Fire marshal and developer outline emergency access, evacuation plans for Emerald Isle
Santa Rosa Fire Division Chief Paul Lowenthal and the developer described apparatus access thresholds, on‑site emergency plans, bus and hotel contracts, and staffing/training measures intended to protect residents of the Emerald Isle CCRC in wildfire or emergency events.
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At the Sept. 10 hearing, Division Chief Paul Lowenthal told the Planning Commission that state guidelines set a 100‑unit threshold for when a secondary access is required but the City of Santa Rosa applies a lower 50‑unit threshold; he said apparatus access roads can also serve as evacuation routes when appropriate. Lowenthal said earlier lessons from the 2017 Tubbs, Nunes, and Glass Fires informed the city's approach to evacuation and access standards.
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