Chris Richards asks Alex Stillman, Stacy Atkins-Salazar, Sarah Schaefer, Gregory Daggett, Genevieve Serna, Dana Quillman, Shea Freedomhowler…

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Arcata Fire Districts recent response to the Humboldt Grand Jury.

What are your thoughts about the Arcata Fire Districts (AFD) recent response to the Humboldt Grand Jury in regards to the AFD’s lack of preparedness and concerns for fighting fires in buildings 4 stories and taller?  

— Chris Richards

Responses

Alex Stillman

The Arcata Fire District, Cal Poly Humboldt and the City of Arcata have jointly paid for a study on the best practices. We are waiting for the reports’ suggestions and conclusions. Arcata Community Develpment Department has several ideas that they have shared with the District. 

I believe a regional fire district to serve the greater humboldt bay region would be appropriate. I am hoping this discussion will move forward.

The report will answer some of the concerns the Grand Jury bought forth.

Gregory Daggett

Thanks for your question. I have been very concerned about the safety of our students, community, and Arcata Fire District personnel for a long time. On January 23, 2023, I emailed the Board of Trustees regarding the Cal Poly Humboldt 6 and 7 story student housing project. My letter supported AFD’s concerns in the EIR. The California State University office of the Chancellor wrote back on January 24, 2023, with a three-page letter that stated AFD’s concerns would be less than significant. I then went to the Arcata City Council and stated what the Chancellor office had said was wrong and that someone would bring this serous issue to the public. That someone is the Humboldt Grand Jury.  The City Council approved the Gateway Area Plan up to 7 stories without even waiting for the Standard of Coverage Study and failed to answer the Humboldt Grand Jury questions, before their final vote. Arcata Fire District wrote a letter to the Arcata City Council before their vote, requesting the Gateway Area Plan and Form Code, and Final DEIR be denied until the AP Triton Standard of Coverage for the AFPD is completed and the Arcata City Council and AFPD Board of Directors achieve consensus on a plan for the likely expansion of the District’s capacity. https://arcata1.com/aft-to-cc-may-28-2024-do-not-approve/ The Grand Jury suggested that the University pay for the expansion of the Arcata Fire District, and my position is developers also need to pay, not the Arcata taxpayers. It’s a failure of our government to address and listen to the Arcata Fire District concerns and answers to the Grand Jury Report. What is going to happen in Fall of 2025 when the new 6 & 7 story student housing project at Cal Poly Humboldt is open to students to live there?

https://www.times-standard.com/2024/07/16/cal-poly-humboldt-craftsman-dorm-nearly-finished/

 


Stacy Atkins-Salazar

It is important that our fire department has the resources it needs to operate successfully in our community. We all depend on them greatly. Regarding the recent Grand Jury Report: The City of Arcata, Cal Poly Humboldt and the Arcata Fire District are all working together to fund and support a study that is being conducted by an outside organization that will analyze the current situation and offer implementation ideas for best practices. Once we have the findings, there will be plenty of opportunities to work together to find ways to make necessary changes. We are all committed to keeping our community members safe.

Sarah Schaefer

The Arcata Fire District, in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt and the City of Arcata, has responded to the concerns raised by the Humboldt Grand Jury report  by jointly funding the standards of coverage study. Cal Poly is already building 7-story buildings and we need to be prepared to serve these buildings. The movement forward on this study demonstrates a commitment to addressing the safety concerns of the community and fire district. The study, conducted by an external organization, will provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement, funding options, necessities for coverage, etc.

The Community Development department has already been working with the fire department on what measures to include in building codes. Additionally, there is growing interest in exploring a regional options for the fire district to serve the broader Humboldt Bay area and collaborating with other agencies to increase coverage across the entire Humboldt County area. Ultimately, ensuring that our fire department has the resources it needs is essential, as we all rely on their ability to protect our community. 

Dana Quillman

I oppose buildings being built in Arcata that are taller than 4 stories.