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San Clemente fire chiefs report steady call processing but say terrain slows response times
Summary
Fire department staff told the Public Safety Committee April 22 that call processing times remain low while drive times in San Clemente’s narrow, hilly streets make overall response slower than other parts of the county; inspections and home-hardening programs are increasing after CAL FIRE map changes.
The San Clemente Public Safety Committee heard April 22 that the fire department’s call processing remains fast but that road geometry and hills make overall response times slower than other parts of the county.
Chief Malott told the committee that call processing time — the interval from 911 call to unit dispatch — is about 55 seconds, and the department meets its 8 to 8.5 minute response goal about 80 percent of the time. “Eighty percent of the time we’re getting there in that 8 8 and a half minutes,” Chief Malott said.
Committee members were told that slower drive times reflect narrow streets, winding roads and steep hills in San Clemente, which lengthen travel even when dispatch and turnout are quick. The department said crews are working to speed station exits and optimize station placement and apparatus, but drive time is difficult to change.
Inspectors and home-hardening programs are expanding after recent CAL FIRE wildfire-severity map changes. The department said it inspects every structure within the very high severity zone annually; staff estimated that San Clemente had about 1,700 homes in that zone before a recent map update and said that number increased by roughly another 1,000 though the speaker did not provide an exact new total. The department also reminded residents that “Ready, Set, Go” home assessments are available and free; staff said residents can book a free educational inspection on the program website and that interest has risen since recent fires.
Committee members discussed ambulance co-response and the local contract. Staff clarified that any medical-aid call receives an ambulance response and that ambulances generally do not respond to nonmedical service calls unless requested; ambulances “roll with” fire on medical calls so they are not sent alone.
Equipment and fleet updates were described: Engine 50 was identified as the oldest engine and likely scheduled for replacement in the next batch; truck 59 is newer but the department plans to replace it with a newer model better suited to hilly terrain. Staff noted that new trucks currently take about three years from order to delivery and that apparatus costs are rising.
The committee also heard about helicopter helipod fixtures used to refill airtankers and helicopters; staff said the city is evaluating locations and noted an available reservoir on the Toledo backside as a useful resource. Fire staff discussed lessons from recent large wildfires, including concerns about long-term health impacts on firefighters when responding to incidents involving electric-vehicle and photovoltaic-battery fires.
The department said it will try to report counts next meeting for how many residents have taken the free home assessment and to provide updated figures for the very high severity zone.
Ending: The department offered to return with more detailed counts and to continue working with the committee on station, apparatus and community outreach priorities as staff prepare engine replacements and increased inspection activity.
