Backup Documents 04/25/2017 Item #11E (Wildfire Mitigation and Prevention Presentation)Wildfire Mitigation and Prevention - Presentation
Dan E. Summers, Director - Collier County
Bureau of Emergency Services and Emergency Management & Agency Guest
Collier County Board of County Commissioners
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Board Direction-November 2016
Direct Staff to:
Provide the Board with discussion of options and recommendations to improve Wildfire Mitigation.
Address Rural Areas such as Golden Gate, Corkscrew and similar areas.
Commission suggested options included:
Possible local funding strategies–specific to Wildfire Hazard Mitigation.
(Lee County has an All-Hazards MSTU).
Improve and or expand infrastructure for emergency sources of raw or potable water for firefighting efforts.
Improved Community Education.
Improved Emergency Communications.
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Our Agenda:
Quick summary and background of the Wildfire threat in Collier County.
“Framework” of the multi-agency participation.
What tools and terminology we use… and best practices.
What’s working well.
Staff Recommendations and Options.
Question and Answer.
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Background – Wildfire Threat in Collier County…
Emergency Management Planning: Wildfire is our 2rd greatest hazard.
Each local Fire District responds to approximately 130 brush/wildfire calls for service annually . Over 2,800 acres burn on average yearly with significant variance by dry or wet years.
Collier County has received a FEMA Wildfire Declaration (7) times since 1999.
Est. 91 % of our population resides within a
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
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Background – Wildfire Threat in Collier County continued:
392,000 +- acres are within the WUI.
Collier County’s statutory contribution to Forestry in Collier County is $27,000 annually.
Busiest months for wildfire are February, April, May and June.
Wildfire mitigation efforts are extremely cost-effective, not only for the property owner but for the responder.
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Situation Update…
Wildfire Response and Mitigation efforts are not new to Collier County, Independent Fire Districts or County Agencies.
Public Education and Outreach to the residents of Collier County is not new.
What is new!
More residential development.
Several years of mild fire conditions.
Tighter budgets for Forestry and Fire Districts.
Anticipated drier spring conditions and years of accumulated fire-load on the forest floor.
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Wildfire Heat Map
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Good News and Successes!
Fire Districts and Forestry have been working on tactical plans since the summer:
Fire Breaks ( Plowed or Chopped) at identifiable locations with property owner cooperation to help slow a running fire.
Identification of location where a prescribed burn can be initiated over the winter months when atmospheric conditions are appropriate.
Parallel efforts for a Forestry mitigation plan for the 2017 Wildfire Season.
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Good News continued:
On-going reviews of water source options in the rural areas where hydrants are non-existent.
Public Outreach efforts by numerous organizations.
Code Enforcement's neighborhood clean-up efforts. January 28th, next collection date.
Improved GIS mapping to ensure sufficient and efficient response resources.
Strong regional mutual-aid coordination.
County Ordinance exists to rapidly institute a Burning Ban.
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Response Program Framework
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and Florida Statute 252- provide the foundation for significant emergency responses. (EOC, evacuations, fire meteorology, FEMA, etc.)
Independent Fire Districts are your community’s tactical forces and authority having jurisdiction for structural protection.
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Response Program Framework continued:
Support Agencies to those tactical forces are: Sheriff’s 911, Emergency Management - Emergency Medical Services, American Red Cross, County Departments, Mutual Aid Agreements, etc.
Florida Forestry - Statutory wildland fire fighting responsibility and statutory levels of local funding and has the ability to enter private lands for mitigation under the Hawkins Bill.
Note: Federal lands and federal fire-fighting resources are excluded from this discussion.
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Terminology and Tools
Urban Wildfire Interface or
-Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
Tools and great work by all agencies!
Firewise® Education Program - (All Agencies/HOA)
Local Mitigation Strategy Planning - (EM/Partners)
Wildfire Mitigation Protection Plan - (FFS)
Water Points for suppression-(City/County/FD)
Prescribed Burns/Fire Breaks- (FFS)
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Firewise Program
Firewise Communities Program:
Brush, grass and forest fires don’t have to be disasters. NFPA’s and Florida’s Firewise Communities Program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual
responsibility for preparing their homes from the risk of wildfire.
Adapted Communities – a collaborative approach that connects all those who play a role in wildfire education, planning and action with comprehensive resources to help reduce risk.
View more information at: www.firewise.org
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What is working well in Collier County
Fire District’s and Forestry are promoting the Firewise Program.
Some high-hazard area surveys - door-to-door information efforts.
Planned community meetings.
On-going dialogue with Civic Groups.
Emergency Management working with Collier TV and our Social Media resources have historically promoted:
Wildfire prevention and Firewise public safety announcements and materials.
Internet accessible emergency plans for the public from various response agencies.
Wildfire Mitigation is always a topic in our Speakers/Presenters activities.
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What is working well
continued:
Partner/Agency Cooperation is Excellent:
Bureau of Emergency Services hosts an annual wildfire round-up to discuss resources and tactics.
Fire Districts have been working with Civic Groups.
Cross training opportunities are excellent and all parties drill and exercise together whenever possible.
Aggressive responses to fire to help to contain in early moments whenever possible. (Remind the public- See something -Say Something…Dial 911.)
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What is working well continued:
Alert and Notification Systems are improving:
NOAA Weather Radio- BES/EM can activate in minutes for a Civil Emergency or evacuation situation.
OneCall® Notification system to Persons with Special Needs and Emergency Operations Center staff.
Sheriff’s Code Red notification automated notification system to registered users.
EM-County/State - Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) generating cell phone alerts – Improving.
Collier County EM’s participation in Alert Florida notification network implementation scheduled for fall of 2017.
CollierEM.Org website with emergency information.
Response agencies (Sheriff, Fire and other for door-to-door evacuation assistance if needed).
County and EM Facebook and Twitter feeds: (Schools, Sheriff and others also publish concerns if needed).
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What is working well
continued:
Forestry and Fire District’s tactical efforts to cut and maintain fire breaks!
Presently 68+- miles of fire breaks have been cut in Collier County, but likely represents only a portion of the current need.
Public Utilities Division and District Schools have been supportive of water-point (filling locations) for fire suppression, but supplies and/or locations are limited.
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Good work being done…
Public Education and Awareness:
Forestry, Fire District’s and Emergency Management can expand community information meetings.
Collier TV and Emergency Management can re-energize our public safety announcements regarding Wildfire Prevention and the Firewise® Community on Collier TV and local media outlets.
Fire Districts will continue their high hazard area surveys and go door-to-door where needed.
Enhance web and social media content on Emergency Management’s websites.
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What can be improved… (1)
Expanding resources for Forestry for additional fire line breaks and fire-break maintenance… (Don’t forget the maintenance!)
Options:
Legislative request- for additional appropriations for Collier- Forestry Mitigation, Suppression and Air Operations.
Replicate the recent Lee County process- All Hazards Fund purchased equipment for Forestry or consider other alternatives.
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What can be improved…(2)
Heighten awareness efforts to expand water-point resources for fire suppression when opportunities arise. (Raw from wells, Potable, Lakes or Ponds)…
…Rarely do canals offer reliable water points due to canal depth/varied water depths or stable soils for heavy apparatus.
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Local Funding Strategies if considered…
Local Wildfire Mitigation Funding Strategies:
Purchase additional equipment, operating and staffing for Forestry for maintenance and expanded fire-line breaks. ($525,000 start-up- $110,000 annual)
Pool of funds could also be used to expand raw water access points, public education/awareness or other Board endorsed wildfire mitigation/response measures brought forward by Emergency
Management.
Raw Calculations:
$1.00 per acre: ($ 392,000.00) Acreage needs to be confirmed…
$.50 per acre: ( $196,000)
.25 per acre: ($98,000)
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Expanding Fire Breaks and Suppression Resources- Highly Effective with local funds.
Division of Forestry is statutorily well-suited for private property entry for wildfire mitigation efforts.
Expanding their resources with staff and equipment can support more fire breaks being prepared and work to maintain older lines.
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Summary of Staff Suggested Options:
1. Via legislative channels, seek additional funding for the Division of Forestry for additional mitigation and suppression resources in Collier County.
2. Support staff-Forestry/Fire District’s effort to continue to promote wildfire prevention/education utilizing the framework under the Firewise concept.
3. GMD staff to further study Firewise strategies for modifications to the Land Development Code if warranted.
4. Consider other local funding strategies in support of a Wildfire Mitigation fund to purchase equipment and provide manpower funding to expand Forestry’s fire-break mitigation efforts
and suppression services.
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Questions and Comments:
Agency Representatives…
A Note of Thanks!! To all agencies, partners and responders who have and continue to assist our wildfire team operations!
Questions…
Thank you!
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