Item # 9.
In alignment with these principles, the City has recently engaged in discussions with the County of Nevada to secure fiscal assistance for the startup and integration of Tablet Command. Under the proposed agreement, the City will cover the initial expenses, with the County reimbursing these costs. The County has expressed overwhelming support for this initiative, recognizing the enhanced emergency response capabilities that Tablet Command offers.
Tablet Command integrates with the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system operated by CAL FIRE’s Grass Valley Emergency Command Center (ECC). Its features include:
Global Situational Awareness: Provides a shared operational picture for all responders in Nevada County.
Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL): Enables dispatchers to monitor emergency equipment in real time. CAD automatically assigns the closest resource to an incident, improving response times and efficiency.
Building on this foundation, the proposed County Boundary Drop Agreement seeks to extend the principles of the JOA to include all fire agencies in Nevada County. This agreement will incorporate a move-up and cover plan managed through the Grass Valley ECC, strategically positioning resources during large-scale or simultaneous incidents.
Formalizing this approach will establish a unified standard for coordinated fire response, enhancing firefighter and public safety, improving resource allocation, and managing incidents with greater efficiency. The County Boundary Drop Agreement promises to strengthen emergency services for the entire community, ensuring a safer and more resilient Nevada County.
Staff recommends the City Fire Department participate in the six month evaluation period and provide regular progress summary updates.
Council Goals/Objectives: Exceptional Public Safety consistent with the City of Grass Valley Strategic Plan
Fiscal Impact: None
Funds Available: N/A Account #:
Reviewed by:
Attachments: Response Plan
Item # 9.
Western Nevada County Fire
Chiefs Association
Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid
Agreement
Participating Agencies
Higgins Fire Protection District
Nevada County Consolidated Fire District
North San Juan Fire Protection District
Ophir Hill Fire Protection District
Peardale-Chicago Park Fire Protection District
Penn Valley Fire Protection District
Rough and Ready Fire Protection District
Washington Fire Department
CAL FIRE NEU
Grass Valley City Fire Department
Nevada City Fire Department
Original Adoption Date – Page 154
Item # 9.
Statement:
A Fire Districts/Departments primary responsibility is to prevent loss of life and damage or destruction to personnel property and to minimize impacts to cultural, historical, and economic resources and critical infrastructure. To fulfill the mission, each agency must maintain an adequate number of appropriately trained personnel, properly equipped response apparatus, effective communication systems and a strategic deployment plan that ensures a safe, effective, and efficient response.
Purpose:
The purpose of this agreement is to provide a coordinated effort that maximizes resource deployment throughout Western Nevada County based on a "closest resource concept."
Administration:
The administration of this plan will be the duty of the Western Nevada County Fire Chiefs Association. By signing this agreement, each participating District/Department attests participation in the Western Nevada County Fire Chiefs Association Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Agreement.
Definitions:
• "Agency Representative" An Agency Representative (AREP) is an individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that agency's participation at the incident. Agency Representatives report to the Liaison Officer or to the Incident Commander in the absence of a Liaison Officer • "Duty Chief' is defined as an agency appointed line or staff officer vested with the authority to make decisions on behalf of their agency and provided with a "code 3" capable command vehicle equipped with a multi-channel radio, portable radio, cellular phone, agency maps, and personal protective equipment. • "Emergency" is defined as a potentially life threatening or property damaging event including, but not specifically limited to structure fires, vegetation fires, vehicle fires, medical aid, rescues, and hazardous materials incidents or other intentional acts.
• "Fire Agency" a participatory Fire District or Department that is signatory to this agreement.
• "Initial Response" are resources initially committed to an incident.
Item # 9.
• "Automatic Aid" is an agreement between two agencies to dispatch the closest appropriate available resource to an incident without a formal request regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.
• "Mutual Aid" is an agreement among emergency responders to lend assistance across jurisdictional boundaries by providing the closest appropriate resource.
This may occur due to an emergency response that exceeds local resources, such as a disaster or a multiple-alarm fire.
• "Move up and cover" is defined as the practice of reallocating and/or posting response resources to cover emergencies in another agency's response area where resources have been depleted.
• "Operational Period" is the period scheduled for execution of a given set of tactical actions or objectives as specified in an Incident Action Plan. • "Single Point Ordering" is when Incident Commander(s) establish single point ordering through a designated dispatch center for incident resources. • "Unified Command" shall have the same definition as in the Fire Service Field Operations Guide (FOG), ICS 420-1, most current edition, as published by FIRESCOPE.
Participation:
All Western Nevada County Fire Chiefs Association Fire Agencies are eligible for participation in this Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Plan. Signatory Fire Chiefs agree to participation. Fire Agency Duty Chiefs will implement and coordinate mutual aid and move up and cover in conjunction with the respective dispatch centers.
No party to this agreement shall be exposed to a claim for damages due to its participation in this agreement. The parties reserve all their immunities under applicable law. Should one party believe another party is not fulfilling its obligations under this agreement, it may invite the party claimed to be in breach to mediate the dispute. In the absence of voluntary resolution, the party claiming breach may terminate this agreement as between itself and the party claimed to be in breach by a writing provided with 30 days’ notice.
Incident Command:
Each participating Fire Agency is responsible for providing qualified Incident Command.
The Incident Commander is responsible for the overall management of the incident. On most incidents, a single Incident Commander carries out the command activity.
However, Unified Command may be appropriate during multi-jurisdictional incidents.
Unified Incident Commanders have the authority to commit resources from their Fire Agency and expend Fire Agency Funds if necessary. When Unified Command is established single point ordering and a single Operations Section Chief shall be utilized.
Item # 9.
Operations:
Each participating Fire Agency may request assistance from another Fire Agency. The request shall be from a Fire Chief, Duty Chief, Officer in Charge, or dispatch communication center based on pre-established procedures.
The Fire Agency requesting Mutual Aid shall order the number, type and kind of resources needed resources through the respective dispatch center.
Each Fire Agency shall provide appropriately trained firefighters and equipment in accordance with accepted standards, best practices and approved procedures when requested for the mitigation of an emergency at no cost to the requesting agency.
Minimum staffing for an engine will be two (2) and one (1) for water tender or support unit.
A Fire Agency providing Mutual Aid may send an AREP at their discretion based on incident complexity.
Appropriate resources shall be identified and assigned based on proximity via a "closest resource concept". According to established procedures, the dispatch center requesting the Mutual Aid resources shall place resource orders through the neighboring districts/departments. The Incident Command System shall be utilized for incident operations and organization.
Battalion Chief Mutual Aid will be provided upon request. If a Battalion Chief is unavailable to respond to an incident within their jurisdiction or will be delayed, the Duty Chief having jurisdiction may request Mutual Aid through the respective dispatch centers. Mutual Aid will be requested/provided utilizing the "closest resource concept." At no time will a Fire Agency be required to exceed maximum draw down levels.
The Incident Command System shall be used for incident operations and organization.
Initial response mutual aid resources are to be released by the end of the first operational period or as soon as the incident is contained or adequately stabilized.
Adequate logistical support, rehabilitation, decontamination, and equipment replacement shall be provided by the requesting Fire Agency prior to the release from an incident.
Item # 9.
Communications:
Incident communications will utilize the designated command channel of the Fire Agency with jurisdictional authority. Responding resources shall switch to the requesting Fire Agency's command frequency once responding or as soon as geographically possible.
Automatic Aid:
Fire Agencies may enter into Automatic Aid agreements. Automatic Aid must be based on a closet resource concept. Through Automatic Aid a Fire Agency has the ability to dispatch another Fire Agency's resource from a single dispatch center or through CAD to CAD. It is incumbent on Fire Agencies to enter into Automatic Aid Agreements to fulfill specific response needs. Automatic Aid must be based on closest available resources.
Mutual Aid:
Under this agreement, each participating Fire Agency may request Mutual Aid from other Fire Agencies across jurisdictional boundaries. At no time is a Fire Agency expected to deplete their resources below maximum draw down levels or inhibit their operations to provide Mutual Aid. Fire Agencies signatory to this operating plan agree to provide Mutual Aid as resource availability allows.
Move Up and Cover:
Under this agreement, each participating Fire Agency may request station coverage from another Fire Agency. The Fire Agency providing cover will provide a resource of the same type, kind, staffing, and EMS level to the best of their ability.
Coverage should be of similar type to those resources that are covered behind unless no other options exist. Type 1 or Type 2 Engines should be provided for coverage in areas of dense residential or commercial area.
Coverage will occur if expected resource commitment is more than 20 minutes for the primary and secondary Stations within a zone and be based on resource availability.
A minimum of one engine will be staffed and available in each zone when operationally possible. No zone should remain uncovered for greater than twenty (20) minutes. Duty officers have the discretion to request engines to cover as needed.
Cover engines will inform ECC when enroute to the cover station or area.
ECC shall tone out North San Juan at point of extreme drawdown to determine their coverage availability.
The last remaining Battalion Chief will oversee coverage in accordance with this plan, adjusting as necessary to ensure sufficient resources based on the duration and complexity of the incident.
Item # 9.
Western Nevada County will be divided into six (6) zones:
(North) – NCC Station 84, GV Station 5, NCC Station 86
(Central) – GV Station 2 and 1
(South Central) – NCC Station 88 and 89
(South) – Higgins Station 21, 22, 23
(East) – OPH Station 52, PCP Station 57
(West) – PNV Station 43, 44, and 59
Station 89, Station 59, Station 86 and Station 21 resources should be the first resources assigned to cover when available.
Non jurisdictional resources should be relieved from cover assignment as jurisdictional resources come available.
Where possible and practical jurisdictional resources should cover jurisdictional stations.
Coverage will occur based on the coverage flow chart and lower priority stations should move and cover higher priority stations.
Recognizing the regional response needs to staff expanding incidents or incidents with significant augmentation of firefighting resources, this agreement shall provide the framework for a "move up and cover'' plan. This plan will identify maximum draw down by Agency and stations to be covered during times of regional, system-wide draw down and must be based on a "closest resource concept" identified in Appendix A.
It is the responsibility of Fire Agency Duty Chiefs to coordinate and implement this plan in conjunction with the respective dispatch centers.
Item # 9.
Exhibits:
Appendix A - Maximum Drawdown Plan/Priority Station Cover Plan. The following is a list that illustrated the progressive sequence of “Must Cover” stations within XNE. 1) 2
2) 2, 88 (McKnight/Hwy 49)
3) 2, 88, 43
4) 2, 88, 43, 21
5) 2, 88, 43, 21, 84
6) 2, 88, 43, 21, 84, 52
7) 2, 88, 43, 21, 84, 52, 1
Item # 9.
Approvals:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement on February 6, 2025; __________________________________
Joel Tam, Fire Chief
Higgins Fire Protection District
__________________________________
Mark Buttron, Fire Chief
Nevada City Fire Department
Grass Valley Fire Department
______________________________
Jim Bierwagen, Fire Chief
Peardale-Chicago Park Fire Protection
District
_______________________________
Don Wagner, Fire Chief
Penn Valley Fire Protection District
Rough & Ready Fire Protection District
________________________________
Jason Robitaille, Fire Chief
Nevada County Consolidated Fire District
__________________________________
Jason Flores, Fire Chief
North San Juan Fire Protection District
_______________________________
Mike Stewart, Fire Chief
Washington Fire Department
________________________________
Brian Estes, Unit Chief
CAL FIRE NEU
______________________________
Robb Rothenberger, Fire Chief
Ophir Hill Fire Protection District
Item # 9.
Appendix: A
Nevada County Fire Agencies Cover Plan Draw Down/Priority Cover Plan – Not for Initial Attack
Fire Agency Dispatch
Center
Total
Staffed
Resources
Maximum
Draw
Down
Priority
Cover
Stations
ALS/BLS
Higgins Fire District
Grass Valley
ECC 3 ENG 1 Station 21 BLS
Nevada County
Consolidated District
Grass Valley
ECC 4 ENG 1 Station 88, 84 BLS
North San Juan Fire
Protection District
Grass Valley
ECC 1 ENG 1 Station 3 BLS
Ophir Hill Fire
Protection District
Grass Valley
ECC
1 ENG 0 Station 52 BLS
Rough and Ready
Fire Protection
District
Grass Valley
ECC
1 ENG 0 Station 59 BLS
Penn Valley Fire
Protection District
Grass Valley
ECC
2 ENG 1 Station 43 ALS
Peardale-Chicago
Park Fire Protection
District
Grass Valley
ECC
1 ENG 0 Station 57 BLS
Washington Fire
Department
Grass Valley
ECC
1 ENG 1 Station 60 BLS
Grass Valley City/
Nevada City Fire
Department
Grass Valley
ECC
3 ENG/1
TRK
2 Stations 2 ALS
CALFIRE NEU Grass Valley
ECC
2 ENG 0 Stations 20 BLS
Total 19 7
Item # 9.
Appendix: B Nevada County - As of February 6, 2025
RESPONSE PLAN MATRIX
CALL TYPE DUTY
(AHJ)
ALL
CALL
ENGINE
TRUCK RESCUE WT AMB
CAL
FIRE
ENG
CAL
FIRE
OTHER
NEVADA COUNTY STANDARD PLANS
Public Assist 1
Medical 1 1
Medical – Violence /
Staging Required 1 1
Medical – ECHO
Response 2 1
Vehicle Accident /
Rescue
1 2 1
Accident W /
Extrication 1 2 1
Hazardous Condition 1 2
Electrical Hazard 1
Vehicle Fire 1 2
2-
Summer BC
Alarm Sounding
Residential Notify 1
Alarm Sounding
Commercial 1 2
Residential Structure
Fire
1 X 4 2* 1
2-
Summer BC
CAL FIRE responds in addition to if closest resource (minimum 4 local gov’t resources) Commercial Structure
Fire 1 X 4 ** 2* 1
2-
Summer BC
CAL FIRE responds in addition to if closest resource (minimum 4 local gov’t resources) Smoke Check 1
1-
Summer
1-Winter
BC
Vegetation Fire, LOW 1 X 2
2-
Summer
1-Winter
Vegetation Fire, MED 1 X 3 1
4-
Summer
BC AA
AT
HEL DOZ
CRW
Vegetation Fire, HIGH 1 X 3 1
6-
Summer
BC AA
2xAT HEL
DOZ
2xCRW
Structure Fire – 2
ND
ALARM 1 X
2 Closest
From
Any
Agency
Item # 9.
CALL TYPE DUTY
(AHJ)
ALL
CALL ENGINE
TRUCK RESCUE WT AMB CAL FIRE
ENG
CAL
FIRE
OTHER
CITY PLAN
Commercial Alarm
Sounding
1 2 *
Residential Alarm
Sounding
Notify 1
ECHO Response Notify 2
Vegetation Fire, HIGH 2
X 3
6-
Summer
BC AA
2xAT HEL
DOZ
2xCRW
Residential Structure
Fire
2 X
4 (type
I’s)
* 2* 1
2-
Summer BC
CAL FIRE and OPH will respond in addition to if closest resource (minimum 4 type I’s of local gov’t resources) Commercial Structure
Fire
2 X 4 ** 2* 1
2-
Summer BC
CAL FIRE and OPH will respond in addition to if closest resource (minimum 4 type I’s of local gov’t resources) Accident w/ Extrication 1 3 1
If Closest
Resource
CAL FIRE can fulfill the 3
rd engine requirement if closest resource
Additional changes to County Standard Plans
Non-hydranted areas GIS information coming from NID for water tender response.
COLUMN AND RESPONSE PLAN NOTES
DUTY = Agency duty officer (City or County)
o Other agency duty officer if primary is Committed.
ENGINE = Closest engine though boundary drop agreement o CAL FIRE will respond to City jurisdiction as closest for Accidents w/ Extrication and Structure Fires
o CAL FIRE, ADDITION TO response criteria for Structure Fire and Vegetation Fire incidents TRUCK = If T2 is unavailable, an additional engine will recommend o * Indicates T2 in place of E2 if closest resource
o ** Indicates T2 in addition to response if not closest resource
Item # 9.
City of Grass Valley
City Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Review of Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps and Make Recommendations
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: That Council receive input and recommendations on the Office of State Fire Marshal Local Responsibility Area Fire Severity Zone Maps.
Prepared by: Mark Buttron- Fire Chief
Duane Strawser-Community Risk Reduction
Manager
Council Meeting Date: 03/11/ 2025 Date Prepared: 02/28/2025 Agenda: Administrative
Background Information:
This report outlines the requirements established under existing state law regarding the designation of fire hazard severity zones in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) as mandated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
According to Government Code Sections 51177 to 51179, the OSFM must prepare, and release recommended maps delineating fire hazard severity zones. Local agencies within the designated areas are obligated to follow specific procedures to ensure compliance and public involvement.
Requirements for Local Agencies
Upon receiving the recommended maps, local agencies must undertake the following actions:
Public Review and Comment (Within 30 Days)
Local agencies are required to make the recommended maps available for public review and comment within 30 days of receipt. This ensures that community members have an opportunity to engage with and provide feedback on the fire hazard severity designations.
Adoption of Recommended Maps (Within 120 Days)
Local agencies must adopt the recommended fire hazard severity map by local
Item # 10.
ordinance within 120 days. This process formalizes the designation and allows local governance to address fire safety measures appropriately. Submission of Documents (Within 30 Days of Adoption)
Following the adoption of the ordinance, local agencies must submit the ordinance and any other required documentation to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days. This step is essential for maintaining state oversight and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations.
Limitations on Fire Hazard Severity Designations
It is crucial to note that local agencies may only increase the level of fire hazard severity as identified by the OSFM. They are prohibited from decreasing the severity level in any designated area.
Criteria for Designation
The OSFM categorizes areas into moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on several
factors, including:
Fuel loading
Slope
Fire weather conditions
Wind patterns identified as significant contributors to wildfire spread The updated fire hazard severity zone mapping significantly expands the areas designated as high and very high fire hazard severity zones within the City compared to the 2008 mapping. Additionally, new areas have been identified and classified as high and moderate severity zones. These updates reflect changes in risk assessment due to factors such as evolving wildfire behavior, climate conditions, and urban growth.
Information on the new Local Responsibility Area maps and overview can be found at www.cityofgrassvalley.com/post/fire-hazard-severity-zones-2025 Council Goals/Objectives: Exceptional Public Safety consistent with the City of Grass Valley Strategic Plan
Fiscal Impact: None
Funds Available: N/A Account #:
Reviewed by:
Attachments: Grass Valley Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Map.
Item # 10.
City and County boundaries as of 10/22/24 (CA Board of Equalization) CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA25_1)
CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZSRA23_3, FHSZLRA_25_1) Data Sources:
Daniel Berlant, State Fire Marshal, CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Joe Tyler, Director/Fire Chief, CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources, CA Natural Resources Agency The State of California and the Department of Forestry and Fire Gavin Newsom, Governor, State of California Protection make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data or maps. Neither the State nor the Department shall be liable under any circumstances for any direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages with respect to any claim by any user or third party on account of, or arising from, the use of data or maps. and other relevant factors including areas where winds
have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread.
statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, Government Code section 51178 requires the State Fire
Marshal to identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent Waterbody
Federal Responsibility
Area (FRA)
Unzoned LRA
Incorporated City
Projection: NAD 83 California Teale Albers
Scale: 1:31,000 at 11" x 17"
Km 0 1 2
Mi 0 1
Very High High Moderate
Very High High Moderate
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Area (LRA), as Identified by the State Fire Marshal
Grass Valley
20 174
49 UNINCORPORATED
NEVADA CO.
NEVADA CITY
January 22, 2025
As Identified by the
State Fire Marshal
Local Responsibility Area
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY – NEVADA COUNTY
Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility
Area (SRA), Effective April 1, 2024
Grass Valley
The State of California and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data or maps. Neither the State nor the Department shall be liable under any circumstances for any direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages with respect to any claim by any user or third party on account of, or arising from, the use of data or maps.
Obtain FRAP maps, data, metadata and publications on the Internet at http://frap.cdf.ca.gov For more information, contact CAL FIRE-FRAP, PO Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460, (916) 327-3939.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor,
State of California
Mike Chrisman, Secretary for Resources,
The Resources Agency
Ruben Grijalva, Director,
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Government Code 51175-89 directs the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to identify areas of very high fire hazard severity zones within Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). Mapping of the areas, referred to as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), is based on data and models of, potential fuels over a 30-50 year time horizon and their associated expected fire behavior, and expected burn probabilities to quantify the likelihood and nature of vegetation fire exposure (including firebrands) to buildings. Details on the project and specific modeling methodology can be found at http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/projects/hazard/methods.htm. Local Responsibility Area VHFHSZ maps were initially developed in the mid-1990s and are now being updated based on improved science, mapping techniques, and data.
In late 2005 to be effective in 2008, the California Building Commission adopted California Building Code Chapter 7A requiring new buildings in VH FHSZs to use ignition resistant construction methods and materials. These new codes include provisions to improve the ignition resistance of buildings, especially from firebrands. The updated very high fire hazard severity zones will be used by building officials for new building permits in LRA. The updated zones will also be used to identify property whose owners must comply with natural hazards disclosure requirements at time of property sale and 100 foot defensible space clearance. It is likely that the fire hazard severity zones will be used for updates to the safety element of general plans.
This specific map is based on a geographic information system dataset that depicts final CAL FIRE recommendations for Very High FHSZs within the local jurisdiction. The process of finalizing these boundaries involved an extensive local review process, the details of which are available at http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/projects/hazard/btnet/ (click on "Continue as guest without logging in"). Local government has 120 days to designate, by ordinance, very high fire hazard severity zones within its jurisdiction after receiving the recommendation. Local government can add additional VHFHSZs.
There is no requirement for local government to report their final action to CAL FIRE when the recommended zones are adopted. Consequently, users are directed to the appropriate local entity (county, city, fire department, or Fire Protection District) to determine the status of the local fire hazard severity zone ordinance.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA As Recommended by CAL FIRE Projection Albers, NAD 1983
Scale 1: 12,000
at 36" x 36"
November 24, 2008
0 ©
2 Miles
0 3
Kilometers
This map was developed using data products such as parcel and city boundaries provided by local government agencies. In certain cases, this includes copyrighted geographic information.
The maps are for display purposes only - questions and requests related to parcel or city boundary data should be directed to the appropriate local government entity.
DATA SOURCES
CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZL06_3)
MAP ID: FHSZL_c29_Grass Valley
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
County Boundary
Parcels
City Boundary
Local Responsibility Area State or Federal Responsibility Areas VHFHSZ
Non-VHFHSZ
VHFHSZ
Non-VHFHSZ
Item # 10.