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Placerville Fire Safe Council seeks city cosponsorship for April wildfire safety day; residents press for hydrant testing
Summary
The Placerville Fire Safe Council asked the City Council to cosponsor its April 26 Wildfire Safety Day; public commenters urged routine testing of city hydrants and valve exercising and asked the city to publish evacuation plans and use RAVE alerting in emergencies.
The Placerville Fire Safe Council asked the Placerville City Council on Jan. 14 to cosponsor the group’s fourth annual Wildfire Safety Day and to continue providing equipment and staff assistance for the April event.
The request, made by Mark Acuna, vice chair of the Placerville Fire Safe Council, asked that the city continue to provide chairs, tables, traffic-control equipment and some staff support for the event planned for April 26 at Midtown Mall, 681 Main Street. “We’d greatly hope that we can work again with the city to continue that relationship,” Acuna said.
The council’s request followed public comments that broadened the exchange into larger wildfire-preparedness topics. Sue Rodman, a member of the Placerville Fire Safe Council and the council liaison to the organization, urged the city to institute routine testing of fire hydrants and periodic exercising of flow-control valves in the water delivery system. “If Placerville is going to charge its customers for city water, there’s a legal responsibility to ensure the water supply is available for residential use and for emergency fire use,” Rodman said.
City staff acknowledged gaps and pointed to an ongoing water-rate study that includes a proposal to hire personnel for valve exercising and hydrant testing. A staff member summarized the forthcoming item to councilors: the proposal would add personnel and therefore require rate decisions; staff expects to return to the council in February with specifics.
Public commenters also urged clearer, public evacuation routing and the use of RAVE, the city’s alert system, for real-time evacuation guidance. David Zielinski, chair of the Fire Safe Council, described evacuation planning as contingent on live wind and fire conditions and encouraged residents to use RAVE and local perimeter resources for current instructions.
Council members voiced support for the Fire Safe Council event and for more public information on preparedness. Mayor Clarice thanked the volunteers and encouraged the council to continue collaborating with the Fire Safe Council on outreach and events.
The Fire Safe Council said it expects to return in late February with refined presenter lists and event details; the council asked for assistance in contacting potential state-level speakers, including a representative from the state insurance commissioner’s office.
The city did not take formal action on hydrant or valve testing at the Jan. 14 meeting; staff committed to include related options in the February water-rate study report.
The council meeting record shows broad support for the Fire Safe Council’s April event and a commitment from staff to return with proposals to address hydrant and valve maintenance needs.
