Serving the San Bernardino Mountain communities from Crestline to Green Valley Lake
IF YOU ARE OPPOSED TO THE $150 FIRE PREVENTION FEE, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK UP!
Assembly Bill AB1506 to repeal the $150 Fire Prevention Fee (Tax) has been introduced (by Cook & Jeffries) and is set to be heard before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee next week (02-13-12). Please call or send your emails and/or fax your letters ASAP in support of AB1506 AND REPEALING THE FIRE FEE to the committee. Please ask all your community associates, friends, relatives, etc to participate in this campaign.
In the letters, it is important to support the repeal of the fee, but not necessary to go into a lot of detail. The Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council is choosing not address the legality or illegality of the fee with this committee (we'll let the Howard Jarvis tax group handle that aspect), but feel strongly that the fee will not help with the issues we face and merely creates a financial burden on property owners unrelated to the problem it is supposed to solve.
We recommend you send your letter/FAX or call:
Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro - Chair
Natural Resources Committee
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849, Room 2141, Sacramento, CA 94249-0001;
Phone (916) 319-2001, FAX (916)-319-2101
You can email Assemblyman Chesbro at assemblymember.chesbro@assembly.ca.gov
It is my understanding that this committee can determine if the bill goes farther in the Assembly process, so it is critical to get their attention. A sample letter is below. Thanks!
***********************************************************
February 7, 2012
Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro
Chairman
Natural Resources Committee
Post Office Box 942849,Room 2141
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Re: AB 1506 – Repeal of Fire Prevention Fee
Dear Mr. Chesbro,
I am sending this letter in support of AB1506 and the repeal of the Fire Prevention Fee. As written, it will not add more engines to fight fires, or put more firefighters on engines, it does not benefit Cal Fire or our local fire departments directly and it targets people who live in rural areas while ignoring the fact that Wildfires impact everyone in California. This is not the answer to the wildfire issues that face California.
I
sincerely hope the Natural Resources Committee will recognize the weakness of the Fire Prevention Fee in protecting the valuable resources of this State and its citizens, and will hear and vote in favor of AB1506.
Regards,
Your Name
Address
Phone Number
Email (optional)
With high precipitation over this winter, flashy fuels abound and fire authorities are predicting a significant fire season. Our own mountain communities were devastated by the loss of more than 500 homes in the Slide and Grass Valley Fires in 2007. NOW is the time to prepare - although fire season seems to be year-round, the Santa Anas are picking up and the vegetation is dry.
Long before fire threatens, plan your evacuation. When evacuation seems likely, put your plan into action.
GET READY
Make a list of items you want to take with you during an evacuation.
Here’s an example, but prepare your own list.
- Have a flashlight and portable battery operated radio on hand at all times
- prescriptions, medications
- eyeglasses
- important documents (birth certificates, passports, insurance papers & inventory, personal financial records, phone & address books, tax records, computer back up discs, children’s school records, inoculation & vaccination records, photos, art)
- jewelry
- pet, pet food, leash, carrier
- child’s favorite toy
- other...
• Keep your “Important Stuff” list handy; on the fridge, for example
• Keep sturdy boxes ready for collecting things on your list.
• Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit (see below).
• Have a corded phone in the house. Cordless home phones do not work when the power is out.
• Copy all important documents and store with a friend or family out of the area.
• Keep a regular address book in addition to what may be stored in your computer or cell phone as this equipment may not work if power is out or towers are down.
- During fire season, always have at least half a tank of gas in your car. Gas stations may not operate if power goes out. And you may not be able to evacuate by the shortest route out of your area.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US VIA EMAIL OR PHONE 866-923-FIRE
Adopt a Hydrant!
Have you ever thought about how long it will take the fire department to arrive and setup operations if you have a fire in your home or neighborhood?
A small fire that cannot be extinguished immediately can grow rapidly, requiring a large quantity of water to extinguish. A typical Fire Truck Pumper carries 500 gallons of water and depends on reliable water systems in the area to supplement their water supply. In addition, inclement weather that is experienced in the mountain area can add to response times.
Adopt the Hydrant near your home and receive an official Adoption Certificate along with the thanks of your local firefighters!
