Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident whose house burned urges improved fire/EMS staffing and training; union suggests public-safety advisory panel
Summary
Two public commenters raised public-safety concerns: Ben Ullman (IAFF local leader) suggested a public-safety advisory committee to improve coordination; Brett Greb, who lost his home to fire, criticized response times and tactics and estimated about $2.5 million in property damage, urging the county to increase staffing and training.
At the Feb. 10 meeting the board heard two public comments focused on public safety and emergency response.
Ben Ullman, vice president of the local IAFF chapter and a County Fire/EMS employee, thanked the board for recent support and said the parks-and-rec advisory discussion suggested a parallel need: "it really sounds like maybe there's a need for a public safety advisory committee," he said, recommending improved connections between volunteer organizations, nursing homes and emergency services around large events.
Later, Brett Greb told the board he lost his home and six others on Sarah Court to a fire and criticized the response. Greb said the first unit arrived about nine minutes after dispatch and that fire-apparatus operations and water application were delayed; he told the board "you're looking about $2,500,000 in damage to these homes" and called for increased full-time staffing and additional training. Greb said the fire had been upgraded to a second alarm but that command and dispatch were not coordinated in his view.
Board members offered condolences, asked Greb to submit details to staff (email/website), and said they would review the incident with the fire chief, assistant chief and fire marshal to identify lessons learned. Supervisors stressed appreciation for first responders and the community’s donation and recovery efforts while promising further conversation and follow-up.
