The Fullerton City Council convened on Tuesday to discuss emergency preparedness strategies in response to recent natural disasters affecting Los Angeles County. Fire Chief Adam Loeser presented on behalf of Police Chief John Radius, Public Works Director Steven Vice, our Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Christy Batiste and Fire Marshall John Fugate, detailing the impact of events like the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which resulted in significant damage.

City leaders emphasized the importance of a comprehensive emergency plan that addresses fire prevention, response, and enhancements to the water system. They outlined how evacuations and alerts are coordinated between the police and fire departments, aiming to provide residents with a structured approach to emergencies.

Residents were advised to stay informed by following the Police Department on social media and signing up for alerts at alertOC.org. This allows them to receive important updates regarding local disasters via phone, text, and email.

Fullerton’s emphasis on proactive preparedness reflects an effort to enhance resident safety amid ongoing challenges associated with natural disasters.

Overview of Fullerton’s Water System and Emergency Response

Fullerton’s water system is structured to provide a dependable supply for firefighting. It includes multiple water sources, backup systems, and approximately 68 million gallons of storage capacity. The city has 434 fire hydrants, which are inspected every two to three years to ensure compliance with state regulations. In emergencies, additional water can be sourced from six nearby areas. The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of this system.

California has a well-established mutual aid framework that facilitates quick resource sharing during emergencies, coordinated by the Office of Emergency Services (OES). Recently, assistance was provided to LA County by deploying 11 personnel and two fire engines.

The fire department operates from six stations, each housing one fire engine and a crew of four members, including a captain, an engineer, and two firefighters. Five of the stations are equipped with Advanced Life Support paramedics. All personnel participate in annual training that covers wildland communication and swift water rescue, and they are provided with appropriate protective gear.

Chief officers from nearby counties, including San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside, convene quarterly to discuss weather events and share strategies. This collaboration aims to enhance communication and response efforts, drawing from past experiences such as the Freeway Complex Fire in 2008.

Weather Monitoring and Hazard Alerts

We monitor weather conditions in Fullerton using data from NOAA and weather.gov. This allows us to share important updates with staff and the community through social media and our website, helping residents prepare for weather events such as heavy rain, strong winds, extreme cold, and high heat.

We are part of the Orange County Operational Area, which assists cities in coordinating resources during emergencies, including requests for equipment or additional public safety personnel.

During adverse weather events, we monitor the Public Safety Power Shutoff portal operated by Southern California Edison to assess possible power outages. If outages are expected, timely notifications are provided to the community.

Advanced Detection and Strategic Readiness

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy provides training for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members on fire watch activities. These trained volunteers monitor high-risk areas during red flag conditions for any signs of fire.

The state has allocated funding to pre-position fire resources for rapid deployment during severe weather, enhancing response capabilities.

The fire department focuses on reducing fire risks and conducts safety inspections, particularly in very high fire severity zones. Each year, informational postcards are sent to residents in these areas, offering tips on fire hazard reduction.

Last year, fire prevention specialists completed numerous inspections to ensure safety in various properties.

Programs are available for different age groups to prepare the community for emergencies. The CERT program accommodates community members, and a Teen CERT program has been established with local high schools.

Additionally, the “Prepare with Pedro” program is being introduced for first and second graders, and emergency training for seniors is offered in multiple languages, with plans for further expansion. Emergency training is also provided for city staff.

Recovery begins once a disaster is stabilized. This process can take time and often involves partnerships with local, state, and federal organizations, as well as community businesses.

The emergency operations center is designed to address the needs of citizens and businesses during vulnerable times.

In summary, the focus is on risk reduction, effective response, and building community resilience. More information is available on the city’s website.

“I encourage everyone in the community to check it out so they can be informed about how our city is prepared to respond to any emergency, said Loeser, “This is not just my department’s effort; it requires teamwork from all city departments to ensure a comprehensive solution. By keeping everyone informed and prepared to the best of our ability, we can expedite our recovery and return to normalcy.”

John Fugate, the Deputy Chief, and Fire Marshal shared an update on fire hazard severity zones in the city. The most severe zones are mainly in the Cody Hills area, and Cal Fire is working on updating the maps, which were delayed due to recent wildfires.

As directed by Governor Newsom, the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Fire Department handle fire safety in these high-risk zones, while areas outside these zones are managed by code enforcement. There is a weed abatement program to clear brush in these areas.

In the very high-hazard zones, regulations follow state fire and health codes. There are limitations on cleanup efforts, especially near the Cody Hills Golf Course due to endangered species that restrict brush clearing.

The city previously had a dedicated weed abatement fire inspector, but that position was cut during the recession 15 years ago and hasn’t been reinstated. The Fire Marshal is keen to take proactive measures for fire safety if more staff becomes available.

Council member Nick Dunlap asked, “I have just one last question. This isn’t necessarily related to the plan you’ve presented, but it aligns with some of the topics you’ve touched on. You mentioned that we had 12 firefighters who went out to assist Palisades and Altadena. How does the compensation work for that on the back end? Is our city reimbursed by those other cities or municipalities? What does that process look like?”

Loeser responded, “That’s a good question. When any resources are deployed to help another jurisdiction through the California Firefighter Assistance program, the state reimburses the city for the personnel costs and the use of our fire engine. Additionally, an administrative percentage is included to compensate for any administrative work or paperwork involved. The goal is to make the costs as close to cost-neutral as possible. Averages are used for personnel salaries based on current agreements, and we intend to receive offset funds to cover our personnel costs and the use of our fire engines, again to ensure it remains as cost-neutral as possible.”

Council member Dr. Shana Charles expressed gratitude for the discussion on recent safety concerns. She highlighted that Districts 1 and 2 have a lot of open space and shared her experience from a devastating fire in 2008, which, while not affecting her area directly, left her neighborhood covered in ash. This reminded her of how close such events can be.

She noted the recent strong winds and their ability to carry embers to areas that have never faced wildfires, like Brea Hills and Coyote Hills. Her main concern is the risk from embers rather than just vegetation. She wondered if there were steps the city could take to improve building materials and safety measures for all homeowners, not just those in high-risk areas.

In response, Loeser confirmed that embers from fires, driven by wind, caused significant damage during recent events. He pointed out that while strong winds are common, the duration of the last Santa Ana wind event was unusual and caused damage in nearby Pasadena. Fortunately, Brea didn’t face major fire problems this time, but there’s little that can be done about embers coming from higher ground areas like Brea Hills or Coyote Hills.

Council member Dr. Shana Charles emphasized the importance of homeowners making safety modifications to their properties, especially in high-fire-risk areas. She noted that building improvements and proper upkeep can help prevent fires, particularly with strong winds that can carry embers.

She recalled the 2008 Freeway Complex Fire that affected Corona, highlighting how the Santa Ana winds can intensify heat and dryness in the area. Dr. Charles stressed the need for community preparedness and thanked everyone for their hard work in these efforts.

Council member Jamie Valencia thanked everyone for the presentation on updating emergency response plans, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for the city. She shared a personal experience about her grandmother losing her home in the Palisades Fire, highlighting how many residents had to evacuate with very few belongings.

Valencia also praised the cooperation between neighboring cities during the crisis and expressed gratitude for the support they provided, especially after learning from the airport fire. Additionally, she mentioned receiving thanks from her contacts in Los Angeles for the fire department’s efforts in saving buildings, saying, “Thank you so much for all that you do!”
Council member Nick Dunlap asked, “Does code enforcement handle that, or does the fire department take care of it?”

John Fugate, the Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal in Fullerton explained that certain areas in the city, especially around Cody Hills, are classified as very high fire hazard zones. Cal Fire is updating the maps for these areas, but the release has been delayed due to recent fires.

The Fire Prevention Bureau and Fire Department manage fire risks in high-hazard zones, while code enforcement handles issues outside of those areas, including a weed abatement program for managing brush. However, there are limitations, especially around protected habitats at the Cody Hills Golf Course, where they cannot clear brush due to endangered species.

Fugate mentioned that a dedicated weed abatement fire inspector used to be in place but was removed during the recession, and that role hasn’t been restored. He emphasized the need for more staffing to improve fire prevention efforts.

Council member Nick Dunlap asked about the costs associated with sending firefighters to help other areas like Palisades and Altadena. Loeser responded that when they assist other municipalities, the state reimburses Fullerton for personnel and engine usage, aiming to keep costs neutral. They use average salary rates for compensation to cover these expenses.