Title
Sheriff's Office recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 144-2024 ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency by the Director of the Office of Emergency Services (Sheriff) due to conditions of extreme peril from an imminent and proximate threat from the Crozier Fire that began on August 7, 2024.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 7, 2024, the Crozier Fire began near Slate Mountain, resulting in mandatory and voluntary evacuations of thousands of El Dorado County residents. Since the onset of the Crozier Fire, the Sheriff’s Office has been in close collaboration with CalOES, various county departments, local fire entities, and allied law enforcement agencies. Recent events have increased the need for staff support, resource procurement, and evaluation of community needs.
Given the continued and immediate threat of the Crozier Fire, the Sheriff proclaimed a Local Emergency pursuant to Government Code Section 8630 on August 7, 2024. These actions enable the County to respond to the Crozier Fire more effectively, to seek and utilize mutual aid, to obtain state and federal funds (if available), and to ensure that the County’s resources and public health professionals, as well as the community at large, have all the necessary tools at their disposal to keep the community safe.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630, the Board of Supervisors, or an official designated by the Board by ordinance may declare a Local Emergency. Government Code 8558 defines a Local Emergency as “the proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by conditions such as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, cyberterrorism, sudden and severe energy shortage, deenergization event, electromagnetic pulse attack, plant or animal infestation or disease, the Governor’s warning of an earthquake or volcanic prediction, or an earthquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat.” Chapter 2.21 of the County Ordinance Code designates the Sheriff as the Director of the Office of Emergency Services and delegates to the Director the authority to declare a Local Emergency when the Board is not in session. This action must be reviewed and ratified by the Board within seven days.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Board chooses not to ratify the local emergency, it will end on August 14, 2024.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no immediate or direct financial impact related to the adoption of this resolution.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Provide a signed copy of the resolution to the Sheriff’s Office
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz