HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07131993 - 1.141 1141
ED VINING
FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER
4819 JOHN MUIR ROAD
MARTINEZ, CA 94553
-445~228-8792
s/O
RECEIVC.F r
June 18 , 1993 JUN 2 11993
i
Board of Supervisors
651 Pine Street PER
O
D CLERK BOARD RA COSTA PER SUVISORs:':
Martinez , CA 94553 — -
Dear Supervisors :
I have become increasingly aware that the fire service makes
most of its decisions without much input from the public .
This prompted me to suggest to Chief Maxfield that he
consider forming a task force or citizens ' panel to help him
with the planning process of making the best of the
financial situation. He chose not to form the panel .
The Contra Costa Times today carried a story about the
possible closing of a fire station or possibly replacing two
fire stations with a new one . The fire district is said to
have recommended a formal study of the issue . Having
participated is several such studies , I feel that nobody is
better able to ferret out the information needed, determine
the needs and resources of the community and make decisions
than a team made up of fire district personnel and the
general public . Also determinations made by such a team
will get better acceptance by the community than a study
made by a consulting organization.
As you know there are citizen' s advisory panels working with
each of the large petrochemical and chemical plants .
Through my work on the Rhone Poulenc panel , I know the value
of these panels as a bridge between the community and the
plants. The fire service could benefit greatly from having
access to such a panel . It could be a forum for the fire
service to inform the community of its plans , and for the
community to bring the public ' s concerns and fresh ideas to
the fire service .
There are quite a few county residents who share my view.
If it is appropriate , I would like to schedule some time at
a Board meeting and let you hear directly from them. I hope
that it would be an exchange of ideas , rather than a parade
of folks simply making statements about their views . If
nothing else you would have that advantage of adding to the
information that you already have.
There is not time to prepare for your meeting nest week, and
I had scheduled a trip out of town before learning of the
action you plan to take . If you can put off your decision
until the following week I can get a group together to make
a presentation to you .
Thank you for your consideration,
'e7 Ed Vining
c: Ann Abreu', Martinez News Record
Ariel Ambruster, CC Times
Rich Anderson
Ken Berg
Chief Allen Little
Commissioners of the Contra County Fire Protection
District .
Bill Garrett
Basil Holcomb
Hulet Hornbeck
Kate Mahler, Martinez Chamber of Commerce
Muir Oaks Homeowners Association
Councilwoman Barbara Woodburn, Martinez 'City Hall