To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk of the Board
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Appointment to the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the recommended appointment to the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Fire Council (HCFSC) is seeking to update the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) alternate member following a staff transition at CAL FIRE. Per the Board of Supervisors updated Protocol for Board of Supervisors Appointments dated February 7, 2023, the Fire Safe Council is listed on Attachment B so therefore is exempt from the At Large appointment protocol.
The HCFSC was formed by the Board of Supervisors as a County committee in 2002. The committee is currently enabled through Oct. 5, 2026 by Resolution No. 21-101.
CAL FIRE has nominated the new Pre-Fire Planning Captain, Ross Dollarhide to replace his predecessor Jennifer Renner as one of two alternates for CAL FIRE on the HCFSC. Ms. Renner accepted a position with CAL FIRE’s new Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Division where she will continue supporting communities in preparedness, including those of Humboldt County. Ms. Renner has been an active and much appreciated member of the HCFSC and will be greatly missed. One of her noteworthy contributions was to assist with updating and maintaining the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and ensuring that it was well integrated with the CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit Strategic Fire Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Coordination of the HCFSC committee is currently provided by Public Works Natural Resource Planning Staff and a team of consultants; funded by a grant awarded by the California Fire Safe Council with funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Budget Unit 1720-289). This action will not have an impact on the Humboldt County General Fund.
Maintaining the HCFSC gives the County of Humboldt and partner agencies and organizations a competitive advantage when seeking grant funds related to implementing the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The HCFSC has proven to be an invaluable resource for the county as strategies are developed and funding is sought to carry out the recommendations of the CWPP. The current CWPP, last updated in 2019 with guidance from the HCFSC, has been praised for its comprehensiveness and has been a powerful tool for leveraging funding and catalyzing support.
Since its re-certification in 2019, the CWPP has been cited in multiple county and collaborator grant applications, playing a part in bringing millions of dollars of implementation funds into the county. Public Works alone has secured over $3 million in grant funding to support CWPP implementation projects.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing community-appropriate levels of service and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
Cal Fire Nomination Letter
Updated Roster
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A