Travis County Commissioners Court
June 30, 2009,
Item 4
Number 4 is to consider and take appropriate action regarding the following: a, prohibition of outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Travis County.
b, the need to address problems caused by severe heat on the vulnerable residents such as seniors and homeless persons.
good morning.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners.
Travis County fire marshal's office and pete baldwin emergency management.
the ban we voted for last week will not expire for three more weeks, July 22nd.
as of this morning the drought index average for Travis County was at 595.
that's an increase of approximately 70 points over the point where we ask to you implement the burn ban.
and I've talked to fire dispatch asking about the numbers of fires and with the fire chiefs of the esds and what we have found is that the number of fires has increased since the burn ban was put in place, but the numbers of fires are typically small, roadside fires that are occurring either from discarding of smoking materials, mowing or vehicles parking on the side of the road and those type things.
the rains that we received yesterday were welcome and beneficial and again today, but we expect that the benefit received from that was only going to lower our drought index back down to in the 550 range so we would still be above the point where we generally consider an outdoor burn.
so at this points it's our recommendation to leave the burn ban in place.
>> what is the number as far as the rain.
you mentioned it's been reduced what it is currently to 550 from what we just experienced today.
what range where we could actually feel comfortable in lifting the fire ban?
less than 5?
>> to get it below 500?
>> yeah.
>> what we need are the rains that are slow and often.
those slow drenching soaking rains which would allow -- which would lower the drought index and allow it to stay down.
at this point is forecast is for after this rain event is there really -- not anything of any significance in the next 14 days.
the 14-day forecast put out by Texas interagency commission is that we will be above 575 for the next 14 days.
>> so okie-doke.
>> we carry this item week to week to give us an opportunity to respond if the situation does change.
>> that's right.
>> today there is no significant change from last week basically.
>> that's correct.
>> and hopefully this morning's rain will help a whole lot.
this morning was a whole lot better than yesterday, right?
>> yes, sir, that's correct.
>> okay.
>> my office has received a lot of communications regarding the possibility of -- or concern and desire to see fireworks banned on the 4th because of this.
could you elaborate on the county's ability to deal with that?
>> the county's ability to deal with it as far as the restricting, that point is past.
there is another option available to the county, but I would prefer that mr.
baldwin address that.
>> under normal circumstances, we use chapter 352 of the code which basically says we have to be at 575 and submit a court order by the 15th of June or 15th of December.
however, in chapter 418 of the government code, which deals with -- it's a Texas disaster declaration or Texas disaster act, it states in there that under disaster declaration that if the disaster declaration is used to exceed those parameters set out in 352, which means ban additional fireworks or completely ban the sale and use of them, that then the order is -- the declaration is only good for 60 hours unless approved and extended by the governor, of which then you have to make a request to the governor's office to extend that.
normally in a regular disaster declaration, in a flood or tornado or whatever, if I come to the judge with a disaster declaration, he signs it, it's good for seven days until ratified by -- unless ratified by the court to continue.
however, on this one because the way the wording is laid out is that you sign a disaster declaration banning the sale and/or prohibiting certain other fireworks, then that would be -- would only be good for 60 hours until we got to the governor and asked for an extension.
so that is how you go about it.
there have been -- one time before when we used the disaster declaration and that's been three or four years ago during a new year's eve scenario where we had a lot of dead vegetation, we had a lot of vegetation on the ground.
we had already had a couple of hard freezes and it was extremely dry.
at that point in time probably 70 to 80 counties throughout the state of Texas used the disaster declaration.
and immediately following the next legislative session is when the law was changed to read that it was only good for 60 days.
>> 60 hours.
>> 60 hours, I'm sorry, sir.
that's the options or that's the parameters we operate under.
>> at what point do -- I mean we're seeing historic -- historic heat waves and although I'm very happy for the rain today, at what point are we -- what metrics are we looking at that would trigger, in your opinion, a consideration of a disaster declaration?
>> I think a couple things.
one is the current
>> [inaudible] we're at is not unheard of for us and trends of hot weather, you know, are not unheard of for us.
but I think what would really make it plausible would be a significant increase in the number of fires or perhaps even a large fire.
because what happens when you increase the number of fires that you've run and/or you have a very large one that lasts for a period of time, you deplete your resources, but your personnel and your equipment.
and then it makes it very, very difficult to provide that kind of coverage.
now, I do know that the fire chiefs for Travis County have requested they put together, again, their standby or activate their response groups like they have done in the past with this upcoming 4th of July.
but I think it would take to see the increase in number of fires and see our fire departments really start, you know, hurting from the loss of those resources.
>> I am a little concerned that we would wait until after we had already had significant fires before we would feel comfortable in declaring a disaster declaration.
making a disaster declaration.
is that what I'm hearing?
>> based upon what we're seeing now is if we saw -- started seeing a significant increase -- there's not a magic number out there, but if all of a sudden we started seeing that significant increase in fires, then yes, we would come to you and say we feel like in order to protect what we can right now we need to ban the sale and use of them.
but fireworks stands opened Monday, yesterday, and started selling.
the biggest selling days will probably be Friday and as a result.
and -- Friday and Saturday.
what we would propose, and I'll let the fire marshal address this also, is to work with media and getting some public information out there because historically what we've seen too is that when we get into these very hot days, people don't -- they don't -- they don't burn and they don't -- they are scared of fireworks because they know how hot and dry it is.
>> it's a blessed thing.
>> right.
>> at least people can use their individual good judgment even though we are fairly ham strung by legislation to prevent us from using ours.
if we -- a disaster declaration requires action by the full court or by the judge alone?
>> no, the judge can sign the disaster declaration at any given time.
>> okay.
>> I would just like to say for the benefit of those listening that if I had the power, I would vote to restrict the use of fireworks this year, but we don't have that.
and I live in far western Travis County in the rural area and I almost every fireworks holiday end up with bottle rockets in my yard.
i don't leave my home at that time of year.
there are people who are very responsible with the use of fireworks and there are those who are not responsible.
and I encourage everyone to be extremely vigilant.
i encourage all of those to set off fireworks themselves to have the necessary precaution to put out a fire if one accidentally starts, and I encourage everyone who can instead of doing it themselves this year to go to one of the managed fireworks displays where they are safely used.
>> hear hear.
>> mr.
pena.
>> judge, I don't know if y'all are at the point of 4 b, if not I'll wait until that comes up.
>> doctor wang.
>> I wanted to give a brief update regarding the heat wave situation, and again, what a difference a day makes, but little certainly still a very timely and critical issue.
our office in homeland security and emergency management is continuing to monitor how its impacting us in central Texas and Travis County and they've been holding some conference calls with some of the key stakeholders and supporters and organizations throughout the weekend.
none of the organizations reported any significant increase in any heat-related service requests during the past weekend.
the arch actually opened additional space in their facility so people could have an air conditioned place to get into during the heat of the day.
however, actually that additional capacity was not needed, fortunately.
salvation army, capital metro, parks department and red cross also indicated no significant incidents or requests that came up regarding the heat.
e.m.s.
responded to 14 heat-related calls between Friday and Monday.
they were directed throughout the city and reinstituted in the county.
no calls in the downtown proper area and eight calls that people wereco distributed throughout all age groups.
also our health department and e.m.s.
and corporate p.i.o.
developed and disseminated common messaging to the media and also to the neighborhood associations and social service providers, some of the messages included for people to stay out of the sun and stay in the shade, wear light clothing and a hat.
don't he lever any person or animal in enclosed vehicles.
drink plenty of fluid, especially water but with not high sugar content and take advantage of the cooling power of water, soaking panel dan in as and putting them on your shoulder and head can help or fill a spray bottle with cold water and spraying it on your face.
those recommendations were issued.
we are continuing to try to monitor at-risk populations and look at any other indicators that require any further action.
we are finalizing and working with the hospitals to get a reporting system so that the infection control providers can report hospital emergency department visits regarding heat-related disease.
we are also working with homeland security and emergency management on the development of an actual heat emergency plan, and there's a meeting later this afternoon regarding that for followup.
and again, in consideration of some of the -- review the plans for upcoming July 4th holiday.
>> I was noticing the other day I guess on television there, the senior citizens citizen,their air conditioning d failed.
they had made several attempts to get it serviced.
i don't know how success tell they have been but I understand they were calling the city and different folks.
and I kind of questioned when it comes to Travis County and we have situations like that that affect our senior citizens, of course, where are we on that as far as making sure that the senior citizens and those that don't have the ability to deal with a lot of things are actually out of harm's way when it comes to these heat-related type adverse conditions that affect so many folks.
of course, I know we looked at one time we were looking at fans and all these other kind of things, but the reporting mechanism, I don't know how accurate it is at this point, and especially when you see things that slip through the cracks.
i'm trying my best to see how we can as county and also city of Austin plug those cracks, make sure that those folks are adequately taken care of in need especially in these type of heat-related conditions.
so that's my question.
>> as dr.
wang mentioned, I think the Travis County health department and for those who may be listening, Austin and Travis County have a joint department as it relates to public health and so that's why we are generally working together when these things happen.
but the messaging is very important, so the information that you see in the newspaper, that you see on news programs is very, very important.
but also I believe there is great dependence in our community upon programs that visit the elderly such as meals on wheels and other home visiting type services.
so that professionals have an opportunity to provide information, but also connect seniors to resources as necessary, especially if they are in situations where they -- they need, you know, fans or air conditioners or whatever.
then the third part is that your Travis County community centers are actively participating in the family elder care fan drive as we do annually.
>> right.
>> it's my understanding that family elder care raised about $95,000 just last Friday for this program, but we are distributing fans according to their guidelines.
we have already distributed over 340 fans throughout the Travis County community.
we are anticipating more than that.
it's my understanding as of tomorrow, July 1st, we will have approval from family elder care to consider special requests.
so while we've been able to give one fan for a person to hopfully use in their bedroom, if there are extenuating circumstances with the elderly or disabled, we would be based on avail built provide more than one fan.
also through our health and human services and housing and weatherization program we have the ability to provide air conditioners for those folks qualify and they are able to make those requests through our community center.
persons in the community interested in anything I have just said can call 854-4100 and receive information regarding the county community center that's closest to them.
>> now, will you repeat that number again because that was going to be my next question.
in other words, this person is on television.
i was beginning to wonder who they actually call to get some kind of relief.
repeat that number again for --
>> Travis County health and human services is 854-4100.
that is our main number, and if you will tell us what portion of the county you live in, we can direct you to the community center that's closest to you.
you may also go to the county's website, which is www.got co got travis.tax exempt ex.u.s.
there is actually a map that you can identify the seven locations of the community centers.
but all of our social service partners are on the job on this issue and so any social service agency that a family or an elderlyly person might be receiving services from or have connections with can provide the information regarding the fan programs and other resources in the community for heat related issues.
>> so that number will get both city and also county -- is there a different number for the city?
like this person on this television show resided within the city limits of Austin.
i'm beginning to wonder is there a separate number if those persons who are in the city of Austin need assistance on this heat-related issue?
>> there is a separate number and unfortunately no offense to my partners, but I don't have the city number available to me, but that information is available on their website for the community centers within the city of Austin.
we do have two locations within the city of Austin and so if residents present the fan program would not, you know, would not discriminate.
if a person lives in the city of Austin, we do serve residents within the city of Austin much like the city also serves folks who might be in greater Travis County.
>> thank you.
>> when you say fan, what kind of fan are we talking about?
>> we are talking about a standard home box fan that's I guess what we call it.
>> electrical?
>> it's an electrical fan, yes.
and we would encourage residents to be assured that their electric resource can tolerate whatever additional appliances they might be adding.
>> mr.
pena?
>> yes, sir, judge, thank you very much.
Commissioner Davis, that very lovely african-american lady, her name is precious, I met her two years ago and she is in great need of a working fan.
it is hot and she is on oxygen.
you can understand the need and dire strait.
i was just informed by bob from the city of Austin health and human services, people can call 211 on the city side if they need information.
thank you, bob.
stand up so you can be recognized young man because it's important to see who the city side is.
he works at david lourie's office.
my question is homeless people in homeless camp, I was wondering if there is way way we can coordinate with the veterans administration.
i know mr.
holyoke is here, they are doing a good job.
we've had a couple of people, lucy and I were going toward montopolis or the v.a.
clinic and we saw a couple people staggering so we directed them to the v.a.
clinic and subsequently they called e.m.s.
and I think transported to brack.
any contact information or efforts for y'all to tie in or dialogue with the v.a.
regarding homeless people?
a lot of veterans are in the homeless camp, not just veterans but nonveterans.
>> I know mr.
pope is in constant communication with the veterans administration.
i know they meet on a variety of subjects, probably more than weekly.
so -- so we can't do the work that we do without communication with them.
>> no, but I mean with the v.a., the v.a.
clinics and the v.a.
in temple and waco to provide other services than information?
i agree, his office is doing an outstanding job.
i visit there frequently and they are going outside the box to help the veteran.
what can they do to tie in or coordinate with the veterans administration in waco and temple to provide services needed in Austin that can trickle down in Austin?
>> we certainly, you know, as directed by the Commissioners court, if we wanted to request additional services, we could, however, I think that's a process that may be a little bigger than us.
>> sure.
>> so --
>> I think mr.
pope is on his way over here so I will leave it to him.
and thank you very much for your efforts.
>> veteran services.
just to reiterate what sherry just said, yes, it would be a bigger problem than what we can, you know, actually do in a timely -- in a timely manner.
the first thing that I would offer is the phone number to the outpatient clinic is basically how individuals can make contact.
and that number is 389-1010.
there is a dedicated person on the switchboard, but yet still we know the system is going to take a little while getting in.
so the primary emergency contact would be 911.
911.
and identify yourself as a veteran and let the system work that way.
389-1010 is the Austin v.
outpatient clinic.
2901 montopolis drive.
all right.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you, judge.
>> dr.
wang, we give you a chance to finish?
questions?
>> I think we need to really talk about the water that people need to drink throughout the day.
and just plain old water.
nothing carbonated, nothing, you know, altered any other way, but just plain water.
>> right.
like caffeine and the sugar can act as more as a diuretic.
>> exactly.
if we could push that more and more especially if you are depending on a box fan, which may be circulating hot air to begin with.
and -- but water certainly, you know, and I hope they have access to a refrigerator so they can maybe put a jug in there overnight, have it cool for the next day so they can drink water on an ongoing basis to help stay cool.
so maybe -- just need to really advertise that.
>> sure.
>> to help cool down.
okay.
>> okay.
thank you very much.
we'll have a back on next week in case we need it.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:31 PM