Fire Protection ServicesFire Protection Services

Organization in CaliforniaOrganization in California

STATE RESPONSIBILITYSTATE RESPONSIBILITYOffice of Emergency ServicesOffice of Emergency Services

State Mutual AidState Mutual Aid

CALFIRECALFIRE

State Responsibility AreaState Responsibility Area

COUNTY RESPONSIBILITYCOUNTY RESPONSIBILITY– State law does not require county to provide State law does not require county to provide

structural fire protection services and EMSstructural fire protection services and EMS– Services provided by county departments, Services provided by county departments,

special districts, cities, JPAs, State, and special districts, cities, JPAs, State, and volunteer operationsvolunteer operations

– 32 out of 58 counties have County Fire 32 out of 58 counties have County Fire DepartmentsDepartments

CITY RESPONSIBILITYCITY RESPONSIBILITY– State Law requires cities to provide fire State Law requires cities to provide fire

servicesservices– May be staffed with career or volunteer May be staffed with career or volunteer

firefightersfirefighters– 480 cities receive fire protection and EMS 480 cities receive fire protection and EMS

through fire departments, special districts, through fire departments, special districts, JPAs, and contract providersJPAs, and contract providers

Special DistrictsSpecial Districts

Independent districtsIndependent districtsDistricts can be formed under Health and Districts can be formed under Health and Safety Code, Community Services District, Safety Code, Community Services District, County Service Area, Health Care County Service Area, Health Care Districts, Municipal Water Districts, Public Districts, Municipal Water Districts, Public Utility DistrictsUtility DistrictsVolunteer fire districtsVolunteer fire districts19 fire districts in San Joaquin County19 fire districts in San Joaquin County

Funding Fire ProtectionFunding Fire Protection

Sources of Revenue:Sources of Revenue:– Property taxProperty tax– Voter approved special taxVoter approved special tax– Fee for servicesFee for services– Contract for servicesContract for services– Community Facilities Act of 1982 (Mello Roos)Community Facilities Act of 1982 (Mello Roos)– Public Facilities FeesPublic Facilities Fees

Limitations on FundingLimitations on FundingProposition 13 (1978)Proposition 13 (1978)– Limits property tax rate to 1%Limits property tax rate to 1%– Initially rolled back property values to 1975-76 levelsInitially rolled back property values to 1975-76 levels

Proposition 218-Right to Vote on Taxes Act Proposition 218-Right to Vote on Taxes Act (1996)(1996)– Clarified that all taxes and most charges on property Clarified that all taxes and most charges on property

owners are subject to voter approvalowners are subject to voter approval

ERAF-Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund ERAF-Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (1992)(1992)– Shifted larger shares of property tax revenues to Shifted larger shares of property tax revenues to

schoolsschools

Proposition 131% of Assessed Value

Water Conservation

Sanitary Sewer

Irrigation District County

School

Community College

Reclamation District

Library

Mosquito Flood ControlFire Protection Office of Education

City

ERAF1992-1993

75%

25%

Current ChallengesCurrent Challenges

Adequate sustainable revenueAdequate sustainable revenue

Detachment impactsDetachment impacts

Demand on automatic and mutual aidDemand on automatic and mutual aid

Belief that service is universally availableBelief that service is universally available

Reluctance to approve tax increasesReluctance to approve tax increases

Impact by non-stationary new growthImpact by non-stationary new growth

Unprotected areasUnprotected areas