Title
Receive and consider an informational presentation from Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County Executive Officer Kate McKenna and Fire Consultant Mike McMurry regarding the 2020 LAFCO Study of Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services in Unincorporated Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors receive and consider an informational presentation from Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County Executive Officer Kate McKenna and Fire Consultant Mike McMurry regarding the 2020 LAFCO Study of Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services in Unincorporated Monterey County.
SUMMARY:
Today’s presentation from LAFCO is a recommended follow-up action to the Resource Management Agency (RMA) fire prevention and defensible space presentation to the Board of Supervisors on July 14, 2020. State law does not require county governments to provide fire protection services, and the County of Monterey (County) does not provide these services. The County does have a direct role in providing emergency medical services through its countywide ambulance contract, Emergency Dispatch 9-1-1 operations, and land use and development regulation in the county unincorporated areas. Additionally, the County supports defensible space and fuel-reduction programs in collaboration with other agencies.
DISCUSSION:
The Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County (LAFCO) is responsible for regulating the boundaries and services of cities and special districts. In June 2020, LAFCO adopted the 2020 Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Study: Special Districts Providing Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services in Unincorporated Monterey County (hereinafter Study) at a noticed public hearing. This Study (Attachment A) was prepared by LAFCO in collaboration with Fire Consultant Mike McMurray to meet Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act requirements to periodically review fire and emergency medical services (Government Code section 56424[e]) in Monterey County. The Study was found categorically exempt per Section 15306 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, as it involved only “information collection.”
Fire protection and emergency medical services for the unincorporated areas of Monterey County are provided by a network of federal, state, and local agencies; volunteer firefighters; and private ambulance providers. The Study focused on the fire protection and EMS services provided at the local level by multiple, independent special districts, a Countywide Service Area (CSA), and two volunteer fire brigades. The Study emphasizes the crucial role of special districts; highlights the accomplishments of local fire protection and emergency medical services providers; presents key observations and findings, identifies financial challenges facing most fire districts; and poses five categories of ideas intended to encourage parties at state, county, and local levels to consider and explore as part of an ongoing dialogue and partnership to support and improve Fire/EMS services in unincorporated Monterey County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
RMA requested LAFCO pursuant to Board directions make an informational presentation for Board consideration.
FINANCING:
Receiving this presentation has no financial impact on the County General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Receiving a presentation on the LAFCO Study supports the Board of Supervisors’ Administration, Health and Human Services, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Strategic Initiatives. Sharing extant information on the critical role of the special districts and the complexities and major issues facing fire protection and emergency medical services agencies facilitates judicious decisions in addressing present, and planning for future, county needs in the unincorporated areas.
Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Shandy Carroll, Management Analyst III (831) 784 5643
Reviewed by: John Dugan, Deputy Director of Land Use and Community Development
Approved by: Shawne E. Ellerbee, Assistant Director of Resource Management Agency
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - 2020 Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Study