HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2001-014 RESOLUTION NO. 2001-014
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ATASCADERO OPPOSING
NFPA PROPOSED STANDARDS 1710 AND 1720
WHEREAS, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international
association of individuals and trade and professional organizations; and
WHEREAS, the mission of NFPA is "to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other
hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes
and standards, research and education"; and
WHEREAS, NFPA has produced over 275 codes and standards that deal with every
aspect of fire and life safety; and
WHEREAS, NFPA is an internationally recognized authority in producing codes and
standards dealing with fire and life safety; and
WHEREAS, NFPA is currently proposing two new standards: NFPA 1710, Organization
and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special
Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, and NFPA 1720, Organization and
Deployment of Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the
Public by Volunteer Fire Departments; and
WHEREAS, proposed NFPA standards 1710 and 1720 define minimum response times,
minimum fire company staffing levels, initial full alarm response levels, and extra alarm
response levels; and
WHEREAS, levels of service delivery for fire and emergency medical services (EMS)
have always been determined by local jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, proposed NFPA standards 1710 and 1720 may impose onerous, unfunded
mandates upon local governments to meet established response times and staffing levels, and
may be subsequently considered by federal agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration(OSHA) and insurance companies; and
WHEREAS, the NFPA has clearly gone outside its authority in proposing these national
minimum manning, response, and staffing standards; and
WHEREAS, because NFPA codes and standards are voluntary and need to be adopted by
local jurisdictions, these standards will be "the norm" because of the stature of NFPA in the
development and promulgation of other codes and standards; and
City of Atascadero
Resolution No.2001-014
Page 2
WHEREAS, these two proposed standards will be considered and voted on at the NFPA
annual conference on May 16, 2001, in Anaheim, California; and
WHEREAS, if adopted and issued, these proposed NFPA standards would force local
governments to shift dollars from fire prevention programs to fire suppression activities,
potentially increasing the risk of fire and the danger to local firefighters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the City of Atascadero
opposes any attempt by the National Fire Protection Association to adopt standards for staffing
or minimum manning levels of fire, specialized, or emergency medical services vehicles
controlled by units of local government; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the City of Atascadero opposes
any attempt by the National Fire Protection Association to adopt a standard dictating or affecting
the response time of any fire, specialized, or emergency medical services vehicle; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the City of Atascadero will send
this resolution to the National Fire Protection Associating registering the City's opposition to
proposed standards 1710 and 1720, which preempt local authority and place a one-size-fits-all
mandate on our City and on all cities and towns.
On motion by Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member Clay, the foregoing
Resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Clay, Johnson, Luna, Scalise and Mayor Arrambide
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADOPTED: April 24, 2001
ATTEST: CITY OF ATASCADERO
c
Marcia McClure Torgerson, C y Clerk JJ chaei Arrambide, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Roy . Hanley, City f
rney