Sonoma County Fire Prevention & Response
Proposed Measure, 2023-2024
The Primary Goal:
"Provide for more efficient, effective, and sustainable fire response, paramedic services, and wildfire prevention and response capabilities that protect the health and safety of Sonoma County residents, business owners, and visitors".
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CONTRIBUTEThe Problem
- Like many other Californian counties, Sonoma County has been grappling with substantial funding issues for fire services, especially in preparing for future wildfires and winter storm impacts.
- The Fire Chiefs have raised concerns about the current county-wide fire service delivery needs to be improved, funding, and system structure.
- As the county grows and the demand for public safety escalates, the public expects prompt, efficient, and effective emergency services everywhere and at all times.
- The current system needs to meet National Fire Protection Agency standards throughout the county, with several service gaps being noticeable, especially in the more rural areas.
- These rural areas are witnessing extended response times for critical medical emergencies and vehicle accidents, coupled with significant delays in mobilizing an effective firefighting force to control small fires before they escalate into major incidents.
The Solution
The Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association is championing a signature-qualified initiative, authored by local firefighters and fire chiefs, for the March 2024 ballot, addressing Sonoma County's pressing fire protection needs.
Funds raised from this initiative will exclusively support local fire agencies in providing fire protection and emergency response services. The initiative also entails stringent financial accountability measures, such as citizen and firefighter oversight and independent audits, to ensure proper fund allocation and prevent misuse by the county, the state, or for other purposes.
CONTRIBUTESONOMA COUNTY FIRE CHIEFSThe Plan
Fire Chiefs' recommendation: A regional plan based on population density, call volumes, station coverage, current service gaps, and special hazards to advance a comprehensive long-term strategy covering all jurisdictions:
- 1/2 cent sales tax is estimated to generate $60 million annually to address funding challenges
- Increase effective firefighting force available countywide using National Fire Protection Agency standards 1710/1720 and a key goal of 3 local firefighters per engine
- Reduce the strain of responding outside of existing boundaries
- Increase the overall strength of the system
- Reduce dependence on larger fire agencies
- Increase capacity for the fire prevention/vegetation management effort with the vegetation management allocation directed towards the fire service
- Improving recruitment and retention of firefighters county-wide
- Includes funding for: 911 dispatch fees, Red Flag & Winter Storm Upstaffing, and other countywide expenses (e.g. technology), improved paramedic services
Proposed Governance of Expenditures
- Representation from Fire Districts Association, Fire Chiefs Association, Taxpayers Association, Board of Supervisors Nominees, City Mayors Nominees, Citizen at Large, and Labor
- Fixed allocation cannot be reallocated; however, funding can be reduced if an agency/entity fails the annual audit
- The funds collected from the Ordinance shall be received and distributed by the County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector
- Oversight of expenditures entity, not a decision-making body
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- REDCOM Dispatch Fees (including Cities)
- REDCOM Command Center Staffing (1 – BC, 3 – Captains, & 1- Admin)
- Lexipol
- Fire Safe Sonoma - $250k/year
- Countywide Technology
- Red Flag & Winter Storm Upstaffing
- Recruiting/Training Programs
- Sonoma County Chiefs Association Administrative Support
- Funding agreement sustainability
- Additional vegetation management projects
Paid for by Citizens Supporting a Safer Sonoma County ID#1457677