GOVERNOR VETOES BILL TO INCREASE FIRE PROTECTION

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AB 666 WOULD HAVE REQUIRED COUNTIES TO ENSURE THAT FIREFIGHTING SERVICES EXIST BEFORE APPROVING NEW BUILDING SUBDIVISIONS

October 13, 2009 (Sacramento)--Governor Arnold Scharzenegger has vetoed legislation by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) to require counties to ensure that adequate fire protection exists before approving new subdivisions in high fire hazard areas.

“I am very disappointed that the Governor chose to ignore the safety of firefighters and residents in very high risk areas,” said Jones, a candidate for state Insurance Commissioner. “My bill simply required counties to make sure there is adequate local fire protection before approving new subdivisions in high fire risk areas. This legislation would have avoided putting the lives of firefighters and the lives and property of homeowners at risk.”

Assembly Bill 666 (Jones) provided that, before a county approved a new residential subdivision in a high fire risk area, the county must make findings based on substantial evidence, and on the record, that the design and location of the subdivision is consistent with Cal Fire’s design standards for slope, turnouts and water pressure. The bill also required counties to make sure that there is adequate local structural fire protection before approving the new development.

 

“The Governor’s veto means that more people and homes will be put in harm’s way without adequate local fire protection,” said Jones.

 

The Sacramento Bee, Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee and the Riverside Press-Enterprise have all editorialized in support of Jones’ approach to fire protection.  AB 666 was also supported by firefighters, the Sierra Club and the Planning and Conservation League.

 


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Comments

AB 666

You think Dave Jones is upset? How do you think I feel? I voted for the idiot governator.