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OCFA and lifeguards report low fire season; helipad, beach protection projects underway
Summary
Orange County Fire Authority and marine-safety staff told the committee that the recent quarter was a relatively low fire season, described helicopter staging at a new helipad, and briefed members on lifeguard rescues, sand replenishment and a 1,400-foot beach catchment wall project.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Shane Ma reported to the Community Safety & Welfare Committee that the agency handled 1,529 incidents over the last three months (September'November), including eight structure fires and more than 1,000 EMS calls, and described a generally mild fire season aided by early rains.
"Over the last 3 months, we've had 1,529 incidents," Shane Ma said, adding that the department has been preparing for wind-driven seasons by staging helicopters and conducting joint drills with city staff, the sheriff and lifeguards. He thanked the city for support of a helipad adjacent to Station 59 and said a planned helipod (a fixed water tank for rapid refills) would reduce helicopter turnaround times.
Marine Safety Chief Rob Malon provided beach and lifeguard statistics since the October meeting: 1,242 lifeguard incidents, 11 swimmers in distress rescued and no drownings; 423 preventable actions, 34 medical incidents, and roughly 216,000 estimated public-education contacts. He also reported recent sand replenishment north of the pier and a multi-month construction program to install a 1,400-foot catchment wall and related infrastructure at the north end of the beach.
Committee members praised the interagency drills and asked about EOC visibility and opportunities for tours; staff offered to set up a future tour so committee members could see EOC layout and resources. No formal action was taken; the reports were accepted as informational.
