From: Kate Haug
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Support Firefighters" Request - Public Comment 5/17/22 Date: Monday, May 16, 2022 2:11:37 PM
Attachments: Screen Shot 2022-05-15 at 10.33.45 PM.png
Dear Council Members,
After reading the letter submitted to you by Sebastopol's Volunteer Firefighters for the May 17, 2022 meeting, "Future of Sebastopol Volunteer Fire Department," I ask that you support the Firefighters request for additional analysis.
As these volunteers have decades of combined professional experience and have served our community during wildfire season, it is important that we listen to and respect their request for a more complete analysis of the situation and potential options.
As the letter states, there is no urgency to consolidate at this moment as an interim Fire Chief from Sebastopol's Fire Department can be put into place without jeopardizing other options of consolidation if that is the best course of action.
I ask the Council to preserve the current Chief's salary in the 2022-2023 budget and to perform the analysis the Volunteer Firefighters are requesting before taking any further action on this issue. In addition, I ask the Council to keep the public informed as information in this process, which is fundamental to our community safety.
These volunteers have provided a critical service for our community; it seems we should listen to their efforts to ensure that Sebastopol is served by the best Fire Service possible.
I believe supporting their request as a way of both respecting their invaluable public service and their expertise.
Insurance rates are based on ISO ratings, which are categorized from 1 to 5. 1 is the best.
Currently, Sebastopol has an ISO rating of 3. Gold Ridge has one of 4. This would indicate that residents would be getting a lesser service for a higher cost and also incur higher insurance premiums. See Sebastopol Local Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan October 2021, page 2 of 22.
https://www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/getattachment/778c3022-79d2-4085-adc1- bea2c41cabd4/City-of-Sebastopol-LHMP-Update_Oct2021.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US&ext=.pdf If Sebastopol's ISO rating drops, it means a potential increase in insurance rates.
I urge the Council to slow down and perform the necessary analysis to make sure Sebastopol's residents, business owners and property owners receive the best fire service possible.
Best,
Kate Haug