Dear Reader:

Included in the 291-page “Community Risk Assessment – Standards of Cover Deployment Analysis” is a section containing 18 specific “recommendations.”  You can read the full pages of those recommendations on Arcata1.com here.

A listing of those recommendations is below. As you read through them, please ask yourself this question:  Which of these recommendations will help the Arcata Fire District firefighters deal with a fire in a four-story (or taller) building?

Expanding the outreach public eduation program is nice. Tracking performance and outcome measurements is helpful. “Continue Long Range Financial Planning” is of course necessary.  And certainly “Renewal/Updating of Special Taxes and Assessments” is critical.

But taken all together — the proposals for updaing taxes, and working with First Responder Fees, and possible developer-supported Investment District Fees — put it all together and they just help the Arcata Fire District keep up with inflation on their existing buildings, equipment, and personnel. Where is the source of funding to actually expand the capabilities of the AFD, so that they can provide minimal fire protection for taller buildings?

Actually achieving fire protection for four-story and taller buildings was supposed to be included in the Triton report.

But the report is woefully lacking in specifics and in goals. It is 40% wishful thinking and 60% fluff.

But how about if you decide ?
Which of these recommendations will result in the ability of the Arcata Fire District to fight fires and deal with emergencies in taller buildings?

Please let me know if you find anything in the report that will accomplish this.

Thank you.

From the report, page 184.

STRATEGIES & RECOMMENDATIONS
The following section entails various strategies and recommendations developed by AP Triton for this project with the assistance of AFPD staff. AP Triton recognizes that not all recommendations can be implemented immediately; some may need to wait until economic conditions permit. Nonetheless, each recommendation charts a course to improve AFPD’s capabilities and services.

General Recommendations

Recommendation 1: Review Policies and Guidelines Annually.
Recommendation 2: Update the AFPD 2019 Strategic Plan.
Recommendation 3: Develop a Master Plan.
Recommendation 4: Establish a capital improvement and replacement program.
Recommendation 5: Quality assurance of RMS data inputs and report writing.
Recommendation 6: Expand AFPD public education program.
Recommendation 7: Add dedicated staff to the Training Division.
Recommendation 8: Develop a Training Needs and Evaluation Process.
Recommendation 9: Create a Community Risk Reduction Plan.
Recommendation 10: Consider regionalization of fire and emergency services.
Recommendation 11:
Adopt a response time objective for each element of the total response time.
Recommendation 12: Begin tracking performance and outcome measurements.
Recommendation 13: Evaluate methods to add additional firefighters to response force.
Recommendation 14: Continue Long Range Financial Planning.
Recommendation 15: Renewal/Updating of Special Taxes and Assessments.
Recommendation 16: Work with the city and county on impact/mitigation fees.
Recommendation 17: Consider implementing a First Responder Fee.
Recommendation 18: Consider Enhance Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD)