Title
Ratify the Declaration of a Local Health Emergency for the Soberanes Fire Incident as Declared by Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer. (ADDED VIA ADDENDUM)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Ratify the Declaration of a Local Health Emergency for the Soberanes Fire Incident as declared by Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer.
SUMMARY:
On July 22, 2016, a wildfire swept through the Soberanes area of unincorporated Monterey County (“Soberanes Fire”), which has caused severe damage to the surrounding area within Monterey County. On August 22, 2016, pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 101080, Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno declared a Local Health Emergency. Per state law, the declaration expires after seven days unless it is ratified by the Board of Supervisors. The Board’s August 30, 2016 meeting is the earliest meeting for which ratification could be scheduled for Board consideration. Due to the continuing Soberanes fire which is projected to burn through September, it is fully expected that Dr. Moreno will issue a second declaration of a Local Health Emergency on August 29, 2016. Accordingly, ratification by the Board of Supervisors of the Declaration of Local Emergency is requested.
DISCUSSION:
The Soberanes Fire has caused damage and destruction of homes and buildings, resulting in ash debris that has been tested and is known to be contaminated with heavy metals, asbestos, and household hazardous waste and as such, poses an exceptional risk of exposure of county residents and various local agency employees to this hazardous waste. This risk has been determined to be an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public, prompting the Monterey County Health Officer to declare a Local Health Emergency pursuant to section 101080 of the California Health and Safety Code. Per state law, this declaration expires within seven days unless ratified by the Board of Supervisors. Once ratified, the declaration must be presented to the Board of Supervisors for review at least once every fourteen days to determine if continuance of the Local Health Emergency is warranted.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This declaration will allow cooperation and assistance from local and state agencies and the Monterey County Health Department Environmental Health and Public Health Bureaus for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste and ongoing surveillance of this Local Health Emergency.
FINANCING:
The financial impact of this declaration is undetermined at this time due to the need for further assessment of costs involved with clean up and mitigation of hazardous debris.
Prepared by: Robin Kimball, Management Analyst I, x1297
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, x4621
Attachments:
Resolution to Ratify the Declaration of a Local Health Emergency
Declaration of Local Health Emergency (August 22, 2016)