BLUE FOLDER ITEM
Elue folder items ore odditionol bock up moterial to odministrative reports ond/ot public comments received after the printing ond distribution ol the ogenda pocket for receive ond t'ile.
Nl DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE REDONDO BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CONTACT: KEITH KAUFFMAN, INTERIM FIRE CHIEF
PUBLIC COMMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRTL 19,2022
Response to Fire Department Assessment ltem on City Council Agenda dated 19 Apr 22 (Limited to Comments on the Harbor Patrol Section)
submitted by Jim Light
2. The recommended solution does not address the lack of a "single leader" charged with vision and leadership for harborside activities and operations. The report points out this problem, but the solution fails to address it. This has been a problem for years. Redondo's Harbor Director is a secondary duty to the City's Economic Development Director. The qualifications and experience required for an effective Harbor Director is significantly different than those for an Economic Development Director. At best they overlap for land-side non-marine commercial uses in the harbor. And that has been problematic for decades. The coastal dependent operation and functionality of the harbor has played second fiddle to non-coastal dependent land side commercial activities.
Similarly, since the Harbor Patrol was subsumed into the Fire Department, training, services, and leadership had degraded. The Harbor Patrol used to train Bay Watch and other organizations on on water operations. Services used to include services such as boat relocating and salvage.
Under the Fire Department's umbrella, the unique training required of an effective Harbor Patrol has been unfunded or at least degraded. lnstead landside fire training has been mandated and prioritized such as ladder climbing and this mandatory training has taken Harbor Patrol away from Harbor Patrol duties. There are three independent shifts and no one Harbor Master setting policy, ensuring common enforcement and operations.
The recommended solution does not solve this lack of a single, qualified leader for harbor operations - in fact it seems to exacerbate the current problem.
3. Harbor patrol qualifications and services have eroded since its move to the fire dePartment.
As mentioned previously, generic firefighter training has out-prioritized and replaced the specialty training required for an effective and competent Harbor Patrol. Professional boat operation certifications have been lost. The numberof Harbor Patrolmembers with Coast Guard Boat Captain certifications has declined substantially. Scuba diving certs are no longer a priority. The solution downgrades boat captainsto "boat mates". lcannot find a definition of a "boat mate". ln the military and merchant marine, a "First Mate" is a deck officer who reports to the "captain" of the boat. lt seems the recommended solution codifies the abandonment of professional boat operation certifications. This negatively affects public safety. Operating a boat is not like driving a car. And navigating a boat in rough weather in close proximity to a
1. While Chief Kauffman brought in a Fire SME for the assessment, he failed to bring in a Harbor Safety SME forthe Harbor Patrol assessment. Harbor safety and the Harbor Patrol function are significantly differentiated and specialized from land side fire and safety. Boats drift. Water conditions are weather dependent. Helming a vessel is significantly different from driving a land side vehicle. Administering first aid in the water or on a boat is significantly different than on land. The list could go on and on. Therefore, the recommendations are not based on anyone with subject matter expertise and experience on the factors unique to the marine environment.
Lack of City management experience and qualifications with harbor/marine operations has hampered city planning and decision making for decades. vessel in distress or a swimmer in distress is not for amateurs. Whether we call someone a "boat mate" or a "captain", there is still someone who is responsible for making final decisions on the water. Whomever that is should be properly trained and certified for public safety's sake.
4. Making a harbor patrol member another firemen or paramedic with an assigned landside area degrades public safety in both realms. lfa Harbor Patrolmen receives a call while on the water, the response time to a landside situation will be significantly degraded. And with the number of landside calls, it is even more likely that the safety functions of the Harbor Patrol will be unavailable for a significant portion of each day.
5, Outsourcing Harbor Patrol to County Baywatch addresses some ofthe issues, but not important ones. Unfortunately, our Harbor Patrol who used to train Baywatch crews are now less qualified overallthan the Baywatch crews. The Baywatch crews have the unique certifications that our Harbor Patrol have lost. They have unique training that our crews used to have. So outsourcing to County gets us more qualified Harbor Patrol, it the city is unwilling to fix the degradation that has occurred since the Fire Department move.
But, this outsourcing puts our harbor in a no-man's land. Obviously, this exacerbates the lack of a single voice, vision, and leader for the harbor. The County would responsible for operating the marine side ofthe harbor. But the city is responsible for paying for it and for the land side of the harbor. This ignores that the landside of the harbor directly affects the water side of the harbor. An example ofthe complication is the boat-based concerts. Other examples include the Beach Life Festival and Fourth of luly tireworks impacts on harbor operations. Whogetsfinal say? How much extra bureaucracy to develop solutions? Who bears the added cost? The City is stuck with the cost but loses control.
My perconol opinion is thot if the city wonts to outsource the on-woter operation, it would be best to turn the whole Horbor Enterprise over to the County similor to Morino Del Rey, Chonnel lslonds,ond Dona Point Horbors. The bilurcated control of outsourcing iust the waterside to the County is o foreseeoble disoster moking the hdrbor even more dysfunctiondl thon it is todoy.
6. The City should do what is blatantly obvious - Designate a qualified Harbor Master and assign a professional harbor patrol to that harbor master. That Harbor Master would be the Single Voice, the City lead, and the Council's expert on all harbor related issues. The Harbor Master would ensure common practices between shifts. The old training requirements for the harbor patrol should be updatedandthen executed. MOA's could be established for the harbor patrol to participate in Fire Department and Police Force training as necessary.
WRT to the Police Department Marine Enforcement, this is a failed experiment to me. The unique boat adds maintenance costs unnecessarily. And we are funding more people to be on the water while getting degraded services. Abandon the PD's Marine Enforcement org as it exists today. The Harbor Patrol cancall uponofficersassignedtothelandsideoftheharborfor enforcement requirement a law enforcement officer and pick them up with the Harbor Patrol boat at a designated dock. Those officers may require some unique certs, but certainly less than the training and certs to captain and helm a boat in addition to their law enforcement training.
7. lf the City is unwilling to fund the blatantly obvious solution, it should turn the Harbor Enterprise over to the County. Bifurcating operation ofthe harbor enterprise and havinB Redondo cover the check is a predictable train wreck. Dana Point Harbor, Marina Del Rey, and Channel lslands Harbors all are operated by their respective county organizations. That model is proven.
Do not misunderstand, I think our harbor makes Redondo unique. I recommend we control its destiny by finally, formally establishint a Harbor Master with the Harbor Patrol under the Harbor Master control. But if the City is only willing to do a ha lf baked solution, better to abdicate the Harbor Enterprise to the County.
I urge you to at least look at the screenshots (included in my attachment and below), which were taken from the websites listed below. (Copied from the document which I imagine yall don't have time to read....)
With regards for the hard work you all do, and thanks for your attention, Lisa Falk
33 year Redondo Beach resident; 28 year Redondo Beach homeowner; 21-year King Harbor boat owner & slip renter...
EXCERPT:
SOLUTION: The city should commit to manage the Harbor waterfront and waterside in a professional, dedicated manner, with a leadership employee (Harbor Director or Harbor Master) and Harbor Patrol.
That person would be the City lead and Council’s expert on all harbor related issues. This leader would ensure common practices between Harbor Patrol shifts. The old training requirements for the harbor patrol could be updated; MOAs could allow for the harbor patrol to participate in Fire Department and Police Force training as necessary.
There are other cities successfully managing their waterfront and harbors – listed below.
Don’t let Redondo Beach be mediocre; don’t degrade landside and waterside services. I urge you all to Do It Right!!
Models to explore (not attempted for the FD report nor mentioned as an option): Morro Bay; Santa Barbara; Ventura; Oceanside; Avalon; Monterey https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/144/Harbor
https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/waterfront/patrol/default.asp https://venturaharbor.com/mission-vision/
https://www.vpdhp.org/
https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/police/fieldopps/harbor.asp http://www.cityofavalon.com/harbor
https://www.monterey.org/city_facilities/harbor___marina/index.php
Response to Fire Department Assessment Item on City Council Agenda dated 19 Apr 22:
Comments on the Harbor Patrol Section of the Assessment First – the fact that this section of the report was not provided to the Harbor Commission is illustrative of the problem – there is no one in the city whose primary role is to plan and advocate for the highest, best and safest use and management of King Harbor.
King Harbor deserves a Harbor Director or Harbor Master whose primary responsibility is the harbor.
Management of the harbor should not be a secondary afterthought duty for the Economic Development Director, Fire or Police.
Please note – our city position is Waterfront AND Economic Development Director – NOT Waterfront Economic Development Director. A harbor professional would be aware of the many sources of funding available to enhance and maintain King Harbor as a top-notch marine recreational and educational resource. Redondo’s W&EDD position has yet to be filled with a candidate who has relevant boating or marine expertise/experience. The priority is of course (necessarily) given to the position’s Economic Development role – which is why the combined role does not adequately serve the needs of the Harbor.
1. ISSUE: Report was prepared without consultation with marine/harbor/boating specialists.
Harbor safety and the Harbor Patrol function are highly specialized and differ significantly from land side fire and safety. These recommendations were not developed or even reviewed (?!) by anyone with expertise / experience with the factors unique to the marine environment. Lack of City management experience and qualifications with harbor/marine operations has led us away from our former historical excellence in leadership in the marine safety and skills arena.
2. ISSUE: Recommendation doesn’t solve the problems that exist due to lack of a dedicated harbor leader.
The report identifies this problem and fails to address it with a solution. Redondo’s Harbor Director is a secondary duty to the City’s Economic Development Director. The qualifications and experience required for an effective Harbor Director (or Harbor Master) are significantly different than those for an Economic Development Director. That has been a major problem for several decades. The coastal dependent operation and function of the harbor – the REASON the harbor exists - has not been prioritized over non-coastal dependent commercial activities in the harbor, either in tidelands or uplands locations adjacent the water.
Since the Harbor Patrol was put under control of the Fire Department, an equivalent mismatch in training, services, and leadership has occurred. Our Harbor Patrol used to train Bay Watch and other organizations in on-water operations. Harbor patrol used to offer services like boat relocating and salvage. Under the Fire Department’s umbrella, the unique training required of an effective Harbor Patrol has significantly degraded.
Harbor Patrol staff have been forced to prioritize landside fire training and this mandatory training has taken Harbor Patrol staff away from Harbor Patrol duties. There are three independent shifts and no one Harbor Director or Harbor Master setting policy to ensure consistent enforcement and operations. A single leader to focus on these specialized Harbor and marine needs has become critical to stopping the degradation of relevant services for this area.
3. ISSUE: Harbor patrol qualifications and services have eroded since they moved to the fire department.
Generic firefighter training has replaced the specialty training required for an effective and competent Harbor Patrol. Professional boat operation certifications (!) have been lost. The number of Harbor Patrol staff with Coast Guard Boat Captain certifications has declined substantially. Scuba diving certification/training is no longer a priority. The proposed solution downgrades boat captains to “boat mates.” No unique definition for this is provided. In the military and merchant marine, a “First Mate” is a deck officer who reports to the “Captain” of the boat. It seems the RECOMMENDED solution APPROVES the abandonment of professional boat operation certifications. This negatively affects public safety. Operating a boat is not driving a car. I’ll invite anyone who thinks it is aboard my own vessel to discover this!
Navigating a boat in rough weather to assist a vessel, mariner or swimmer in distress is not for amateurs. Our citizens and visitors deserve properly trained and appropriately certified Harbor Patrol who are able to make the best possible decisions in emergency situations.
4.ISSUE: Making a harbor patrol member another firemen or paramedic with an assigned landside area degrades public safety in both realms.
The training, skills and efforts of harbor patrol, firemen and paramedics may overlap, but they are NOT the same. If Harbor Patrol receives a call while on the water, the response time to a landside situation will be significantly degraded. And with the number of landside calls, it is more likely that the safety functions of the Harbor Patrol will be unavailable for a significant portion of each day. How many citizens or visitors in aquatic distress going unaided will it take for appropriate understanding and addressing of the special responsibilities that come with having a harbor in & managed by our city?
5. ISSUE: Outsourcing Harbor Patrol to County Baywatch addresses some issues, but not important Harbor/City ones. Unfortunately, our Harbor Patrol (who used to train Baywatch crews) are now less qualified overall than the Baywatch crews. The Baywatch crews have the unique certifications that our Harbor Patrol have lost. They have unique training that our crews used to have. While outsourcing to County would get us more qualified Harbor Patrol, it also exacerbates the lack of a single voice, vision, and leader for the harbor.
The County would be responsible for operating the marine side of the harbor. But the city is responsible for paying for it and for the land side of the harbor. This ignores that the landside directly affects the water side in the harbor. (A situation that the ongoing harbor amenities process is highlighting.) The Beach Life Festival and Fourth of July Fireworks impacts harbor operations and crowd control needs. Who gets final say? Who bears the added cost? Redondo Beach gets stuck with the cost and impacts but loses control.
6. SOLUTION: The city should commit to manage the Harbor waterfront and waterside in a professional, dedicated manner, with a leadership employee (Harbor Director or Harbor Master) and Harbor Patrol.
That person would be the City lead and Council’s expert on all harbor related issues. This leader would ensure common practices between Harbor Patrol shifts. The old training requirements for the harbor patrol could be updated; MOAs could allow for the harbor patrol to participate in Fire Department and Police Force training as necessary.
There are other cities successfully managing their waterfront and harbors – resource cities are listed below.
Don’t let Redondo Beach be mediocre; don’t degrade landside and waterside services. Do It Right!! Models to explore (not attempted for this report nor mentioned as options).
Morro Bay; Santa Barbara; Ventura; Oceanside; Avalon; Monterey https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/144/Harbor
https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/waterfront/patrol/default.asp https://venturaharbor.com/mission-vision/
https://www.vpdhp.org/
https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/police/fieldopps/harbor.asp http://www.cityofavalon.com/harbor
https://www.monterey.org/city_facilities/harbor___marina/index.php
To: City Council of Redondo Beach
From: Mark Hansen
King Harbor Boater
Date: April 19, 2022
Subject: N.1. ASSESSMENT OF THE REDONDO BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT Harbor Commission
This assessment includes a substantial individual analysis of the Harbor Patrol.
This should have been referred to the Harbor Commission for a public discussion with the harbor stakeholders before it was agendized for Council discussion.
This is an ongoing problem, where the Harbor Commission is only apprised of Council decisions on Harbor items after those decisions are made. This is very disrespectful to the talented, hard-working volunteers on the Commission. It is recommended that no Council decisions be made on the Harbor Patrol section until after review by the Harbor Commission.
Reorganization and Position Titles
The assessment puts perhaps too much emphasis on position titles, apparently attempting to differentiate between the rank of Captain and the position of Boat Captain.
A proposal to staff the boats with members below the rank of Captain is one thing, however, a boat does need a position of Captain; one individual needs to clearly be the final authority onboard.
In-Harbor Rescue Response
There needs to be 24/7 rescue response from within the Harbor at all times.
Baywatch coverage at night may be a reasonable option. However, Baywatch coverage during the day, while they are out covering the County beaches is not an acceptable safety option. Harbor Patrol response from an inland Fire Station is not an acceptable safety option. When boats are disabled near the breakwater, which is not uncommon, a response from inland or from down the coast will simply arrive too late to save lives.
Harbor Master
The assessment seems to blur two separate needs. A defined Division Chief for the Harbor Patrol is a simple organizational issue to address. That DC may or may not have any background in harbor management or recreational boating. However, a long-identified need of our Harbor has been a true Harbor Master, with experience in harbor management and recreational boating.