HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD Grand Jury Response on Wildfire Preparedness____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: 269
Council Meeting: 6/17/2019
Disposition: Resolution 14688 with Amended Response
Agenda Item No: 6.a
Meeting Date: June 17, 2019
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Fire Department
Prepared by: Christopher Gray, Fire Chief City Manager Approval: _______
TOPIC: GRAND JURY REPORT ON WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE
THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL’S RESPONSE TO THE 2018-2019 MARIN
COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT ENTITLED, “WILDFIRE
PREPAREDNESS: A NEW APPROACH”
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving the City of San Rafael’s response to the
Marin County Civil Grand Jury’s report entitled, “Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach.”
BACKGROUND:
On April 25, 2019, the 2018-19 Marin County Civil Grand Jury issued a report entitled Wildfire
Preparedness: A New Approach relating to their evaluation of the impacts of wildfire to life and
property in Marin County, including in San Rafael. The City of San Rafael is required to respond
to all Grand Jury reports. Penal Code section 933 states in part:
No later than 90 days after the Grand Jury submits a final
report…the governing body of the public agency shall comment to
the presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and
recommendations contained in the report.
To comply with this statute, the City’s response to the Grand Jury report must be approved by
resolution of the City Council and submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Marin County Superior
Court and the Foreperson of the Grand Jury by July 24, 2019. Staff recommends that the City
Council adopt the attached resolution approving the City of San Rafael’s response to the Grand
Jury’s report (Attachment 1).
ANALYSIS:
As part of routine City operations, the City of San Rafael proactively addresses wildfire risk in
numerous ways. These measures include actions such as:
• Providing free vegetation inspections for residents
• Supporting and coordinating free community chipper days.
• Engaging and supporting communities seeking Firewise certification.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
• Regularly patrolling the open space with two Police Department Rangers.
• Providing ongoing public outreach and education at community events, homeowners
associations meetings, and City events.
Prior to the release of the Grand Jury’s report, the City of San Rafael had recently made significant
progress towards improving wildfire prevention. In August 2018, staff presented an informational
report to the City Council relating to the City’s wildfire prevention efforts. As part of the
presentation, the City Council provided direction to staff to draft a bold and comprehensive plan
to further address wildfire risk in San Rafael. In response to direction from the City Council, along
with public comment, staff developed a draft Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan. Many
of the recommendations set forth in the September 11, 2018 Lesson’s Learned report from the
Marin County Board of Supervisors sub-committee were incorporated into the Plan. On March 18,
2019, the City Council approved the Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan. The Plan
outlines 38 wildfire prevention goals, including updating the City’s vegetation management
standards, expanding existing wildfire prevention programs, and implementing new programs and
projects. Full details of the Plan, including videos, meeting materials, and feedback forms, are
available on the City’s website.
City staff are evaluating what findings and recommendations from the Grand Jury’s report should
be incorporated into the implementation of the City’s 38-point plan. Staff will continually evaluate
both documents for their effects on wildfire preparedness, prevention, and protection.
In their report, the Grand Jury reviewed the conditions that make Marin County vulnerable to
wildfire, assessed the plans currently in place to correct them, and recommends a new approach
to meeting these challenges. According to their analysis, there are four areas of vulnerability
relating to wildfire safety:
• Vegetation Management: fuel conditions, overgrown vegetation, inadequate policies and
procedures intended to manage and reduce vegetation, and too few inspectors available
to determine compliance and enforcement
• Educating the Public: Lack of knowledge from community members relating to how to
prepare and respond to wildfires, how to make their homes fire resistant or how to create
defensible space, when to collect emergency supplies, how to plan for evacuations, how
to sign up to receive emergency alerts, and where to find information regarding wildfire
prevention programs that are not well known or are not offered frequently
• Alerts: A flaw exists in Marin County’s two emergency alert systems, Alert Marin and
Nixle, by requiring users to opt-in
• Evacuations: Marin County’s topography, narrow and overgrown roads, traffic-calming
obstacles, lack of emergency traffic flow, neglect of public transportation, and
complacency make evacuations difficult
To combat these challenges, the Grand Jury recommends that 25 local government agencies in
Marin County, including special fire districts, cities and town, Marin County Fire Department, Marin
Municipal Water District (MMWD) and County of Marin create a joint powers authority to
coordinate a comprehensive, consistent approach to pre-ignition planning funded by a ¼ cent
sales tax. The Grand Jury believes that this approach will improve wildfire preparedness and
demonstrate Marin County’s political will to improve wildfire safety throughout Marin County.
The Grand Jury has requested that the governing bodies including Marin County, Transportation
Authority of Marin, Marin Transit District, various school districts, and municipalities, including the
City of San Rafael, respond to recommendations contained within their report. The Grand Jury’s
findings and recommendations are set out on page 22 and 24 of the 37-page report (see
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
Attachment 1) The City of San Rafael has been specifically asked to respond to
Recommendations R1, R3 through R13, and R15.
City of San Rafael’s Response to Findings and Recommendations
The topic of this report is of tremendous importance to all Marin County residents. As a sign of
our commitment to addressing the threat of wildfires in a collaborative, countywide fashion, the
executives of Marin’s municipalities and fire agencies have worked together to prepare responses
to all the reports’ findings and recommendations. This unified response to the Grand Jury’s report
can be found in Attachment 2. In addition, City of San Rafael staff have expanded on some of
these unified responses to include additional details specific to the City, which can be found in
Attachment A to the Unified Response to Grand Jury Report (and included here as Attachment
3).
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider relating to this item:
1. Adopt the resolution as presented.
2. Adopt the resolution as amended.
3. Direct staff to return with additional information.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution approving the City of San Rafael’s response to the Marin County Civil Grand
Jury’s report entitled, “Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach.”
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Grand Jury report entitled “Wildfire Prevention: A New Approach”
2. Unified Response to Grand Jury Report
3. City of San Rafael Supplemental Responses
4. Resolution
2018–2019 MARIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
Wildfire Preparedness
A New Approach
Report Date: April 18, 2019
Public Release Date: April 25, 2019
Marin County Civil Grand Jury
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
SUMMARY
Marin faces unprecedented danger to life and property from wildfire. The Grand Jury reviewed
the conditions that make us vulnerable to wildfire, assessed the plans currently in place to correct
them, and recommends a new approach to meeting these challenges. Four areas of vulnerability
stand out:
Vegetation Management: Fuel conditions make Marin extremely vulnerable to wildfires.
Through a combination of aggressive fire suppression and environmental policies, overgrown
vegetation has created hazardous fuel loads throughout the county. The policies and procedures
intended to manage and reduce vegetation are inadequate. Too few inspectors are available to
determine compliance, and enforcement is too slow.
Educating the Public: The public’s ignorance of how to prepare for and respond to wildfires
makes Marin vulnerable. Most people do not know how to make their homes fire resistant or
create defensible space by cutting back vegetation. Many have failed to collect emergency
supplies or plan for evacuations. Nearly 90% of the county’s residents have not signed up to
receive emergency alerts. Programs to educate the public for wildfire are not well known and are
offered infrequently. The county’s only organization assigned to educate the public about
wildfires is understaffed.
Alerts: The two crucial emergency alert systems in the county have a flaw that restricts their
reach. Both Alert Marin and Nixle, as opt-in systems, warn only those who have registered.
Evacuations: Evacuation planning is also a grave concern. Marin’s topography creates great
danger for those who live far from the main evacuation routes. Most connecting roads are narrow
and overgrown. Some are constricted by traffic calming obstacles such as concrete medians, and
bump outs which impede traffic in emergency evacuations. Plans to ease emergency traffic flow
such as traffic-light sequencing and the conversion of two-way roads to one-way flow corridors
are years away from implementation. Marin’s roads lack the capacity for a mass evacuation in
personal vehicles. Public transit is a neglected piece of evacuation preparedness and is
underused. Inertia and complacency have prevented a proactive and nimble response to wildfire
dangers.
The Grand Jury Proposes: The creation of a joint powers authority to coordinate a
comprehensive, consistent approach to pre-ignition planning funded by a ¼ cent sales tax. This
new approach will remedy the gaps in our preparedness and demonstrate our political will to
improve wildfire safety in Marin.
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 2 of 37
INTRODUCTION
The conditions that made wildfire a distant and unlikely risk have now changed. Through a
combination of new weather patterns, aggressive suppression of natural wildfires, and pro -
vegetation environmental policy, Marin has become extremely vulnerable to devastation from
wildfires.
We are living in a powder keg.
Marin’s first responders are highly trained and dedicated specialists who excel in fighting fires.
Mutual aid among fire agencies and disaster coordinators operates seamlessly, and countywide
agencies meet regularly to discuss pre-ignition (before a fire) and pre-suppression (before a fire
is extinguished) preparation. However, there are significant disparities among fire districts in the
policies applicable to vegetation management, education of the public, evacuations and use of
sirens.
Considering Marin’s current state of preparedness, citizens should not assume that first
responders will be able to save them from the horrors of a wildfire like those experienced during
Butte County’s Camp Fire. The deadly threat of fire creates an urgent need for new policies for
wildfire preparedness which must be implemented without delay. These policies and practices
must be made a top priority to ensure the public’s safety.
Marin County has been warned repeatedly that it stands one spark away from a major
conflagration, but many of the county’s governments continue to conduct business as usual.
Uncoordinated pre-ignition planning, jurisdictional rivalries, and a glacial pace for
implementation of improvements has left the public in grave danger.
This report argues for a change in civic culture and suggests a mechanism to address many of the
inadequacies in wildfire preparedness. The Grand Jury recommends the creation of a countywide
umbrella agency to fund, coordinate and lead pre-ignition and pre-suppression planning.
METHODOLOGY
To prepare this report, the Grand Jury:
■ Interviewed county officials and fire chiefs.
■ Interviewed individuals in law enforcement, arboriculture, emergency planning, wildfire
education, public advocacy, transportation, and public transit.
■ Surveyed current fire preparedness procedures and practices.
■ Reviewed newspaper articles.
■ Examined websites.
■ Studied wildfire and firefighting blogs.
■ Reviewed emergency alert platforms.
■ Researched emergency transportation studies.
■ Considered previous Grand Jury wildfire reports.
■ Visited 2017 and 2018 wildfire sites in Sonoma and Butte Counties.
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 3 of 37
DISCUSSION
Vegetation Management
The danger of a catastrophic wildfire in Marin exists in part due to vegetation management
policies. Approximately 60,000 acres fall within the wildland urban interface (WUI), where
residences are intermixed with open space and wildland vegetation. The Marin County Fire
Department estimates there are upwards of 69,000 living units valued at $59 billion within this
area, which borders virtually every city and town in Marin. While vegetation management is
critical throughout the county, its importance is elevated in areas where homes and residences
are within the WUI.1
Photographs of Marin County in the first half of the 20th Century reveal a landscape of open
grassland with a smattering of trees and bushes. When the Golden Gate Bridge opened, many
new homes were built, and more vegetation was planted. Marin now consists of homes,
businesses, and shopping centers surrounded by densely overgrown vegetation. This overgrowth
constitutes an enormous hazard that could fuel a firestorm and devastate our communities.
1 Weber, Jason and Neill, Christie. “2017 Marin County Unit Strategic Fire Plan & Community Wildfire Protection Plan
(CWPP)”, Section 1.0. Accessed 12 Sept. 2018.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 4 of 37
View from Mt. Tamalpais in days gone by (top) and today 2019. (Bottom photo: Eileen Alexander)
Overgrown vegetation also threatens Marin’s roads and evacuation routes. It narrows these
escape routes, many of which will be impassable in a wildfire. As happened in Paradise,
panicked Marin residents may try to flee only to find the roads impeded by burning vegetation,
fallen trees, downed power lines, and stalled cars with melting engine blocks.2
2 St. John, Page, Serna, Joseph, and Lin II, Rong-Gong. “Here’s how Paradise ignored warnings and became a
Deathtrap.” LA Times. 30 Dec. 2018.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 5 of 37
Burned Cars and Melted Aluminum from Engine Block Caused by Extreme Heat in Camp Fire, November 2018. (Jane
Tyska/Bay Area News Group) The Mercury News. Published Nov. 13, 2018.
Overhanging trees, thick underbrush, and vegetation that have grown too close to structures also
pose serious threats. First responders will bypass evacuated homes that are overgrown by
vegetation. Instead, they will move on to homes that have defensible space rather than attempt to
save a structure that has none.
Facts:
1. The federal government and the State of California own thousands of acres of ungroomed open
space in the county.
2. The Marin Municipal Water District owns approximately 21,500 acres of wildland3 and has been
clearing only 30 acres per year.4
3. Marin County Open Space District owns approximately 16,000 acres of wildland, but only about
10% are managed to reduce fire hazard annually.5
4. According to the Marin County Assessor’s Office, approximately 4,400 vacant lots are in the
county. They are usually not well maintained, or maintained at all, and as a result are dangerously
overgrown, often with pyrophytic (fire prone) plants.
5. The vegetation management policies and practices by the county fire departments and districts are
not uniform.
3 “About MMWD,” Marin Municipal Water District. Accessed on 14 Mar. 2018.
4 Spotswood, Dick. “Challenge becomes clear in visit to MMWD watershed.” Marin Independent Journal. 25 Sept. 2018.
5 Korton, Max. “2016-17 Annual Report.” Marin County Parks and Open Space. p. 3. Accessed 6 Mar. 2019.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 6 of 37
6. The number of dedicated vegetation inspectors, who are also trained firefighters, varies
significantly from one department to another. For example, the largest fire department, the
County of Marin, has two chief officers, two captains, two part-time inspectors, and four to six
seasonal defensible space inspectors. In contrast, many smaller departments cannot dedicate even
a single firefighter to full-time inspection duties.
7. The number and frequency of vegetation/defensible space inspections vary significantly among
jurisdictions.
8. Jurisdictions differ regarding the vegetation that is or should be banned. For example, San Rafael
requires but fails to enforce the removal of juniper and bamboo as they are considered pyrophytic
plants, but most cities and towns have no list of prohibited plants.
9. In residential communities, the lack of vegetation inspectors requires some departments to
conduct only “windshield” inspections, where engine crews drive through neighborhoods looking
for obvious violations that can be seen from the street, often missing hidden hazardous
conditions.
10. Where hazardous conditions are observed and corrective notices are issued, jurisdictions rarely
have the resources to follow-up and confirm the violations have been remedied.
11. The formal procedures to take action against code violators vary from one jurisdiction to another
and none provide a streamlined process that will accomplish corrective actions in a timely
manner.
12. Vegetation management is a repetitive task that needs to be performed at least annually; it
requires clearing underbrush, mowing grass, limbing-up trees and disposing of dead matter.
Two charts summarizing current vegetation management practices in all of Marin’s fire
jurisdictions are attached as Appendix A.
Educating the Public
Another essential issue is education of the public. To reach everyone in every neighborhood the
number of Firewise Communities should be expanded through the efforts of Firewise USA™
and FIRESafe Marin. These two organizations support Marin County neighborhoods to reduce
wildfire risks by educating and motivating citizens to mitigate hazards and prepare for a wildfire
disaster.
Firewise Communities are neighborhood groups certified by Firewise USA, a national
organization that teaches people about the risk of wildfire and encourages neighbors to take
immediate action to protect their homes and improve their safety through neighborhood-wide
collaboration. Communities develop plans that guide their risk reduction activities and develop
collaborative efforts for neighbors to work toward building a safer place to live. Marin already
has over 30 Firewise Communities.
FIRESafe Marin is a local non-profit information organization dedicated to wildfire risk
prevention and increasing fire-safety awareness in Marin County. This organization provides
education, resources, tools, and on-going support for neighborhoods to form Firewise
Communities.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 7 of 37
FIRESafe Marin also provides information and literature to the Fire in Marin! program that is
held each wildfire season. Only a single volunteer delivers the Fire in Marin! program thereby
limiting the number of sessions and attendees. In addition, there are a number of emergency
preparedness programs offered, most of which cover all disasters, not exclusively wildfire. These
are delivered by volunteers or fire departments. Most public education sessions have been
notable for the predominance of older residents and the paucity of parents of young children.
Even if all local fire jurisdictions in Marin were to act together, more personnel would be needed
to make sure everyone gets the message and gets prepared. This must be done at a grass roots
level. Marin Firewise Communities have shown that they can generate much more neighborhood
participation and preparation than public agencies are able to do. In order to involve all
neighborhoods, FIRESafe Marin needs to expand its staff and activities from its one current part-
time employee.
Education of the public is essential to enable Marin residents to reduce damages and destruction,
to escape wildfire, and to survive. Educating and informing the public requires complete
disclosure. This includes posting all possible evacuation routes and other exits including stairs,
paths, fire roads and shortcuts. It also includes making all appropriate geographic information
system maps easily understandable so residents can see and evaluate their own individual
properties and situations regardless of possible commercial misuse by the insurance industry or
others. By providing all information, emergency planners will enable people to make the best
decisions for their own safety and survival because people cannot rely on being protected and
rescued in a large emergency.
Wildfire is Coming: Are We Ready?
Ultimately, to be prepared for wildfire, everyone must take responsibility for their own property
and join their neighbors to build strong, fire resistant communities. We must shake off apathy,
get informed, and act.
Citizens have to ask themselves, “Am I ready and do I know what actions to take?”
For example, have I...
1. Created defensible space around my home?
2. Hardened my home against ember showers?
3. Discussed evacuation plans with my family?
4. Identified two exit routes from my neighborhood?
5. Stocked emergency supplies to last 72 hours?
6. Signed up for all emergency alerts?
7. Packed a go-bag?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, our safety authorities have failed to meet their
obligation to educate and convince the public, or our citizens have failed to incorporate their
message. Prompt action is needed while there still is time to prepare.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 8 of 37
Facts:
1. Public education on wildfire preparedness is delivered inconsistently via websites, email, and in
person in neighborhoods, homes, pop-up meetings, and classes.
2. County wildfire education policies are not consistent across towns/cities nor is the application of
those policies.
3. Marin has 30 plus Firewise Communities which encourage neighbors to help neighbors to prepare
for emergencies.
4. Only about 10% of Marin residents are signed up for Alert Marin.
5. Only a small percentage of Marin’s citizens have attended a wildfire safety preparation meeting.
6. FIRESafe Marin has only one part-time employee to educate the entire county.
7. Emergency preparedness information is occasionally offered by CERT, Get Ready Novato,
Neighborhood Response Groups, Fire in Marin!, FIRESafe Marin, FireWise Communities and
fire departments.
8. There are no other countywide government sponsored programs that cover wildfire preparation.
9. Few residents take advantage of home visits provided by fire departments to assess their
properties’ vegetation and fire hazards.
Two charts summarizing current programs to educate the public in the county are attached as
Appendix B.
Alerts
When a wildfire starts, emergency managers implement a number of alert systems to protect the
public. It is critical that those in the path of a deadly wildfire receive accurate and timely
information. The effectiveness of these warnings depends on the reliability of all alert system
technologies and their rapid implementation through the emergency command structure.
Alert Technologies and their Weaknesses
Marin County has overlapping alert systems, which can be implemented for emergency events.
Such redundancy is important as no single system will reach all residents at all times. Emergency
managers use the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, Alert Marin, Nixle and,
in some fire districts, sirens. In addition, emergency services use television and radio bulletins,
and social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, and Instagram to inform the public. As a
last resort, law enforcement personnel and fire fighters may go door to door or use loud speakers
to deliver evacuation orders.
Emergency Alert System is used for catastrophic events. It is a national warning system,
but state and local authorities can use it to deliver local emergency information. It reaches
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 9 of 37
the public via broadcast, cable, satellite, and wired communications pathways. However,
if power is lost or the devices are switched off, the alert fails.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is a system that employs “push notification’’ alerts.
It reaches mobile devices by geographically targeting cell towers in a certain area. It
sends text-like messages that warn of imminent threats to safety in the area. WEA does
not require telephone subscribers to sign-up.
The disadvantage of the WEA system is that it is geographically imprecise. The message
can “bleed over” to those who drive in and out of a cell tower’s range so it can reach
more people than the intended recipients of the warning or evacuation order. Because of
this, emergency officials hesitate to use it, as was the case in both the Tubbs Fire in 2017
and, again, in the Camp Fire in 2018. Recent history has shown that early use of WEA
might be less dangerous, even if too many people are notified, than the risk of using it too
late. Despite its over-reach, it offers at least a chance of escape to those in danger. If
WEA is used too early and too many people receive an evacuation notice, at worst, it will
provide a real-time, full scale evacuation drill for those involved even though it might
strain evacuation routes.
Additionally, cell tower locations are proprietary information and therefore emergency
officials cannot be sure when sending out a WEA that the information will be transmitted
to exactly the right geographic location. Emergency planners discovered that in the East
Bay, an emergency alert was issued to a specific location and after the event it was
revealed that the alert had not gone through because no cell towers were in the targeted
geographic area. Further, alerts only reach WEA compatible cell phones that are turned
on, that are within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates
in WEA.
Significantly, in the context of wildfires, WEA are also vulnerable to failure because if
cell towers and power lines are destroyed, phone contact will be lost, and alerts will fail.
Alert Marin is the most precise way to target those populations that need to be warned of
danger. It is considered to be the first-tier emergency notification system for the county.
It reaches land lines, and for those who register, cell phones, email, and VOIP (Voice
Over Internet Protocol) connections. Alerts are sent to individuals who are registered to
specific postal addresses and contain vital, but short, instructions such as shelter in place,
prepare to evacuate, or evacuate now. These directives remain in effect until the situation
changes. Alert Marin keeps leaving messages until the recipient responds.
Alert Marin is designed to provide messages to the public using pre-written templates, so
its directives are terse, inflexible, and not explanatory. Consequently, after a recent fire
event on Mt. Barnabe in Marin, fire officials were told that some recipients were
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 10 of 37
confused because the information conveyed was so brief or not updated as the situation
unfolded.
Alert Marin is an opt-in service that only reaches those who have signed up. The fact that
it is not opt-out is a significant weakness. The Marin Office of Emergency Services
(OES) estimates that only about 10% of Marin residents are registered with Alert Marin.
In addition, like WEA, Alert Marin is vulnerable to cell tower damage and therefore its
communications may fail to reach people in the path of danger.
Nixle sends out a text messages to smartphones. It reaches an entire zip code. Messages
are sent from different safety authorities to inform the public of local conditions such as
roadwork, accidents, weather, and other events. Emergency officials find Nixle a useful
and flexible means of transmitting warnings and updates in dynamic situations. It is hard
to track how many people subscribe to Nixle because it is a zip code-based registration
system with multiple zip codes easily added by one phone subscriber. Emergency
planners believe that a low percentage of Marin’s residents are signed up for Nixle.
A disadvantage of the Nixle system is that people might develop “Nixle fatigue.” They
may stop reading their texts because Nixle is used by so many different agencies and
alerts are sent so frequently, including situations that they don’t consider dangerous or
relevant.
Another disadvantage is that Nixle, as with Alert Marin, is an opt-in system and that it is
vulnerable to failure when communications systems are overwhelmed or when cell
towers go down.
Sirens do not depend on wireless technology and therefore they are less likely to fail at
the same time than other alert systems. Their disadvantages are that sirens cannot be
heard everywhere or by all people and they do not convey specific information unless
they have a voice communication system attached such as a Long Range Acoustic Device
(LRAD).
Social media are useful but also subject to cell tower failure. Also, social media cannot
reach those who are not online.
Radio and TV bulletins are reliable because they are independent of cell towers and
they operate on different frequencies in the wireless spectrum. Radio and TV, however,
require power and access to equipment. To serve as a reliable alert system such devices
must be on at all times.
Megaphones are used when all else fails. Police and firefighters drive through
neighborhoods to warn residents with loud speakers and horns. They also may knock on
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 11 of 37
doors to announce an evacuation. While these methods are highly effective, they are time
consuming, dangerous, waste skilled manpower and provide the least amount of advance
notice.
Woody Baker-Cohn, Emergency Services Coordinator, Marin County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services
Having multiple alert systems is essential to reach the greatest number of residents who are in the
path of fire danger. No single system is adequate because at some point, each is vulnerable to
failure when put to the test. However, designing a warning system that requires the public to
sign-up and then failing to advertise adequately its existence, fails to meet even minimum
standards of emergency preparedness and common sense.
Evacuations
Having alerted the public to danger, the next step is to evacuate large groups away from an
oncoming wildfire. Evacuations will be difficult; they have not been well planned or practiced.
Evacuations in Marin will be chaotic, and could be deadly, during a wildfire.
Evacuation Dangers and Concerns
The geography of Marin County is varied and most of the county is open space, much of which
has become dangerously overgrown. The majority of Marin’s population is concentrated along
the Highway 101 corridor. Access from residential neighborhoods to the freeway is usually
crowded, through narrow corridors, and often deliberately constricted. Some smaller
communities in West Marin are situated along Highway 1, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and
Novato Boulevard, the county’s main east/west routes. These roads, and Highway 37, would be
main evacuation routes to or from Highway 101 to escape a wildfire. None of these arteries is
designed to accommodate mass evacuations.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 12 of 37
About 69,000 homes in Marin are in the WUI.6 Due to surrounding vegetation and proximity to
wildlands these areas are considered to be at greater risk of wildfires. In the WUI, many
residential communities are in steep, box canyons with only one entry or exit road. Houses built
on hills are frequently connected to safety only by narrow, winding roads that lack shoulders and
have a steep drop to one side. Roads in these areas also snake through hills covered by dense
vegetation. The topography and overgrown vegetation of the county makes us vulnerable to
catastrophic evacuation failures.
Indeed, all areas in Marin are vulnerable to wildfire and evacuation failure no matter whether
they are situated inside or outside of the WUI. Those shown on the county’s fire hazard severity
zone maps to be located in low fire risk areas are also vulnerable.7 Ember showers and fire
tornadoes are frightening characteristics of recent, devastating fires. In wind driven wildfires,
embers travel miles ahead of the flame front, igniting new fires. For example, Coffey Park in
Santa Rosa is not in the WUI; it abuts Highway 101 and was totally destroyed by the Tubbs Fire.
In fact, fire authorities are beginning to consider hazard projection maps misleading because
people rely on them mistakenly believing that they are safe.8 No neighborhood can consider
itself immune to the ravages of wildfire and difficulties in evacuating.
Evacuations in the Camp Fire proved deadly. Poor vegetation management on both sides of the
evacuation routes created fuel loads that sent temperatures to over 1500 degrees. This intense
heat melted tires and wheel rims, and many newer cars simply ceased to operate when their air
intake temperature sensors detected extreme heat. Roads were blocked with abandoned cars,
fallen trees and downed power lines, which led to panic -- creating a lethally dangerous situation
for those attempting to escape the fire. A number of people died in their cars while attempting to
evacuate.9
6 “Updated Wildfire Protection Plan OK’d by Board.” County of Marin. Accessed on 22 Feb. 2019.
7 “Wildland Hazard & Building Codes: Fire Hazard Severity Zones Maps.” Cal Fire. Accessed on 13 Mar. 2019.
8 Pera, Matthew. “Marin firefighters uneasy about state’s risk maps.” Marin Independent Journal. 6 Jan. 2019.
9 Krieger, Lisa and Debolt, David. “Camp Fire: Paradise residents say they received no mass cellphone alerts to evacuate, or to
warn of fires - Residents learned late of the danger --then faced gridlock.” The Mercury News. Nov.18, 2018.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 13 of 37
Burned Cars and Downed Power Lines Block Pearson Road in Paradise, California, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (Jane Tyska/Bay
Area News Group) San Jose Mercury News, November 17, 2018.
The Grand Jury visited Paradise in January 2019 to view the disaster. See Appendix F to this
report, which compares Paradise’s wildfire preparedness before the Camp Fire with Marin’s
current state of preparedness.
Marin County has failed to manage its vegetation adequately and its evacuation routes are
narrow and overgrown. The public is not sufficiently prepared or drilled in evacuation
procedures and first responders cannot handle evacuation events with the speed and scale
required by the new, routinely occurring megafires. Even when drills are practiced, they occur on
a small scale, using unblocked roads, with clear information and no panic (See Appendix E).
The mass movement of populations in an unpredictable, dynamic emergency needs meticulous
planning. Fire departments work with law enforcement to manage evacuations and neither may
be able to muster sufficient personnel to handle it.
The staffing of emergency personnel in Marin is a matter of concern. According to the Grand
Jury report in 2011, only 20-30% of first responders live in the county.10 That number is likely to
be even lower now. Considering how fast a wildfire travels and how few police and firefighters
would be on duty to handle a sudden threat, the county’s reliance on a prompt response from
non-resident, reserve and off-duty personnel is unrealistic. They could be delayed for hours
because of road damage or congestion, if they even arrive at all.
10 “Disaster Preparedness in Marin: Are You Ready?.” Marin County Civil Grand Jury. 21 June 2011, p.1.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 14 of 37
Marin’s narrow roads cannot all be rebuilt, but existing, wider roads and those that are major
evacuation routes should not be narrowed or impeded. Some roads now have obstacles such as
concrete medians, sidewalk bump-outs, lane reductions, speed bumps and other “traffic calming”
techniques, which will significantly hinder evacuations. The lethal danger these obstacles create
outweighs the benefit a community achieves by reducing the “expressway feeling” that busy
roads give to a pleasant town. The possibility of a mass evacuation now rises to a significant
daily risk in the fire season; constricting already inadequate roads seems reckless.
Plans to ease the flow of traffic along existing evacuation routes are far from ready. The use of
traffic-light sequencing which could be used to improve the speed and flow of traffic along
evacuation routes such as Sir Francis Drake Boulevard are being discussed, but implementation
is years away. Other roads that might be suitable for this life-saving innovation have not yet been
considered.
Additionally, contraflow arrangements, making two-way roads into one-way thoroughfares, is
essential to move people more swiftly. Contraflow can increase the directional capacity of a
roadway without the time or cost required to construct additional lanes. However, contraflow
procedures have not yet been developed or tested for the county’s main evacuation routes.
No traffic studies have been performed to determine how long a mass evacuation would take for
an entire community. Consequently, comparing the time a mass evacuation on available exit
roads would take with the duration of an evacuation on contraflow routes and routes with
sequenced traffic lights, has not been considered in evacuation planning. These omissions put the
public at grave risk. They will make mass evacuations along Marin’s inadequate roads a
predictably terrifying, if not deadly, event.
Use of Transit in Evacuations
Finding that plans for residents to evacuate in their own vehicles down Marin’s narrow roads has
not been adequately addressed, the Grand Jury examined the county’s plans to use public transit
to ease congestion along routes that cannot or will not be improved, straightened or enlarged.
A vital part of evacuation planning in Marin County should involve the participation of public
transit. In the Tubbs fire, a memory care facility was evacuated by bus drivers who, on their own
initiative, drove to the facility and rescued the residents.11
Public transit is an underused resource for evacuations. It must be included in emergency
planning because buses can carry numerous passengers who otherwise might be trapped. Marin
residents who do not have cars cannot simply drive away from a wildfire, yet planners have not
identified how many non-drivers would need rescue.
11 McCallum, Kevin. “Santa Rosa bus video shows harrowing Tubbs fire rescue.” Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 5 Jun. 2018.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 15 of 37
A major national report by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies found
that transit should be involved in both planning and implementation procedures of an emergency
evacuation. It specified that “transit agencies should be part of preparedness plans and
represented in the emergency command structure. They can also play a vital role during the
response phase, in both helping to evacuate those without access to a private vehicle and
bringing emergency responders and equipment to the incident site.”12
Additionally, other emergency transportation preparedness studies reviewed by the Grand Jury
make it clear that for an orderly evacuation, large populations cannot be moved without transit
being fully represented in the chain of command in an emergency operations center (EOC).13 14
In Marin’s EOC, transit is only represented by Marin Transit. Golden Gate Transit emergency
managers, SMART representatives, Whistlestop, Marin Airporter and ferry operators do not have
a seat in the room. The current arrangement is that Marin Transit will keep Golden Gate Transit
and the other transit agencies informed and on standby. This places most transit agencies too far
from the emergency command structure in the operations center and will lead to
unnecessary delays as information has to be relayed to and from these other agencies before any
assets can be deployed.
These emergency transportation studies indicate that an evacuation using public transit requires
real-time communication between transit operators and emergency managers prior to and during
emergency evacuations. This entails integration of communications within a transit system,
among different transit agencies and between transit and other governmental safety partners.
Currently, Marin’s transit communications fail to meet these standards.
Transit communications are not properly integrated into the Marin Emergency Radio Authority
(MERA), a multi-agency communications system. In 2014, a special parcel tax was passed to
fund MERA’s Next Generation radio equipment, a system that was intended to improve its
interoperability and integrate emergency communications services into a unified system. Despite
this, units in the field of both Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit still cannot communicate
directly with each other, with other transit agencies or with other mutual aid safety partners and
first responders to coordinate emergency activities because the new equipment has not yet been
installed. It is expected that the new system will be up and running by 2023. This failure impedes
the county’s ability to deploy transit services and help evacuate large populations in an
emergency.
Judged on both criteria of integration with the command structure and fully integrated
communications, transit is an underused resource of evacuation preparedness in Marin.
12 The Role of Transit in Emergency Evacuation, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies Special Report 294.
Transportation Research Board 2008. p.3.
13 Schwarz, Michael A. and Litman, Todd A. “Evacuation Station: The use of Public Transportation in Emergency Management
Planning.” ITE Journal on the Web. Jan. 2008.
14 Scanlon, J. “Transportation In Emergencies: An Often Neglected Story.” Disaster Prevention and Management. Vol. 12, No. 5
2003.
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Impediments to Progress
Much could be done to greatly improve Marin’s wildfire preparedness in all the areas mentioned
above were it not for public and private inertia, governmental distrust of the public, and instances
of bureaucratic complacency. In the face of wildfires’ unprecedented threat, our political culture
must change. We must prioritize public safety now. We need to adopt a new wildfire safety
ethic.
In the last twenty years, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury has issued five reports on the
dangers of wildfire and the importance of being prepared; the most recent was released in 2013.
County elected officials overseeing multiple departments and agencies have been required to
read and respond to the reports’ recommendations. Although summaries have been published in
the Marin Independent Journal and other publications, not enough has been done publicly or
privately to improve countywide preparedness.
In some cases, local government does not trust the public. It “spins” information to avoid an
adverse public response. Government officials and first responders would like the public to
believe that all evacuation routes have been cleared of roadside vegetation, all designated access
and egress roads are accessible and passable, and that traffic congestion can be handled by police
officers who will be in place at critical intersections. The public would be mistaken to believe
this.
Emergency planners in many jurisdictions do not publicize all possible evacuation routes and
other exits including stairs, paths, fire roads and shortcuts because they think that wildfires are
too dynamic and unpredictable. They fear that residents will focus on a predetermined route even
though changing conditions might make that route unfeasible. Withholding information prevents
people from planning ahead for their own evacuation or improvising as circumstances change. It
is precisely the unpredictability of wildfire that makes it essential that all possible escape routes
be known well in advance. Only if they understand all the options can residents make well-
reasoned decisions in unforeseen circumstances. The public needs to be protected from wildfire,
not from knowledge.
Studies have shown that to build public trust, those in authority positions must be open.15 Trust
affects evacuation behavior in emergency situations and is vital to avoid panic. To gain the
public’s trust, emergency planners must trust the public, keep them fully informed and explain the
limits of their ability to help the public in an emergenc y. Governments must make it clear that
alerts might fail and evacuations, if possible at all, will be dangerous, unpredictable and slow. If
the public understands that nothing is being hidden, they will make preparations for themselves,
trust that the information provided to them is both accurate and as complete as possible and
respond to an emergency order without delay or panic.
15 Drury, John and Cocking, Chris “The Mass Psychology of Disasters and Emergency Evacuations: A Research Report and
Implications for Practice” Department of Psychology. University of Sussex. March 2007.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 17 of 37
The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) is an example of bureaucratic complacency and
evasion of responsibility. TAM’s job is to oversee the use of its 2004 sales tax money with a
“single goal: [i]mprove mobility and reduce local congestion for everyone who lives or works in
Marin County by providing a variety of high quality transportation options designed to meet
local needs.” Also, improving Marin’s roads and preventing evacuation congestion fits squarely
with the provisions of TAM’s new 2018 Expenditure Plan which requires it to spend Measure
AA dollars to, among other things, “[m]aintain, improve, and manage Marin County’s local
transportation infrastructure, including roads … to create a well-maintained and resilient
transportation system” and to “[m]aintain and expand local transit services.”16 Despite this, TAM
has not involved itself in planning for mass evacuations, or to improve the county’s roads,
evacuation routes, and other emergency infrastructure for large scale emergencies. The Grand
Jury was unable to determine why this is so since TAM’s authorizing legislation allows it to
perform these functions.17 18
Further, citing concerns about liability, TAM has been resistant to even convening a discussion
to address evacuation congestion planning. Although it administers a “Safe Routes to School”
program to reduce congestion, TAM claims that making routes safe from fire is not within its
power or responsibility. Would not addressing evacuation planning and procedures “improve
mobility and reduce congestion” for Marin residents and workers escaping wildfire?
Bureaucratic inertia and the shirking of responsibility are dangerous to everyone.
Another instance of potentially devastating complacency concerns the fact that both Alert Marin
and Nixle are opt-in. Having estimated that only about 10% of Marin residents are registered
with Alert Marin, and most likely the same with Nixle, the OES and other county officials should
not be content with this dismal number. To date, little effort has gone into increasing registration
with a public information campaign: no media blitz, bus advertisements, billboards, mailers or
public service announcements. The fact that the vast majority of the county cannot be reached by
its two most important warning systems should be of urgent concern.
However, the Grand Jury considers that a public information campaign, even if implemented,
would still be inadequate for public safety. The OES should facilitate the inclusion of all Marin
citizens into Alert Marin and Nixle to make them opt-out systems. Both should have a database
containing residents’ contact information. This information can be obtained from a variety of
sources. Let those with privacy concerns opt-out. This is a matter of life or death for the ninety
percent of Marin residents who are not registered.
County and local governments cannot afford to manage vegetation. Property owners must be
responsible for doing much of the work. Despite this, county and local officials have made little
effort to impress upon property owners that their safety depends on individual action. Few
16 “Transportation Authority of Marin 2018 Final Expenditure Plan.” Accessed on 15 Mar. 2019.
17 “California Public Utilities Code”, Division 19, Chapters.1-6, Sections 180000-180264.
18 Resolution No. 2004-21. Marin County Board of Supervisors. 2 Mar. 2004.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 18 of 37
programs or subsidies are offered. Our local politicians reliance on public participation without
adequate public outreach and education is a poor response to mitigating a significant hazard.
This slipshod approach to public safety seems to rely more upon the hope for good luck than it
does on rigorous planning. Appendix E to this report lists what a former Federal Emergency
Management Agency Administrator describes as the seven deadly sins of emergency
management - each one can be found in Marin’s plans. Why do we have inconsistent vegetation
management, inefficient fire code enforcement procedures, and spotty public education? Where
are our best thinkers and planners? What is every government agency doing to protect the public
from the catastrophic dangers we now confront? Our priorities and attention are elsewhere.
Despite the laudable efforts of Marin’s fire chiefs to create a bold new approach to pre-ignition
and pre-suppression issues, other entities such as city councils, transportation agencies,
environmental groups, regional/urban planners, and land-use activists are not addressing the
wildfire risks that climate change has brought to our daily lives. Environmental activists
discourage vegetation removal and controlled burns, elected officials allow development in the
WUI and choke evacuation routes with obstacles.
These policies reflect an old reality and old thinking. The environment, housing, and traffic
calming efforts are important, but the consequences of these policies are not being reviewed or
modified to address the new hazards created by wildfire. Wildfires ravage the environment; they
create massive air quality issues, toxic waste, mass destruction, and most importantly, they cause
death. Whether through lethargy, indifference or inflexible thinking, many policy makers,
emergency planners, and government agencies do not prioritize wildfire safety, nor do they seem
willing or able to act nimbly to forestall an impending disaster.
Two charts summarizing current countywide evacuation and alerts issues are attached as
Appendix C.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 19 of 37
Air Quality During the Camp Fire. Marin Independent Journal dated November 17, 2018.
(Risberg, Eric. Associated Press)
CONCLUSION
Proposed Umbrella Entity
In response to its pre-ignition and pre-suppression planning concerns, the Grand Jury proposes
the creation of a countywide entity whose purpose would be to coordinate fire preparedness
throughout the county regardless of the political jurisdiction. This proposed umbrella entity (the
“Entity”) would not propose to interfere with actual fire-fighting issues nor would it attempt a
countywide consolidation of fire departments or districts. Its mission would be to focus on pre-
ignition and pre-suppression issues only.
Proposed Powers
The countywide Entity would have authority to investigate, create, propose, and carry out
programs and processes in the following areas:
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 20 of 37
1. Vegetation management: Create a countywide group of at least 30 plus full-time vegetation
management inspectors with authority granted by each constituent jurisdiction to inspect property
throughout the county regardless of the city/town or county where the property is located. The
inspectors would be authorized to issue citations to enforce countywide protocols established by
best practices for safe vegetation management. The Entity would create uniform enforcement of
vegetation management citations as well as develop an expedited legal process akin to the process
currently used in civil courts for evictions. This would ensure prompt compliance with citations.
If the creation of this accelerated enforcement procedure requires state legislative action, the
Entity should lobby the California legislature for these changes.
2. Fuel Reduction Crews: Create sufficient fire/fuels crews whose sole responsibilities would be to
work on reducing the fuel load starting with the highest fire risk areas.
3. Education: Engage in public outreach and education either through dedicated staff or by
subcontracting with FIRESafe Marin.
4. Alerts and Evacuations: Develop countywide best practice policies for alert notification systems
and evacuation route planning, including the possible use of new technology, such as the LRAD
system, as well as working with public transit agencies to develop emergency response protocols,
evacuations, drills and alerts.
5. Public Participation: Create programs to encourage fuel reduction work by citizens on their own
properties as well as develop funding programs either by the Entity or through grants from other
sources to help the elderly, those with access and functional needs, and low-income residents.
Suggested Structure
The Grand Jury proposes that the Entity be a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). It should include
every special fire district, every city and town, Marin County Fire Department, Marin Municipal
Water District (MMWD) and Parks and Open Space. See Appendix D for a list of those that
should be members of the Entity.
Although the fire chiefs and city/town managers in the county have come together to formulate a
joint community-wide response to all the major wildfire issues, their working group is an
informal structure. This group will not be able to fully implement and enforce all of the programs
and protocols necessary to make Marin firesafe and prevent individual jurisdictions from
adopting their own practices. As fire knows no jurisdictional boundaries, a countywide JPA must
be formed to unify wildfire preparation.
Funding
Funding for pre-ignition and pre-suppression projects is the main obstacle cited by all
government agencies and fire districts. Not only do government entities claim that there are no
excess funds in their budgets, individual fire departments and special fire districts also claim that
they do not have enough money to undertake the types of pre-ignition and pre-suppression
proposals cited in this report. It is imperative to solve this critical issue.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 21 of 37
Two practical methods for funding the Entity are (1) a countywide parcel tax or (2) a countywide
sales tax:
1. Parcel Tax: According to the Assessor’s office there are approximately 90,000 taxable parcels in
Marin County not counting the extensive holdings under control of the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area, MMWD or Marin County Parks. Thus, any parcel tax paid would have to be
high enough to fund projects on these tax-exempt lands. In order to be effective, each jurisdiction
would have to pass exactly the same parcel tax measure for the same amount at the same time.
Besides the difficulty of having 11 cities and towns as well as the county coordinate such a
process, there are a number of special fire districts in the county that would also have to be
involved in the drafting and implementation of this process. If just one jurisdiction fails to
cooperate with this proposal, the benefit of having a countywide plan to deal with wildfire
preparedness would fail. Based on these very real political issues, the Grand Jury does not
recommend a parcel tax as the best method to fund the Entity.
2. Sales Tax: The best way to fund the Entity is to authorize a countywide quarter cent sales tax.
Under state law, the sales tax is 6% plus an additional mandatory 1.25% for local jurisdictions for
a total of 7.25%. State law allows local jurisdictions to assess up to an additional 2% sales tax
with voter approval. The 7.25% coupled with the 2% maximum means that the maximum sales
tax could be 9.25%. However, the state legislature routinely allows local entities to exceed the 2%
cap by simply passing a statute to that effect. For example, all of Los Angeles County, including
its 16 cities, plus an additional seven cities in Northern California have requested and been
granted the right to exceed the 2% limit.
Because of the 2% cap, a number of local officials have resisted putting this final ¼ cent tax
before the voters. However, only four jurisdictions currently have actual combined sales tax rates
at the 9% level. The remaining eight jurisdictions could easily add this ¼ cent and still not hit the
2% ceiling. Each jurisdiction’s current sales tax is attached as Appendix G. As for the four
jurisdictions that would hit the 9.25% maximum, they would be likely to get a state exemption
should the need arise in the future.
Finally, the most important reason for recommending a ¼ cent sales tax as a funding mechanism
is that there need be only one enabling statute which can be placed directly on the ballot by the
Marin County Board of Supervisors with the agreement of all the political jurisdictions. Marin
voters used this process in November 2018 to continue a ½ cent sales tax for transportation
improvements.
The time has come to use the final ¼ cent sales tax for our most pressing countywide issue,
wildfire. If not now, when? If not for this, then for what? What could be more important than
saving lives? If the citizens of Marin are given a chance to make their county as safe as possible
from wildfires, passing this sales tax measure should not be a problem. It will provide a steady
source of revenue so that the local governments and special fire districts will not have to tap into
their budgets. As part of this ballot measure, a citizen oversight committee should be created to
make sure that the funds collected are used solely for the mission of the Entity.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 22 of 37
Local Interests Must Be Subsumed Into A Countywide Organization
This proposal is revolutionary for Marin. It will require every government entity and every
special fire district to become a member. The only way to make Marin safer is for the entire
county to work together and not allow local politics to torpedo this innovative proposal.
A number of critical issues prevent Marin from being fire safe. Current vegetation management
policies, alert systems and evacuation planning, as well as current public education efforts are
insufficient to make Marin pre-ignition and pre-suppression fire safe. The most crucial issue is
the political will to create this countywide agency with such broad authority.
The citizens of Marin must choose between safety and vegetation aesthetics.
The creation of this Entity allows for necessary actions to be developed and implemented for all
pre-ignition and pre-suppression matters. The Entity will ensure that the tax funds are used solely
for wildfire preparedness and not for other environmental priorities. It also does not impinge on
local sovereignty except where necessary to create countywide best practices. Without the Entity,
local jurisdictions have neither the will nor the money to undertake such sweeping measures.
Wildfires do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. Marin is known for providing mutual aid and
cooperation among its professional firefighting agencies. What is missing are countywide,
coordinated, science-based, pre-ignition and pre-suppression policies and procedures. This
recommendation solves that issue.
FINDINGS — Vegetation
F1. Existing vegetation management codes are both inconsistent and inconsistently enforced.
F2. There are not enough trained vegetation inspectors or fuel reduction crews.
F3. Current vegetation enforcement procedures are slow, difficult and expensive.
F4. Government agencies and safety authorities cannot currently manage vegetation on
public lands.
F5. All property owners are responsible for vegetation management on their property, yet
they are not sufficiently educated about vegetation management and many do not have
the physical and financial resources to create defensible space.
FINDINGS — Education of the Public
F6. Wildfire preparedness education is inconsistent and fails to reach most citizens,
especially parents of young children.
F7. The most effective method of education is person to person in neighborhoods.
F8. Although Marin has 30 plus Firewise neighborhoods, the most in California, they only
cover a small percentage of population and land.
F9. Sufficient public funds have not been provided to sustain comprehensive wildfire
preparedness education.
F10. Educating the public requires a different set of skills than firefighters usually have.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 23 of 37
FINDINGS — Alerts
F11. Any hesitation to use the WEA system can be deadly even if its alerts might reach people
outside of its intended target zone.
F12. Alert Marin sends the most accurately targeted warnings to endangered populations, but
it reaches too few residents because it is not well publicized. Both Alert Marin and Nixle
require opt-in registration, a serious design flaw.
F13. Sirens could be a useful and reliable warning system if their numbers and locations were
increased to broaden their reach and if they were enhanced with a customized message
through LRAD.
FINDINGS — Evacuations
F14. In the WUI and in many town centers, infrastructure and roads are inadequate for mass
evacuations.
F15. Evacuation routes are dangerously overgrown with vegetation and many evacuation
routes are too narrow to allow safe passage in an emergency.
F16. Emergency planners often do not publicize evacuation routes due to their mistrust of the
public.
F17. Town councils, planners, and public works officials have not addressed traffic choke
points and, in some instances, they have created obstacles to traffic flow by the
installation of concrete medians, bumpouts, curbs, speed bumps, and lane reductions.
F18. No studies have been performed to determine how long it would take to evacuate entire
communities via existing evacuation corridors.
F19. The implementation of traffic-light sequencing and coordination to allow mass egress,
and the conversion of two-way roads into one-way evacuation routes to ease traffic
congestion, are dangerously delayed and years away from being implemented.
F20. Public transit is a neglected asset of emergency response preparedness: all operators
except one transit agency are left out of the command structure and none is integrated
into the emergency radio communication system MERA.
F21. A bureaucratic culture of complacency and inertia exists in Marin. Government often
fails to act quickly to repair known gaps in emergency preparedness, to think flexibly,
and to prioritize safety in its planning and policies.
FINDINGS — Umbrella
F22. No countywide comprehensive, coordinated policies have been made and no funds have
been allocated to prepare for wildfires.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 24 of 37
RECOMMENDATIONS — Vegetation
R1. Create a comprehensive, countywide vegetation management plan that includes
vegetation along evacuation routes, a campaign to mobilize public participation, and low-
income subsidies.
R2. Hire at least 30 new civilian vegetation inspectors and at least eight fire/fuels crews
focused on fuel reduction in the high risk areas of the county, including federal, state and
local public lands.
R3. Develop and implement a fast, streamlined procedure to enforce vegetation citations.
RECOMMENDATIONS — Education
R4. Adopt and deliver a comprehensive education program focused on action for all residents
of Marin on a regular schedule by a team of expert trainers.
R5. Promote the creation of Firewise Communities in every neighborhood b y all local
jurisdictions.
R6. Employ individuals with skills in public speaking, teaching, curriculum design, graphics,
web design, advertising, community organization, community relations, and diplomacy to
educate the public.
RECOMMENDATIONS — Alerts
R7. Collect Marin residents’ information and add it to Alert Marin and Nixle databases to
make them opt-out systems.
R8. Expand the use of sirens with LRADs.
RECOMMENDATIONS — Evacuations
R9. Research, develop, and publish plans for the mass movement of populations along
designated evacuation routes.
R10. Give the highest priority to mitigating known choke points and to maximizing the
capacity of existing evacuation routes.
R11. Incorporate and prioritize plans for mass evacuations in all pending and future
traffic/road projects along major escape routes.
R12. Educate, prepare, and drill for evacuations in all communities.
R13. Fully integrate public transit into the MERA communications system without further
delay.
R14. The Transportation Authority of Marin must convene all stakeholders no later than
December 31, 2019, to address congestion on escape routes in an evacuation.
RECOMMENDATIONS — Umbrella Entity
R15. Establish in the form of a Joint Powers Authority an umbrella organization for wildfire
planning and preparedness (vegetation management, public education, alerts, and
evacuation), funded by a ¼ cent sales tax.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 25 of 37
REQUEST FOR RESPONSES
Pursuant to Penal code section 933.05, the Grand Jury requests responses as follows:
From the following governing bodies:
■ County of Marin Board of Supervisors (R1-13, R15)
■ Belvedere City Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Corte Madera Town Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Fairfax Town Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Larkspur City Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Mill Valley City Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Novato City Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Ross Town Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ San Anselmo Town Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ San Rafael City Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Sausalito City Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Tiburon Town Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Bolinas Fire Protection District Board of Directors (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Central Marin Fire Authority Council (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Inverness Public Utility District Board (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Kentfield Fire Protection District Board (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Marinwood Community Services District Board (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Novato Fire District Board of Directors (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Ross Valley Fire Department Board of Directors (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District Board of Directors (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Southern Marin Fire Protection District Board of Directors (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Stinson Beach Fire Protection District Board (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Tiburon Fire Protection District Board of Directors (R1, R3-13, R15)
■ Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors (R1, R2, R15)
■ Transportation Authority of Marin Board of Commissioners (R9-11, R14)
The governing bodies indicated above should be aware that the comment or response of the
governing body must be conducted in accordance with Penal Code section 933 (c) and subject to
the notice, agenda and open meeting requirements of the Brown Act.
From the following individuals:
■ Marin County Sheriff (R7, R11)
The Grand Jury also invites responses from the following individuals:
■ FIRESafe Marin Council Coordinator
Note: At the time this report was prepared information was available at the websites listed.
Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of
the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to
the Civil Grand Jury. The California State Legislature has stated that it intends the provisions of Penal Code Section 929
prohibiting disclosure of witness identities to encourage full candor in testimony in Grand Jury investigations by protecting the
privacy and confidentiality of those who participate in any Civil Grand Jury investigation.
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April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 26 of 37
APPENDIX A: Vegetation Management V E G E T A T I O N M A N A G E M E N T FIRE
DEPARTMENTS/
DISTRICTS
V/M STAFF TYPE OF INSPECTION ANNUAL PARCEL
INSPECTIONS
Bolinas Fire
Protection District
None noted Complaints & requests for
inspection; neighborhoods and
roads are inspected annually.
Goal: individual property
inspections every year: currently,
every 2-3-years.
Central Marin Fire
Authority (Larkspur &
Corte Madera)
None noted Yearly windshield inspections. 30
day Wildfire Hazard Notices
issued to those not in compliance
No specific goals
Inverness Volunteer
Fire Department
None noted Complaints & requests for
inspection
Inspect and note problem areas; no
specific goals; MCFD has records
of inspection frequency
Kentfield Fire Protection
District
Fire Inspector &
Community Risk
Reduction Specialist
Inspectors visit properties located
in WUI in May. Violators asked to
create defensible space by 6/15.
Required by law to inspect every
SRA parcel each year. Goal:
inspect 200 additional parcels/yr
Marin County Fire
Department (Marin Open
Space; provides fire ser-
vices to the GGNRA)
2 chief officers,
2 captains, 2 part-time
inspectors, 4-6 seasonal
defensible space
inspectors
Defensible Space Event in June: on
duty staff conduct inspections in their
response area. Seasonal firefighter
inspectors perform 4K+ defensible
space inspections/yr.
For the county, goal:: inspect
4500K parcels annually.
Mill Valley Fire
Department
None noted Proactive & maturing compliance
program requires active agency
management
Annually
Novato Fire District
None noted Engine crews drive WUI, leave door
hangers where needed. Inspect reported
properties, referred for review, or
requested for voluntary evaluation.
New construction & major remodels in
WUI must submit VM plan. Properties
for sale require inspection. Assessment
in May to determine which properties
must provide defensible space
Door hangers/windshield
inspections in the WUI followed
by notices. Homes remain on
watch list for 3 yrs.
Ross Valley Fire
Department (Fairfax, San
Anselmo, Ross, & the
Sleepy Hollow FPD)
VM program includes
on-duty engine
company, full-time
inspector, and 2 part-
time employees
26 hrs/week
New construction & major remodels in
WUI must submit VM plan. Properties
for sale require inspection. Engine
companies assess in May to determine
which properties must provide
defensible space
Currently, no goal, but if RVFD
Board approves dedicated
inspector program, will inspect 3-
4K parcels annually.
San Rafael Fire
Department
and Marinwood
2 dedicated VM fire
inspectors
Proactive inspections. Assist
rangers & remove homeless
encampments. Residents notified
yearly to keep defensible space.
Inspections conducted by request
Inspect all of the approx. 8K
parcels in the WUI in a 3 year
cycle
Southern Marin Fire
Protect. District (includes
Tam-Valley, Almonte,
Homestead Valley, Alto,
Strawberry, Sausalito, Fort
Baker, Marin Headlands,
part of Tiburon)
None noted None noted Annually inspects all parcels
Stinson Beach Fire
Protection District
None noted Some areas covered under Marin
County VM. Citizens perform
voluntary compliance
None
Tiburon Fire Protection
District (Tiburon and
Belvedere)
None noted Some areas covered under Marin
County VM. Citizens perform
voluntary compliance
Goal: to inspect 100% of high fire
severity zone parcels annually
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 27 of 37
APPENDIX A: Vegetation Management (cont’d) V E G E T A T I O N M A N A G E M E N T FIRE
DEPARTMENTS/
DISTRICTS
PROHIBITED
PLANTS
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
WITH V/M REMOVAL
WIDE CLEARANCE
ON EVAC ROUTES
Bolinas Fire
Protection District
None noted Matching grant opportunities for
vegetation clearance on non-county-
maintained roads
Collaborate with local utility district
to reduce vegetation
Central Marin Fire
Authority (Larkspur &
Corte Madera)
3K+ parcels are in WUI.
Major reconstruction
plans must be evaluated
by Fire Prevention
Bureau to ensure
pyrophytic plant
removed/not replanted
Free chipper program Yes
Inverness Volunteer
Fire Department
None noted Part of cost of chipper days
underwritten
Fire Dept. partners with MCFD & Fire
Safe Marin for clearing along the local
major evacuation routes
Kentfield Fire Protection
District
None noted
Not currently Roadside clearance is Marin DPW
responsibility. Standards in place to
ensure private driveways are maintained
to current standards.
Marin County Fire
Department (Marin Open
Space; provides fire ser-
vices to the GGNRA)
New construction &
substantial remodels in
WUI prohibit pyrophytic
plants w/in 100’ of
structures. Otherwise,
prohibition not feasible
(unless in close
proximity to residential
structures)
$15K CA Fire Foundation grant
matched plus $15K from BOS,
North Bay Lessons Learned
Committee. Coordinating with
HHS Senior Protective Service to
identify persons in need
No. There is no code that requires
extra wide vegetation clearances
Mill Valley Fire
Department
Changing code to
prohibit bamboo,
juniper, cypress,
acacia and bays
within 30’ of
structures
Considering a program similar to
Novato Fire’s grant program
Yes, clear vegetation but it is not
specified to be extra wide
Novato Fire District
None noted Matching grant to owners, 1x/yr. $500
for chipper/fuel removal. HOAs in WUI
offered annual matching grant to $1500
for same
Major evacuation routes maintained
by CalTrans.
Ross Valley Fire
Department (Fairfax, San
Anselmo, Ross, & the
Sleepy Hollow FPD)
New construction &
substantial remodels
in WUI prohibit
pyrophytic plants and
require a Veg. Mgrt
Plan be submitted.
$15K CA Fire Foundation grant
matched plus $15K from BOS,
North Bay Lessons Learned
Committee. Coordinating with
HHS Senior Protective Service to
identify persons in need
No. There is no code that requires
extra wide vegetation clearances
San Rafael Fire
Department
and Marinwood
Mandatory removal
of juniper and
bamboo
Free chipper service for juniper
and bamboo
Requires a 10’ clearance from
roadway on each side: considering
additional distances in WUI
Southern Marin Fire
Protect. District (incl Tam-
Valley, Almonte, Homestead
Valley, Alto, Strawberry,
Sausalito, Fort Baker, Marin
Headlands, part of Tiburon)
Code prohibits
bamboo, juniper,
cypress, acacia and
bays within 30’ of
structures
Regularly partner with Tam Valley
Community Services District to
manage grants used for chipper
days and other vegetation
management programs
Enforce access/defensible space
requirements/ vegetation clearances;
Roadways to maintain flammable
vegetation clearance from roadway 10 feet
onto properties. Inspect roadways
annually
Stinson Beach Fire
Protection District
None noted Chipper days Yes
Tiburon Fire Protection
District (Tiburon and
Belvedere)
None noted No Yes
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 28 of 37
APPENDIX B: Education E D U C A T I O N FIRE DEPARTMENTS/
DISTRICTS EDUCATION STAFF PROGRAMS/EVENTS
Bolinas Fire
Protection District
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Annual community forums held with
moderate attendance
Central Marin Fire Authority
(Larkspur & Corte Madera)
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
32 Neighborhood Response Groups with
coordinator; partners with FD to provide
fire safety education
Inverness Volunteer
Fire Department
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Inverness Disaster Council, West Marin
Disaster Council
Kentfield Fire Protection
District
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Kentfield Fire District employees. Fire
Inspector and Community Risk Reduction
Specialist, educating the community and
school children within the community.
Marin County Fire
Department (Marin Open
Space; provides fire ser-
vices to the GGNRA)
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Supported by Marin BOS, CALFIRE,
FIRESafe Marin, CERTs and disaster
councils
Mill Valley Fire Department
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Rotary Club organizes and sponsors events;
Emergency Preparedness Commission
sponsors programs
Novato Fire District
No staff fully dedicated to education
but firefighters implement door hanger
program targeting WUI
neighborhoods annually
Ready, Set, Go: Get Ready Novato;
FireWise Communities; Cal Fires, Prevent
Wildfire California, Ready for Wildfire,
One Less Spark
Ross Valley Fire Department
(Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross,
& the Sleepy Hollow FPD)
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Materials provided by FSM, Marin County
Fire Chiefs Assoc.
San Rafael Fire Department
and Marinwood
Firefighters assist Prevention and OES
staff with presentations, inspections
and public outreach
San Rafael Fire Commission and
San Rafael Fire Foundation fund wildfire
education along with FireSafe Marin
and Firewise USA
Southern Marin Fire Protect.
District (includes Tam-
Valley, Almonte, Homestead
Valley, Alto, Strawberry,
Sausalito, Fort Baker, Marin
Headlands, part of Tiburon)
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
Partners with Tam Valley Community
Services District and Marin County FD to
prepare and educate public
Stinson Beach Fire Protection
District
No staff fully dedicated to education.
Firefighters are trained to teach
preparedness to the public
None
Tiburon Fire Protection
District (Tiburon and
Belvedere)
Deputy Fire Marshal performs public
education for emergency preparation;
all firefighters can teach defensible
space practices.
Belvedere-Tiburon Joint Disaster
Council promotes wildfire and Get Ready
awareness programs.
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 29 of 37
APPENDIX B: Education (cont’d) E D U C A T I O N FIRE DEPARTMENTS/
DISTRICTS
EDUCATIONAL READINESS
& PREPAREDNESS GOALS SUCCESSES
Bolinas Fire
Protection District
Not ready for next fire season.
Property owners not engaged/active in
preparedness. Neighbors encouraged
to know each other
Over 200 residents did evacuation drill and
discussion of fire hazard mitigation
Central Marin Fire Authority
(Larkspur & Corte Madera)
Participation in NRGs increases each
year. Community forums,
presentations
Several neighborhoods pursuing FireWise
recognition
Inverness Volunteer
Fire Department
Residents are prepared as neighbors
helping neighbors
Designated local neighborhood disaster
groups since 1982; fire safety covered at
group meetings
Kentfield Fire Protection
District
Kentfield Fire District conducting
inspections to prep for next fire
season; secured grant to create a
defensible space between District and
large landowner partners.
Kent Woodlands community is Firewise
certified
Marin County Fire
Department (Marin Open
Space; provides fire ser-
vices to the GGNRA)
Referenced in Marin County
Performance Measures and Lessons
Learned
FireWise participation, evacuation
exercises and community meetings
Mill Valley Fire Department Working towards entire community
becoming FireWise certified
2-minute videos on website; 8 community
meetings; numerous FireWise communities
Novato Fire District
Neighbors helping neighbors: three
FireWise communities are ready for
next fire season
4 FireWise Communities: Pacheco Valley,
MVMCC, Black Point/Green Point, Indian
Valley; HOAs - Wildhorse Valley and
Bahia
Ross Valley Fire Department
(Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross,
& the Sleepy Hollow FPD)
Hosting community meetings; and
referenced in Marin County
Performance Measures and
Lessons Learned
Cascade Canyon and Sleepy Hollow
FireWise Communities
San Rafael Fire Department
and Marinwood
San Rafael Wildfire Protection Plan
has 37 recommendations to make
SR fire safe.
4 Firewise communities, 20+ HOA wildfire
safety/preparedness presentations in 2018,
2 Wildfire Preparedness Symposia at
Dominican in 2018
Southern Marin Fire Protect.
District (includes Tam-
Valley, Almonte, Homestead
Valley, Alto, Strawberry,
Sausalito, Fort Baker, Marin
Headlands, part of Tiburon)
No goals set yet; anticipate more with
the passage of Measure U
3 Get Ready programs which have low
participation
Stinson Beach Fire Protection
District
Work in progress; hiring fire
prevention officer
Meetings with Marin County FD and
GGNRA
Tiburon Fire Protection
District (Tiburon and
Belvedere)
2-3 additional FireWise Communities
in 2019
First FireWise Community of Harbor Hill
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 30 of 37
APPENDIX C: Evacuations & Alerts E V A C U A T I O N S & A L E R T S FIRE
DEPARTMENTS/
DISTRICTS
SPECIAL
NEEDS/
ELDERLY
LISTS
EVACUATION
CHOKE POINTS
HIGH-RISK
COMMUNITIES
TRANSIT
DEPENDENT
COMMUNITIES
Bolinas Fire
Protection District
Disaster council, fire
department keep list
of at-risk residents
Elm Road, Evergreen Rd,
Mesa Rd, Olema-Bolinas
Rd
Yes. All communities on
gridded Mesa are high risk
No
Central Marin Fire
Authority (Larkspur &
Corte Madera)
32 NRGs maintain
lists
Madrone & Magnolia Aves.
Redwood & Corte Madera
Aves.
Corte Madera: Christmas Tree
Hill, Sausalito Ave. (aka Hidden
Valley). Larkspur: Baltimore
Canyon, Marina Vista Area
Madrone & Magnolia Aves.
Redwood & Corte Madera
Aves. Corte Madera: Christmas
Tree Hill, Sausalito Ave. (aka
Hidden Valley). Larkspur:
Baltimore
Canyon, Marina Vista Area
No official
accounting
Inverness Volunteer
Fire Department
Yes Sir Francis Drake is the
only road in and out
Seahaven No
Kentfield Fire Protection
District
No Sir Francis Drake at Hwy
101
Most residential
communities at risk
None
Marin County Fire
Department (Marin Open
Space; provides fire ser-
vices to the GGNRA)
Residents with
special needs, or
elderly must
make MCFD aware
of their status
Yes, most non-county
maintained roads in West
Marin
Yes, refer to 2016 CWPP
pages 43-56
Unknown
Mill Valley Fire
Department
Maintain a list of
those with
additional needs,
though this
changes often and
is unreliable
All non-county maintained
roads in West Marin are
choke points. SFDB, Miller
Ave, Blithedale leading to
Hwy 101 and on ramps to
Hwy 101
75% of MV is in the WUI
and therefore at risk
The Redwoods
Novato Fire District
No Atherton on-ramp NB on 101;
North of San Rafael SB 101; on
HWY 37 (Sonoma County) past
raceway, Novato Blvd and
Diablo Ave.
Wildhorse Valley, Atherton,
Marin Valley, Little Mountain,
San Marin, Blackpoint, Cherry
Hill, Indian Valley, Ignacio
Valley, Pacheco Valley,
Anderson Rowe, Loma Verde,
President’s (IVC), Wilson West
Novato North, Hilltop
EOC has
information
on agencies to
contact
Ross Valley Fire
Department (Fairfax, San
Anselmo, Ross, & the
Sleepy Hollow FPD)
Residents with
special needs or
elderly must make
RVFD aware of
their status
Most of RVFD’s response
area consists of single lane
roads leading to single
artery roadway
Yes, refer to 2016 CWPP
pages 43-56
Unknown
San Rafael Fire
Department
and Marinwood
Promote
neighborhood
awareness through
GetReady and CERT
None identified All neighborhoods in the
WUI
Residential,
assisting living
facilities, Kaiser
patients
Southern Marin Fire
Protect. District (includes
Tam-Valley, Almonte,
Homestead Valley, Alto,
Strawberry, Sausalito, Fort
Baker, Marin Headlands,
part of Tiburon)
List of residents of
Sausalito only.
Every intersection is a
choke point. Control of
intersections is by PD and
DPW
Districts near the WUI and
areas within canyons
Public transit
is available in flatter
topographic areas
Stinson Beach Fire
Protection District
Yes No No No
Tiburon Fire Protection
District (Tiburon and
Belvedere)
PD departments
maintain lists
Currently creating “Red
Zones”
Neighborhoods adjacent to
open space at ridgeline
Neds Way
/downtown rely on
public transit
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 31 of 37
APPENDIX C: Evacuations & Alerts (cont’d) E V A C U A T I O N S & A L E R T S FIRE
DEPARTMENTS/
DISTRICTS
EVACUATION
ROUTES
PUBLICIZED
SIRENS COMMUNITY
DRILLS
CITE & TOW
ON
EVACUATION
ROUTES
Bolinas Fire
Protection District
Policy decision not
to publicize routes
No sirens currently;
researching LRAD
1 drill held in 2017:
Planning annual drills
No
Central Marin Fire
Authority (Larkspur &
Corte Madera)
Evacuation routes
are not publicized.
Planning is key
element of the
NRGs
1 siren and 1 diaphon
system in Corte Madera not
yet operational.
Considering LRAD
Drill in 2018 had 18%
participation. Plan to
conduct one exercise/year
CMFD has no
authority to cite
vehicles
Inverness Volunteer
Fire Department
No. Dependent on
specifics of the
emergency
Sirens determined to be
ineffective
Monthly radio drills with
CERT, daily radio checks
No parking within 6’
of center of road.
Violators cited.
Kentfield Fire Protection
District
Possible evacuation
routes are available to
the public through
marinfire.org. No
signage used.
Kentfield Fire District has
one Siren. Test of LRAD
did not meet expectations
Evacuation drills held in
Kent Woodlands; Full
campus drill held at COM
2018. Yearly drills held
with all schools
Parking enforcement
issues are referred to
the Sheriff’s office
Marin County Fire
Department (Marin Open
Space; provides fire ser-
vices to the GGNRA)
No. Dependent on
specifics of the
emergency
One siren on Throckmorton
Ridge
As needed MCFD has no
authority to enforce
vehicle code
Mill Valley Fire
Department
Steps, Lanes and
Paths are marked
evacuation routes
5 sirens located throughout
the City. LRAD system on
order
1 drill performed each year Yes. Cite and tow
Novato Fire District
Evacuation points for
Blackpoint/
Greenpoint & Marin
Valley Mobile
Country Club
No Coordinates drills, targeting
WUI areas every 3-5 years
Yes. Cites vehicles.
Works
with NPD and CHP
Ross Valley Fire
Department (Fairfax, San
Anselmo, Ross, & the
Sleepy Hollow FPD)
No. Dependent on
specifics of the
emergency
Sirens in Fairfax, San Anselmo
and Ross. Recommend a battery
backup weather radio activated
by the Emergency Alert System
As needed RVFD has no
authority to enforce
vehicle code
San Rafael Fire
Department
and Marinwood
Encourage
residents to know
an alternate to
standard routes
No sirens. Rely upon
NIXLE, WEA. Evaluating
other systems
On a small scale in various
neighborhoods
No parking within 6’ of
center of road.
Violators cited.
Working to designate
parking in WUI zones
& towing under red
flag conditions
Southern Marin Fire
Protect. District (includes
Tam-Valley, Almonte,
Homestead Valley, Alto,
Strawberry, Sausalito,
Fort Baker, Marin
Headlands, part of
Tiburon)
No. There is a
potential conflict
with actual
emergency
evacuation needs
No fixed sirens.
Coordinating with OES.
LRAD can be linked to
Alert Marin and Everbridge
One or two every year Yes. Cite and tow
Stinson Beach Fire
Protection District
No Yes No, but working on plans No
Tiburon Fire Protection
District (Tiburon and
Belvedere)
No, but working
on plans
6 sirens currently in use.
Considering LRAD
Not presently All vehicle
violations are
referred to the PD
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 32 of 37
APPENDIX D: Recommended Structure and Membership for Entity
The Grand Jury recommends the following entities be members of the Entity. Listed in
alphabetical order, with the fire districts first, the entities are:
1. Bolinas Fire Protection District
2. Central Marin Fire Authority – serves the City of Larkspur and Town of Corte Madera
3. Inverness Volunteer Fire Dept. – run by the Inverness Public Utility
4. Kentfield Fire Protection District
5. Marin County Fire Department – serves unincorporated Marin County not within a Fire
District and contracts to provide wildland fire protection with CAL Fire for all State
Responsibility areas and with Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and
Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNSS) for Federal Responsibility Area FRA within the
County.
6. Marin Municipal Water District
7. Marinwood Community Services District – Fire Department
8. Novato Fire Protection District
9. Ross Valley Fire Department – serves the Towns of San Anselmo, Fairfax, Ross and the
Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District
10. Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District – provides only pre-ignition and pre-suppression
services to Sleepy Hollow
11. Southern Marin Fire Protection District – serves the communities of Tamalpais Valley,
Almonte, Homestead Valley, Alto, Strawberry, approximately 1/4 of the Town of
Tiburon, the City of Sausalito, Fort Baker and the Marin Headlands.
12. Stinson Beach Fire Protection District
13. Tiburon Fire Protection District – serves the Town of Tiburon and City of Belvedere and
surrounding areas.
14. County of Marin
15. City of Belvedere
16. Town of Corte Madera
17. City of Fairfax
18. City of Larkspur
19. City of Mill Valley
20. City of Novato
21. Town of Ross
22. Town of San Anselmo
23. City of San Rafael
24. City of Sausalito
25. Town of Tiburon
Since having 25 members would make the Entity difficult to manage, the Grand Jury
recommends that the Entity hire an executive director. This should be a person with considerable
knowledge and experience with the key pre-ignition and pre-suppression issues such as
community education, vegetation management, alert notices, and evacuation policies. This
person would be employed to create processes and programs, emphasizing “best practices,” for
all pre-ignition and pre-suppression matters. To do this, the executive director would be
authorized to hire staff necessary to carry out the Entity’s mandate.
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 33 of 37
To help guide the executive director and staff with policy development, the Grand Jury
recommends that the Entity as a whole, select a group of individuals from its membership to act
as a Board of Directors. Finally, the Grand Jury recommends that the County Counsel’s office be
authorized to draft the legal documents to create the Entity as well as the ballot measure for the
¼ cent sales tax.
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 34 of 37
APPENDIX E: The 7 Deadly Sins of Emergency Management
At a conference in Stockholm, Sweden on November 28, 2017, Craig Fugate, former
Administrator of FEMA under President Obama, discussed what he considers to be
The 7 Deadly Sins of Emergency Management:19
1. We plan for what we are capable of responding to.
2. We plan for our communities by placing our vulnerable populations aside.
3. We do drills and exercises that we know will be successful.
4. We think our emergency response system can scale up from small emergencies to large
disasters.
5. We build our emergency management team around government, leaving out volunteer
organizations, the private sector and the public.
6. We treat the public as a liability.
7. We price risk too low to change behavior; as a result, risk grows.
Marin’s emergency management plans replicate these errors.
19 Fugate, Craig. “ The 7 Deadly Sins of Emergency Management.” YouTube video. Viewed Jan.10, 2019.
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 35 of 37
APPENDIX F: A Case in Point: Paradise and Marin
The Grand Jury visited Paradise, California in January 2019. Here are some of the major
contrasts and comparisons between Paradise’s wildfire preparedness and Marin’s current
preparedness:
■ Paradise has three well-paved good roads out of town.
■ Marin has many communities located in canyons with only one exit on narrow, poorly
maintained roads.
■ All of Marin’s main east west evacuation routes have choke points where they narrow to
one lane in each direction.
■ At the time of the Camp Fire, most of Paradise's fire and police officers lived in town and
were on the job quickly.
■ Marin's fire and police officers often live in other counties which will severely delay
response time. It may take hours for emergency personnel to get here.
■ Paradise had comprehensive evacuation plans that were tested in previous fires and had
conducted practice evacuation drills. Even so, it took around 5 hours to evacuate the
town.
■ Marin’s OES has given itself 36 months to update its evacuation plans.
■ Marin has no comprehensive evacuation plans that have been shared with the public, and
only a few neighborhoods have had an evacuation drill.
■ Paradise had failed to manage vegetation, particularly along evacuation routes.
■ Marin has failed to manage vegetation adequately in its residential communities, open
space and along evacuation routes.
■ The fire in Paradise did not come from the usual direction but came from the opposite
direction from what was expected.
■ Fire in Marin could come from any direction depending on the prevailing wind.
■ The Butte County Grand Jury report on Paradise in 2008 criticized the lack of an
adequate number of evacuation routes and the deliberate narrowing of the main
evacuation routes.
■ Many jurisdictions in Marin deliberately constrict the flow of traffic along already narrow
evacuation routes with lane reductions and road impediments..
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 36 of 37
APPENDIX G: Sales Tax
With the local sales cap at 2%, the final quarter cent only applies to jurisdictions that are
currently at 9%. The following are the breakdown of Marin jurisdictions and what the local rates
are: 20
Jurisdiction Current Sales Tax Local Sales Rate
Corte Madera 9.00% 0.75%
Fairfax 9.00% 0.75%
Larkspur 9.00% 0.75%
San Rafael 9.00% 0.75%
San Anselmo 8.75% 0.50%
Sausalito 8.75% 0.50%
Novato 8.50% 0.25%
Tiburon 8.25% 0%
Belvedere 8.25% 0%
County of Marin 8.25% 0.25%
Mill Valley 8.25% 0%
Ross 8.25% 0%
From this, it can be seen that only four out of the 12 taxing authorities in Marin are at the limit. There
are 16 cities, all in LA County, that each have their combined sales tax rate over 10% as well as seven
cities in the Bay Area that are over the 9.25% cap.
20 “California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.” CA.Gov. Accessed on 25 Mar. 2019
Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach
April 18, 2019 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 37 of 37
APPENDIX H: Prior Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports on Wildfire (Since 2000)
Marin Civil Grand Jury, “Wildfires — Partners in Prevention”, 2002-03
Marin Civil Grand Jury, “The Next Disaster: Are Marin Citizens Prepared?”, 2005-06
Marin Civil Grand Jury, “Marin on Fire! Not if, but when, 2007-08
Marin Civil Grand Jury, “Disaster Preparedness in Marin: Are You Ready?”, 2010-11
Marin Civil Grand Jury, “Marin on Fire Redux”, 2012-13
UNIFIED RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY FINDINGS
All the agencies/jurisdictions required to respond to the “Wildfire Preparedness: A New
Approach” collaborated to create this response to the findings and recommendations. See the
attachments to this response which include agency/jurisdiction specific clarifications as needed
to augment this document.
F1. Existing vegetation management codes are both inconsistent and inconsistently
enforced.
Response: Agree.
Fire agency policies differ, as do inspection and enforcement procedures.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
F2. There are not enough trained vegetation inspectors or fuel reduction crews.
Response: Agree.
Although fire agencies are doing their best to reduce vegetation around existing homes,
additional resources and dedicated staff are necessary to enhance existing efforts.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
F3. Current vegetation enforcement procedures are slow, difficult and expensive.
Response: Agree.
Although each municipality has its own code enforcement procedures, a consistent countywide
approach would allow for a more efficient and effective enforcement effort.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
F4. Government agencies and safety authorities cannot currently manage vegetation on
public lands.
Response: Partially Disagree.
While municipal governments do not have authority beyond their own jurisdiction, a coordinated
countywide effort could help bring focus and consistency, as well as potentially additional
resources, to enhance existing efforts on public lands.
Government agencies and safety authorities can and do manage vegetation on public lands
over which they have jurisdiction to the extent that resources and funding are available. Much
more can be done, which is one of the many reasons the Marin cities, towns, fire agencies and
County have formed a working group to explore the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention
program to be funded by a parcel tax on the March 2020 ballot.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 2 of 10
F5. All property owners are responsible for vegetation management on their property, yet
they are not sufficiently educated about vegetation management and many do not have
the physical and financial resources to create defensible space.
Response: Agree.
Although education has been provided through individual fire agencies and FIRESafe Marin, we
agree that education efforts need to be understood by broader sections of the community. Grant
programs should be considered for those that may not have the physical or financial means to
complete necessary work.
F6. Wildfire preparedness education is inconsistent and fails to reach most citizens,
especially parents of young children.
Response: Partially Disagree.
Education is offered in a consistent fashion countywide by the fire agencies and FIRESafe
Marin. The demographics of our hosted meetings/forums and exercises generally lack a
younger demographic - especially parents of young children. Agencies need to create new
forms of outreach to garner participation from this demographic.
F7. The most effective method of education is person to person in neighborhoods.
Response: Agree.
Defensible space home evaluations with a trained professional are the preferred and best
method for educating residents.
F8. Although Marin has 30 plus Firewise neighborhoods, the most in California, they only
cover a small percentage of population and land.
Response: Agree.
We agree that Firewise Communities are a great mechanism for bringing communities and
neighborhoods together. They provide an organized approach to reducing hazards and risks.
F9. Sufficient public funds have not been provided to sustain comprehensive wildfire
preparedness education.
Response: Agree.
Generally, fire agencies are funded for response and mitigation of emergency incidents.
Development into the Wildland Urban Interface and climate change, with attendant major fires in
recent years, are requiring resources greater than those available by local municipalities and fire
agencies.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 3 of 10
F10. Educating the public requires a different set of skills than firefighters usually have.
Response: Partially Disagree.
Firefighters have experience that adds value to educating the public; however, they also have
other, often more pressing responsibilities. Dedicated public education staff and defensible
space home evaluators can spend more quality time on task than Firefighters.
F11. Any hesitation to use the WEA system can be deadly even if its alerts might reach
people outside of its intended target zone.
Response: Partially Disagree.
All appropriate emergency alert systems should be used to the fullest capacity as soon as
possible depending on the conditions and needs to maximize safety. The WEA system is not
geographically specific and can bleed over to areas where evacuations are not necessary. This
would result in adding unnecessary traffic to already congested roadways impeding evacuation
egress of those most affected. We agree it is a useful tool, but it must be well-coordinated
between the incident commander and Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.
F12. Alert Marin sends the most accurately targeted warnings to endangered
populations, but it reaches too few residents because it is not well publicized. Both Alert
Marin and Nixle require opt-in registration, a serious design flaw.
Response: Partially Disagree.
Nixle and Alert Marin are two very different systems. Nixle, by design, is an “opt-in” solution
providing general information to the public. Alert Marin is an emergency notification system.
Nixle and Alert Marin information is publicized at almost every community event hosted by Fire
Departments and Sheriff-OES, with information also available on social media and agency
websites.
Listed and unlisted/blocked Marin County landline and VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol)
phone numbers are already included in our emergency notification system (Alert Marin), unless
the owner specifically requests to have their phone number opted-out. Cell phone numbers are
not included in Nixle and do require registration in our Self-Registration Portal. We agree that
more of our residents need to “opt-in” with their cell phone numbers. Additionally, we support
changes in State law mandating that cellular information be accessible with an “opt-out”
provision like landlines and VoIP data. We are also pursuing newly available authority to
cooperate with utility companies to obtain customer cell phone numbers for these purposes.
We will work with legislators to support bills like SB 46 (Hueso; 2019) which would allow local
governments to enter into agreements to access resident cell phone contact information for
enrolling county residents in a county-operated public emergency warning system.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 4 of 10
F13. Sirens could be a useful and reliable warning system if their numbers and locations
were increased to broaden their reach and if they were enhanced with a customized
message through LRAD.
Response: Partially Disagree.
Long Range Acoustical Device (LRAD) is the name brand of one type of acoustical notification
system. This system may have limited reach and limited ability to be heard inside a building.
Local testing has provided mixed results based on topography and other outdoor existing noise.
This type of system will not be effective in some areas of the County.
F14. In the WUI and in many town centers, infrastructure and roads are inadequate for
mass evacuations.
Response: Agree.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
F15. Evacuation routes are dangerously overgrown with vegetation and many evacuation
routes are too narrow to allow safe passage in an emergency.
Response: Agree.
Marin County has many narrow roads with limited access and overgrown vegetation, often in
sloped and difficult terrain. Much of the vegetation encroachment into the road right of way is
the responsibility of homeowners. Public works agencies regularly work with fire agencies
identifying and working in the most critical areas.
F16. Emergency planners often do not publicize evacuation routes due to their mistrust
of the public.
Response: Disagree.
In 2009 the Marin County Fire Agencies developed mutual threat zone maps, pre-identifying
primary and secondary evacuation routes as well as evacuation zones. This information is
available for first responders to access in conventional paper maps or online. It has also been
made available to mutual aid responders outside of Marin County. Fire agencies are in the
process of making these maps publicly available.
We do caution residents to take personal responsibility and identify and regularly travel different
routes away from their home. Wildland fires can be very dynamic and depending on wind and
topography can change direction with little to no warning. A pre-identified evacuation route may
not be the safest route for residents to take deepening upon the specific type and location of the
incident.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 5 of 10
F17. Town councils, planners, and public works officials have not addressed traffic
choke points, and, in some instances, they have created obstacles to traffic flow by the
installation of concrete medians, bump outs, curbs, speed bumps, and lane reductions.
Response: Partially Disagree.
Although we agree that more needs to be done, we do not agree that public officials have not
attempted to address these issues to date. Additionally, while we agree that traffic flow in an
evacuation warrants renewed attention in our circulation planning, many of the elements labeled
as “obstacles to traffic flow” by the Grand Jury are intended to increase public safety on a daily
basis under regular conditions. Each agency must weigh these daily safety concerns against the
use of roads during an evacuation.
F18. No studies have been performed to determine how long it would take to evacuate
entire communities via existing evacuation corridors.
Response: Agree.
The fire chiefs are exploring opportunities with technology companies and higher educational
institutions studying this type of work. Large scale evacuation planning needs further study and
development within Marin.
F19. The implementation of traffic-light sequencing and coordination to allow mass
egress, and the conversion of two-way roads into one-way evacuation routes to ease
traffic congestion, are dangerously delayed and years away from being implemented.
Response: Agree.
Large scale evacuation planning needs to identify which corridors would benefit greatest from
contra-flow traffic-light sequencing. Coordination with public works agencies and identification of
funding sources would be needed to make this a reality.
F20. Public transit is a neglected asset of emergency response preparedness: all
operators except one transit agency are left out of the command structure and none is
integrated into the emergency radio communication system MERA.
Response: Partially disagree.
Use of the term “neglected’ suggests an active decision to exclude transit from emergency
response preparedness. The current arrangements reflect an assessment by transit officials of
their ability to respond to disasters. Many of these protocols reflect planning for a broad
spectrum of disasters that might occur, and it would be appropriate to revisit these protocols for
the “new normal” concerning wildfire preparedness and response to an event concentrated in
Marin County.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 6 of 10
F21. A bureaucratic culture of complacency and inertia exists in Marin. Government often
fails to act quickly to repair known gaps in emergency preparedness, to think flexibly,
and to prioritize safety in its planning and policies.
Response: Disagree.
We agree that more needs to be done to address this critical public safety issue in the face of
what now is commonly referred to as the “new-normal.” Accelerating climate change has led to
larger, costlier, and more frequent wildfires in the state than ever before, burning almost year-
round. Because of this, all fire agencies, the County, cities and towns are working together to
explore the creation a countywide wildfire prevention program.
F22. No countywide comprehensive, coordinated policies have been made and no funds
have been allocated to prepare for wildfires.
Response: Disagree.
There are several coordinated documents, policies or procedures within Marin County including:
Mutual Threat Zone Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and the 2017 North Bay
“Lessons Learned” report. All of Marin’s agencies are evaluating their budgets and making
difficult decisions to make more money available for wildfire preparedness. It is our belief that a
stream of revenue dedicated to this purpose is the best route to addressing the resource needs
identified in these documents.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 7 of 10
RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS
The Marin County Civil Grand Jury recommends the following:
R1. Create a comprehensive, countywide vegetation management plan that includes
vegetation along evacuation routes, a campaign to mobilize public participation, and low-
income subsidies.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
The Marin cities, towns, fire agencies and the County are addressing this recommendation with
a working group to explore the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention program governed
by a countywide joints power authority. We agree that more needs to be done to address this
critical public safety issue in the face of what now is commonly referred to as the “new-normal.”
Accelerating climate change has led to larger, costlier, and more frequent wildfires in the state
than ever before, burning almost year-round. Because of this, all fire agencies, the County, and
its cities and towns are working together to explore the creation a countywide wildfire prevention
program.
The program scope for an ongoing, locally-controlled, countywide wildfire prevention program
would include the following:
• Fire fuel reduction and vegetation management
• Defensible-space home evaluations and education
• Evacuation planning and neighborhood preparedness
• Alert and warning enhancements
• Pursuit of grant funds for countywide efforts, as well as grant funding for to assist
seniors, financially disadvantaged and those with access and functional needs with
preparedness measures.
This program would require new ongoing funding. We are currently exploring a potential
countywide parcel tax measure in March 2020.
R2. Hire at least 30 new civilian vegetation inspectors and at least eight fire/fuels crews
focused on fuel reduction in the high risk areas of the county, including federal, state
and local public lands.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
As stated in our response to Recommendation No. 1, a countywide wildfire prevention initiative
would include expanded defensible-space home inspections and education. A working group of
fire chiefs and city/town managers are exploring options to ensure the most appropriate and
cost-effective solutions are considered to improve defensible space countywide. This enhanced
program would require new, ongoing resources. The staffing of this effort would be subject to
policy decisions of a countywide JPA and/or the governing board of responsible fire agencies.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 8 of 10
R3. Develop and implement a fast, streamlined procedure to enforce vegetation citations.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Fire prevention officers throughout the county are working on a countywide, streamlined
approach updating codes and processes. It is the intention of the group to implement some
items as part of regular code adoption cycle this fall. Larger scale collaboration and a more
streamlined approach will be addressed as part of the countywide wildfire prevention program.
At the countywide level, our intention is to educate homeowners for cooperative compliance.
Addressing non-compliance would be a matter for each jurisdiction to address.
R4. Adopt and deliver a comprehensive education program focused on action for all
residents of Marin on a regular schedule by a team of expert trainers.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
A countywide wildfire prevention program would include a comprehensive education program
for all residents. Although agencies have made efforts to educate the public, without additional
resources to enhance existing efforts, we believe these efforts will continue to be insufficient
and not consistent throughout the County.
R5. Promote the creation of Firewise Communities in every neighborhood by all local
jurisdictions.
This recommendation has already been implemented.
As the Grand Jury report points out, Marin currently has over 30 Firewise neighborhoods. With
the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention program, our current efforts can be substantially
enhanced and expanded throughout the County.
R6. Employ individuals with skills in public speaking, teaching, curriculum design,
graphics, web design, advertising, community organization, community relations, and
diplomacy to educate the public.
This recommendation has already been implemented
We currently have very articulate fire professionals and FIRESafe Marin educating the public.
However, we recognize more needs to be done and this work may not need to be done by our
firefighters, who often have competing response priorities.
R7. Collect Marin residents’ information and add it to Alert Marin and Nixle databases to
make them opt-out systems.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
This recommendation would require changes in State law. We will work with legislators to
support bills like SB 46 (Hueso; 2019), which would allow local governments to enter into
agreements to access resident cell phone contact information for enrolling county residents in a
county-operated public emergency warning system.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 9 of 10
We are also pursuing newly available authority to cooperate with utility companies to obtain
customer data for these purposes, but state legislation would be needed to obtain cell phone
contact information.
R8. Expand the use of sirens with LRADs.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Sirens and LRAD’s have limited reach and ability to be heard inside a building. Local testing has
provided mixed results based on topography and other competing outdoor existing noise. This
type of system does have valuable application in some areas within the County. For those
communities for which these logistical challenges can be overcome, there is considerable
appeal for technology such as LRAD’s, which carry a more specific message than sirens. To be
effective, sirens require communitywide understanding of their meaning and what is expected of
residents when they are sounded.
R9. Research, develop, and publish plans for the mass movement of populations along
designated evacuation routes.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Large scale evacuation planning needs to identify which corridors would benefit the most from
contra-flow and traffic-light sequencing. The use of experts in this field should be engaged.
Coordination with public works agencies and additional funding from a countywide wildfire
prevention initiative will be a critical component to our success.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
R10. Give the highest priority to mitigating known choke points and to maximizing the
capacity of existing evacuation routes.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Large scale evacuation planning needs to identify “choke points”. The use of traffic analysis
experts in this field should be engaged. Coordination with public works agencies and additional
funding from a countywide wildfire prevention initiative will be a critical component to our
success.
R11. Incorporate and prioritize plans for mass evacuations in all pending and future
traffic/road projects along major escape routes.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Consideration of mass evacuations is an important element for agencies to add to their
assessment of road-related capital projects. However, prioritizing evacuation plans above all
other considerations may lead to design decisions that impair other important considerations,
such as safe use of roads on a daily basis. A balanced lifestyle of each project is required.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 10 of 10
R12. Educate, prepare, and drill for evacuations in all communities.
This recommendation has been implemented.
Although all Marin Fire agencies have done this work to some extent, a countywide wildfire
prevention program would substantially expand efforts to educate, prepare and drill for
evacuations through Marin.
City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
R13. Fully integrate public transit into the MERA communications system without further
delay.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
The member agencies of MERA welcome the addition of transit agencies serving Marin. It will
be necessary to analyze how to integrate these agencies in a manner that is fair and equitable.
R15. Establish in the form of a Joint Powers Authority an umbrella organization for
wildfire planning and preparedness (vegetation management, public education, alerts,
and evacuation), funded by a ¼ cent sales tax.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
The Marin cities, towns, fire agencies and County are addressing this recommendation with a
working group to explore the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention program governed by
a countywide joints power authority. The program scope for ongoing, locally-controlled,
countywide wildfire prevention program would include the following:
• Fire fuel reduction and vegetation management
• Defensible-space home evaluations and education
• Evacuation planning and neighborhood preparedness
• Alert and warning enhancements
• Pursuit of grant funds for countywide efforts, as well as grant funding to assist seniors,
financially disadvantaged and those with access and functional needs with preparedness
measures.
This program would require new, ongoing funding. We are currently exploring a potential
countywide parcel tax measure in March 2020. Based on our feedback from Marin fire-
responsible agencies, we believe that a parcel tax is the appropriate funding mechanism.
In addition, we believe the Grand Jury’s recommendation may have been based on their
assumption that “each jurisdiction would have to pass exactly the same parcel tax measure for
the same amount at the same time.” It is worth noting that, based on the support of agencies
that are responsible for fire suppression, it is allowable for the Board of Supervisors to place a
single, countywide parcel tax measure on the ballot. A recent example is Measure A on the
November 4, 2014 countywide ballot, which implemented a countywide parcel tax for the Marin
Emergency Radio Authority (MERA). Therefore, the results of a countywide measure would
require a two-thirds support countywide, but would not require two-thirds support in each
jurisdiction.
City of San Rafael – Supplemental Responses to Findings F1, F2, F3, F14, F15, F16, and
Recommendations R9, R11 and R12
F1. Existing vegetation management codes are both inconsistent and inconsistently enforced.
While some polices are inconsistent across the county, the differences are largely related
towards moves by jurisdictions to strength codes to address the growing threat of wildfire. The
City of San Rafael adopted an aggressive vegetation plan in 2007, and actively works to remove
known high fire risk plants in the Wildland Urban Interface through inspections and notices.
F2. There are not enough trained vegetation inspectors or fuel reduction crews.
In addition, San Rafael works to reduce vegetation in open space, including fuel breaks and
creating defensible space around homes bordering public lands.
F3. Current vegetation enforcement procedures are slow, difficult and expensive.
In addition, San Rafael believes a uniform abatement process, including public hearings,
property inspections, and subsequent fuel reduction work would help improve the procedures
and progress fuel reduction efforts with incorporative property owners.
F14. In the WUI and in many town centers, infrastructure and roads are inadequate for mass
evacuations.
The City of San Rafael acknowledges many areas throughout the City and County have limited
evacuation routes. The City has included an evaluation of existing routes and needs for
improvements in the 38-point City Council approved Wildfire Action Plan. The City is also
committed to improving the way in which evacuation routes, associated planning, and areas of
refuge are shared with the public. The City is also committed to reducing the potential need for
mass evacuation through its vegetation management program and working to identify and share
community areas of refuge, in which residents can find temporary safety from a wildfire, until a
safe evacuation route to an evacuation center or shelter can be identified, coordinated, and
shared.
F15. Evacuation routes are dangerously overgrown with vegetation and many evacuation routes are too
narrow to allow safe passage in an emergency.
In addition, San Rafael believes limited funding and avenues for abatement proceedings limit
the ways in the City can address some areas of concern.
F16. Emergency planners often do not publicize evacuation routes due to their mistrust of the public.
In addition, San Rafael does not believe the lack of widely shared evacuation maps has to do
with mistrust of the public, but rather the variable nature of a wildfire and potential to cause
harm by committing to a singular publicized plan.
R9. Research, develop, and publish plans for the mass movement of populations along designated
evacuation routes.
In addition, the City of San Rafael Public Safety Staff currently has planned general evacuation
routes for the neighborhoods of San Rafael. City Public Safety Staff have worked closely with
county staff in developing the Mutual Threat Zone (MTZ) maps, including various evacuation
routes. Generally speaking evacuation routes are guidelines which must be flexible based on
the circumstances at the time of a critical incident. As conditions change in real time during an
incident, routes and plans change to keep evacuees out of harm’s way. While evacuation route
planning is essential, current information on environmental conditions during an incident will be
the ultimate determiner of safe routes and safe locations for staging evacuees.
City staff offer numerous community outreach and training events to help residents be better
prepared for a disaster. This includes information on evacuation routes and the importance of
knowing at least two ways out of their neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to drive or
walk alternate routes on a regular basis. The City also looking to expand outreach relating to
areas of refuge and helping residents identify areas that may be safe to wait out a fire until a
safer evacuation is possible.
The recently adopted San Rafael Wildfire Prevention and Protection Plan also addresses
evacuation (item 32), including expanding support of neighborhood evacuation drills and
coordination with transportation providers.
R11. Incorporate and prioritize plans for mass evacuations in all pending and future traffic/road projects
along major escape routes.
In addition, as traffic signal improvement projects take place, the City of San Rafael is continually
improving signalization throughout the city to give San Rafael the ability to modify traffic
patterns during emergencies. The City is installing intersection monitoring equipment, new
controllers, new signal heads and mast arms, fiber-optic cabling and other improvements to
provide dynamic and controllable signals as it upgrades intersections. These improvements will
allow San Rafael to monitor and manage traffic flows in high volume circumstances including
during emergencies.
R12. Educate, prepare, and drill for evacuations in all communities.
In addition, the City of San Rafael has provided information to residents regarding wildfire
danger as well as other natural disasters. These information sessions have often come in the
form of public safety personnel presentations at neighborhood association gatherings. These
presentations have taken place in the recent past and are ongoing. Any trainings or evacuation
plans would be strictly scenario-based as wildfires are unpredictable and specific to
environmental conditions at the time making specific plans regarding these events
problematic. The City is also working on creating a template that can be used by neighborhood
groups to facilitate family evacuation drills and neighborhood safety fairs.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 7 of 10
RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS
The Marin County Civil Grand Jury recommends the following:
R1. Create a comprehensive, countywide vegetation management plan that includes
vegetation along evacuation routes, a campaign to mobilize public participation, and low-
income subsidies.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
The Marin cities, towns, fire agencies and the County are addressing this recommendation with
a working group to explore the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention program governed
by a countywide joints power authority. We agree that more needs to be done to address this
critical public safety issue in the face of what now is commonly referred to as the “new-normal.”
Accelerating climate change has led to larger, costlier, and more frequent wildfires in the state
than ever before, burning almost year-round. Because of this, all fire agencies, the County, and
its cities and towns are working together to explore the creation a countywide wildfire prevention
program.
The program scope for an ongoing, locally-controlled, countywide wildfire prevention program
would include the following:
• Fire fuel reduction and vegetation management
• Defensible-space home evaluations and education
• Evacuation planning and neighborhood preparedness
• Alert and warning enhancements
• Pursuit of grant funds for countywide efforts, as well as grant funding for to assist
seniors, financially disadvantaged and those with access and functional needs with
preparedness measures.
This program would require new ongoing funding. We are currently exploring a potential
countywide parcel tax measure in March 2020.
R2. Hire at least 30 new civilian vegetation inspectors and at least eight fire/fuels crews
focused on fuel reduction in the high risk areas of the county, including federal, state
and local public lands.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
As stated in our response to Recommendation No. 1, a countywide wildfire prevention initiative
would include expanded defensible-space home inspections and education. A working group of
fire chiefs and city/town managers are exploring options to ensure the most appropriate and
cost-effective solutions are considered to improve defensible space countywide. This enhanced
program would require new, ongoing resources. The staffing of this effort would be subject to
policy decisions of a countywide JPA and/or the governing board of responsible fire agencies.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 8 of 10
R3. Develop and implement a fast, streamlined procedure to enforce vegetation citations.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Fire prevention officers throughout the county are working on a countywide, streamlined
approach updating codes and processes. It is the intention of the group to implement some
items as part of regular code adoption cycle this fall. Larger scale collaboration and a more
streamlined approach will be addressed as part of the countywide wildfire prevention program.
At the countywide level, our intention is to educate homeowners for cooperative compliance.
Addressing non-compliance would be a matter for each jurisdiction to address.
R4. Adopt and deliver a comprehensive education program focused on action for all
residents of Marin on a regular schedule by a team of expert trainers.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
A countywide wildfire prevention program would include a comprehensive education program
for all residents. Although agencies have made efforts to educate the public, without additional
resources to enhance existing efforts, we believe these efforts will continue to be insufficient
and not consistent throughout the County.
R5. Promote the creation of Firewise Communities in every neighborhood by all local
jurisdictions.
This recommendation has already been implemented.
As the Grand Jury report points out, Marin currently has over 30 Firewise neighborhoods. With
the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention program, our current efforts can be substantially
enhanced and expanded throughout the County.
R6. Employ individuals with skills in public speaking, teaching, curriculum design,
graphics, web design, advertising, community organization, community relations, and
diplomacy to educate the public.
This recommendation has already been implemented
We currently have very articulate fire professionals and FIRESafe Marin educating the public.
However, we recognize more needs to be done and this work may not need to be done by our
firefighters, who often have competing response priorities.
R7. Collect Marin residents’ information and add it to Alert Marin and Nixle databases to
make them opt-out systems.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
This recommendation would require changes in State law. We will work with legislators to
support bills like SB 46 (Hueso; 2019), which would allow local governments to enter into
agreements to access resident cell phone contact information for enrolling county residents in a
county-operated public emergency warning system.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 9 of 10
We are also pursuing newly available authority to cooperate with utility companies to obtain
customer data for these purposes, but state legislation would be needed to obtain cell phone
contact information.
R8. Expand the use of sirens with LRADs.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Sirens and LRAD’s have limited reach and ability to be heard inside a building. Local testing has
provided mixed results based on topography and other competing outdoor existing noise. This
type of system does have valuable application in some areas within the County. For those
communities for which these logistical challenges can be overcome, there is considerable
appeal for technology such as LRAD’s, which carry a more specific message than sirens. To be
effective, sirens require communitywide understanding of their meaning and what is expected of
residents when they are sounded.
R9. Research, develop, and publish plans for the mass movement of populations along
designated evacuation routes.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Large scale evacuation planning needs to identify which corridors would benefit the most from
contra-flow and traffic-light sequencing. The use of experts in this field should be engaged.
Coordination with public works agencies and additional funding from a countywide wildfire
prevention initiative will be a critical component to our success.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
R10. Give the highest priority to mitigating known choke points and to maximizing the
capacity of existing evacuation routes.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Large scale evacuation planning needs to identify “choke points”. The use of traffic analysis
experts in this field should be engaged. Coordination with public works agencies and additional
funding from a countywide wildfire prevention initiative will be a critical component to our
success.
R11. Incorporate and prioritize plans for mass evacuations in all pending and future
traffic/road projects along major escape routes.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
Consideration of mass evacuations is an important element for agencies to add to their
assessment of road-related capital projects. However, prioritizing evacuation plans above all
other considerations may lead to design decisions that impair other important considerations,
such as safe use of roads on a daily basis. A balanced lifestyle of each project is required.
• City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations
“Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”
April 25, 2019
Unified Response Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations Page 10 of 10
R12. Educate, prepare, and drill for evacuations in all communities.
This recommendation has been implemented.
Although all Marin Fire agencies have done this work to some extent, a countywide wildfire
prevention program would substantially expand efforts to educate, prepare and drill for
evacuations through Marin.
City of San Rafael – see Attachment A.
R13. Fully integrate public transit into the MERA communications system without further
delay.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
The member agencies of MERA welcome the addition of transit agencies serving Marin. It will
be necessary to analyze how to integrate these agencies in a manner that is fair and equitable.
R15. Establish in the form of a Joint Powers Authority an umbrella organization for
wildfire planning and preparedness (vegetation management, public education, alerts,
and evacuation), funded by a ¼ cent sales tax.
This recommendation requires further analysis.
The Marin cities, towns, fire agencies and County are addressing this recommendation with a
working group to explore the creation of a countywide wildfire prevention program governed by
a countywide joints power authority. The program scope for ongoing, locally-controlled,
countywide wildfire prevention program would include the following:
• Fire fuel reduction and vegetation management
• Defensible-space home evaluations and education
• Evacuation planning and neighborhood preparedness
• Alert and warning enhancements
• Pursuit of grant funds for countywide efforts, as well as grant funding to assist seniors,
financially disadvantaged and those with access and functional needs with preparedness
measures.
This program would require new, ongoing funding. We are currently exploring a potential
countywide parcel tax measure in March 2020. Based on our feedback from Marin fire-
responsible agencies, we believe that a parcel tax is the appropriate funding mechanism.
In addition, we believe the Grand Jury’s recommendation may have been based on their
assumption that “each jurisdiction would have to pass exactly the same parcel tax measure for
the same amount at the same time.” It is worth noting that, based on the support of agencies
that are responsible for fire suppression, it is allowable for the Board of Supervisors to place a
single, countywide parcel tax measure on the ballot. A recent example is Measure A on the
November 4, 2014 countywide ballot, which implemented a countywide parcel tax for the Marin
Emergency Radio Authority (MERA). Therefore, the results of a countywide measure would
require a two-thirds support countywide, but would not require two-thirds support in each
jurisdiction.
City of San Rafael – Supplemental Responses to Findings F1, F2, F3, F14, F15, F16, and
Recommendations R9, R11 and R12
F1. Existing vegetation management codes are both inconsistent and inconsistently enforced.
While some polices are inconsistent across the county, the differences are largely related
towards moves by jurisdictions to strength codes to address the growing threat of wildfire. The
City of San Rafael adopted an aggressive vegetation plan in 2007, and actively works to remove
known high fire risk plants in the Wildland Urban Interface through inspections and notices.
F2. There are not enough trained vegetation inspectors or fuel reduction crews.
In addition, San Rafael works to reduce vegetation in open space, including fuel breaks and
creating defensible space around homes bordering public lands.
F3. Current vegetation enforcement procedures are slow, difficult and expensive.
In addition, San Rafael believes a uniform abatement process, including public hearings,
property inspections, and subsequent fuel reduction work would help improve the procedures
and progress fuel reduction efforts with incorporative property owners.
F14. In the WUI and in many town centers, infrastructure and roads are inadequate for mass
evacuations.
The City of San Rafael acknowledges many areas throughout the City and County have limited
evacuation routes. The City has included an evaluation of existing routes and needs for
improvements in the 38-point City Council approved Wildfire Action Plan. The City is also
committed to improving the way in which evacuation routes, associated planning, and areas of
refuge are shared with the public. The City is also committed to reducing the potential need for
mass evacuation through its vegetation management program and working to identify and share
community areas of refuge, in which residents can find temporary safety from a wildfire, until a
safe evacuation route to an evacuation center or shelter can be identified, coordinated, and
shared.
F15. Evacuation routes are dangerously overgrown with vegetation and many evacuation routes are too
narrow to allow safe passage in an emergency.
In addition, San Rafael believes limited funding and avenues for abatement proceedings limit
the ways in the City can address some areas of concern.
F16. Emergency planners often do not publicize evacuation routes due to their mistrust of the public.
In addition, San Rafael does not believe the lack of widely shared evacuation maps has to do
with mistrust of the public, but rather the variable nature of a wildfire and potential to cause
harm by committing to a singular publicized plan.
R9. Research, develop, and publish plans for the mass movement of populations along designated
evacuation routes.
In addition, the City of San Rafael Public Safety Staff currently has planned general evacuation
routes for the neighborhoods of San Rafael. City Public Safety Staff have worked closely with
county staff in developing the Mutual Threat Zone (MTZ) maps, including various evacuation
routes. Generally speaking evacuation routes are guidelines which must be flexible based on
the circumstances at the time of a critical incident. As conditions change in real time during an
incident, routes and plans change to keep evacuees out of harm’s way. While evacuation route
planning is essential, current information on environmental conditions during an incident will be
the ultimate determiner of safe routes and safe locations for staging evacuees.
City staff offer numerous community outreach and training events to help residents be better
prepared for a disaster. This includes information on evacuation routes and the importance of
knowing at least two ways out of their neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to drive or
walk alternate routes on a regular basis. The City also looking to expand outreach relating to
areas of refuge and helping residents identify areas that may be safe to wait out a fire until a
safer evacuation is possible.
The recently adopted San Rafael Wildfire Prevention and Protection Plan also addresses
evacuation (item 32), including expanding support of neighborhood evacuation drills and
coordination with transportation providers.
R11. Incorporate and prioritize plans for mass evacuations in all pending and future traffic/road projects
along major escape routes.
In addition, as traffic signal improvement projects take place, the City of San Rafael is continually
improving signalization throughout the city to give San Rafael the ability to modify traffic
patterns during emergencies. The City is installing intersection monitoring equipment, new
controllers, new signal heads and mast arms, fiber-optic cabling and other improvements to
provide dynamic and controllable signals as it upgrades intersections. These improvements will
allow San Rafael to monitor and manage traffic flows in high volume circumstances including
during emergencies.
R12. Educate, prepare, and drill for evacuations in all communities.
In addition, the City of San Rafael has provided information to residents regarding wildfire
danger as well as other natural disasters. These information sessions have often come in the
form of public safety personnel presentations at neighborhood association gatherings. These
presentations have taken place in the recent past and are ongoing. Any trainings or evacuation
plans would be strictly scenario-based as wildfires are unpredictable and specific to
environmental conditions at the time making specific plans regarding these events
problematic. The City is also working on creating a template that can be used by neighborhood
groups to facilitate family evacuation drills and neighborhood safety fairs.
RESOLUTION NO. 14688
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE CITY’S
RESPONSE TO THE APRIL 25, 2019 MARIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
REPORT ENTITLED "WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS: A NEW APPROACH”
WHEREAS, pursuant to Penal Code section 933, a public agency which receives a Grand
Jury Report addressing aspects of the public agency’s operations must, within ninety (90) days,
provide a written response to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, with a copy to the
Foreperson of the Grand Jury, responding to the Report’s findings and recommendations; and
WHEREAS, Penal Code section 933 specifically requires that the “governing body” of the
public agency provide said response and, in order to lawfully comply, the governing body must
consider and adopt the response at a noticed public meeting pursuant to the Brown Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Rafael has received and reviewed the Marin
County Grand Jury Report, dated April 25, 2019, entitled “Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”,
and has added the discussion of this report at the June 17, 2019 City Council agenda to consider
the City’s response;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby:
1. Approves and authorizes the Mayor to execute the City’s response to the Marin
County Grand Jury’s April 25, 2019 report, entitled “Wildfire Preparedness: A New Approach”, a
copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
2. Directs the City Clerk to forward the City’s response forthwith to the Presiding Judge
of the Marin County Superior Court and to the Foreperson of the Marin County Grand Jury.
I, Lindsay Lara, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution
was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the San Rafael City Council
held on the 17th day of June 2019, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Gamblin
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
#2 Apply vegetation management standards citywide
#3 Adopt Public Resource Code 4290 and 4291
•The threat of wildfire
extends beyond the WUI
•A firesafe San Rafael
requires citywide
vegetation standards
•PRC 4290 & 4291
establish guidelines for
defensible space
#1 Eliminate highly flammable
vegetation throughout San Rafael
•2007 ordinance change
prohibited Juniper and
Bamboo in WUI
•Ordinance will be
updated to include
Acacia and Italian
Cypress
•Ordinance will be
updated to apply
citywide
•Mill Valley recently
made the same change
Ordinance Change
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action PlanWildfire Prevention and
Protection Action Plan
DRAFTED MARCH 2019
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
San Rafael Wildfire Prevention
and Protection Action Plan
Executive Summary:
At the direction of the San Rafael City Council, staff have produced the San
Rafael Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan. This document is intended
as a master planning document to guide continual efforts to reduce the wildfire
risk in San Rafael. It does not provide specific program details for every objective.
All items that require additional detail will return to the City Council at a
subsequent date for consideration either by Resolution or Ordinance, following a
community engagement process. This master plan incorporates lessons learned
from recent wildfires, ongoing local and County efforts, existing plans, and public
input. This document is intended as a guide to overall approach and lays out the
City of San Rafael’s plans for Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness. The plan will
be executed in partnership with other city, county and community efforts.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Background:
In 2007, the City of San Rafael adopted a model ordinance for vegetation
management. As we experience continued fire risk and activity associated with
climate change, the City of San Rafael has been actively evaluating methods to
further reduce our community’s susceptibility to devasting wildfires. Wildfire risks
will persist under extreme conditions; however, we can significantly mitigate
those risk factors through enhanced regulations, education and enforcement.
Public policy and programs provide a framework for a more resilient San Rafael
but will require public support, compliance, effective implementation, and
individual effort.
Currently, the City’s wildfire prevention efforts focus on our Wildland Urban
Interface (WUI) areas, which were established to identify areas thought to be
most at risk for being impacted by a wildfire. Specific vegetation standards,
including those adopted by San Rafael in 2007, apply only to property in the WUI.
However, as climate change and increased fuel build-up contribute to more
devasting fires, these boundaries no longer are sufficient or effective. Ember
storms, explained in more detail below, can spread fire miles ahead of the flame
front, regardless of WUI or jurisdictional boundaries. To adequately protect
communities, more universal standards and approaches are necessary. Each
structure burned in a fire is a risk to life, a personal and communal loss, and
contributes to additional fire spread.
The Fire Department has one full-time, fixed-term Vegetation Management
Specialist position and one part-time Vegetation Management Inspector.
Together, the Department conducted more than 1,200 WUI home inspections in
the first half of Fiscal Year 2018/19 and assisted the Department of Public Works
with removal of flammable vegetation on approximately 125 acres of City-owned
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
public space. Monthly chipper days – providing residents with free juniper and
bamboo chipping services – are also overseen by the Fire Department.
Altogether, more than 1,500 tons of vegetation has been removed this fiscal year
as a result of the Fire Department’s vegetation management efforts. The City
also works closely with Marin County Fire, FIRESafe MARIN, and other local and
regional agencies on wildfire prevention and fuel reduction strategies.
Additionally, the Police Department employs two part-time open-space rangers
who patrol City open space for fire hazards and violations of City ordinances
during the fire season (generally considered to be May through
November). These rangers are empowered to remove dangerous items from
encampments if they pose an immediate fire risk, and assist in removing
abandoned campsites, garbage and other fire risks from the area. Note,
enforcement of anti-camping ordinances is limited by the law and a recent U.S. 9th
Circuit court ruling and the City is currently working to update its ordinances to
be in compliance with the law.
Despite the City’s ongoing efforts, wildfire risk and community concern require
more action. Continual and expanded efforts to address wildfire prevention and
safety will protect lives, property, businesses, as well as our natural resources,
including forests, watersheds, and endangered species habitats.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Fire Science:
A basic understanding of fire science and behavior is needed to best understand
how the items proposed in this plan will reduce the wildfire risk in San Rafael. Fire
requires heat, oxygen, and fuel to burn. Wildfire behavior is impacted by weather,
topography, and fuel. Fuel is the consistent feature in fire ignition and behavior
that we can do the most to control.
Wildfire prevention focuses on reducing ignition sources, such as heat and easily
ignitable fuel. Wildfire mitigation focuses on reducing fuel to reduce the ability of
a wildfire to spread and impact lives and property. Types of fuel are generally
defined by the time it takes to respond to changing weather conditions or dry out.
1 hour, or flash fuels, like tall grass, ignite and burn very quickly. 10, 100, and
1,000-hour fuels take increasingly more heat and time to ignite but burn for
longer. Similar to the way one would build a camp fire, fire mitigation work should
start with the easily ignitable fuels and progressively remove the others from
areas of protection.
When referring to fuel structures, or the way the fuels exist in the environment,
the three common in San Rafael are surface, ladder, and aerial fuel. Surface fuel
includes dead and dying vegetation material on the ground’s surface. Fire that
only impacts ground fuels is much easier to contain and extinguish. Ladder fuels
connect separate fuel sources and contribute to fire spread. Reducing ladder fuels
helps keep fire on the ground and reduces the rate of spread. Ladder fuels allow
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
ground fire to spread into canopies and aerial fuels. Aerial fuels exist above the
ground, and include the tree canopy, branches and high brush. Fires consuming
large amounts of aerial fuels are difficult to contain.
The three primary methods of wildfire spread are described below:
Embers: According to recent research, embers are the most prolific cause
of home ignition at a rate of two out of every three homes destroyed.
Embers are glowing or burning pieces of vegetation or construction debris
that are lofted during the wildfire. Embers can move up to a mile ahead of
a firestorm. These small embers or sparks may fall on the vegetation near
your home – on dry leaves, needles or twigs on the roof– and then
subsequently ignite and burn down the home. The concentration of
embers that land on the roof and roll off makes the removal of all
flammable materials close to the house critical. Ember storms place all
structures without fire resistant landscaping and construction within miles
of the fire at potential risk.
Direct flame contact: Direct flame impingement refers to the transfer of
heat by direct flame exposure. Direct contact will heat the building
materials of the home; if the time and intensity of exposure is severe
enough, windows will break, and materials will ignite.
Radiant heat: A house can catch on fire from the heat that is transferred to
it from nearby burning objects, even in the absence of direct flames or
embers. By creating defensible space around homes, we can significantly
reduce the risk from radiant heat. A home with 100 feet of clearance from
forest or shrubs will usually have minimal impact from radiant heat or
direct flame.
Establishing strong guidelines for defensible space and fire-resistant building
materials helps prevent ignition from radiant heat and embers. Limiting fuel and
available vegetation reduces the possibility of direct flame contact igniting
structures or other vegetation. Conditions are increasingly making ember storms,
created by winds and highly combustible vegetation, the primary method of
wildfire spread.
NFPA and Firewise USA recognize three zones surrounding a structure:.
Immediate Zone (within 5 feet of a structure): This zone is most vulnerable
to embers and should be clear of all dead and flammable vegetation.
Intermediate Zone (5 to 30 feet from a structure): This area should be
carefully landscaped to act as a fire break.
Extended Zone (30 to 100 feet – or, in some cases, up to 200 feet – from a
structure): This zone should act to interrupt the path of fire and keep
embers from becoming airborne.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Methodology:
This document lists a series of prescriptions, programs, and ordinance changes
needed to make San Rafael more fire and disaster-resistant. These action items
reflect the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing wildfire risk.
Removing dangerous vegetation, using fire-resistant building materials, and
avoiding risky activities all are vital for protecting the community.
This plan is written with regards to the City and County of Marin Local Hazard
Mitigation Plans (LHMP); Marin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
(CWPP); Marin County Lessons Learned 2017 North Bay Fire Siege, September
2018 (2017 Lessons Learned report); San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan, and
the San Rafael General Plan.
The draft plan was presented to City Council on January 22, 2019. Feedback from
the public, elected officials, and City staff has been incorporated into this version.
Public input was gathered through public meetings, Homeowners Association and
Neighborhood Association meetings, online feedback forms, social media,
Nextdoor polls and direct contacts.
The final version of the plan has been re-organized and renumbered from the
initial draft. A cross walk of the final draft numbers and draft numbering system is
included at the end of this plan.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Intent:
The San Rafael Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan is designed to
serve as a master plan and framework to the ongoing work to reduce wildfire risk
in San Rafael. This plan considers and incorporates local, county, regional, and
national findings and best practices, including those incorporated into the Marin
County Wildfire Prevention and Protection Plan and the 2017 Lesson’s Learned
report.
The plan is designed to address all the phases of disaster response (mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery) while engaging the whole community.
Creative and innovative solutions are considered to help achieve these goals. As a
community member summarized via the feedback form “if ever there was a
situation where you should not let ‘the perfect be the enemy of the good’, this is
it.” This plan is presented as a framework to move efforts forward, establish
benchmarks, and provide opportunities for evaluation and improvement.
The following were the guiding principles and intent of this plan:
• Public safety and risk reduction
• Coordination and collaboration
• Environmental protection and sustainability
• Equity
• Cost effectiveness
• Incentivize voluntary compliance before fines and penalties
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Structure:
The action items are organized into three categories in alignment with the Marin
County 2017 Lessons Learned report: 1) Vegetation Management 2) Wildfire
Prevention and Protection and 3) Emergency Notifications and Evacuation. Each
action item includes the objective, rationale, required actions, concerns, costs,
potential stakeholders, a proposed timeline, and anticipated outcomes in the
following format:
OBJECTIVE
Action This section includes a description of the proposed action.
What this means This section should explain in more detail what this action would mean to those
impacted by it.
Rationale This section includes a discussion of why we recommend this, including the scale
of impact we believe it will have.
Concerns
This section includes a discussion of political, legal, or cost feasibility concerns
that we’ve identified. It lists any identified trade-offs, such as the dedication of
existing staffing resources away from other projects to do this work.
Costs
This section includes estimated one-time and on-going costs to the City, as well as
any costs the community may incur. The standards for evaluation are listed below.
When possible, it concludes with the total estimated cost of implementing the
item.
Stakeholders This section includes a list of stakeholders.
Timeline
This section says if the action is underway and if not, why. For example, it is noted
here if the action requires further or extensive legal review, future City Council
action, community outreach, program design work, etc.
Outcomes This section outlines the anticipated result of the item implementation.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Impacts on Budget and Staff Time:
A full, year-by-year budget estimating the cost to implement the plan is attached
at the end of the plan. This includes contract work for open space fuel reduction
projects, staff time to implement and maintain the plan, support for residents
through cost share programs and chipper days, outreach and education, as well as
supplies and funding for specific projects. As possible, the total estimated cost to
implement the objective is included in the cost box. The cost ranges are based on
current rates and do not account for inflation. Some projects will be ongoing,
while others will have peak periods and then reduced costs as vegetation work
shifts into maintenance.
Some cost recovery may be attainted through enforcement fines which will be in
alignment with the City master fee schedule. The City hopes to achieve voluntary
compliance before implementing fines or fees for dangerous non-compliance.
The funding, required staff time, and proposed timelines for each objective have
been individually evaluated. If action is requested on the entire action plan,
timelines may need to be extended and additional staff may be required.
Financial costs have been evaluated and are identified using the following
standard:
$ Efforts are supported by current program budget
$$ Efforts could be supported with reprogramming of current budget
$$$ Efforts require additional funding
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Staff time required to achieve each objective has been estimated and identified
using the following standard:
@ Efforts are supported with currently allocated staff time. No significant
impact on other programming is anticipated.
@@ Efforts can be accomplished with existing staff reallocating time.
Other projects will be deprioritized.
@@@ Efforts will require more staff time than is currently available.
Requires additional staff or increasing hours of part-time staff.
Definitions:
For the purposes of this document, the following words are defined:
“Fuel” means any combustible vegetation, including grass, leaves, ground
litter, plants, shrubs and trees, that can feed a fire.
“Prescription” means a set of standards, regulations, or recommendations
that consider the unique aspects of a particular issue including vegetation,
slope, aspect, nearby construction materials, and surrounding area.
“Vegetation Management Plan” means a site-specific written plan for a
property to mitigate the risk of wildfire through strategic reduction of
combustible vegetation.
“Wildfire” means a fire that originates in an area of combustible
vegetation, as opposed to a structure fire, which originates in or adjacent
to a building.
“Wildland-Urban Interface” is an area where human development (e.g.,
houses) abut or intermingle with undeveloped vegetation and where the
risk of wildfire is high.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
A table of acronyms is provided below:
Table 1 – Acronyms
ACRONYM DESCRIPTION
AFN Access and Functional Needs
CERT Community Emergency Response Team
CSA Community Service Agreement
CSD Community Service District
CWPP Community Wildfire Protection Plan
DPW Department of Public Works
EOC Emergency Operations Center
GETS Government Emergency Telecommunications Service
HEAT Homeless Emergency Action Team
LHMP Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
MCSO Marin County Sheriff’s Office
MMWD Marin Municipal Water District
NCCC National Civilian Conservation Corps, An AmeriCorps Program
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NRG Neighborhood Response Group
OES Office of Emergency Services
PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric
PRC Public Resource Code
RLT Resilient Landscape Template
SRA State Responsibility Area
SRFD San Rafael Fire Department
SRMC San Rafael Municipal Code
SRPD San Rafael Police Department
VMP Vegetation Management Plan
WEA Wireless Emergency Alerts
WPS Wireless Priority Services
WUI Wildland-Urban Interface
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
1. Eliminate highly flammable vegetation near structures and
roadways throughout San Rafael
ACTION
Propose revising the existing provisions that prohibit Juniper and
Bamboo to include Acacia and Italian Cypress, and universally apply
these regulations to all properties in San Rafael.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
All property owners in San Rafael, both public and private, would be required to
remove all Juniper (Juniperus spp.), Bamboo (Bambusa spp.), Acacia (Acacia spp.), and
Italian Cypress (Cupressis sempervirens) within a set distance of a structure or roadway
by July 1, 2020. Support for property owners to meet this deadline may include an
enhanced Chipper Day program and the ability to apply for the City to fund additional
green waste carts for a limited time. Outreach to nurseries and landscaping companies
would be included to help prevent the sale and planting of highly flammable
vegetation. Fire prone, non-native and invasive species would also be removed from
public spaces as possible. Consider ordinance banning the sale of prohibited plants or
requiring “high fire risk” warning labels within San Rafael.
RATIONALE
These species are known to propagate fire at a high rate of spread and create
unnecessary risks to the property owners, first responders, and community at large.
The ordinance update would help reduce fire ignition, the spread of wildfire, and
improve responder safety throughout the entire community by eliminating highly
combustible vegetation. Establishing and maintaining citywide vegetation standards
simplify education and enforcement efforts. To address aesthetics and erosion,
outreach and education efforts would include information about fire resistant plants
recommended as replacements.
CONCERNS
Staff time would be required to proactively encourage voluntarily compliance and
enforce as necessary.
Costs to residents and City to remove and dispose of hazardous fuel loads. Cost to City
to meet vegetation standards on City property. Ability to assure equitable wildfire
protection with assistance programs. Need and want to replace the removed species
for erosion protection, carbon sequestration, habitat, and beautification.
COSTS
$ Ordinance change can be accomplished with current funding and staffing levels.
@@@ Implementation and enforcement of the updated ordinance would require
significant staff time.
$$$ Program support to help property owners meet the requirements would require
additional funding. Implementation would include an increased number of ‘Free
Chipper Days’ at a rate of roughly $1,800 per day to support community efforts. The
City would consider supporting residents requesting the $2.20-per-month charge per
parcel for an additional green waste cart for a set period. Grant applications have been
submitted to help cover the cost of the increased ‘Chipper Days’. To encourage
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
compliance, an additional 40 chipper days would be offered prior to the July 1, 2020
deadline, for a total cost of $64,000.
Property owners not in compliance by the July 1, 2020 deadline would incur costs to
remove vegetation to meet updated vegetation standards.
Total: Staff time and equipment costs to implement are estimated between $75,000-
125,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS All property owners in San Rafael, both public and private. Fire Department. Public
Works. Nurseries and Landscapers.
TIMELINE
Ordinance changes would be internally drafted, reviewed and presented at public
meetings in the future. Staff hopes to have an initial round of proposed draft
ordinances ready for public and City Council input within 90 days. Education, outreach,
and assistance with vegetation removal for property owners would begin within 30
days of the ordinance adoption.
OUTCOMES
Voluntary compliance and enforcement would result in less highly flammable fuels in
San Rafael resulting in reduced likelihood of ignition and less fire spread within the
immediate and intermediate zones. The data reviewed to consider the success of
implementation would include tons of vegetative debris removed, results of
inspections.
2. Apply vegetation management and defensible space standards
citywide
ACTION
Propose revising the municipal code to apply vegetation standards,
building codes and wildfire related ordinances citywide. No boundary
would limit where these provisions are applied in the future.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Requirements that are currently applied only to parcels in the WUI would be applicable
to all parcels within the City of San Rafael. Proposed ordinances would outline new
citywide vegetation, building, and ground covering standards. A set of revised
ordinances would establish citywide vegetation standards. A section unique to WUI
ordinances would be maintained for any unique standards. Outreach and education
would provide property owners with suggestions for species to plant with
consideration to fire resistance, drought tolerance, and carbon sequestration.
Application of vegetation standards may include considerations for building material,
topography, surrounding fuel and infrastructure, or other impacts to fire behavior. An
internal policy would guide the interpretation and enforcement of the ordinances. A
permit process allowing homeowners to remove specific vegetation on public land to
achieve defensible space for their home would be considered in coordination with City
efforts to reduce hazardous fuels in open space. Guidelines would also include
standards for planting, maintaining and removing Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
trees.
RATIONALE
Wildfires do not respect WUI boundaries, and can easily spread to urban areas, outside
the WUI as painfully demonstrated in the 2017 Wine County fires. This improvement
is included in the 2017 Lessons Learned report. Uniform application of all vegetation
management and fire prevention related codes and ordinances would improve wildfire
resilience throughout the community. Uniform standards would provide clarity and
simplify enforcement. The removal of highly flammable and dense vegetation stands
would also promote healthy vegetation growth.
CONCERNS
Public would have varying costs to meet new vegetation management standards.
Would require staff training on updated Municipal Code. High cost burden for
properties not currently up to the new code. High cost to obtain compliance with new
code; could trigger substantial rehab/ or tax reassessment, and possible new insurance
costs. Could disincentivize development. The City hillside ordinance would need
reviewed and updated to allow new construction to alter landscaping to achieve
defensible space. Replacement of removed species for erosion protection and carbon
sequestration. Challenges educating property owners not residing in San Rafael of new
ordinances.
COSTS
$$$ Costs to support residents meeting updated standards and assuring City property
meets standards would require additional funding.
@ Ordinance updates can be updated with existing staff
@@@ Outreach, education, and enforcement would require additional staffing.
Total cost to City: Initial staff time and equipment costs to implement are estimated
between $100,000-150,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Building Department, residents, businesses, landowners, Marin
Builders Association.
TIMELINE
Ordinance changes would be internally drafted, reviewed and presented at public
meetings in the future. Staff hopes to have an initial round of ordinance updates ready
for public and City Council input within 90 days. Building Code updates would be
incorporated into the reoccurring review cycle towards the end of 2019.
OUTCOMES
Reduces hazardous fuels and wildfire risk throughout the Immediate, Intermediate, and
Extended zones. Reducing likelihood of ember storms to create new ignitions in or
outside of the WUI boundaries. Community wide resilience.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
3. Reduce ember ignitions within immediate zones to prevent
structure ignitions through enhanced standards and support
ACTION
Propose revising the municipal code Title 4 (“Fire”) to include a series of
standards to be selectively applied within the immediate zone,
generally to mean five feet, of a structure with consideration to unique
construction materials, slope, aspect, surrounding vegetation, and fire
risk of each property. A policy would be drafted to define the approach
to the enforcement.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
The perimeter around a structure would need to meet a set of standards designed to
reduce the likelihood of embers creating spot fires and igniting structures, on or before
July 1, 2020. Individual prescriptions may be established considering unique attributes
of the property, a VMP or RLT, and requiring approval of the Fire Chief or designee.
These standards may include a selection of the proposed components:
a) No vegetation in the immediate zone shall make direct contact with the
structure.
b) Hardwood trees are permitted within the zone provided they are well-
irrigated, limbed five feet or one-third of the tree height, and have five feet
between other tree canopies.
c) Any vegetation within the immediate zone shall not grow under a window,
stairs, decks, or combustible structures or encroach within two feet thereof.
d) Vines and ivy shall be well-irrigated and maintained to eliminate any dead or
dying material build-up.
e) No ladder or continuous fuels posing a risk to a structure shall be present.
f) Mulch or similar ground covering is only permitted when no contact is made
with combustible exterior walls or plants.
g) No vegetation except for 3-inch grass, blooming flowers, succulent plants, or
established trees shall be present. Exemptions may be considered for erosion
control.
All properties requesting an exemption from vegetation standards would be subject to
a vegetation inspection and asked to complete a VMP or RLT, for approval by the Fire
Chief or designee.
RATIONALE
Through voluntary compliance and proactive enforcement, a series of vegetation and
other fuel standards should reduce structure ignitions during an active wildfire by
reducing the combustible fuel needed to develop embers into flames. Recent case
studies show that urban fire conflagrations are not spreading as a wall of fire, but
rather as embers starting hundreds of new fires. Reducing structural ignitability
reduces property loss and creates less fuel to continue spreading the fire. This
requirement accounts for embers falling from roofs and eaves onto the ground.
Focusing on the “house out” concept empowers all property owners, regardless of lot
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
size to reduce wildfire risk for themselves and their neighbors. The public’s
responsibility to decrease structure ignitability and maintain defensible space was
included as an area of improvement in the 2017 Lessons Learned report.
CONCERNS Cost to private and public property owners. Ability to enforce. Erosion control. Ability
to notify all property owners of updated regulations.
COSTS
@ Ordinance change can be implemented with current staff.
@@@ Increased inspections and enforcement could not be accomplished with current
staffing levels. Increased public education and outreach.
$$$ Additional funding would be needed to support community vegetation removal,
such as free chipper days and assistance to low income property owners.
Total cost to City: Initial staff time and equipment costs to support homeowner
implementation is estimated between $50,000-100,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS All property owners in San Rafael, both public and private. Fire Department. Code
Enforcement. Nurseries, Landscapers.
TIMELINE
The requirement, modeled in part after Mill Valley ordinance updates, can be
incorporated into the new citywide vegetation standards and presented for public and
Councilmember comment within 90 days. Staff propose July 1, 2020 as the date of
compliance.
OUTCOMES Reduced likelihood of structure ignitions. Removal of hazardous fuel near structures.
4. Expand goat grazing for vegetation maintenance
ACTION
SRFD program update. Increase the use of goat grazing through
cooperative relationships with contractors, FIRESafe MARIN, Marin
County and other land-owning agencies.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
San Rafael currently leases goats from private industry for specific times throughout
the year. The City is working to gain access to the County’s new goat resources for
open-space vegetation clearance. In addition, new contractors are being considered to
help meet the demand and reduce per acre cost. Coordination would also occur
between various public and private landowners. Staff would work with property
owners to link project sites to create continuous fuel breaks and reduce transportation
costs.
RATIONALE
Coordinated grazing reduces the costs associated with transporting the goats to new
sites and creates more continuous fuel breaks. Goats are an effective way to manage
reoccurring fuels, such as grasses and French Broom (genista monspessulanus). Reducing
mechanical removal of fuels, such as mowers and weed eaters, also reducing carbon
17
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
emissions.
CONCERNS
Goats and vegetation management contractors are in high demand. Goats are most
cost effective on larger treatment areas. In 2018, over $80,000 was spent on goat
grazing. Moving and securing goats can be challenging. Coordinating the timing of
grazing with rain, vegetation growth, and high fire danger is challenging.
COSTS
$$$ Additional funding is needed to expand the goat grazing program and maintain fuel
reduction work. Cost saving associated with reduced transport would support
increased acreage.
@ Goat grazing coordination can be accomplished with current staff.
A recent grazing estimate was $900 an acre and $2,500 per transport. At least 61.5
acres need annual treatment, which with transport costs could total close to $80,000
annually in 2019 dollars.
Initial Costs to the City are estimated at $80,000 annually and would increase as more
fuel reduction work transitions to goat maintenance.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, FIRESafe MARIN, Marin County Fire.
TIMELINE
In progress. Contract negotiations are underway. Goats would be available in late
winter/early spring 2019. The majority of goat grazing is completed before July 1st and
peak fire season. Grazing is needed annually. The timing of grazing is impacted by
rainfall, plant growth and seeding, and extreme fire conditions.
OUTCOMES Goat grazing serves as a low carbon emitting fuel reduction and maintenance tool
throughout San Rafael.
5. Establish additional fuel interruption zones
ACTION
SRFD and DPW program. Remove hazardous fuels on public land within
100 feet of structures. Strategically remove hazardous fuels within 30-
50 feet of private, improved property to create fuel interruption zones.
Efforts would focus on shaded fuel breaks and removal of ground and
ladder fuels.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
San Rafael would take on the cost and burden of clearing vegetation on San Rafael
owned and maintained land that abuts privately owned and developed land. Fuel
interruption zones consist of low-cut grasses, removal of dead vegetation and ladder
fuels, and shaded fuel breaks.
RATIONALE San Rafael must do its part to reduce fuels, particularly in areas bordering other
property to assure efforts of one parcel are not negated by another's. This would
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
reduce fuels to limit fire ignition and spread in San Rafael Open Spaces and help reduce
the potential for a fire to spread from undeveloped to developed land. Aligns with
Marin CWPP transition zone strategy.
CONCERNS Cooperation and coordination with other public agencies and landowners may be
difficult. Costs.
COSTS
$$$ Efforts require extensive additional funding to achieve necessary results.
Fire prevention and mitigation grants may help mitigate the cost. Measure A funding
cannot cover all the necessary fuel reduction work. Measure A funding may be used to
support maintenance work once the significant fuel reduction is completed. Additional
funding is needed to fully fund maintenance and prevent additional fuel build ups.
@@@ Substantial staff time is needed to strategically manage projects, contractors and
conservation crews while continuing vegetation inspections and educational
programming.
Based on past costs, the current list of fuel reduction projects for 2019 is over
$500,000. The staff time to implement is included in the staffing request costs.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire, Public Works, landowners, Marin County, State Parks, MMWD
TIMELINE
In progress. Fuel reduction work is ongoing but reliant on available funding. A funding
request to the Cal Fire, Fire Prevention Grant submitted December 19th, 2018 requests
$922,000 to support fuel reduction in 2019 and 2020. Notifications of awards will be
in April of 2019.
OUTCOMES Reduction in hazardous fuels near structures and more pre-established fuel breaks to
slow fire spread.
6. Improve public education regarding fire-safe landscaping and
living with wildfire
ACTION
SRFD program. Outreach and education efforts, including information
about areas of refuge, emergency alerts, defensible space, and reducing
structure ignitability would be conducted citywide.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Additional outreach and online resources would be created to support firesafe
landscaping and strategies to effectively harden homes. Outreach would target
residents, nurseries, and community groups with an emphasis on gardening and
landscaping. Current outreach is focused on WUI areas, but this expanded program
would target all areas in San Rafael. This item includes an expansion of outreach and
improved online resources, in collaboration and support of FIRESafe Marin efforts. In
addition, education and outreach materials would be updated to reflect lessons learned
from recent wildfires, including helping residents understand wildfire evacuations and
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
areas of refuge. Outreach and education would provide property owners with
suggested ground coverings and species of plants with consideration to fire resistance,
drought tolerance, and carbon sequestration. Efforts would also include point of sale
locations such as nurseries and landscapers. Property owners would also be better
informed on the best ways to dispose of different vegetative debris.
RATIONALE
Education and outreach efforts need to be expanded to adequately reach the entire
community. Residents want to maintain a beautiful community while increasing fire
safety. Additional education and outreach are needed to assure residents are
landscaping with wildfire risks in mind. Residents are concerned about wildfire
evacuations and need to be better informed to make quick decisions. San Rafael needs
to incorporate lessons learned from other devasting fires in our wildfire prevention and
preparedness efforts.
CONCERNS
Multiple outreach strategies are needed to reach various demographics. Volunteer
coordination can be time consuming and unreliable. Mailers and outreach materials may
not reach property owners, but rather occupants. Need additional strategies to make
property owners aware of wildfire safety, new requirements, and actions they can take
or empower their renters to take.
COSTS
@@ Updating online materials, developing new outreach materials, and contacts with
residents can be completed with current staff reallocating time and the support of
volunteers.
$$$ Additional funding is needed to expand outreach, including printing additional
materials, citywide.
Total Costs to the City include the request for additional staffing and outreach
materials for an annual cost estimate between $50,000 to $100,000. Annual outreach
material costs alone are estimated as being between $20,000 and $40,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Community organizations, property owners, Open Government and
Digital Services, nurseries and landscapers, FIRESafe Marin, Marin County
TIMELINE
Outreach and education regarding updated ordinances would begin immediately
following adoption. Updates and lessons learned from recent wildfires would be
incorporated into future community presentations. Extensive outreach campaign would
occur in the Spring of 2019 to align with fire season and vegetation inspections
pending available staff and resources.
OUTCOMES
Property owners, residents, and businesses would have a better understanding of how
to achieve and maintain defensible landscaping, resulting in more voluntary compliance.
Better community preparedness and resiliency.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
7. Establish more Firewise communities in San Rafael
ACTION
SRFD program. Conduct outreach to identify communities interested in
becoming “Firewise” and support them throughout the process.
Coordinate efforts with FIRESafe MARIN and NFPA.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
SRFD would dedicate time and effort to help additional communities meet “Firewise”
standards, earn and maintain Firewise recognition. This would include increased
education, disaster preparedness, and fuel reduction. There are currently three Firewise
communities within the SRFD response area. City staff would also communicate the
benefits of Firewise communities with insurance companies and support FIRESafe
MARIN’s efforts. Currently, only one insurance company offers discounts for policy
holders in Firewise communities.
RATIONALE
Firewise is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) program that “teaches people
how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and
take action now to prevent losses.” The program provides valuable educational
information and a roadmap to help make San Rafael neighborhoods more resilient.
Reducing fire risk takes neighborhood coordination as hazardous fuels on nearby
property can negatively impact a well mitigated property. Firewise provided a
mechanism for a few motivated neighbors to help their neighborhood become more
fire resistant. Increasing the number of Firewise communities is a priority of the 2017
Lessons Learned report.
CONCERNS
Staff time. Currently, only one insurance company offers discounts for policy holders in
Firewise communities. Increasing insurance company support of the program would
help encourage more neighborhoods to work together to achieve Firewise recognition.
COSTS
$ There is minimal additional cost associated with the Firewise program. Programs of
cost, such as community chipper days, are aligned with the overall City fuel reduction
initiative, therefore do not represent new costs.
@@ Firewise communities can be supported with current staff reallocating time.
Total Costs would include staff time and sponsored chipper days, costing about
$2,000-$7,000 for each community becoming Firewise.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Homeowners Associations and Neighborhood groups, property
owners, FIRESafe Marin
TIMELINE In progress. Two new Firewise communities were recognized for the first time in 2018
and more are expected in 2019.
OUTCOMES San Rafael would have more Firewise, and therefore more resilient neighborhoods.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
8. Reduce hazardous fuels through an abatement process on
privately owned unimproved lots and within 200 feet of a
structure or 20 feet of roadway
ACTION
City Program. Develop program and policy to reduce hazardous fuels
through increased vegetation removal mandates and abatement on
property with noncompliant and unresponsive owners. City and County
ordinance and policy changes may be required.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
After establishing a vacant parcel list, parcels would be inspected and noticed if they do
not comply with the updated vegetation management standards. The abatement
process would also be used to enforce vegetation standards on improved lots with
unresponsive owners. A public hearing would be conducted giving any property owner
the opportunity to commit to compliance within a set period. If property owners do
not mitigate the issue themselves, they would be fined and/or have the cost of the City
clearing the hazardous fuels charged to the them. A policy would be developed to guide
the abatement process.
RATIONALE
Many privately owned parcels do not comply with vegetation management standards
and create safety risks for the entire community. Establishing a consistent notification
process, timeline for compliance, and cost recovery process would help address these
risks.
CONCERNS Potential challenges with recouping costs of abatement. Fines would need to be
substantial to encourage compliance.
COSTS
$$$ The City would have to cover the additional costs of clearing unimproved
hazardous property. Until costs are recouped this would require additional funding.
@@ Staff would need to establish a vacant parcel and noncompliant list, inspect, notice
and re-inspect. Coordinating contractor work as necessary would require additional
staff time.
TOTAL: Temporary costs, to be repaid by property owners, are estimated between
$50,000-$150,000 per year.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Marin County, landowners
TIMELINE Program can be developed and brought to the City Council for approval within 90 days.
Coordination with the County may delay this process.
OUTCOMES Reduce hazardous fuels and recover associated costs from absentee and noncompliant
property owners.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
9. Effectively coordinate the removal of vegetative debris from
public and private property
ACTION
City program. Work with Marin Sanitary Service to develop a plan to
support removal of increased vegetative debris. Consider identifying a
City drop off site for removed hazardous fuels. Consider utilizing a
scheduled bulk pick up day for vegetation.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Research and stakeholder input are needed to determine if a vegetation debris removal
site is necessary or beneficial to helping reduce hazardous fuels. Additional discussions
would help determine if a drop-off site should be always public, public on select days,
or for City staff and contractors only. Other considerations include increasing green
waste carts, chipper days, bulk removal days, large containers (BioBox) or a
combination thereof. Responsible disposal would also take into consideration proper
disposal and composting to reduce additional greenhouse gas releases. Encourage
homeowners to fully utilize their green carts on a weekly basis, reducing the need for
bulk removal.
RATIONALE
Stronger vegetation regulations would result in an increased amount of woody
biomass and vegetative debris. A coordinated, multi-faceted approach would be
needed to effectively and responsibly remove biomass from San Rafael. Goals would
include reducing the costs associated with City sponsored chipper days, diverting
woody biomass from landfills to biomass markets, and supporting property owners’
fuel reduction efforts.
CONCERNS
Cost. Security. Assuring appropriate use of space. Large piles of vegetative debris
could pose additional fire risk if not properly protected. Fuel reduction in areas around
drop-off sites would be required.
COSTS
$$$ Unless an existing, unused site is identified, costs for implementation and
maintenance would be extensive. Additional funding is also needed to support
increased green waste carts and/or community chipper days.
@@ Coordination can be accomplished with current staff reallocating time. @@@ If a
full-time drop-off site is established, additional staff may be necessary.
Total annual Costs to the City are estimated as between $15,000 and $30,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Dept, Public Works, Sustainability Program, Residents, Marin Sanitary Service.
TIMELINE
Short and long-term recommendations would be drafted within 120 days. The timeline
considers the vegetation removal requirement deadlines placed on residents.
Implementation would be impacted by funding.
OUTCOMES Hazardous fuel debris is removed from public and private property and diverted from
landfills.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
10. Engage Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
members, Neighborhood Response Groups (NRGs) and other
volunteers in fire prevention
ACTION
SRFD program. Develop program and training to enable San Rafael
CERT, NRGs and other disaster volunteer groups to support fuel
reduction efforts through education, outreach, data gathering, and
direct service.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Utilize existing volunteers and recruit additional volunteers to supplement the
outreach, education, and hazard identification work of SRFD.
RATIONALE
San Rafael has almost 500 trained CERT members, many anxious for ways to be more
involved in disaster preparedness. Training and engaging CERT and NRG volunteers
would help increase public outreach and education and help inform SRFD’s vegetation
inspection priorities. CERT and NRG members would utilize local knowledge and
willpower while building more resiliency through education and relationship building.
Volunteer hours dedicated to fuel reduction may be used as match dollars for fire
grants.
CONCERNS Volunteer safety and assuring the accurate distribution of information and data
collection.
COSTS
$ The program can be implemented with minimal cost and existing funds.
@@ The program can be implemented with existing staff. Initially, some time would
need to be reallocated, but once active, CERT members would help save inspectors
time.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, CERT members, NRGs, Marin County CERT
TIMELINE
In progress. San Rafael CERT steering committee is re-engaged and looking for ways to
stay involved in disaster preparedness and response during ‘blue skies. Training needs
to be developed and presented by fire prevention staff. A pilot program in a limited
geographic area can be rolled out within three months.
OUTCOMES Increase capacity of volunteers to support mitigation efforts. Expanded reach and
impact with minimal cost implications.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
11. Reengage volunteer “Broom Pull Days”
ACTION
City program. Work with the volunteer program to reestablish an
ongoing volunteer program to pull invasive Scotch and French broom
(cytisus scoparius and genista monspessulanus) from public open space
and high fire risk areas.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
A previous program saw a great deal of success removing and eliminating French
Broom in parts of San Rafael. Education and best practice materials exist and can be re-
used to support a reinvigoration of this effort. City staff would be needed to support
the effort and City staff may be required at the start of projects to assure work areas
are clear of -debris and threats. With approval, work may include areas in the hundred-
foot easement onto state owned lands to establish an effective fuel break.
RATIONALE
The focus of this project would be to engage community will and volunteer labor to
work on eliminating French and Scotch broom from high fire risk areas of San Rafael.
Volunteer programs provide a path for residents to directly reduce wildfire risks.
Volunteers would help reduce the need for contractors and support maintenance in
previously cleared areas.
CONCERNS
Safety of volunteers. Time and effort needed to coordinate project sites, registration,
and volunteer safety and technique training. Potential community conflicts over project
areas.
COSTS
$$ Reallocated or new funding is needed to purchase tools and safety equipment.
Woody Biomass left on site would need to be removed.
@@ The program can be implemented with current staff reallocating time. Additional
staff time would help expand the project areas.
Total Cost to the City includes equipment and staff time and is estimated at $5,000-
$15,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Police Department, Sustainability and Volunteer
Program Coordinator, MMWD, State Parks, Marin County
TIMELINE A volunteer project could be scheduled within 60 days of having the necessary
approvals, tools, safety equipment, and strategy in place.
OUTCOMES Increase of 20% in citywide volunteer hours dedicated to fuel reduction and wildfire
mitigation. Decrease in hazardous fuels in public/private land borders.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
12. Review and update WUI map
ACTION
SRFD project and resolution. Review and update the San Rafael WUI
map for more practical application and consistency with County and
other land management agencies’ maps.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
SRFD would review and update the WUI map for consistency between maps and
application of WUI code. The map would be simplified and updated to apply current
fire behavior expectations to WUI boundaries. The initial review of the map suggests
updates may remove about 500 homes from the WUI and add 2,000.
RATIONALE
The current San Rafael WUI map has multiple variations used by different jurisdictions
and does not accurately reflect the threat posed to many areas in or near the currently
defined WUI. Updating the map would improve education, vegetation management,
and fire prevention efforts. Maintaining a designated WUI can help with resource
prioritization, grant funding, and State code application.
CONCERNS Potential insurance and code compliance changes for property owners being added or
removed from the WUI.
COSTS
$ Review and updates can be completed with existing funds.
@@ Review, coordination, and map development would require existing staff to
reallocate time.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, property owners, land management agencies with current San Rafael
WUI maps.
TIMELINE
160 days would be needed for internal review and coordination with partners. The
updated map would be presented to the City Council within 60 days of completion to
be adopted through a resolution.
OUTCOMES San Rafael would have a consistent and logical Wildland Urban Interface map.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
13. Consider adoption of Public Resource Code 4290 and 4291
ACTION
Consider adoption of Public Resources Code (PRC) sections 4290 and
4291, which serve as guidelines for defensible space and fuel
management regulations.
What this
means
At a minimum, San Rafael vegetation standards would meet the state minimum
outlined in PRC sections 4290 and 4291. Proposed amendments to the
language would apply the standards citywide.
Rationale
Adopting PRC sections 4290 and 4291 assures San Rafael complies with State
vegetation management standards and simplifies the existing San Rafael
vegetation management standards. PRC sections 4290 and 4291 do not relax
our existing codes. Adopting PRC sections 4290 and 4291 would also allow for
immediate enforcement of PRC changes. Adopting PRCs 4290 and 4291
would support uniform application of wildfire mitigation standards.
Concerns
If PRC sections 4290 or 4291 are revised in the future in ways that are
deemed detrimental to the City, additional municipal code amendments would
be necessary to clarify their application in San Rafael.
Costs
$ An ordinance change can be accomplished with current funding and staffing
levels.
$$$ Providing support to homeowners meeting the updated vegetation
standards, through chipper days and increased inspections, would require
additional funding.
@@@ Implementation and enforcement of an updated ordinance would
require more staff time than currently available.
Total Cost: Costs to the City are included in staff time and other vegetation
management objectives, including property owner support.
Stakeholders Fire Department, property owners
Timeline
Ordinance changes proposing to adopt PRC 4290 and 4291 would be
internally drafted, reviewed and presented at public meetings in the future.
Staff hopes to have an initial round of draft ordinance updates ready for public
and City Council input within 90 days. Enforcement would begin July 1, 2020.
Outcomes
Reduction in dead and dying vegetation within 100 feet of all San Rafael
structures. Clear fuel standards within the immediate, intermediate, and
extended ignition zones.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
14. Develop new efforts, solutions, and resources dedicated to
wildfire prevention and protection
ACTION
City project. To support hazardous fuel removal, abatement, education
and outreach, inspections, and other wildfire risk reduction efforts
additional efforts, resources, and solutions are needed. This item seeks
to establish new partnerships, funding avenues, and revenue
opportunities, including but not limited to adjustments in existing City
budget, grants, taxes, fees, donations, and use of conservation corps,
inmate crews, volunteers, and on-duty engine crews. Efforts would
work to reduce the financial impact on individual property owners,
businesses, and the City’s general fund. Available funding would
support work on public property and be considered for homeowner
assistance programs.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
San Rafael is applying to numerous grant programs for funding to help reduce the fire
risk. Grant funding may provide one-time funding sources to help reduce heavy fuel
loading. However, grants do not provide a reoccurring funding source to address the
ongoing needs associated with vegetation management. To accomplish this objective
San Rafael would also seek and review project bids from non-traditional labor pools
such as the Conservation Corps of the North Bay, AmeriCorps NCCC, Cal Fire Delta
crews, and County fire crews. The City is also exploring an expanded partnership with
Downtown Streets Team to help with fuel reduction work that would provide
community members with income and job training. Collaboration with County efforts
would be considered for cost efficiency and timeliness of outcomes. Staff would
continue to seek mutual beneficial partnerships to support implementation of the plan.
RATIONALE
Heavy fuel loads create dangerous situations throughout the area. Aggressive
strategies are needed to mitigate the current risk while implementing a long-term fuel
maintenance program. Current funding and resources are not adequate to quickly
reduce decades of fuel buildup. Finding additional funding sources and utilizing new
crews would be necessary to address the wildfire risk in a timely manner. AmeriCorps
NCCC members would be able to assist low-income, disabled, and elderly residents
achieve defensible space. A program partnership with Downtown Streets Team may
offer an opportunity for cost- effective fuel reduction, job training, and a reduction in
individuals experiencing homelessness. Use of on-duty engine crews for inspection
would be considered permitting effective emergency response times and staff health.
CONCERNS
Grant applications and management of projects require substantial staff time and
effort. Some grant funds may not be available within the desired timeline. Effective use
of various crews would require strategic management. Grants are one-time
applications and do not provide an ongoing, predictable funding source for long term
strategic fuel management. Some grants require match funds, which may limit other
projects. Fuel maintenance would require additional funding to prevent new fuel
buildups.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
COSTS
$$ - Grant applications can be submitted with the current program budget. Some
grants have matching fund requirements that may require reprioritizing of
programming.
@@ Grant applications can be submitted with existing staff reallocating time. Grant
management and tracking would require additional time reallocations. Crew
management would require reallocation or additional staff time.
Total Cost to the City, including staff time and support resources, is estimated
between $20,000 and $100,000
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Finance, property owners, businesses, Marin County,
Downtown Streets Team, AmeriCorps NCCC
TIMELINE
In progress. Various projects, grants, and labor options are currently being explored.
CAL FIRE prevention grants award notices would be issued in April with funding
available in September of 2019. Hazard Mitigation Grant applications are due in April
of 2019. An application and onsite visit have been completed for the City to host a
National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC) team this Spring and Summer. A final
decision is expected in mid-March. If approved, crews would be available between
April and July of 2019 for six to twelve weeks.
OUTCOMES
The City will dedicate staff time to finding, applying, and managing resources to
support wildfire mitigation and education in San Rafael, ideally increasing the available
resources with a minimal burden to residents.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Wildfire Prevention and Protection
15. Immediately seize ignition sources at encampments and
remove encampments in open space as quickly as possible.
ACTION
City program. Evaluate City ordinances for revision and compliance
with Martin v. Boise regarding camping limitations and continue
collaborative Homeless Emergency Action Team (HEAT) efforts to limit
fire risk associated with encampment fire risk.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Continue immediate removal of flammable items and ignition sources posing a fire threat.
Continue collaborative effort and improve coordination between Police Rangers, Public Works,
Fire, and vegetation contractors to remove abandoned encampments in open spaces.
Evaluate City ordinances for appropriate time, place, and manner restrictions on camping in
certain areas due to health and safety risks. Consider redirecting individuals experiencing
homelessness to identified fire safe areas. Consider efforts to remove abandoned
encampments in shorter time intervals.
RATIONALE Reduce health and safety threat by eliminating flammable items and potential ignition sources
in open space.
CONCERNS
Legal constraints related to limitations on camping enforcement and notice prior to removal of
encampments. Resources required to remove and dispose of fire risks, including refuse and
other abandoned items in open space areas. Encampments removed from open space may
relocate to other areas.
COSTS
$$$ The additional removal and storing of items would require additional funding.
@@@ Additional staff time is needed to effectively monitor open spaces year-round.
Storage, cleanup, and debris removal costs are estimated between $25,000 and $100,000
annually. Additional costs to the City are included in the staffing requests in Objective #27,
estimated at $250,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire, Police, Public Works, Homeless Planning and Outreach
TIMELINE Ongoing. Continually update strategies based on new case law and best practices.
OUTCOMES Reduced fire ignitions originating in open space encampments.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
16. Reduce likelihood of ignition in undeveloped land
ACTION
Propose revision to the municipal code to remove any specific time
period of fire season. Resulting in smoking being prohibited in City open
space all year. Assure parking areas are clear of flash fuels (highly
combustible, fine fuels such as grasses, leaves, pine needles, etc.). Work
with other land-owning partners to limit smoking and ignition sources in
open space.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Updates would deconflict existing code and remove any dates associated with fire
season, expanding the ability of the Fire Chief to enforce fire safety regulations to
prevent a wildfire in open spaces. Smoking would explicitly be prohibited year-round
within City open spaces. Currently, SRMC has some conflicting information and dates
associated with smoking prohibition and fire season. In addition to updating SRMC
ordinances, staff would work with other public land-owning agencies to limit smoking
in public open space with wildfire risk.
RATIONALE
Updates would provide increased safety, clarity, and consistency within municipal code.
Reducing ignition sources helps protect the community and natural resources from a
wildfire ignited in the open space.
CONCERNS Enforcement is challenging; signage is not very effective. Additional staff is needed to
enforce.
COSTS
$ Ordinance change can be accomplished with currently allocated funding.
@ Ordinance change can be accomplished with current staff.
@@@ Strong enforcement of open-space regulations requires additional staff.
Total Cost: Cost of enforcement is included in the additional police ranger staffing
requests, totally about $250,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Police Rangers, Public, Park and Open Space Commission, State Parks
TIMELINE
An update to SRMC 19.10.060(13) would be prepared and presented for community
and Councilmember input within 90 days. Enforcement would begin immediately after
adoption.
OUTCOMES No smoking allowed in open space. Reduced ignition potential.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
17. Explore opportunities in Fire and Building Code updates to
increase use of fire-resistant materials and application of CA
Fire Code Chapter 7A
ACTION
Ordinance change. Review and propose updates to SRMC to apply CA
Fire Code Chapter 7A (fire resistant building material requirements)
outside the WUI and to additional structures.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Chapter 7A outlines the materials and construction methods to reduce potential
structure ignition during a wildfire for new construction and substantial remodels (50%)
within the WUI. Proposed updates to the SRMC would suggest applying Chapter 7A to
a broader list of improvement and all new construction, regardless of WUI proximity.
Ordinance changes would require any new material used in remodels, updates, or new
construction be fire rated. For example, a property owner replacing windows would be
required to install windows complying with Chapter 7A.
RATIONALE
Increase compliance with known fire prevention methods, including fire resistant
building materials. Include all structures to reduce likelihood of an urban fire
conflagration. To reduce the impact of a wildfire, consideration for the toxicity of
building materials when burned should be considered. The 2017 Lessons Learned report
calls on property owners to harden homes, including fire resistant materials.
CONCERNS
Potential to discourage otherwise positive improvements because of additional costs
associated with Chapter 7A compliance. Potential to discourage compliance with
permits and inspections for fear of additional costs to meet Chapter 7A requirements.
COSTS
$ Reviewing and updating the SRMC can be completed with available funds. Additional
permits may increase revenue for the City.
$$$ Construction costs may increase for property owners. Additional permits may be
required.
@@ Research, review and drafting of proposed SRMC updates can be completed with
current staff reallocating time.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Community Development, Marin Builders Association, property
owners, Marin Association of Realtors
TIMELINE
Additional research, review, and stakeholder input can be completed within 120 days.
Fire and Building Code adoptions would occur in concert with other agencies late in
2019.
OUTCOMES San Rafael would have more hardened homes, with a reduced risk for wildfire ignition,
property damage, and loss of life.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
18. Eliminate fire hazard associated with shake and wooden
roofs
ACTION
Ordinance change. Update building code to require all shake roofs be
replaced by January 1, 2029 or at time of resale, whichever is first.
Require no shake roof structures be eligible for resale.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Property owners and owners of commercial property with shake roofs would have 10
years to replace their roofs with a safer material and shake roofs would no longer be
allowed in new construction. Based on area surveys, staff believe less than 200 shake
roofs are in San Rafael. This would effectively result in the near-complete elimination
of shake roofs from San Rafael by 2029.
RATIONALE
This ordinance would eliminate a known threat to structures and the public, decreasing
potential ignition and the rate and intensity of the spread of fire. Roof material is a
critical component to a wildfire-hardened home. Removing wood roofing materials
would increase safety for firefighters and first responders, as well as the neighboring
community. Per the 2016 Marin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP),
“homes with a non-combustible roof and defensible space at least 30 to 60 feet around
the structure have an 85-95% chance of survival”. Reducing the likelihood of ember
ignition on a shake roof also protects neighboring homes from ignition.
CONCERNS
Roof replacement could be prohibitively expensive for some homeowners and
businesses. An exemption for historical structures should be considered. Applicable
fines for having a shake roof after the deadline would need to be substantial to
encourage compliance. Implementing at time of sale may slow down process and create
-increased burden on sellers and buyers.
COSTS
$$$ Property owners would incur large cost to replace roof. Assistance programs
should be considered to encourage compliance. The City would also need to replace
any wooden roofs on City-owned buildings. Property owners may see reduced
insurance costs after roof replacement.
@ Ordinance change, education, and enforcement can be supported with current
staffing levels.
Total Costs: This item is expected to cost the City between $500,000-$750,000,
which includes the replacement of the wood roof on Falkirk and potential assistance to
homeowners through mitigation grants and staff time. Please note, the Falkirk roof
replacement would have substantial costs to the City regardless of this item.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Community Development, Property owners, Businesses, Marin
Association of Realtors
TIMELINE The updated building code can be prepared and presented for community and City
Council input within 90 days. The re-sale requirement would become effective within
30 days, with an allowance for homes in escrow at time of adoption. There would be a
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
ten-year period of compliance to minimize financial hardships. Assistance programs,
including hazard mitigation grants, should be considered over the implementation
period.
OUTCOMES Shake and wooden roofs and the associated fire hazard are eliminated in San Rafael by
2029.
19. Develop comprehensive San Rafael hazardous vegetation
study and mitigation measures
ACTION
City project. Consider contracting with a vendor for parcel-level
vegetation mapping. Identify areas of with high risk vegetation,
including unmaintained Eucalyptus groves. Incorporate findings into
mitigation and vegetation maintenance plans.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Studies would need to be conducted to gain a better understanding of high fuel density
and risk areas. Specific attention would be paid to Eucalyptus grove locations, density
and nearness to structures. This data and imagery would help inform strategic
vegetation management and forest health moving forward. For example, an identified
high-risk Eucalyptus grove may be scheduled for pruning or thinning over the course of
a few years, with ground fuel maintenance (removing leaves, dead limbs, etc.) every
three to five years thereafter.
RATIONALE
Baseline information and imagery would help establish a comprehensive fuel
management strategy. Identifying high risk areas would prioritize projects and available
funding. Reoccurring studies and aerial imagery would also help show trends in
regrowth, successful management strategies and before and after comparisons. Break
out mapping by fire agency is included in the 2017 Lessons Learned report.
CONCERNS No available funds to cover the cost. Balancing fire mitigation, erosion control, habitats,
and forest health.
COSTS
$$$ Imagery and plan development would require additional funding.
@@ Efforts can be supported with current staff reallocating time. Studies would help
reduce staff drive and inspection time.
In depth mapping would cost the city $30,000 with an annual reoccurring cost of
about $1,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Marin County Fire
TIMELINE Funding for parcel level mapping was included in the Cal Fire Prevention Grant. If
approved, work could begin in September of 2019 and incorporated into the fuel
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
management plan for 2020.
OUTCOMES Shift in fuel mitigation strategy from citizen-reported to data-driven and aerial imagery.
20. Complete an analysis of fire roads and strategic fuel breaks
ACTION
SRFD and DPW project. Develop a plan for a survey of all San Rafael
fire roads to identify areas in need of strategic surface improvements,
to be used as shaded fuel breaks, and that need vegetation clearance
for safe access.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Identify high risk areas and assure the fire road surface and clearance would remain
accessible. Increase fuel clearance along strategic fire roads (such as ridge lines) to
create significant fuel breaks to stop or slow fire spread. These fuel breaks would
include forest thinning and understory clearing to create shaded fuel breaks. Shaded
fuel breaks reduce fire risk while supporting erosion control, carbon sequestration, and
natural beauty. Coordination between other landowners, including private, MMWD,
County, and State Parks would help assure continuity and effectiveness of efforts.
RATIONALE
Fire roads provide critical access for fire personnel to access and contain existing fires.
Fire roads also serve as fuel breaks, means of access for fuel reduction work and
enforcement in open space. Increasing fuel clearance along fire roads helps protect
responders using the roads and creates existing fuel breaks to limit a fire’s spread. Fire
roads also serve as trails and provide recreational opportunities in open spaces.
CONCERNS High costs and potential environmental impact to implement.
COSTS
$$$ Additional funding, possibly via grants, is required to retain contracted labor to
establish initial fuel breaks and fire road improvements.
$$$ Reoccurring costs would include maintenance of fuel breaks and road surfaces. It is
possible to support some maintenance with reprogramming of existing budget and
renewal of Measure A funds; however, comprehensive efforts would require an
additional funding source.
@@ Analysis of roads and potential fuel breaks can be completed by existing staff
reallocating time.
@@@ Maintenance would require current staff to reduce time spent on inspections and
other projects. Developing and implementing a comprehensive and strategic
maintenance plan would require additional staffing.
The Total estimated cost to repair and clear vegetation along the 12 miles of San
Rafael Fire roads is $750,000-$1,000,000 and should be completed every five years.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, public using fire roads, agencies with connecting fire
roads
TIMELINE
In progress. Road and fuel break analysis is underway. Fire road surface maintenance is
an ongoing effort. Additional focus and funds are needed to develop and implement a
more strategic and effective approach. The timeline for repairing fire roads and
implementing strategic fuel breaks would be dependent on funding.
OUTCOMES San Rafael fire roads would be well maintained for emergency access and serve as fuel
breaks and recreational trails.
21. Increase the number of hardened homes in San Rafael
ACTION
Outreach and education to help property owners understand the
various steps they can take to harden their homes. Consider support for
property owners unable to implement on their own. Suggestions range
from simple vent covers to building material recommendations and be
aligned with FIRESafe MARIN and Marin County Fire suggestions.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
In coordination with NFPA recommendations and FIRESafe Marin, the City would work
to better inform and support property owners attempting to harden their homes and
reduce the likelihood of ignition. Methods to harden homes would range from simple
vent covers to building material recommendations. Outreach and education would be
aligned with FIRESafe MARIN and Marin County Fire recommendations.
RATIONALE
Hardening homes is as necessary a step to protect homes from wildfires as vegetation
management. Hardened homes with defensible space are most likely to survive a
wildfire. Hardening homes includes fire resistant building materials, and design
considerations, and limiting the possibility of an ember entering the home. Per FIRESafe
Marin, two out of every three homes destroyed are ignited by wind-blown embers
(Maranghides and Mell 2009). Encouraging residents to take steps to harden their
homes is aligned with the 2017 Lessons Learned report.
CONCERNS
Efforts would target residents, but almost 50% of San Rafael residents are renters.
Additional efforts to encourage landlords to protect their investments would be
needed.
COSTS
Costs include staff time and educational materials. Property owners’ costs may vary
from $100’s-$10,000’s depending on the steps they decide to take.
Total cost to the City for educational materials is estimated to be $20,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Property Owners, Fire Safe Marin, Marin County Fire, Code
Enforcement
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
TIMELINE
Existing outreach and education materials would continue to be used. Increased public
outreach, expos, and support for homeowners would depend on staff and funding
levels.
OUTCOMES Fewer structures in San Rafael would be susceptible to wildfire ignition
22. Improve development and implementation of Vegetation
Management Plans (VMPs) and create new Resilient
Landscape Templates (RLT)s.
ACTION
City program. Create Resilient Landscape Templates that offer
suggestions for homeowners to achieve beautiful, fire resistant, drought
tolerant, and carbon sequestering landscaping. Align VMP process with
plan objectives and County VMP updates. Information will include
information on fire resistant, drought resistant and carbon sequestering
native plants.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
SRFD will take the lead to streamline and automate the current Vegetation
Management Plan (VMP) forms and review process. The VMPs will be reviewed for
areas of improvement and consistency with County and other jurisdictions plans.
The City will establish new Resilient Landscape Templates (RLT) designed for property
owners rather than landscape architects. The RLTs will help property owners
understand what species to remove and avoid and which to maintain and plant. VMPs
and RLTs will serve as a resource for reoccurring seasonal work and enforcement with
minimal maintenance effort.
RATIONALE
RLTs will serve as a resource to help residents achieve beautiful and fire resistant
landscaping. An improved and more accessible VMP process will focus on new
construction, remodels, and commercial space. Fire-resistant landscaping would help
keep the whole community safe by reducing the chances of ignition and fire spread. An
improved system would be necessary to support the additional VMPs submitted
because of ordinance changes.
CONCERNS Developing a comprehensive, but simple system would be a challenge and require input
from multiple stakeholders and staff.
COSTS
$$ Any costs associated with improvements can be funded by reallocating existing
funds
@@ Updates and improvements can be completed with existing fire staff reallocating
time, and support from other departments.
Total Costs to the City are incorporated into staff requests and may include an
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
additional $20,000 to $50,000 for technology or consulting work.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Property Owners, Digital Services and Open
Government, Marin County, FIRESafe Marin
TIMELINE
Updates to streamline and coordinate the VMP template with the County can begin
with additional staffing. The creation of San Rafael RLTs would build off templates from
other jurisdictions but require additional staff time and resources to complete.
OUTCOMES Property owners have resources to more easily comply with updated wildfire mitigation
efforts while maintaining beauty and environmental consciousness.
23. Increase the number of completed Vegetation Management
Plans (VMP)s and Resilient Landscape Templates (RLTs).
ACTION
Ordinance change. Expand the permits, rebates, cost shares, and
exemptions that require submission of a Vegetation Management Plan
(VMPs) or Resilient Landscape Template (RLT). Consider retroactive
requirement for VMP or RLTs for community owned space, such as
HOAs, or for commercial space.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Additional opportunities to have residents, landscapers and property owners complete
a VMP or RLT would be explored. The City would develop a new RLT process to help
property owners achieve beautiful, sustainable, and fire defensible space. A VMP or
RLT would be required for any property requesting an exemption from vegetation
standards. VMPs would still be required under existing ordinances. Property owners
completing the work outlined in the VMPs or RLTs may receive City support for
vegetation removal, such as participation in ‘free chipper’ days.
RATIONALE
Increasing VMPs and establishing RLTs would help reduce and remove fuels. RLTs help
property owners understand how landscaping choices impact the threat of wildfire.
Expanded submission requirements would help the City educate and support more
property owners. VMPs outline a landscape contractors’ plan, including irrigation.
Increasing the number of VMPs or RLTs required would increase public education and
provide property owners with a path towards more beautiful, fire resistant, drought
resistant, and carbon sequestering landscaping.
CONCERNS
The current VMP template and process would need to be streamlined to accommodate
an increase in number of VMPs while minimizing impact to property owners. Staff
effort would be required to create new RLTs to help property owners adjust their
landscape. Staff time to review and approve VMPs or RLTs.
COSTS A streamlined VMP process would reduce staff costs. The VMPs and RLTs would be a
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
resource for inspectors, property owners, and landscapers and should require minimal
maintenance. Having VMPs to reference would support staff enforcement efforts and
reduce reinspection's. Some costs may be recovered via a VMP fee schedule.
Total cost to the City is included in the staffing estimates in Objective 26.
STAKEHOLDERS SRFD, Community Development, Homeowners and Property Management companies
TIMELINE
VMP related ordinance changes would be incorporated into fire and building code
updates late in 2019. Development of RLT’s can begin with availability or staff and
resources. Update to vegetation standards would be reflected on the updated
templates.
OUTCOMES
Additional VMPs and new RLTs would be submitted from contractors, residents, and
property owners. Additional opportunities for outreach, education, and vegetation
inspections.
24. Improve the public’s fire risk awareness with sign
improvements and installation
ACTION SRFD and DPW program. Install new and improve existing signage at
all open space access areas and along roads in high fire-risk areas.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Signs would be installed across City open space explaining fire danger and risks
associated with being in the open space. New signage would be installed in areas of
high fire risk to help keep public alert and avoid risky fire behavior. Staff would need
to survey all open space access points, and high fire risk areas to determine sign
needs.
RATIONALE Educate public and visitors. Support increased enforcement. Provide consistent
messaging. Improve aesthetics and readability of signs.
CONCERNS Aesthetic concerns of signs in natural areas. Potential to create culture of fear.
COSTS
$$$ Additional funding would be needed to develop, produce, and install improved
signage.
@@ Current staff can complete the project with time reallocation or support of
contractors.
Total Cost for the City to implement is estimated between $15,000-$30,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Police Rangers, residents
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
TIMELINE
Survey work can be completed within 90 days. With funding, message and signs can
be developed within 90 days, with installation to occur shortly thereafter. If funding is
available, the project could be completed before the peak 2019 fire season. If utilizing
grant funding, the project may be delayed, but would be completed before May of
2020.
OUTCOMES Reduction in fire risky behavior by public due to increased awareness of wildfire risk.
25. Reduce fire risk and keep visitors using short-term rentals
safe
ACTION
Ordinance change and City project. Develop guidance for short-term
rental units to reduce the risk posed by and to visitors. Require all short-
term rental units to post emergency procedures, information on signing
up for emergency alerts, and fire safety information. All short-term
rentals would be required to have a VMP or RLT on file.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Efforts to better inform visitors of wildfire risk would be incorporated into interactions
with short-term rental units. Visitors, potentially unfamiliar with the area or wildfire
risk, would be informed about the emergency procedures and can register for
emergency alerts during their stay. Outreach should be conducted with all short-term
rentals, to improve property owner and renter wildfire awareness and general safety.
Direct outreach to VRBO, AirBnB and similar companies would be considered.
RATIONALE
Short-term rentals represent a unique fire risk for a variety of reasons. Those using
short-term rentals may be from out of the area and unfamiliar with wildfire risk and
safety procedures. The information helps assure the safety of visitors and provide
important fire prevention information to visitors unfamiliar with wildfire risks and
necessary ignition precautions. Having a VMP or RLT would help assure the property is
safe, unlikely to ignite from a careless visitor, and support enforcement of vegetation
standards for property owners.
CONCERNS Increased cost of compliance could reduce the number of short-term rentals. Potential
for increased cost of permit processing and code enforcement.
COSTS
$ Ordinance change can be accomplished with current funding and staffing levels.
Potential revenue to City from fees and fines.
@@ Outreach, monitoring, and enforcement can be accomplished with current staff
reallocating time.
Total Costs to the City are included in the requests for additional staff outlined in
Objective 26.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Code Enforcement, property owners renting space, visitors
TIMELINE
In Progress. General guidelines are in development for short-term rental units and
include safety information requirements. Additional research is needed to determine
the best method for developing VMPs or RLTs for short-term rental properties.
OUTCOMES Incorporate fire safety, disaster preparedness, and emergency notification information
into any regulations or guidance provided to short-term rentals
26. Hire additional staff dedicated to vegetation management
and disaster mitigation
ACTION
City staffing. Convert the existing part-time employee to full-time,
fixed-term. Hire three additional seasonal employees to support
inspections, project management, and public education in the spring
and summer of 2019 and 2020.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Increased staff levels would allow for a more strategic approach to vegetation
management and fire mitigation while staff continues to offer inspections. There are
currently 1.5 Vegetation management specialists.
RATIONALE
Additional staff is needed to meet the demand for strategic fuel removal, fire road
improvements, increased outreach/education, increased number of VMPs and RLTs,
and vegetation inspections. Ongoing maintenance would require less staffing to assure
parcels and public space remain free of hazardous fuel loads. Additional staff can also
help support volunteer efforts in open space, following Marin County model.
CONCERNS
Funding the position may require voters to approve additional revenue stream(s), which
likely would mean FY 2020 at earliest. Fixed-term and seasonal positions result in
higher rates of turnover.
COSTS
$$$ The fully burdened position would cost an additional $76,000 annually.
@ Recruitment, onboarding, and training can be managed by current staff.
Total estimated vegetation management staffing costs would range between
$250,000 to-$300,000 annually and decrease when fuel reduction work requires less
staff. Part-time DPW staff to support fuel reduction work is estimated between
$100,000-150,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, residents, businesses, public, DPW
TIMELINE Research needed into best funding approach for position as well as timeline. Increasing
staff hours can begin immediately with funding. Recruitment would be necessary to
41
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
hire and train a seasonal vegetation inspector.
OUTCOMES
Increased inspections, enforcement, fuel reduction project coordination, and
customized vegetation plans. Additional staff support for communities working on
Firewise designation and chipper days.
27. Increase Police Ranger staffing
ACTION City staffing. Provide for one full-time fixed-term police Ranger in addition to
the two part-time police rangers currently employed to patrol open spaces.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Increased ranger capability would allow for year-round open-space patrolling for fire
hazards and code violations in open spaces. Law Enforcement would continue
coordination with City- and County-wide efforts. Additional funding should be
allocated to SRPD to support additional evacuation drills, which was identified as an
important area of improvement in the 2017 Lessons Learned report.
RATIONALE
A full-time ranger would allow for increased patrols, more active enforcement of code
violations, a more dynamic reduction in potential ignition sources in open spaces, and the
ability to support evacuation planning.
CONCERNS
Funding the position may require voters to approve additional revenue stream(s), which likely
would mean FY 2020 at earliest. Legal constraints may impact code enforcement and policy
development.
COSTS
$$$ The cost of one fully-burdened Professional Temporary Ranger position is approximately
$250,000 per year. Measure A funding currently supports two-part time positions. Additional
funding is needed to support increased staffing for open space enforcement.
@ Recruitment and training of the additional position is supported with current staffing.
Total additional annual cost to the City is estimated between $250,000-$350,000 and includes
the addition of one full-time police ranger to the current staffing model of two-part time Ranger
positions. Additional staff time dedicated to evacuation planning and community drills is also
included. An additional one-time cost for an additional 4-wheel drive vehicle may be necessary.
STAKEHOLDERS Police Department, Public Works
TIMELINE Additional funding is necessary before recruitment can begin.
OUTCOMES Increased law enforcement presence and enforcement of open space regulations. Additional
staff time available to support evacuation drills.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Notifications and Evacuation
28. Reduce fuels along roadways
ACTION
City program and policy. Develop a policy to clearly direct the
enforcement of current State regulations and SRMC relating to
vegetation clearance along public roadways. Updates to SRMC may also
be needed to update, clarify and uniformly apply standards.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Stronger and more consistent enforcement and abatement of vegetation along
roadways with a focus on pre-identified primary and secondary evacuation routes.
Consideration would be given to shade and maintaining San Rafael as a “Tree City
USA”. Fuel removal would target continuous fuels between the ground and canopy.
Hardwoods and native trees would generally be excluded from these efforts. Highly
flammable shrubs near roadways would require removal.
RATIONALE
Reduces the risk of fire ignition along roadways. Improves potential evacuation routes
by limiting the fire fuel along roadways. Creates additional fuel breaks to stop and slow
the spread of wildfire. Increased responder safety through improved visibility and
decreased roadside fuel. Removing continuous fuels from along roadways would
reduce potential fire tunnels and fire spreading from the ground into the canopy.
CONCERNS Residents may be resistant to removing vegetation along roadways serving as a privacy
fence for their property. Disposal of large amounts of woody biomass.
COSTS
$$$ Additional funding is needed to support community chipper days and support for
property owners removing vegetation.
@@ Policy can be developed with current staff reallocating time
@@@ Additional staff time is needed to effectively enforce policy and support
community chipper days.
Total cost to the City would include support for homeowners and chipper support
which may cost $50,000-$75,000 for the first few years, decreasingly significantly
after maintenance is reached.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, property owners
TIMELINE
A policy clarifying implementation of existing standards can be drafted within 60 days.
Enforcement can begin immediately. Fall and Winter are slower times for vegetation
inspections, allowing for a concentrated effort relating to clearance along roadways.
Community support, including chipper days, cannot begin until additional funding is
secured. Additional evaluation is needed to determine what, if any, SRMC changes may
be needed.
OUTCOMES San Rafael would have safe evacuation routes and less changes of roadside ignitions.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
29. Establish a residential hillside “parking box” program
ACTION
Ordinance change and City project. Establish a residential hillside
“parking box” program on narrow roadways in hillside areas. Parking
would only be permitted in “boxed” areas which are established in areas
that allow emergency vehicles safe access and public safe egress.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
An ordinance change would establish the parking box program and require that in
designated areas, street parking would only be permitted in designated parking boxes.
A fire engine would drive through high problem areas to determine where street
parking can safely be designated. DPW then would mark the parking boxes, and
enforcement would occur via parking tickets and/or towing. Parking would only be
permitted on roadways with a clear space of 10’ for access and a parking area that is a
minimum of 8’ wide by 15’ in length. In designated areas, the parking box ordinance
would replace the six feet from center parking ordinance. Ways to support property
owners attempting to build off-street parking pads in the impacted areas would be
considered, such as waived permit fees or exemptions. Parking for open space would
also be reviewed to assure parking areas are adequately defined to assure emergency
access and egress.
RATIONALE
SRMC section 5.40.080 currently prohibits parking on narrow streets unless six (6) feet
from center is maintained unobstructed. This standard is confusing, hard to enforce,
and does not guarantee fire engines and other large vehicles can safely access all areas
of San Rafael. The “parking box” concept is easy to observe and understand for both
residents and visitors. The program would assure emergency traffic can respond to
daily calls for assistance and in a large-scale emergency. The easy to understand system
would also make enforcement, particularly on red flag days, easier.
CONCERNS Loss of parking spaces in impacted areas. Traffic congestion during implementation.
COSTS
$$$ Implementing and program maintenance would require additional funding.
Simplified regulations would support strong enforcement may result in increased
ticketing revenue.
@@ The ordinance and program can be implemented with existing staff reallocating
time. Contractors may need to be considered based on other concurrent priorities.
Total cost to the City is estimated to be $10,000-$25,000 initially, and $1,500 to
repaint every three years.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Parking Enforcement, Residents
TIMELINE
Within 180 days, a draft ordinance and proposed pilot project would be developed.
Implementation would be dependent on funds, staff, and project prioritization. A full
implementation could be completed in FY 2020.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
OUTCOMES Narrow roads in San Rafael would have clearly defined safe parking areas, allowing for
emergency vehicle access and public evacuation.
30. Improve public emergency alerting capabilities and policies
ACTION
City project and County policy. In coordination with Marin County,
develop a proactive policy for the use of Wireless Emergency Alerts
(WEA) during emerging situations. Establish templates that clearly
communicate risk, requested action, and sources for follow-up
information. Enhance internal capabilities.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Currently, the City of San Rafael relies on Marin County for non-opt-in messaging. The
City’s internal ability to message is limited to SRPD’s Nixle subscription, which only
reaches those who opt-in for messaging. This item has two interacting parts; 1) a clear
policy for when and how San Rafael can request the County to issue emergency alerts
on its behalf and; 2) Staff’s recommendation to upgrade the internal ability to send
messages that do not require users to opt-in. In both situations, policies, templates,
and coordination would be needed.
Considerations would also be given to other alerting methods including NOAA weather
radios, sirens, or coordinated community efforts. Sirens may be considered to alert
residents in open space of an active threat. Sirens are not designed to be heard indoors
and therefore would not be considered for citywide implementation as a primary
alerting tool. Plans and policies would be developed to better inform the public of red
flag and high fire risk days and any associated access changes, such as closures of open
space. Plans would also improve coordination between alerting authorities and all news
providers, including TV, Radio, and print. Expansion of Neighborhood Response Groups
would strengthen connections and peer-to-peer communication.
RATIONALE
Assure policy and templates in place empower WEA message to be sent if threat exists.
Reduce the likelihood that a message would be delayed or won’t be sent. Reduce risk of
loss of life. WEA messaging was NOT issued during the North Bay fires of 2017 or the
Butte County Camp Fire in 2018. Internally the City needs to improve its messaging
capabilities, including access, training, and policies, to assure communication with
residents in time of crisis. While broad-based alerting tools, such as sirens or
coordinated church bell rings can be considered, it is imperative that each individual
register for alerts and have a local alerting redundancy, such as a weather radio.
Improvements to emergency notifications and Red Flag warnings is a consistent theme
in the 2017 Lessons Learned report. Senate Bill 833 and Assembly Bill 1877 established
new alert, warning, and planning requirements for State, county, and local officials.
CONCERNS Over-messaging can reduce the impact of an essential message. Incomplete or
inaccurate messaging may cause panic or undue traffic congestion during evacuation.
Messaging may overreach to nonimpacted areas. Coordination between County and
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
City alerting authorities is necessary. Develop plan and strategies to meet the needs of
those with Access and Functional Needs (AFN) to include mobility limitations and
communication or language barriers.
COSTS
$$$ To allow San Rafael the direct ability to message, without requiring a user opt-in,
an annual $6,000 increase in SRPD’s Nixle subscription is expected. Cost share program
between the City and residents to obtain NOAA weather radios should be considered.
@@ Efforts can be accomplished with existing staff reallocating time. The objective
would require coordination between San Rafael PD, San Rafael Fire, and Marin County.
Total Cost to the City is expected to be about $6,000 annually for the advanced Nixle
technology and a $2,000 one-time cost help low-income residents obtain weather
radios.
STAKEHOLDERS County OES, MCSO, SROES, SRPD, SRFD, Residents
TIMELINE
In progress. A streamlined policy would rely on agreement from Marin County Sheriff’s
Office. Updating the Nixle subscription can be done within days of an identified
funding source.
OUTCOMES San Rafael has ability to message all residents in the event of an emergency.
31. Increase capability for early fire warnings and detection
ACTION
City program and policy. Increase San Rafael’s access and control to
partner technology, including cameras with heat detection and micro-
weather stations. Install two additional cameras to cover the highest
fire risk areas in San Rafael. Assure detected wildfires are promptly
reported to the National Weather Service to promote weather radio
announcements.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
PG&E has and continues to install cameras and micro-weather stations to monitor fire
and fire weather conditions. Only a limited number of County Fire employees can
currently control the view on the cameras. The live stream of the existing cameras is
publicly available at http://www.alertwildfire.org/northbay/. To increase the camera
coverage of San Rafael, new cameras could be installed on San Rafael Hill and San
Pedro Ridge. San Rafael Fire staff could have direct control of the view and zoom of
these additional cameras.
RATIONALE
Cameras would allow for increased ability to monitor open space, which in turn could
mean early wildfire identification and response, increased knowledge of weather
conditions impacting fire spread, and increased firefighter safety. The ability to directly
control cameras monitoring San Rafael increases internal capabilities and reduces the
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
delay and reliance on third parties.
CONCERNS Access to monitoring technology is determined through partnerships. Ownership and
space on existing towers impact possible installation locations.
COSTS
@ Efforts are supported with currently allocated staff time. No significant impact on
other programming is anticipated.
$$ Expanding the existing camera network with a greater focus on San Rafael would
have additional costs. The camera’s costs about $5,000 each. PG&E grants may be
available to help cover the costs of the cameras.
One-time costs to the City may total between $12,000-$20,000 and annual
maintenance costs around $1,000.
STAKEHOLDERS PG&E, Fire Department, Marin County Fire
TIMELINE
Discussions to install new cameras and/or gain further access to existing camera are
ongoing. Installation of new cameras would require funding and an agreement with the
site owners in the desired locations. Improved coordination with wildfire monitoring
partners and new technology would be in place in the Summer of 2019.
OUTCOMES San Rafael has direct access to early warning technology and improved response times.
32. Review and expand evacuation plans, incorporating areas of
refuge, and support neighborhood evacuation drills.
ACTION
City project. Review Countywide evacuation plans and expand existing
plans to address San Rafael’s unique needs, neighborhoods and
resources, including possible water evacuations.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Additional evacuation planning would establish additional redundancies and potentially
reduce the burden on a single egress artery during an emergency. These efforts would
consider evacuating to areas of refuge during a fast-moving wildfire. Maps of
evacuation routes and potential safe areas would be shared with residents. Expanded
plans would better address the unique needs of the AFN community, to include limited
mobility, communication and language limitations, and transportation independence.
Coordination with Waze, Google Maps, and other GPS providers would be considered.
City resources, including the Fire Department, Police Department, and OES would help
neighborhoods develop individuated evacuation plans and support community
organized evacuation drills.
RATIONALE San Rafael has multiple areas with limited egress options, due to water, open space and
narrow roads. San Rafael should review alternate options for evacuation, including
establishing agreements with Golden Gate Transit and Dutra to support a water
47
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
evacuation. Providing residents with more detailed information about existing and
expanded evacuation plans would allow residents to be better informed and prepared.
CONCERNS
Evacuations are dynamic and situation dependent, making comprehensive planning
ineffective. Efforts may create false sense of security or avoidance of individual
planning.
COSTS
$$$ Creating an evacuation annex to the City Emergency Response Plan would require
a contractor or additional staff. Support of evacuation drills would require addition
Police Department staff time.
@@@ Efforts would require additional staff time.
Total Cost to the City is estimated to be $50,000 one-time costs, and reoccurring
costs of $10,000 annually.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Police Department, Golden Gate Transit, Dutra, Marin County,
Residents
TIMELINE
Planning efforts are ongoing. Water evacuation planning can be established throughout
2019 with collaboration from partners. Updated evacuation plans would be
incorporated in the City Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
OUTCOMES Improved public awareness of evacuation routes and areas of refuge.
33. Assure safe and resilient critical infrastructure
ACTION
In partnership with utility providers, determine best method(s) to
reduce fuels around critical infrastructure such as power poles, power
lines, and other combustible infrastructure. Work to remove fuels from
roadways and primary escape routes. Work with all utility providers to
assure they are protecting their infrastructure from wildfires and have
redundancies in place to reduce gaps in service delivery.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
The City would initiate an effort to identify the best approaches to vegetation
management activities around critical infrastructure. This would include coordination
with PG&E and Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). Potential ordinance changes
would be evaluated. Efforts would focus on reducing likelihood of damage to
infrastructure, assuring access to infrastructure, and reducing likelihood of
infrastructure contributing to a wildfire.
RATIONALE
Reduce the risk of fire ignition and protect critical infrastructure from fire. Share
burden of protecting infrastructure with property owners and utility providers. Reduce
the likelihood and impacts of utility outages and road closures during a disaster.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
CONCERNS
Property owner confusion regarding the responsibility of maintaining clearance around
the service lines from the pole to the structure. Esthetics of vegetation and tree
trimming and removal. Difficult to determine which homeowner is responsible for the
cost of tree trimming. Jurisdictional issues may create challenges.
COSTS
$$$ Funding needs would depend on partnerships with PG&E and other agencies
responsible for maintaining infrastructure. Support for residents removing fuel around
infrastructure on their property would require additional funding.
@@ A policy can be developed with current staff reprioritizing projects.
Total cost to City is included in vegetation work and additional staffing requests in
Objective 26.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Public Works, Community Development, property owners, PG&E
TIMELINE
In Progress. Guidelines for fuel reduction around critical infrastructure are being
established and coordinated with utilities. Outreach and education can begin within 30
days of policy being finalized, dependent on staff time. Programs to support residents
would be dependent on securing additional funding.
OUTCOMES San Rafael critical infrastructure would be better protected and less likely to contribute
to a wildfire.
34. Assure that appropriate staff can send and receive
emergency alerts
ACTION
City program. Establish schedule to assure that all appropriate San
Rafael staff members routinely issue Everbridge test messages.
Maintain current database of all staff contact information to assure
communication with staff during an emergency.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Staff with Everbridge/alerting capability would be required to send test messages at
least quarterly to assure access and proficiency. Staff would have templates and
training materials to help develop proficiency. Citywide effort is needed to assure
correct cell phone numbers are on file and can be used to reach City staff in an
emergency. Routine message tests would help maintain an accurate database. Tools
include Everbridge (managed by Marin County OES) and upgraded Nixle.
RATIONALE
All staff with the authority to issue alerts must be able to log in and navigate the system
to send time-sensitive information. A centralized system to communicate with staff in
an emergency is necessary to confirm staff safety and communicate closures and
requested actions.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
CONCERNS Potential to issue test messages broadly. Lack of participation. Ongoing database
management is time consuming.
COSTS
$ Program can be implemented with current funding.
@@ Program would require multiple staff members reallocate time for testing and
database management.
STAKEHOLDERS San Rafael Staff with emergency alert capabilities (about 10 people), Department
Directors, Human Resources, All City staff
TIMELINE
A ‘how to” guide is already created. Once City management agrees to the value of the
tests, a routine test schedule can be developed and implemented. Maintaining an
accurate alerting database is an ongoing process that would require an established
process. Tests in Nixle are dependent on system update.
OUTCOMES Designated City staff would be confident in their ability to internally message during an
emergency. All staff would be able to receive messages in an emergency.
35. Assure that City staff can communicate during an
emergency
ACTION
City program. Determine and implement the best method to assure City
staff with assigned emergency response duties can use cell phones and
landlines. This would require a combination of Wireless Priority Service
(WPS), First Net, and Government Emergency Telecommunications
Service (GETS).
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Complete a cost-benefit analysis of using WPS, Verizon First Responder, and GETS
options. Register all Fire, PD, DPW field staff, building inspectors, and EOC staff with
WPS and/or Verizon priority accounts. A policy for personal cell phones registered on
the system would need to be established.
RATIONALE
The ability to communicate via cell phone after a disaster is negatively impacted by
infrastructure damage and peak usage. There are tools available to help cell phone
providers prioritize responder traffic. Acting now would limit the impact on
communications during an emergency.
CONCERNS Staff time to implement. Data management and maintenance of multiple tools.
COSTS
$ There is no cost directly associated with these programs.
@@ Staff time would be needed to initially enroll all designated phones, estimated to be
about 200. Routine maintenance would be required.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
STAKEHOLDERS Impacted agency staff, Digital Services and Open Government
TIMELINE
WPS access can be requested immediately with cell phone account information. More
research is needed to understand the new Verizon responder accounts and potential
costs. GETS access can be requested immediately after determining additional needs.
Usage policy can be developed within 120 days.
OUTCOMES City staff would have redundant and prioritized methods for communication in an
emergency
36. Assure that residents can evacuate through garage doors if
power is out
ACTION
City program. Develop program to encourage the implementation of
garage door battery backup systems. Consider cost share programs with
low- income individuals.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
San Rafael Code Enforcement would need to start enforcing updated safety
requirements for automatic garage doors. San Rafael Fire would immediately begin
incorporating garage door functionality into evacuation and wildfire preparedness
material. San Rafael could consider applying this standard to rental properties and/or
encouraging battery back-up installation on legacy garage doors. The City should
consider a retroactive requirement or other method to increase back-up battery
systems.
RATIONALE
Power failures, impacting the functionality of automatic garage doors, can make
evacuation by car impossible during an emergency. Effective, July 1, 2019, Senate Bill
969 requires all new and replacement automatic garage doors to have a backup battery
or other means that assures the garage door can open in the event of a power failure.
The new law does not have a retroactive requirement. Public education is necessary to
alert people of the risk and relatively low-cost solutions available, as not everyone has
the physical ability to open a garage door manually. Garage door failure was noted in
the 2017 Lessons Learned report.
CONCERNS
The update to Health & Safety Code Section 19891 and addition to Section 19892 do
not retroactively apply or protect people with existing garages. Outreach can help
inform, but not require adherence to stronger safety requirements. Assure outreach
addresses the needs of those with Access and Functional needs, including limited
mobility.
COSTS @@ Staff time to develop and coordinate information would require some time
51
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
reallocation
$$ Educational materials and outreach would require some reprogramming but can
largely be incorporated into other wildfire prevention and protection outreach.
Total costs to the City are included in outreach materials, but could include a cost
share program with low income residents totaling $2,000-$10,000.
STAKEHOLDERS Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Property owners.
TIMELINE
The Senate Bill requires that garage door installations and replacements on or after July
1, 2019 meet the new requirements. Education and outreach about this new
requirement should begin immediately.
OUTCOMES Increased community awareness and implementation of garage door backup batteries
or other means assuring evacuation is possible in a power outage.
37. Prevent potential entrapments by requiring 2 gates in any
fence in designated areas
ACTION
Ordinance change. Update building code to require new and
replacement fences have two gates. Existing fences within designated
single-lane access parcels must install 2 gates.
What this
means
Designated parcels would be required to have more than one means and direction of
egress in the event of a wildfire or other emergency. Fences over a designated height
would be required to have two gates installed, accessing different cardinal directions.
This would include new fences and replaced fences. Staff would consider programs to
help low-income residents install an additional gate in areas with limited egress.
Rationale This would help assure that multiple escape routes exist in the most vulnerable areas
and provide ease of access for firefighters.
Concerns Cost burden for property owners not currently up to the new code. Enforcement.
Costs
$ Ordinance change can be accomplished with current funding.
@@ Public education and ordinance enforcement would require reprioritization of staff
time.
Stakeholders Fire Department, Code Enforcement, property owners
Timeline An updated ordinance, incorporating stakeholder input, can be brought to City Council
within 160 days. Updates may be incorporated into the 2019 planned code updates.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Outcomes Fenced properties would have additional means of egress, benefiting them, and
potential neighbors during an evacuation.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
38. Maintain and expand coordination of wildfire prevention
and response planning with Marin County, other Marin
jurisdictions, Marin County Fire, FIRESafe MARIN, and
neighboring landowning partners.
ACTION
Continue and expand the collaborative work throughout Marin County
to address the risk of wildfire. Review and consider any wildfire
mitigation plan proposed by Marin County and other land-managing
neighbors. Assure prevention efforts address needs of unincorporated
areas.
WHAT THIS
MEANS
Coordinate mitigation work, and fire road repairs in bordering areas. Explore
opportunities for collaboration that provide benefits of scale and efficiency. Any future
guidance or regulations brought forth by the County would be reviewed and
considered for local adoption. Coordinate 2019 countywide fire and building code
updates with County and other cities and towns.
RATIONALE
Wildfire and disaster do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. A fire starting in one
jurisdiction can spread and impact many others. Continuing and expanding current
collaboration would help assure efforts are as effective as possible. Similar fire and
building ordinances would help simplify outreach and education while allowing for
unique local adjustments. When practical, sharing resources may reduce costs through
economies of scale.
CONCERNS Challenges of consensus building. Speed of implementation. Impact on direct local
control, responsibility and accountability.
COSTS
@ Minimal costs associated with staff time dedicated to coordination.
$ Potential cost savings related to use of shared resources for fuel reduction and
education and outreach.
STAKEHOLDERS San Rafael Fire Department, Marin County, Marin County Fire, FIRESafe MARIN, SRAs
and CSAs
TIMELINE Ongoing. Updates to fire and building codes would be adopted late in 2019.
OUTCOMES Provide effective wildfire mitigation to San Rafael. Benefit from economy of scale and
collaboration.
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Table 2 - Objective and Impact Summary
Objective
Exists,
Plan
expands
$ $$ $$$
Additional
Staff
Needed
1. Eliminate highly flammable vegetation near
structures and roadways throughout San Rafael X X X
2. Apply vegetation management and defensible
space standards citywide X X
3. Reduce ember ignitions within immediate zones to
prevent structure ignitions through enhanced
standards and support
X X
4. Expand goat grazing for vegetation maintenance X X
5. Establish additional fuel interruption zones X X X
6. Improve public education regarding fire-safe
landscaping and living with wildfire X X X
7. Establish more Firewise communities in San Rafael X X
8. Reduce hazardous fuels through an abatement
process on privately owned unimproved lots and
within 200 feet of a structure or 20 feet roadway
X
9. Effectively coordinate the removal of vegetative
debris X X
10. Engage Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) members, Neighborhood Response Groups
(NRGs) and other volunteers in fire prevention
X
11. Reengage volunteer “Broom Pull Days” X X
12. Review and update WUI map X
13. Adopt Public Resource Code 4290 and 4291 X X X
14. Develop new efforts, solutions, and resources
dedicated to wildfire prevention and protection X X
15. Immediately seize ignition sources at
encampments and remove encampments in open
space as quickly as possible
X X
16. Reduce likelihood of ignition in undeveloped land X X
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Objective
Exists,
Plan
expands
$ $$ $$$
Additional
Staff
Needed
17. Explore opportunities in Fire and Building Code
updates to increase use of fire-resistant materials
and application of CA Fire Code 7A
X X
18. Eliminate fire hazard associated with shake and
wooden roofs X
19. Develop comprehensive San Rafael hazardous
vegetation study and mitigation measures X
20. Complete an analysis of fire roads and strategic
fuel breaks X X
21. Increase the number of hardened homes in San
Rafael X
22. Improve development and implementation of
Vegetation Management Plans (VMPs) and create
new Resilient Landscape Templates (RLTs) and.
X X
23. Increase the number of completed Vegetation
Management Plans (VMP)s and Resilient Landscape
Templates (RLTs).
X X
24. Improve the public’s fire risk awareness with sign
improvements and installation X X
25. Reduce fire risk and keep visitors using short-
term rentals safe X
26. Hire additional staff dedicated to vegetation
management and disaster mitigation X X
27. Increase Police Ranger staffing X X
28. Reduce fuels along roadways X X X
29. Establish a residential hillside “parking box”
program X X
30. Improve public emergency alerting capabilities
and policies X X
31. Increase capability for early fire warnings and
detection X X
32. Review and expand evacuation plans, X X X
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Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
Objective
Exists,
Plan
expands
$ $$ $$$
Additional
Staff
Needed
incorporating areas of refuge, and support
neighborhood evacuation drills.
33. Assure safe and resilient critical infrastructure X
34. Assure that appropriate staff can send and
receive emergency alerts X
35. Assure that City staff can communicate during an
emergency X X
36. Assure that residents can evacuate through
garage doors if power is out X
37. Prevent potential entrapments by requiring 2
gates in any fence in designated areas X
38. Maintain and expand coordination of wildfire
prevention and response planning with Marin
County, other Marin jurisdictions, Marin County Fire,
FIRESafe MARIN, and neighboring landowning
partners.
X X
Table 3 - New and Draft plan Objective number Cross Walk
# Objective Draft
#
1 Eliminate highly flammable vegetation near structures and roadways
throughout San Rafael
1
2 Apply vegetation management and defensible space standards citywide 2
3 Reduce ember ignitions within immediate zones to prevent structure
ignitions through enhanced standards and support
4
4 Expand goat grazing for vegetation maintenance 15
5 Establish additional fuel interruption zones 32
6 Improve public education regarding fire-safe landscaping and living with
wildfire
11
57
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
# Objective Draft
#
7 Establish more Firewise communities in San Rafael 22
8 Reduce hazardous fuels through an abatement process on privately owned
unimproved lots and within 200 feet of a structure or 20 feet roadway
34
9 Effectively coordinate the removal of vegetative debris from public and
private property
37
10 Engage Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members,
Neighborhood Response Groups (NRGs) and other volunteers in fire
prevention
33
11 Reengage volunteer “Broom Pull Days” 35
12 Review and update WUI map 23
13 Adopt Public Resource Code 4290 and 4291 3
14 Develop new efforts, solutions, and resources dedicated to wildfire
prevention and protection
7
15 Immediately seize ignition sources at encampments and remove
encampments in open space as quickly as possible.
8
16 Reduce likelihood of ignition in undeveloped land 5
17 Explore opportunities in Fire and Building Code updates to increase use of
fire-resistant materials and application of CA Fire Code 7A
24
18 Eliminate fire hazard associated with shake and wooden roofs 6
19 Develop comprehensive San Rafael hazardous vegetation study and
mitigation measures
31
20 Complete an analysis of fire roads and strategic fuel breaks 14
21 Increase the number of hardened homes in San Rafael
22 Improve development and implementation of Vegetation Management
Plans (VMPs) and create new Resilient Landscape Templates (RLTs).
17
23 Increase the number of completed Vegetation Management Plans (VMP)s
and Resilient Landscape Templates (RLTs).
26
24 Improve the public’s fire risk awareness with sign improvements and
installation
36
58
Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan - March 2019
# Objective Draft
#
25 Reduce fire risk and keep visitors using short-term rentals safe 29
26 Hire additional staff dedicated to vegetation management and disaster
mitigation
9
27 Increase Police Ranger staffing 10
28 Reduce fuels along roadways 19
29 Establish a residential hillside “parking box” program 25
30 Improve public emergency alerting capabilities and policies 13
31 Increase capability for early fire warnings and detection 12
32 Review and expand evacuation plans, incorporating areas of refuge, and
support neighborhood evacuation drills.
30
33 Assure safe and resilient critical infrastructure 20
34 Assure that appropriate staff can send and receive emergency alerts 18
35 Assure that City staff can communicate during an emergency 21
36 Assure that residents can evacuate through garage doors if power is out 16
37 Prevent potential entrapments by requiring 2 gates in any fence in
designated areas
28
38 Maintain and expand coordination of wildfire prevention and response
planning with Marin County, other Marin jurisdictions, Marin County Fire,
FIRESafe MARIN, and neighboring landowning partners.