FIRE REORGANIZATION |
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Reorganization of Fire Providers
in Eastern Plumas
Given the tragic wildfires of the last couple of fire seasons, extensive challenges faced by the fire service agencies, and the transitional state of many of the fire providers around the County, the Commission has taken a particular interest in supporting positive change in fire service structure.
In May 2018, LAFCo staff attended the Gold Mountain CSD Board Meeting to present on options available to fire providers. A town hall was held in June 2018, where LAFCo staff presented the history of the fire protection districts and options for restructuring. The Commission invited representatives from the various fire districts to its regular meeting on October 15th to continue the conversation and receive a status update on each agency, including the challenges that are being faced presently and any potential for change of service structure that the agency is considering to address these issues. Following these discussions, affected agencies chose to develop a memorandum of understanding and establish the Local Emergency Services Study Group(LESSG).
The LESSG recommended formation of a new fire protection district to the member agencies, and member agencies chose to consider formation by conducting a feasibility study. Ultimately, the feasibility study demonstrated that a new fire protection district serving constituents within the City of Portola, Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Gold Mountain Community Services District, Sierra Valley Fire Protection District, and surrounding unserved areas, was feasible and would result in improved services. The LESSG is in the process of compiling an application to LAFCO.
In May 2018, LAFCo staff attended the Gold Mountain CSD Board Meeting to present on options available to fire providers. A town hall was held in June 2018, where LAFCo staff presented the history of the fire protection districts and options for restructuring. The Commission invited representatives from the various fire districts to its regular meeting on October 15th to continue the conversation and receive a status update on each agency, including the challenges that are being faced presently and any potential for change of service structure that the agency is considering to address these issues. Following these discussions, affected agencies chose to develop a memorandum of understanding and establish the Local Emergency Services Study Group(LESSG).
The LESSG recommended formation of a new fire protection district to the member agencies, and member agencies chose to consider formation by conducting a feasibility study. Ultimately, the feasibility study demonstrated that a new fire protection district serving constituents within the City of Portola, Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Gold Mountain Community Services District, Sierra Valley Fire Protection District, and surrounding unserved areas, was feasible and would result in improved services. The LESSG is in the process of compiling an application to LAFCO.
Click a title below to link to the corresponding document.
Eastern Plumas Fire Regional Sphere of Influence Update - Adopted December 12, 2022
Spheres of Influence were updated for Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District, Gold Mountain Community Services District, and Sierra Valley Fire Protection District.
Fire Service Structure Options - Presentation
This presentation was used at the Gold Mountain CSD meeting, town hall, and LAFCo meeting. It outlines the possible structure options available throughout Plumas, but specific to Eastern Plumas.
Eastern Plumas Regional Fire Municipal Service Review - Adopted October 17, 2022
A municipal service review (MSR) was conducted for fire providers in the eastern region of Plumas County, including the City of Portola, Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District, Gold Mountain Community Services District, and Sierra Valley Fire Protection District.
Staff Memo - Fire Service Provision Status and Service Structure Options 10-15-18
This staff report provides a general overview of the fire structure in Plumas County, challenges facing the fire providers, and the options available to LAFCo in assisting the fire agencies.
LAFCo's Role and Eastern Plumas Fire Provider History and Context - Presentation
This presentation was given at the town hall to describe LAFCo's jurisdiction over agency boundaries and service structure, as well as the history of the development of the existing fire service structure in Eastern Plumas.
Annexation Process Q&A Worksheet
The worksheet provides a breakdown and description of various costs associated with the annexation process, as well as a detailed description of each step of the process.
Annexation Fees for Fire Services
The Commission approved reduced application fees for annexations into a fire provider's boundaries. This brochure provides a simple explanation of the fees for an application to LAFCo for annexation to a fire provider.
Letter of Support for Volunteer Fire Districts to CAL FIRE
At the December 10, 2018 LAFCo meeting, the Commission directed staff to author a letter to CAL FIRE to express concern regarding the impacts of increasing training requirements for volunteer firefighters, which is a limiting factor for those agencies that rely entirely on volunteers and is severely impacting Plumas fire providers.
Letter to County to Encourage Master Tax Sharing Agreement
It was recognized by the commission that an impediment to annexation to fire districts has been the lengthy negotiation periods for the tax sharing agreements. Additionally, each tax sharing agreement is negotiated for each individual annexation. The Commission would like to encourage the County to develop a master tax sharing agreement to expedite future annexation efforts by the fire providers.