Travis County Commissioners Court

April 3, 2012 - Citizens Communication
Agenda

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3, approve proclamation declaring the month of April 2012 as wildfire awareness month and recognize related events in Travis County.
if you are here on this item, please come forward.

>> good morning, tony callaway, we have several of our local fire chiefs here in reference to this item.
I will give them a moment to come forward.
also, lisa block is here, pio for emergency services and she has some information that she would like to share with you on the upcoming press conference held this Friday in reference to wildfire awareness week, month, actually.
that's what we're actually here today for.
is the kickoff of wildfire awareness month.
there's no doubt as a community we definitely have a great appreciation due to the wildfires in our county and surrounding counties, how important it is to be prepared.
the local fire departments in cooperation with county and city folks have worked diligently on an education campaign for the entire month of April.
there's a proclamation that you have before you in reference to -- to wildfire awareness month.

>> Commissioner Huber speaking of proclamation.

>> speaking of proclamations, I just want to start by saying that I'm delighted that we're having this month coming up and, you know, we just can't continue to thank all of you enough for the -- for not only the stellar effort last year during the wildfires, but what you have done coming together to get us more prepared for the future.
because wildfires aren't going away.
and the better we work together with the community to -- to be prepared, the better we are.
so I just want to give another big thank you.
the proclamation is: whereas Travis County is a diverse and dynamic place to live, work and recreate with equally diverse, ecological environments, the vast appeal of this?wn location has led to extensive growth and development.
the result is an ever increasing urban and wild land interface.
and whereas this -- this provides ideal conditions for severe wildfire risk, as demonstrated by the 2011 historic fires, because of the habitat and prevalent species, of plant growth typical for this region.
and whereas according to the Texas inner agency coordinating council, during fiscal year 2011 there were 30,537 fires state-wide that burned 3,993,716-acres in, did.
whereas by applying contemporary fire-wise concepts, making basic modifications as needed to landscapes and structures, entire communities can drastically reduce the risk of loss from wildfire.
and whereas although county authority to require such modifications is very limited, public safety personnel can and do work cooperatively with neighbors, and raise the awareness of the wildfire hazard.
and offer simple solutions to mitigate the wildfire risk.
the wide-spread risk.
whereas the key to understanding the dangers of wildfire is through education, and awareness, and past experiences -- experiences have demonstrated that a well informed and prepared public can take actions to prevent fires from starting.
now therefore be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby proclaim the month of April 2012 wildfire awareness month and recognize related events in Travis County and encourage all residents of Travis County to remember the 2011 fires, become fire-wise and implement necessary changes to reduce the risk of loss from wildfirement -- wildfire.
and I move approval.

>> seconded by Commissioner Eckhardt.
any other comments?

>> I just wanted to say the press conference this Friday is at 10:30 a.m., we're doing it in conjunction with the Austin fire department, we will try to bring more publicity to this topic and remind people that they need to be aware this summer.

>> as far as that, can you give us the top three things that a person can do right now.
my understanding from the fire-wise booklets, harden your home, create defensible space around it, have an emergency plan.
are those -- I'm looking for something to put out to the folks.

>> the very first idea is this

>> [indiscernible] anybody that's here today, if you would walk by that little display, pick that up.
that will be a first step.
get your information so that you can learn all about that.

>> no matter where the fire occurs next time, we will have a fire next time, three things that you can do that's proactive.
harden your homes, defensible space, emergency plan.

>> that's correct.

>> I would just like to add, too, that -- that all of our fire stations I would imagine have these brochures.
also, you can go to the Travis County website and go to links on there to get the information and actually download the brochures.
so -- so the information is out there for an easy look.
if you go looking for it.
and I encourage everyone to do this: some of these measures are so simple, as just keeping the leaves out of your gutters.

>> I wanted to thank you all for what you are doing, the service, it's really a great asset to hear the things that you have done, but to witness it and hear the response that we get from the community on your service that you provide to us and -- and I think we really are very fortunate county to have this type of representation to deal with the situation that you all have had to deal with, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for what you do.

>> thank you.

>> we appreciate all of you, all that you do.

>> okay, thank you.

>> all in favor of the motion?
that passes by unanimous vote.

>> anybody want to claim the proclamation.

>> the penalty for us doing the proclamation, you have to receive it.

>> [laughter] you don't have to keep it, but you have to walk out of here with it.

>> thank you so much.

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