Meeting Summary
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At a glance
CEO Report – Thomas Fire Contingency Planning and Debris Management
- The CEO and emergency management officials outlined a unified response strategy involving city managers, fire chiefs, and law enforcement.
- Scientific teams are mapping burn scars, buffer zones, and debris flow risks to identify areas prone to flooding.
- Public Works is clearing debris from basins, with most expected to be operational by the end of the week.
- Bilingual public outreach materials and a dedicated website have been launched to alert residents to rain-related hazards.
Public Health – Re-ratification and Declaration of Local Health Emergency in the Thomas Fire
- Health officials reported on efforts to contact owners of damaged properties for hazardous waste inspections.
- Contact has been established with six of 46 identified properties, with three assessed for structural safety.
- The department plans to coordinate with Planning and Development to access remaining properties if owners cannot be reached.
- The board adopted the resolution to re-ratify the local health emergency declaration.
Full summary
Agenda Item: CEO Report – Thomas Fire Contingency Planning and Debris Management
- Discussion: The CEO presented an update on the status of the Thomas Fire, noting that the fire is contained but posing significant risks due to anticipated rainfall. Rob Lewin, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, and Tom Fairam, Deputy Director of Public Works, provided details on contingency planning efforts.
- Coordination: A meeting was held with city managers, public works directors, fire chiefs, and law enforcement to establish a unified approach for response.
- Assessment: Teams from the Forest Service and CAL FIRE are conducting scientific analysis of the burn area. An interactive map is being developed to identify impacted areas, including the burn scar, a buffer zone, watercourses prone to debris flow, and the 500-year flood zone.
- Debris Removal: Public Works reported that debris clearing in basins (including San Ysidro and Gobernador) is underway, with most basins expected to be operational by the end of the week.
- Public Outreach: Strategies for public alerts and outreach are being developed in English and Spanish, coordinated with Ventura County. A "Recovery and Rain Ready" website was launched.
- Hazard Analysis: It was noted that the fire has altered floodplain dynamics, potentially affecting areas outside the standard FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain due to debris accumulation in watercourses. The plan also incorporates impacts from the Alamo, Ray, Sherpa, and Whittier fires.
- Action: No formal motion was taken on this report; it served as an informational update.
Agenda Item: Public Health – Re-ratification and Declaration of Local Health Emergency in the Thomas Fire
- Discussion: Dr. Del Reynoso presented an update on the process for identifying and inspecting damaged or destroyed homes for household hazardous waste.
- Process: The department received a list of damaged properties from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), identified owners via assessor records, and attempted contact via phone, social media, and community meetings.
- Status: As of the meeting, contact had been established with six of 46 identified properties. Three properties were assessed: one had minor damage, and two had major damage with structures deemed unsafe for entry.
- Next Steps: If contact is not made with remaining owners by Friday, the department plans to coordinate with Planning and Development and local fire personnel to access properties, potentially requiring assistance with locked gates.
- Future Risks: Questions were raised regarding hazardous waste protocols for potential mudslides and flood damage. It was stated that similar protocols would apply to demolition and reconstruction resulting from such events, and contingency planning is underway to identify critical infrastructure and hazardous material sites at risk from flooding.
- Motion: Supervisor Williams moved to adopt the resolution.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Vote: The board conducted a roll-call vote.
- Outcome: The resolution passed.