna Fire

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Command Decisions During Catastrophic Urban- Interface Wildfire: a Case Study of the 1993 Orange County, California, Laguna Fire COMMAND DECISIONS DURING CATASTROPHIC URBAN- INTERFACE WILDFIRE: A CASE STUDY OF THE 1993 ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, LAGUNA FIRE A THESIS Presented to the Department of Occupational Studies California State University, Long Beach In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Emergency Services Administration Emphasis By Michael S. Rohde B.S., 1999, University of Phoenix August 2002 WE, THE UNDERSIGNED MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, HAVE APPROVED THIS THESIS COMMAND DECISIONS DURING CATASTROPHIC URBAN- INTERFACE WILDFIRE: A CASE STUDY OF THE 1993 ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, LAGUNA FIRE By Michael S. Rohde COMMITTEE MEMBERS Richard L. Resurreccion, Ed.D. (Chair) Occupational Studies James E. Koval, Ph.D. Family and Consumer Sciences Patrick McIntosh, M.S. Assistant Chief, Orange County, California, Fire Authority ACCEPTED AND APPROVED ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY Elizabeth Ambos, Ph.D. Acting Dean of Graduate Studies California State University, Long Beach August 2002 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study is dedicated to the firefighters of California whose professional skill and drive for excellence are both exceptionally remarkable and unparalleled. It is the researcher’s hope that this study will provide information that can be used to inspire and improve firefighter safety and command for their most challenging moments. The researcher acknowledges the friendship and mentorship of Dr. Richard Resurreccion, without whose constant support, guidance, devoted personal interest, and years of urging my graduate degree would not have been possible. Thanks to Dr. James Koval and Chief Patrick McIntosh for their participation on my thesis committee, to Phyllis Parmet for her assistance, and to Chief Kirk Summers for his inspiration and brotherhood. To my long-time friends and work comrades with whom I experienced the Laguna Fire, especially Chiefs Chip Prather, Steve Whitaker, Jim Radley, Buck Henderson, Michael Moore, Rich Witesman, and Rich Dewberry, I express my great respect, admiration, and thanks for their courage to share of themselves here so that others may learn, and for the courage, determination, and skill that they demonstrated during that terrible fire My sincere thanks go to my mentors and teachers, the subject matter experts who have provided exemplary leadership and skill through so many fires and who shared with me both their years of experience and friendship: Chiefs Bill Teie, Bill Clayton, Gary Nelson, Tim Sappok, Mike Warren, John Hawkins, and Charles Manor. My wife, Rebecca, and my sons, Patrick and Taylor, have all my love and thanks for their years of support while I toiled in education. I would not be who I am without them. iii ABSTRACT COMMAND DECISIONS DURING CATASTROPHIC URBAN- INTERFACE WILDFIRE: A CASE STUDY OF THE 1993 ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, LAGUNA FIRE By Michael S. Rohde August 2002 The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges and commonalities experienced by the personnel who commanded six catastrophic California wildland- urban interface fires and how future fires of this nature might be commanded and prepared for. The study includes a description of strategies and tactics specific to the Laguna, Old Topanga, Kinneloa, Harmony, Paint, and Tunnel Fires. The Laguna Fire was studied in depth through recollections of those who performed in command functions during that fire. Commonalities were significant and uniform among the studied fires, suggesting that the experiences of the Laguna Fire participants mirrored those of the participants in the six studied fires and that they are likely indicative of potential experiences during future fires occurring under similar conditions. Subject matter experts commented on the Laguna Fire and other fires, contrasting their perceptions of those fires with industry best practices. These observations were then recommended for inclusion in fire command training curriculum. iv CHAPTER Page Copyright 2002 Michael S. Rohde ALL RIGHTS RESERVED v CHAPTER Page CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................... iii CHAPTER 1. PROBLEM FORMULATION ............................................................... 1 Research Problem ............................................................................ 2 Objectives of the Study .................................................................... 3 Significance of the Study ................................................................. 4 Limitations of the Study ................................................................... 5 Assumptions of the Study ................................................................ 6 Methods and Procedures .................................................................. 7 Organization of the Study ................................................................ 7 2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE .............................................................. 10 The Interface Fire Regime ............................................................... 10 Climate and Wind Factors ........................................................ 11 Human Cultural Fire Factors .................................................... 14 Fire Service Command Organization ........................................ 17 Command and Human Factors .................................................. 18 Fire Command Training ............................................................ 20 Fire Case Studies .............................................................................. 22 The Tunnel Fire ......................................................................... 23 The Paint Fire ............................................................................ 30 The Kinneloa Fire ..................................................................... 40 The Old Topanga Fire ............................................................... 45 The Harmony Fire ..................................................................... 56 Developing and Contemporary Fire Regimes ........................... 59 Lessons Learned ............................................................................... 64 Chapter Summary ............................................................................. 64 3. STUDY SETTING ................................................................................. 65 Natural Setting ................................................................................. 65 Fire Weather ..................................................................................... 68 Fire Services ..................................................................................... 69 The Fire Siege .................................................................................. 70 The Laguna Fire ............................................................................... 72 Immediate Postfire Issues ................................................................ 91 Chapter Summary ............................................................................. 92 vi CHAPTER Page 4. DOCUMENTATION OF INTERVIEWS .............................................. 94 Laguna Fire Participants .................................................................. 94 Charles “Chip” Prather, Incident Commander .......................... 95 Rich Dewberry, Laguna Beach Fire Chief (Retired) ................ 102 Steve Whitaker, Operations Section Chief ............................... 106 Michael S. Rohde, Planning Section Chief ............................... 113 James Radley, Department Administrative Duty Officer ......... 121 Richard Witesman, Law Enforcement Liaison ......................... 128 Harold (Buck) Henderson, Logistics Section Chief/Branch Director .............................................................................. 132 Michael Moore, Liaison Officer ............................................... 136 Subject Matter Experts ..................................................................... 138 Bill Clayton, Division Chief ..................................................... 139 Gary Nelson, Division Assistant Chief (Retired) ..................... 147 Tim Sappok, Division Chief ..................................................... 160 John Hawkins, Assistant Chief ................................................. 166 William C. Teie, Deputy Director for Fire Protection (Retired) ............................................................................. 170 Mike Warren, Fire Chief ........................................................... 174 Charles (Chuck) R. Manor, Deputy Chief ................................ 181 Chapter Summary ............................................................................. 185 5. RESEARCH OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................. 186 Observations ..................................................................................... 186 Major Fire Characteristics ......................................................... 187 Research Approach ................................................................... 191 The Orange County Fire Department ....................................... 192 Significance of Experience ....................................................... 194 Value of Prefire Planning .......................................................... 195 Media Relations ........................................................................ 196 Fire Organization
Recommended publications
  • City of La Verne Community Wildfire Protection Plan
    CITY OF LA VERNE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN February 20, 2014 Prepared by: Geo Elements, LLC PO Box 461179 Leeds, Utah 84746-1179 This page intentionally left blank. 2 | Page City of La Verne Community Wildfire Protection Plan This page intentionally left blank. 4 | Page City of La Verne Community Wildfire Protection Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 11 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN ................................................................................................................ 11 1.2 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................. 11 1.3 POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ....................................................................................... 12 1.3.1 Federal Level Policy ................................................................................................................ 12 1.3.2 State Level Policy ................................................................................................................... 13 1.3.3 City Level Policy ..................................................................................................................... 14 1.4 CWPP PROCESS ........................................................................................................................... 15 1.4.1 La Verne CWPP Collaboration .................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wildfire and Poverty
    Wildfire and Poverty An Overview of the Interactions Among Wildfires, Fire-Related Programs, and Poverty in the Western States The Center for Watershed and Community Health Mark O. Hatfield School of Government Portland State University P.O. Box 751 Portland, Oregon 97207 503-725-8101 or 541-744-7072 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.upa.pdx.edu/CWCH/ Prepared for the CWCH by ECONorthwest 99 West Tenth Ave., Suite 400 Eugene, Oregon 97401 December 2001 BACKGROUND AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As we enter the new millennium, the citizens of the West face an increasing number of important challenges. An economic downturn has placed the economy, communities, and workers at risk. The events of September 11 dramatically increased concerns about personal safety and the security of our transportation systems, water resources, energy systems, food supplies, and other issues that were previously taken for granted. These issues have emerged at a time when our environment continues to be a concern. In Oregon, for example, the Oregon State of the Environment Report, released in September 2000 by the Oregon Progress Board, identified a number of environmental areas where Oregonians can expect continued problems under current policies and programs including: poor water quality, especially in urban and agricultural areas, inadequate water supplies, loss of wetlands, degraded riparian areas, depleted fish stocks, invasion of exotic species, diminished biodiversity, and waste and toxic releases. Similar problems exist throughout the West. All of these issues contribute to forest health problems which exacerbate the risks of wildfires to humans and the environment. How can we maintain and enhance our economic security and protect workers and communities while also conserving the environment? The way Western states answer this question may turn out to be one of the most important challenges facing the region for the next number of years.
    [Show full text]
  • Incident Management Situation Report Friday, August 29, 2003 - 0530 Mdt National Preparedness Level 5
    INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2003 - 0530 MDT NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 5 CURRENT SITUATION: Initial attack activity was light in all Areas. Nationally, 103 new fires were reported. Five new large fires were reported, four in the Northern Rockies Area and one in the Rocky Mountain Area. Five large fires were contained, three in the Northern Rockies Area and one each in the Rocky Mountain and Southern Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA LARGE FIRES: An Area Command Team (Mann) is assigned to manage Blackfoot Lake Complex, Wedge Canyon, Robert, Middle Fork Complex, Trapper Creek Complex, Crazy Horse, Rampage Complex, High and Little Salmon Creek Complex. An Area Command Team (Rounsaville) is assigned to manage Lincoln Complex, Winslow, East Complex, Rough Draw Complex, Cathedral Peak Complex, Rathbone and Burnt Ridge/Sheep Camp Complex. An Area Command Team (Ribar) is assigned to manage Cherry Creek Complex, Mineral-Primm/Boles Meadow, Fish Creek Complex, Black Mountain 2, Cooney Ridge and Gold 1. An Area Command Team (Greenhoe) is assigned to manage Sapp, Slim’s Complex, Fiddle, Beaver Lake, Cayuse Lake Complex, and Clear/Nez Fire Use Complex. BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX, Flathead National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Mortier) is assigned. This incident, comprised of the Beta Lake, Doris Mountain, Lost Johnny, Ball Creek, Wounded Buck, Doe, Dead Buck, and Blackfoot Lake fires, is in timber 19 miles east of Kalispell, MT.
    [Show full text]
  • California Fire Siege 2007 an Overview Cover Photos from Top Clockwise: the Santiago Fire Threatens a Development on October 23, 2007
    CALIFORNIA FIRE SIEGE 2007 AN OVERVIEW Cover photos from top clockwise: The Santiago Fire threatens a development on October 23, 2007. (Photo credit: Scott Vickers, istockphoto) Image of Harris Fire taken from Ikhana unmanned aircraft on October 24, 2007. (Photo credit: NASA/U.S. Forest Service) A firefighter tries in vain to cool the flames of a wind-whipped blaze. (Photo credit: Dan Elliot) The American Red Cross acted quickly to establish evacuation centers during the siege. (Photo credit: American Red Cross) Opposite Page: Painting of Harris Fire by Kate Dore, based on photo by Wes Schultz. 2 Introductory Statement In October of 2007, a series of large wildfires ignited and burned hundreds of thousands of acres in Southern California. The fires displaced nearly one million residents, destroyed thousands of homes, and sadly took the lives of 10 people. Shortly after the fire siege began, a team was commissioned by CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service and OES to gather data and measure the response from the numerous fire agencies involved. This report is the result of the team’s efforts and is based upon the best available information and all known facts that have been accumulated. In addition to outlining the fire conditions leading up to the 2007 siege, this report presents statistics —including availability of firefighting resources, acreage engaged, and weather conditions—alongside the strategies that were employed by fire commanders to create a complete day-by-day account of the firefighting effort. The ability to protect the lives, property, and natural resources of the residents of California is contingent upon the strength of cooperation and coordination among federal, state and local firefighting agencies.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Other Natural Disasters
    Laguna Beach Community Wildfire Protection Plan And Other Natural Disasters Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 3 1. Laguna Beach History......................................................................................................... 3 2. Covered Area ...................................................................................................................... 3 3. CWPP Purpose .................................................................................................................... 3 II. CITY RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................................................. 3 1. Fire ...................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Floods ................................................................................................................................ 39 3. Tsunamis ........................................................................................................................... 41 4. Earthquakes ....................................................................................................................... 47 5. Evacuation Plan ................................................................................................................ 53 III. PUBLIC RESOURCES ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • LWHC Once Upon Laguna Woods
    Once Upon Laguna Woods by Dean O. Dixon Once upon a time in a magical land there were fiery volcanos, roiling seas, and fearsome animals. Then came warriors, conquerors, banishment, empires, slaves, wars, pirates, corruption, bandits, posses, lynching, ghosts, invasion, exploitation, riches, scandal and, yes, even happily ever after. Fiction? No. These are true stories about the land right under your feet in and around Laguna Woods. So what did happen once upon Laguna Woods? Well, are you up for some time travel? The beloved natural vistas from Laguna Woods reflect decades of conservation efforts that preserved tens of thousands of pristine acres from any future human development. You get to enjoy this in perpetuity without it ever being disturbed. Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, and City of Irvine Open Space Preserve are contiguous in a synergistic display of your natural history. But what exactly do you see? Once Upon Laguna Woods February 27, 2016 page !2 of !60 Natural erosion has exposed up to 65 million years of rock strata laid down and compressed one layer atop another by eons of changes in the earth’s crust as influenced by climate, flora and fauna. Sand from deserts and beaches, mud from swamps and rivers, skeletons of sea and land creatures, recurrences of these, and still more are solidified and revealed like layers in a slice of cake for the delight of geologists and further study by anyone so inclined. Related tectonics further changed and are changing your area even today as the Atlantic Plate pushes the North American Plate westward into the Pacific Plate along that constant worry of yours, the San Andreas Fault.
    [Show full text]
  • Major Fires in San Diego County History
    Major fires in San Diego County history September 1913: Barona fire burned 65,470 acres. September 1928: Witch Creek fire near Santa Ysabel charred 33,240 acres. September 1928: Beauty Peak fire near the Riverside County border in the North County blackened 67,000 acres. October 1943: Hauser Creek fire in the Cleveland National Forest, at least 9 firefighters dead (including 7 marines), 72 injuries and 10,000 acres burned. August 1944: Laguna Junction fire burned 60,000 acres August 1950: Conejos Fire charred 64,000 acres. [Month unknown] 1952: Cuyamaca fire burned 64,000 acres November 1956: Inaja fire killed 11 firefighters and burned 43,904 acres near Julian. September 26-Oct. 3 1970: The Laguna fire, the county's largest fire in modern times, burned 175,425 acres, killed eight people and destroyed 382 homes. In 24 hours the fire burned from near Mount Laguna into the outskirts of El Cajon and Spring Valley. September 1978: PSA Crash in North Park June 1985: Normal Heights fire destroyed or damaged 116 houses, causing $8.6 million in damage. October 1993: Guejito fire east of Escondido charred 20,000 acres and destroyed 18 houses. Estimated $1.25 million damage. October 1996: Harmony Grove fire burned 8,600 acres, from Harmony Grove west of Escondido to La Costa, destroying nearly 110 homes and killing one man. August 1997: Lake Wohlford fire northeast of Escondido - an arson blaze - destroyed seven houses and burned 500 acres. October 1999: La Jolla Fire (La Jolla Indian Reservation) burned approximately 7,800 acres and 1 firefighter died.
    [Show full text]
  • USFA-TR-145 -- Tire Recycling Facility Fire
    U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series Tire Recycling Facility Fire Nebraska City, Nebraska USFA-TR-145/January-February 2002 U.S. Fire Administration Fire Investigations Program he U.S. Fire Administration develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. The fires usually involve multiple deaths or a large loss of property. But the primary criterion T for deciding to do a report is whether it will result in significant “lessons learned.” In some cases these lessons bring to light new knowledge about fire--the effect of building construction or contents, human behavior in fire, etc. In other cases, the lessons are not new but are serious enough to highlight once again, with yet another fire tragedy report. In some cases, special reports are devel- oped to discuss events, drills, or new technologies which are of interest to the fire service. The reports are sent to fire magazines and are distributed at National and Regional fire meetings. The International Association of Fire Chiefs assists the USFA in disseminating the findings throughout the fire service. On a continuing basis the reports are available on request from the USFA; announce- ments of their availability are published widely in fire journals and newsletters. This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas. The Fire Administration, which has no regulatory authority, sends an experienced fire investigator into a community after a major incident only after having conferred with the local fire authorities to insure that the assistance and presence of the USFA would be supportive and would in no way interfere with any review of the incident they are themselves conducting.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2004-2005
    Annual Report 2004-2005 State Aircraft Unit – A joint fire agency initiative of the CFA and DSE providing specialist aviation resources for fire, land and emergency management Contents Manager, State Aircraft Unit message 2 Governance 4 Stakeholders 4 Functional Structure 5 Aircraft Resources 7 State and National Fleet Aircraft composition 7 Call When Needed and Regional Aircraft 10 Aircraft Usage 10 Rappel and Hover Exit Program 19 Air Attack Supervisor (AAS) Reports 19 National Aerial Firefighting Strategy (NAFS) 20 Current procurement cycle for Aircraft Services 21 Aircraft Contractor Audits 22 Operator Debrief Program 23 Accidents / Incidents Reporting 23 Training 24 Participation in airshows and displays 26 Manuals and Procedural documentation 26 Bushfire CRC 26 Equipment Development 27 Partnerships 31 Interstate Relationships 31 International Relationships 31 SAU Website 32 Financial Summary 33 Appendix 1. 34 SAU Annual Report 2004/2005 1 Manager, State Aircraft Unit message The State Aircraft Unit was established by the Country Fire Authority and Department of Sustainability and Environment in 2001 after several organisational and administrative difficulties involving the management of aircraft in multi agency operations. The aim of the Unit is to provide a “one stop shop” for aircraft operations across CFA and DSE and to assist personnel from these agencies to manage aircraft in the complex environment of large wildfires and if necessary, other emergencies. Since 2001 the State Aircraft Unit has evolved into a true multi-agency unit providing support and advice to not only CFA and DSE but also to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks Victoria, VicForests, Melbourne Water and the National Aerial Firefighting Centre.
    [Show full text]
  • Listing of All EMS Agencies with Their Agency Codes
    Agency Name (D1.2) A.B. Shaw Fire Department (1099) A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Co., Inc. (0212) Ace Ambulance Service, LLC (Hunter Ambulance) (0884) Adams Fire Company, Inc. (3199) Addison Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Corps (5015) Afton Emergency Squad (0811) Air Methods Corp. Rocky Mountain Holdings (LifeNet New York; Albany Med Flight; Stat Flight) (0767) Akron Fire Company, Inc. (1426) Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance (4498) Alabama Fire Department (1899) Alamo Ambulance Service, Inc. (1311) Albany County Sheriff's Department Advanced Life Support (0184) Albany County Sheriff's Office EMS Unit (6229) Albany Department of Fire & Emergency Services, City of (0142) Albany-Schenectady-Greene Co. Ag. Societies, Inc. (Altamont Fair Ambulance) (0139) Albertson Fire Department (2998) Albion Fire Department Emergency Squad (3619) Alden EMS Department (1437) Alert Engine, Hook, Ladder & Hose Co., No. 1, Inc. (0253) Alexander Fire Department, Inc. (1818) Alexandria Bay Volunteer Fire Department (2212) Allegany Fire District, Town of (0775) Allegany Indian Reservation Vol. Fire Department (Seneca Nation Rescue) (0433) Allegany Rescue and EMS, Inc. (0982) Almond Volunteer Fire Department (0225) Alplaus Fire Department (4693) ALS Services, Inc. (7199) Altamont Rescue Squad, Inc. (0117) Altmar Fire Department (3799) Alton Fire Company of Alton, New York, Inc. (5813) Altona Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad (0930) Amagansett Fire Department Ambulance (8139) Amber Ambulance Inc. (3313) Amber Fire Department, Inc.(1083) Ambulance Committee of the Moriches, Inc. (East Moriches Community Ambulance) (5158) Ambulance Service of Fulton County, Inc. (1712) AmCare Ambulance Service, Inc. (3217) Amenia Rescue Squad (1320) Amity Rescue Squad, Inc. (0213) Amityville Fire Department (5137) Amsterdam Fire Department (0554) Andes Fire Department, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Is It a Red Flag Day?
    Is it a Red Flag Day? A Special Section on the Social Aspects of Wildfire Presented by the National Park Service in cooperation with Project Learning Tree, the Fire Prevention Officers of Marin County, and the Marin Independent Journal Advertising Department 2 Fire Recycles ildland fire is an plant particles while the larger material AIR SUN W ecological remains as ash. process affecting almost Ash returns nutrients from plants back all of the earth's vegeta- into the soil, especially calcium, potassi- tion. Underwater plants um and phosphorous. Nitrogen is are generally an returned by the nitrogen-fixing plants that PLANTS excpetion, although flourish after a fire and begin the process FIRE when seaweed or algae of regrowth. Without nitrogen, proteins are left onshore to dry, cannot be made, and DNA cannot be SOIL they too, can become fuel. reproduced. In some places, wildland fire occurs regularly enough that Most of the earth's nitrogen is in the species depend on it. air, but can’t be breathed in. Nitrogen-fix- What's Inside ers host bacteria in their roots which The length of a fire return interval, or convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form Fire Recycles . 2 "fire cycle" varies based on the climate, plants and animals can use. Defensible Space vegetation, and ignition frequency of a Like many hardwood trees, shrubs and other Perspectives. 3 particular location. Ignitions are mainly Plants in the pea family (legumes) are flowering plants, this California bay survived caused by lightning, volcanic ash, lava, notorious for their nitrogen fixing abilities. a wildfire by resprouting at the base.
    [Show full text]
  • News Headlines 11/9/2016
    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ News Headlines 11/9/2016 Measure A: Town voters say yes to fire tax - overwhelmingly Family of 6 displaced in San Bernardino apartment fire Firefighters Rescue Man Pinned Under SUV These 13 states have the most homes at risk from wildfires 2016 Wildfire Season Not Likely to Top Record-Setting 2015 Season 1 Measure A: Town voters say yes to fire tax - overwhelmingly Matthew Cabe, Daily Press Posted: November 8, 2016, 12:01 AM APPLE VALLEY — Voters are saying yes to the tax measure designed to bolster emergency services in the town, according to unofficial election results posted at 10 p.m. Tuesday. With more than 34 percent of precincts reporting, Measure A has received overwhelming approval, amassing 10,364 votes, which translates to 77 percent of the vote, according to the San Bernardino County Elections Office. Measure A needed a two-thirds majority to pass. Doug Qualls — former Apple Valley Fire Protection District Chief and Measure A’s principal officer — told the Daily Press things are “going well” in the district as a result of the voting. “The threshold of reaching two-thirds of the voters is an extraordinary effort,” Qualls said. “To get two-thirds of the people to agree on something, and we far exceeded that expectation, that’s by commitment to the community.” Qualls called Tuesday’s outcome the result of a reality wherein fire stations need to be reopened; currently just three of the district’s seven fire stations are opened, and emergency-response times are below the national averages. “In 1997,” Qualls said, “the fire district promised the voters that they would deliver the best service they can deliver with the resources provided.
    [Show full text]