HomeMy WebLinkAbout0003_9_PA 2021-18 - Exhibit H CalFire Safety Element ReviewGeneral Plan Safety Element Assessment Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
June 2020
RPC 2(l)(i)
Contents
Purpose and Background ...............................................................................................................................................1
Methodology for Review and Recommendations .........................................................................................................2
General Plan Safety Element Assessment .....................................................................................................................3
Background Information Summary ........................................................................................................................3
Goals, Policies, Objectives, and Feasible Implementation Measures ....................................................................5
Section 1 Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land ................................5
Section 2 Develop adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in SRAs or VHFHSZs. ..................9
Section 3 Working cooperatively with public agencies responsible for fire protection. ................................ 10
Sample Safety Element Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 12
A. Maps, Plans and Historical Information .......................................................................................................... 12
B. Land Use .......................................................................................................................................................... 12
C. Fuel Modification............................................................................................................................................. 12
D. Access .............................................................................................................................................................. 13
E. Fire Protection ................................................................................................................................................. 13
Fire Hazard Planning in Other Elements of the General Plan ..................................................................................... 14
Land Use Element ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Housing Element ................................................................................................................................................. 14
Open Space and Conservation Elements............................................................................................................. 14
Circulation Element ............................................................................................................................................. 14
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1 * https://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/Final_6.26.15.pdf
Purpose and Background
Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2014, the safety element is required
to be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as state
responsibility areas and land classified as very high fire hazard severity zones. (Gov. Code, § 65302,
subd. (g)(3).)
The safety element is required to include:
• Fire hazard severity zone maps available from the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
• Any historical data on wildfires available from local agencies or a reference to where the data can
be found.
• Information about wildfire hazard areas that may be available from the United States Geological
Survey.
• The general location and distribution of existing and planned uses of land in very high fire hazard
severity zones (VHFHSZs) and in state responsibility areas (SRAs), including structures, roads,
utilities, and essential public facilities. The location and distribution of planned uses of land shall
not require defensible space compliance measures required by state law or local ordinance to
occur on publicly owned lands or open space designations of homeowner associations.
• The local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for fire protection, including special
districts and local offices of emergency services. (Gov. Code, § 65302, subd. (g)(3)(A).)
Based on that information, the safety element shall include goals, policies, and objectives that protect
the community from the unreasonable risk of wildfire. (Gov. Code, § 65302, subd. (g)(3)(B).) To carry
out those goals, policies, and objectives, feasible implementation measures shall be included in the
safety element, which include but are not limited to:
• Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land.
• Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of high fire risk areas, including,
but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command
centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other
methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in the SRA or VHFHSZ.
• Designing adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in the SRA or VHFHSZ,
including safe access for emergency response vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies
for structural fire suppression.
• Working cooperatively with public agencies with responsibility for fire protection. (Gov. Code, §
65302, subd. (g)(3)(C).)
The safety element shall also attach or reference any fire safety plans or other documents adopted by
the city or county that fulfill the goals and objectives or contains the information required above. (Gov.
Code, § 65302, subd. (g)(3)(D).) This might include Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, Unit Fire Plans,
Community Wildfire Protection Plans, or other plans.
There are several reference documents developed by state agencies to assist local jurisdictions in
updating their safety elements to include wildfire safety. The Fire Hazard Planning, General Plan
Technical Advice Series from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), referenced in
Government Code section 65302, subdivision (g)(3) and available at
1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 322-2318
The Technical Advice Series is also available from the OPR website (Technical Advice Series link).*
The Technical Advice Series provides policy guidance, information resources, and fire hazard planning
examples from around California that shall be considered by local jurisdictions when reviewing the
safety element of its general plan.
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) utilizes this Safety Element Assessment in the Board’s
review of safety elements under Government Code section 65302.5. At least 90 days prior to the
adoption or amendment of their safety element, counties that contain SRAs and cities or counties that
contain VHFHSZs shall submit their safety element to the Board. (Gov. Code, § 65302.5, subd. (b).) The
Board shall review the safety element and respond to the city or county with its findings regarding the
uses of land and policies in SRAs or VHFHSZs that will protect life, property, and natural resources from
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unreasonable risks associated with wildfires, and the methods and strategies for wildfire risk reduction
and prevention within SRAs or VHFHSZs. (Gov. Code, § 65302.5, subd. (b)(3).)
The CAL FIRE Land Use Planning team provides expert fire protection assistance to local jurisdictions
statewide. Fire captains are available to work with cities and counties to revise their safety elements and
enhance their strategic fire protection planning.
Methodology for Review and Recommendations
Utilizing staff from the CAL FIRE Land Use Planning team, the Board has established a standardized
method to review the safety element of general plans. The methodology includes
1) reviewing the safety element for the requirements in Government Code section 65302,
subdivision (g)(3)(A),
2) examining the safety element for goals, policies, objectives, and implementation measures that
mitigate the wildfire risk in the planning area (Gov. Code, § 65302, subd. (g)(3)(B) & (C)), and
3) making recommendations for methods and strategies that would reduce the risk of wildfires (Gov.
Code, § 65302.5, subd. (b)(3)(B)).
The safety element will be evaluated against the attached Assessment, which contains questions to
determine if a safety element meets the fire safety planning requirements outlined in Government Code,
section 65302. The reviewer will answer whether or not a submitted safety element addresses the
required information, and will recommend changes to the safety element that will reduce the wildfire risk
in the planning area. These recommended changes may come from the list of sample goals, policies,
objectives, and implementation measures that is included in this document after the Assessment, or may
be based on the reviewer’s knowledge of the jurisdiction in question and their specific wildfire risk. By
answering the questions in the Assessment, the reviewer will determine if the jurisdiction’s safety element
has adequately addressed and mitigated their wildfire risk. If it hasn’t, any specific recommendations
from the reviewer will assist the jurisdiction in revising the safety element so that it does.
Once completed, the Assessment should provide clear guidance to a city or county regarding any areas
of deficiency in the safety element as well as specific goals, policies, objectives, and implementation
measures the Board recommends adopting in order to mitigate or reduce the wildfire threat in the
planning area.
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General Plan Safety Element Assessment
Jurisdiction: Lake Elsinore Notes: 2021 Formal CAL FIRE Unit: RRU Date Received: 08/16/2021
County: Riverside LUPP Reviewer: Shelley Redden UNIT CONTACT: Tyrell Davis Date Reviewed:08/18/2021
BACKGROUND INFORMATION SUMMARY
/The safety element must contain specific background information about fire hazards in each jurisdiction.
Instructions for this table: Indicate whether the safety element includes the specified information. If YES, indicate in the comments where that information can be
found; if NO, provide recommendations to the jurisdiction regarding how best to include that information in their revised safety element.
Required Information Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Are Fire Hazard Severity Zones Identified?
CAL FIRE or Locally Adopted Maps
Yes Chapter 3, Figure 3.3-City of Lake Elsinore Wildfire Susceptibility
Is historical data on wildfires or a reference to
where the data can be found, and information
about wildfire hazard areas that may be
available from the United States Geological
Survey, included?
Yes Chapter 3-Wildfire Hazards, Pages 3-9 to 3-12 discuss in length the
historical fires that have occurred in the City of Lake Elsinore as well
as a detailed map - Figure 3.2-City of Lake Elsinore Historical Fire
Perimeters.
Has the general location and distribution of
existing and planned uses of land in very high
fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZs) and in
state responsibility areas (SRAs), including
structures, roads, utilities, and essential public
facilities, been identified?
Yes Chapter 3, Figure 3.4-City of Lake Elsinore Very High Fire Severity
Zones and Existing Land Use (2019) as well as Figure 3.5- Very High
Fire Severity Zones and Land Use Plan
Have local, state, and federal agencies with
responsibility for fire protection, including
special districts and local offices of emergency
services, been identified?
Yes Chapter 3, Page 3-54, In section 3.8.1-Fire Protection speaks to the
Cooperative Agreements and that the City of Lake Elsinore contracts
with the Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD) through its
Cooperative Fire Programs Fire Protection Reimbursement
Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CAL FIRE), to provide the City with fire protection,
hazardous materials mitigation, technical rescue response, fire
marshal, medical emergency services, and public service assists.
Are other fire protection plans, such as
Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Local
Hazard Mitigation Plans, CAL FIRE Unit or
Contract County Fire Plans, referenced or
incorporated into the Safety Element?
Yes On September 11, 2018, the Lake Elsinore City Council adopted the
Lake Elsinore Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to the Riverside
County Operational Area Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
(Chapter 3.6.3, Page 3-34)
Chapter 3 (Page 3-60) Implementation Program: “The Emergency
Services Division will review and update the Lake Elsinore Local
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Required Information Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and the Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP) a minimum of every 5 years to update emergency response,
evaluation plans and evacuation routes to reflect current conditions
and community needs.”
Are residential developments in hazard areas
that do not have at least two emergency
evacuation routes identified?
Yes Figure 3.9 City of Lake Elsinore Evacuation Routes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Implementation Program: “The City shall work
with developers to establish a Road and Bridge Benefit District
(RBBD) or other funding mechanism to construct extensions of
Summerhill Drive, La Strada and any other streets identified as
needed to provide secondary/emergency access to existing
development.”
Have evacuation routes and their capacity,
safety, and viability under a range of
emergency scenarios been identified?
Yes Figure 3.9 City of Lake Elsinore Evacuation Routes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Implementation Program: “The City shall work
with developers to establish a Road and Bridge Benefit District
(RBBD) or other funding mechanism to construct extensions of
Summerhill Drive, La Strada and any other streets identified as
needed to provide secondary/emergency access to existing
development.”
Is there any other information in the Safety Element regarding fire hazards in SRAs or VHFHSZs?
Yes
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GOALS, POLICIES, OBJECTIVES, AND FEASIBLE IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
The safety element must contain a set of goals, policies, and objectives based on the above information to protect the community from unreasonable risk of wildfire
and implementation measures to accomplish those stated goals, policies, and objectives.
Instructions for this table: Critically examine the submitted safety element and determine if it is adequate to address the jurisdiction’s unique fire hazard. Answer YES
or NO appropriately for each question below. If the recommendation is irrelevant or unrelated to the jurisdiction’s fire hazard, answer N/A. For NO, provide
information in the Comments/Recommendations section to help the jurisdiction incorporate that change into their safety element revision. This information may utilize
example recommendations from Sample Safety Element Recommendations and Fire Hazard Planning in Other Elements of the General Plan below, may indicate
how high of a priority this recommendation is for a jurisdiction, or may include other jurisdiction-specific information or recommendations.
Section 1 Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land
Questions Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Does local ordinance require
development standards that meet or
exceed title 14, CCR, division 1.5,
chapter 7, subchapter 2, articles 1-5
(commencing with section 1270) (SRA
Fire Safe Regulations) and title 14,
CCR, division 1.5, chapter 7,
subchapter 3, article 3 (commencing
with section 1299.01) (Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and
Structures Regulations) for SRAs
and/or VHFHSZs?
Yes
As stated in Policy 5.2 (Page 3-23) The City will require that all new
development located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) or
a State Responsibility Area (SRA), as most recently mapped by CAL FIRE,
comply with the most current version of the California Building Codes and
California Fire Code, as adopted by the City of Lake Elsinore.
Are there goals and policies to avoid or
minimize new residential development
in VHFHSZs?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policies 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, and 5.6 Discuss the
goals and policies to avoid or minimize new residential development in
VHFHSZs. Additionally, the LHMP is incorporated by reference on Pages 3-
35 and 3-58.
Has fire safe design been incorporated
into future development requirements?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) in Policy 5.2, the City sates it will require that all new
development located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) or
a State Responsibility Area (SRA), as most recently mapped by CAL FIRE,
comply with the most current version of the California Building Codes and
California Fire Code, as adopted by the City of Lake Elsinore.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.3 Also states that the city will establish fire
resistant building techniques for new development such as non-combustible
wall surfacing materials, fire-retardant treated wood, heavy timber
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Questions Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
construction, glazing, enclosed materials and features, insulation without
paper-facing, and automatic fire sprinklers.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.5 Is a multi-point policy discussing how the
new development in VHFSZs are required to prepare a Fire Protection Plan
that will minimize risks.
Are new essential public facilities
located outside high fire risk areas,
such as VHFHSZs, when feasible?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Policy 4.9 States the City will locate new essential
public facilities (e.g., health care facilities, emergency shelters, fire stations,
emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities)
outside of very high fire hazard severity zones. If new essential public facilities
are located in a state responsibility area or very high fire hazard zone, the
facilities shall be constructed to meet or exceed the most current version of
the California Building Codes and California Fire Code requirements, as
adopted by the City, to allow them to continue to serve community needs
during and after disaster events.
Are there plans or actions identified to
mitigate existing non-conforming
development to contemporary fire safe
standards, in terms of road standards
and vegetative hazard?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.2 Speaks to creating fuel modification zones
around development within very high hazards within 100 feet of buildings
and structures. The fuel modification zone size may be altered with the
addition of fuel resistant building techniques. The fuel modification zone may
be replanted with fire-resistive material for aesthetics and erosion control.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-32) Policy 5.4 States that if new development is located
in a state responsibility area or in a very high fire hazard severity zone, the
City will require adequate infrastructure, including safe access for
emergency response vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies for
fire suppression.
Does the plan include policies to
evaluate re-development after a large
fire?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-24) Policy 5.7 Requires that all redevelopment of
properties damaged or destroyed by a major wildfire comply with the most
current version of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code, as
adopted by the City of Lake Elsinore.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-24) Policy 5.8 States that the City will perform an
evaluation of fire-related development standards should a major wildfire
require portions of the City be rebuilt to ensure that redevelopment
standards are as fire-safe as reasonably possible.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-24) Implementation Program:
“The City shall condition projects to comply with Fire Department
requirements.”
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Questions Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Is fuel modification around homes and
subdivisions required for new
development in SRAs or VHFHSZs?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.2 States the City will require fuel modification
zones are created around development within high hazard areas by thinning
or clearing combustible vegetation within 100 feet of buildings and
structures. The fuel modification zone size may be altered with the addition
of fuel resistant building techniques. The fuel modification zone may be
aesthetics and erosion control.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.6 Requires new development within
VHFHSZs to enter into a long-term maintenance agreement for vegetation
management in defensible space, fuel breaks, and roadside fuel reduction.
As a project condition of approval, a copy of the executed agreement shall
be provided to the City Fire Marshal and the Building and Safety
Department.
Are fire protection plans required for
new development in VHFHSZs?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.5 is a multi-point policy discussing how the
new development in VHFSZs are required to prepare a Fire Protection Plan
that will minimize risks.
Does the plan address long term
maintenance of fire hazard reduction
projects, including community fire
breaks and private road and public road
clearance?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.6 Requires new development within
VHFHSZs to enter into a long-term maintenance agreement for vegetation
management in defensible space, fuel breaks, and roadside fuel reduction.
As a project condition of approval, a copy of the executed agreement shall
be provided to the City Fire Marshal and the Building and Safety
Department.
Is there adequate access (ingress,
egress) to new development in
VHFHSZs?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 53 Requires all new development to have at
least two access roads in order to provide for concurrent safe access of
emergency equipment and civilian evacuation.
Are minimum standards for evacuation
of residential areas in VHFHSZs
defined?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 53 Requires all new development to have at
least two access roads in order to provide for concurrent safe access of
emergency equipment and civilian evacuation.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.2 Requires that all new development located
in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) or a State
Responsibility Area (SRA), as most recently mapped by CAL FIRE, comply
with the most current version of the California Building Codes and California
Fire Code, as adopted by the City of Lake Elsinore.
If areas exist with inadequate
access/evacuation routes, are they
Yes Figure 6.3 City of Lake Elsinore Evacuation Routes
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Questions Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
identified? Are mitigation measures or
improvement plans identified?
Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Policy 4.7 Speaks of identify existing developed
areas within the City that have reduced or limited circulation access and
develop an evacuation plan, and recommended improvements to ensure
adequate evacuation capabilities.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Implementation Program: “The City shall work with
developers to establish a Road and Bridge Benefit District (RBBD) or other
funding mechanism to construct extensions of Summerhill Drive, La Strada
and any other streets identified as needed to provide secondary/emergency
access to existing development”.
Are there policies or programs
promoting public outreach about
defensible space or evacuation routes?
Are there specific plans to reach at-risk
populations?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Policy 4.4 Speaks of encouraging programs that
educate citizens about the threat of human wildfire origination from
residential practices such as outdoor barbeques and from highway use such
as cigarette littering.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-60) Policy 10.7 Speaks of conducting public outreach to
provide education programs and literature to Lake Elsinore’s residents,
businesspeople and property owners on earthquake preparedness, fire
safety, flooding hazards, other emergencies and identified emergency
access routes.
Does the plan identify future water
supply for fire suppression needs?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Policy 4.5 Speaks of creating emergency water
supply procedures that identifies and maps existing and future reservoirs,
tanks, and water wells for fire suppression and that allows for immediate
access to those facilities when needed for fire suppression purposes.
Does new development have adequate
fire protection?
Yes Chapter 3 (Pages 3-54 to 3-55) In the section 3.8.1-Fire Protection, it is
discussed in length the Cooperative agreements the City of Lake Elsinore
have with the Riverside County Fire Department and CAL FIRE as well as
providing a list of fire station inside and outside the City limits.
As stated in Policy 5.2 (Page 3-23) The City will require that all new
development located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) or
a State Responsibility Area (SRA), as most recently mapped by CAL FIRE,
comply with the most current version of the California Building Codes and
California Fire Code, as adopted by the City of Lake Elsinore.
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Section 2 Develop adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in SRAs or VHFHSZs.
Does the plan identify adequate
infrastructure for new development
related to:
Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Water supply and fire flow?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Implementation Program: The City shall work with the
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District to maintain adequate water supply
and fire flow, and identify areas lacking adequate water service for firefighting,
including capacity for peak load under a reasonable worst-case wildland fire
scenario, to be determined by CAL FIRE.
Location of anticipated water supply?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Policy 4.5 Speaks of creating emergency water supply
procedures that identifies and maps existing and future reservoirs, tanks, and
water wells for fire suppression and that allows for immediate access to those
facilities when needed for fire suppression purposes.
Maintenance and long-term integrity of
water supplies?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Implementation Program: The City shall work with the
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District to maintain adequate water supply
and fire flow, and identify areas lacking adequate water service for firefighting,
including capacity for peak load under a reasonable worst-case wildland fire
scenario, to be determined by CAL FIRE.
Evacuation and emergency vehicle
access?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.3 Requires all new development to have at
least two access roads in order to provide for concurrent safe access of
emergency equipment and civilian evacuation.
Fuel modification and defensible
space?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.1 Requires on-going brush clearance and
establish low fuel landscaping policies to reduce combustible vegetation along
the urban/wildland interface boundary.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.2 Speaks of creating fuel modification zones
around development within high hazard areas by thinning or clearing
combustible vegetation within 100 feet of buildings and structures. The fuel
modification zone size may be altered with the addition of fuel resistant
building techniques. The fuel modification zone may be aesthetics and erosion
control.
Vegetation clearance maintenance on
public and private roads?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.1 Requires on-going brush clearance and
establish low fuel landscaping policies to reduce combustible vegetation along
the urban/wildland interface boundary.
Chapter 3 (Page 3-21) Policy 4.2 Speaks of creating fuel modification zones
around development within high hazard areas by thinning or clearing
combustible vegetation within 100 feet of buildings and structures. The fuel
modification zone size may be altered with the addition of fuel resistant
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Does the plan identify adequate
infrastructure for new development
related to:
Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
building techniques. The fuel modification zone may be aesthetics and erosion
control.
Visible home and street addressing
and signage?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-23) Policy 5.4 States that if new development is located in
a state responsibility area or in a very high fire hazard severity zone, require
adequate infrastructure, including safe access for emergency response
vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies for fire suppression.
Community fire breaks? Is there a
discussion of how those fire breaks will
be maintained?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-24) Policy 5.6 Requires new development within VHFHSZs
to enter into a long-term maintenance agreement for vegetation management
in defensible space, fuel breaks, and roadside fuel reduction. The agreement
shall specify who is responsible for maintenance of these areas and the fire
safe standards that will be implemented. As a project condition of approval, a
copy of the executed agreement shall be provided to the City Fire Marshal and
the Building and Safety Department.
Section 3 Working cooperatively with public agencies responsible for fire protection.
Question Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Is there a map or description of existing
emergency service facilities and areas
lacking service, specifically noting any
areas in SRAs or VHFHSZs?
Yes Figure 3.2 City of Lake Elsinore Historical Perimeters also shows the existing
emergency service facilities and areas lacking service, specifically noting any
areas in SRAs or VHFHSZs.
Does the plan include an assessment
and projection of future emergency
service needs?
Yes
Chapter 3 (Page 3-22) Policy 4.7 Speaks to coordinate with fire protection and
emergency service providers and the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District to
reassess fire hazards and future availability of water supplies, after wildfire
events to adjust fire prevention and suppression needs, as necessary, for both
short- and long-term fire prevention needs.
Are goals or standards for emergency
services training described?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-60) Policy 10.5 Speaks of continuing to train Emergency
Operations Center and general city staff in our Emergency Operations Plan and
the California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the
National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the Incident Command
System (ICS).
Chapter 3 (Page 3-60) Policy 10.6 Speaks to continue coordinated training for
City Emergency Response Team members, Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) volunteers, and related response agency personnel.
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Question Yes or No Comments and Recommendations
Does the plan outline inter-agency
preparedness coordination and mutual
aid multi-agency agreements?
Yes Chapter 3 (Page 3-57) Policy 10.1 Speaks of maintaining participation in local,
regional, state, and national mutual aid systems to ensure that appropriate
resources are available for response and recovery during and following a
disaster.
LHMP and EOP are included by reference. (Page 3-35)
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Sample Safety Element Recommendations
These are examples of specific policies, objectives, or implementation measures that may be used to meet the intent of Government Code sections 65302,
subdivision (g)(3) and 65302.5, subdivision (b). Safety element reviewers may make recommendations that are not included here.
A. MAPS, PLANS AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION
1. Include or reference CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps or locally adopted wildfire hazard zones.
2. Include or reference the location of historical information on wildfires in the planning area.
3. Include a map or description of the location of existing and planned land uses in SRAs and VHFHSZs, particularly habitable structures, roads, utilities, and essential public
facilities.
4. Identify or reference a fire plan that is relevant to the geographic scope of the general plan, including the Unit/Contract County Fire Plan, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and
any applicable Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
5. Align the goals, policies, objectives, and implementation measures for fire hazard mitigation in the safety element with those in existing fire plans, or make plans to update
fire plans to match the safety element.
6. Create a fire plan for the planning area.
B. LAND USE
1. Develop fire safe development codes to use as standards for fire protection for new development in SRAs or VHFHSZs that meet or exceed the statewide minimums in the
SRA Fire Safe Regulations.
2. Adopt and have certified by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection local ordinances which meet or exceed the minimum statewide standards in the SRA Fire Safe
Regulations.
3. Identify existing development that do not meet or exceed the SRA Fire Safe Regulations or certified local ordinances.
4. Develop mitigation measures for existing development that does not meet or exceed the SRA Fire Safe Regulations or certified local ordinances or identify a policy to do
so.
C. FUEL MODIFICATION
1. Develop a policy to communicate vegetation clearance requirements to seasonal, absent, or vacation rental owners.
2. Identify a policy for the ongoing maintenance of vegetation clearance on public and private roads.
3. Include fuel breaks in the layout/siting of subdivisions.
4. Identify a policy for the ongoing maintenance of existing or proposed fuel breaks.
5. Identify and/or map existing development that does not conform to current state and/or locally adopted fire safety standards for access, water supply and fire
flow, signing, and vegetation clearance in SRAs or VHFHSZs.
6. Identify plans and actions for existing non-conforming development to be improved or mitigated to meet current state and/or locally adopted fire safety
standards for access, water supply and fire flow, signing, and vegetation clearance.
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D. ACCESS
1. Develop a policy that approval of parcel maps and tentative maps in SRAs or VHFHSZs is conditional based on meeting the SRA Fire Safe Regulations and
the Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures Regulations, particularly those regarding road standards for ingress, egress, and fire equipment
access. (See Gov. Code, § 66474.02.)
2. Develop a policy that development will be prioritized in areas with an adequate road network and associated infrastructure.
3. Identify multi-family housing, group homes, or other community housing in SRAs or VHFHSZs and develop a policy to create evacuation or shelter in place
plans.
4. Include a policy to develop pre-plans for fire risk areas that address civilian evacuation and to effectively communicate those plans.
5. Identify road networks in SRAs or VHFHSZs that do not meet title 14, CCR, division 1.5, chapter 7, subchapter 2, articles 2 and 3 (commencing with section
1273.00) or certified local ordinance and develop a policy to examine possible mitigations.
E. FIRE PROTECTION
1. Develop a policy that development will be prioritized in areas with adequate water supply infrastructure.
2. Plan for the ongoing maintenance and long-term integrity of planned and existing water supply infrastructure.
3. Map existing emergency service facilities and note any areas lacking service, especially in SRAs or VHFHSZs.
4. Project future emergency service needs for the planned land uses.
5. Include information about emergency service trainings or standards and plans to meet or maintain them.
6. Include information about inter-agency preparedness coordination or mutual aid agreements.
RPC 2(l)(i)
14
Fire Hazard Planning in Other Elements of the General Plan
When updating the General Plan, here are some ways to incorporate fire hazard planning into other elements. Wildfire safety is best accomplished by holistic,
strategic fire planning that takes advantage of opportunities to align priorities and implementation measures within and across plans.
LAND USE ELEMENT
Goals and policies include mitigation of fire hazard for future development or limit development in very high fire hazard severity zones.
Disclose wildland urban-interface hazards, including fire hazard severity zones, and/or other vulnerable areas as determined by CAL FIRE or local fire agency.
Design and locate new development to provide adequate infrastructure for the safe ingress of emergency response vehicles and simultaneously allow citizen egress
during emergencies.
Describe or map any Firewise Communities or other fire safe communities as determined by the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Safe Council, or other
organization.
HOUSING ELEMENT
Incorporation of current fire safe building codes.
Identify and mitigate substandard fire safe housing and neighborhoods relative to fire hazard severity zones.
Consider diverse occupancies and their effects on wildfire protection (group housing, seasonal populations, transit-dependent, etc).
OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENTS
Identify critical natural resource values relative to fire hazard severity zones.
Include resource management activities to enhance protection of open space and natural resource values.
Integrate open space into fire safety planning and effectiveness.
Mitigation for unique pest, disease and other forest health issues leading to hazardous situations.
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
Provide adequate access to very high fire hazard severity zones.
Develop standards for evacuation of residential areas in very high fire hazard severity zones.
Incorporate a policy that provides for a fuel reduction maintenance program along roadways.
RPC 2(l)(i)