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KENSINGTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MEMORANDUM

July 2008
TO: President and Board Members, Kensington Fire Protection District
FROM: Lance Maples, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Fire Chief's Report

Red Flag Warning Days

As you all are aware, for years the Fire Department has raised red flags on our flag poles on extreme fire weather days to warn residents that extreme fire weather conditions are present. Red Flag warnings are part of our effort to inform the citizens we serve of anticipated or existing fire conditions so they can take steps to make their homes and community safer from wildland fire. In the past, the department has also patrolled the hillside neighborhoods looking for hazards during Red Flag Warning Days.

This year in a proactive effort, during Red Flag Warning Days, the Fire Department will, when staffing allows, add a fourth person to our hillside engine companies (Sta. 65 and 72). This additional staffing will allow the engine to deploy their firefighter's resource in a more time effective manner and will also enable them to extinguish wildland fires when they are much smaller.

This change to the Department's Red Flag Warning Day procedures has been evaluated by Fire Administration and is being put into place to lesson the risk to the citizens of Kensington and El Cerrito and our Firefighters. As always, we will evaluate the effectiveness of these procedures to insure we have enhanced the Department's service levels.

Community Pharmaceutical Drop-Off Was a Great Success

On July 19, KFPD held its first pharmaceutical drop-off event at Station 65. It was a great success! The event was held from 12 to 4:00 p.m. and we had a steady flow of drop-offs the entire time. Our goal was to fill two 12-gallon containers and that's exactly what we did. The drop-offs consisted of a wide array of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and sharps. We are anticipating another pharmaceutical drop-off in approximately six months.

All of the citizens that participated thanked the District for the program and thought it was a great service to the community!

Phase V of the Water System Improvements is Underway

I am happy to report that Phase V of the Water System Improvement Plan is underway. On Friday, July 16, the first equipment and supplies arrived at the site. I have met with EBMUD's project manager and been advised that the project should take approximately 3-1/2 weeks, not including the final asphalt work. The Station 65 fire crew distributed notices to the neighbors surrounding the Unitarian Universalist Church just prior to the beginning of construction. I will keep the Board updated on the progress of the project as it develops.

Fire Department Promotions

I am pleased to announce the promotion of Teresa Pace to the rank of Fire Captain and David Yun to the rank of Engineer/Paramedic. These promotions will be effective on July 27, 2008.

Captain Pace will continue to work closely with the Fire Marshal to provide Public Education Programs for our Department. Engineer/Paramedic David Yun will take over the Department's Rescue Equipment Program.

Accidental Structure Fire

At 3:32 p.m. on July 12, 2008, fire units from Kensington, El Cerrito and Richmond were dispatched to a structure fire at 6811 Cutting Blvd. Initial dispatch stated there was smoke and flames seen from the garage. B/C 71 arrived on scene and noted light smoke showing. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the fire had been extinguished by a passerby with a garden hose. E71 overhauled the fire area and determined that the fire was caused by rags that were coated in oil-based stain and discarded in a plastic container. This is the second time this year that we have responded to a structure fire where the cause was due to spontaneous combustion of oil coated rags used for staining.

2008 California Fire Season Outlook

The fire season has begun with a very early and active start in California. This has been most evident to date in the above-average acreage burned in the Sacramento Valley Foothills, the Bay Area and portions of the Coast. Most of the large fires prior to June 20-21 lightning storms occurred during periods of time with very dry north winds.

After a very dry late February to April, and no significant precipitation in May, in combination with a 2008 spring that has been generally breezy in much of Northern California, there is a great potential for large fires in lower elevations throughout the State. As the season progresses, it is forecasted that as the higher elevations dry out, the State will have a greater potential for even larger fires.

With this being said, it is absolutely certain that the 2008 wildland fire season will be very busy and possibly one of the longest seasons on record in Califonria.