Goals

1. Goal LU-3 Annexations and Sphere Development

   Annexations and development in spheres of influence that improve the provision of public services to incorporated and unincorporated residents and businesses.

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Policies

1. Policy LU-3.1 Annexation of unincorporated areas

   We support the annexation of unincorporated areas when it will result in a more effective and efficient provision of public services and a net fiscal benefit to the County.

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2. Policy LU-4.2 Fire-adapted communities

   We require new development in high or very high fire hazard severity zones to apply fire-resistant design techniques, including fuel modification areas, fire resistant landscaping, and fire-resistant building materials.

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3. Policy LU-6.1 Residential amendments that increase density in the Desert and Mountain regions

   We discourage policy plan amendments that would permit new development on lots smaller than 2.5 acres in the Desert regions and lots smaller than one-half acre in the Mountain region. We approve general plan amendments that would increase residential density only if:
   • The proposed change is determined to be compatible in accordance with policies
   LU-2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 4.5.
   • Adequate infrastructure and services are available concurrently.
   • The increase in density would not degrade existing levels of service for fire protection, sheriff, water, or wastewater service in the area.

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4. Policy LU-6.2 Large residential development in the Desert and Mountain regions

   We require a specific plan or Planned Development process for proposed residential development in the:
   • North or East Desert regions: when the proposed development would include one or more lots that is 2.5 acres or smaller and the overall development would cover 40 or more acres.
   • Mountain region: when the proposed development would include one or more lots that is 1 acre or smaller and the overall development would cover 40 or more acres.

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Policies

1. Policy H-3.1 Public Services, amenities, and safety

   We support the provision of adequate and fiscally sustainable public services, infrastructure, open space, non-motorized transportation routes, and public safety for neighborhoods in the unincorporated area.

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2. Policy Policy H-3.6 Neighborhood improvements

   We support comprehensive neighborhood efforts to address housing conditions, property maintenance, infrastructure repair, public safety, landscaping, and other issues affecting the livability of neighborhoods

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Goals

1. Goal TM-1 Roadway Capacity

   Unincorporated areas served by roads with capacity that is adequate for residents, businesses, tourists, and emergency services

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Policies

1. Policy TM-1.8 Emergency access

   When considering new roadway improvement proposals for the CIP or RTP, we consider the provision of adequate emergency access routes along with capacity expansion in unincorporated areas. Among access route improvements, we prioritize those that contribute some funding through a local area funding and financing mechanism.

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Goals

1. Goal PP-3 Fire and Emergency Medical

   Reduced risk of death, injury, property damage, and economic loss due to fires and other natural disasters, accidents, and medical incidents through prompt and capable emergency response.

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Policies

1. Policy PP-1.7 Community partnerships

   The Sheriff’s Department establishes and maintains partnerships to help identify public safety needs, strengthen community confidence, and improve service to our communities.

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2. Policy PP-3.1 Fire and emergency medical services

   We maintain a sufficient number and distribution of fire stations, up-to-date equipment, and fully-trained staff to respond effectively to emergencies.

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3. Policy PP-3.2 Fire District

   We support the expansion of the Fire District to serve additional incorporated jurisdictions, and the use of special funding and financing mechanisms to augment Fire District revenues to improve service and coverage.

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4. Policy PP-3.3 Search and rescue

   We maintain up-to-date equipment and fully-trained staff to provide urban search and rescue and swift water rescue emergency response.

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5. Policy PP-3.4 Fire prevention services

   We proactively mitigate or reduce the negative effects of fire, hazardous materials release, and structural collapse by implementing the California Fire Code, adopted with County amendments.

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6. Policy PP-3.5 Firefighting water supply and facilities

   We coordinate with water providers to maintain adequate water supply, pressure, and facilities to protect people and property from urban fires and wildfires.

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7. Policy PP-3.6 Concurrent protection services

   We require that fire department facilities, equipment, and staffing required to serve new development are operating prior to, or in conjunction with new development.

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8. Policy PP-3.7 Fire safe design

   We require new development in the Fire Safety Overlay to comply with additional site design, building, and access standards to provide enhanced resistance to fire hazards.

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9. Policy PP-3.9 Street and premise signage

   We require adequate street signage and premise identification be provided and maintained to ensure emergency services can quickly and efficiently respond.

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10. Policy PP-3.10 Community outreach

    We engage with local schools, community groups, and businesses to increase awareness of fire risk, prevention, and evacuation.

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11. Policy PP-3.11 Post-burn risk

    In areas burned by wildfire, we require new and reconstructed development to adhere to current development standards, and may require additional study to evaluate increased flooding, debris flow, and mudslide risks.

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12. Policy PP-3.12 Fire protection and emergency medical resource allocation

    We use fire and emergency services data analysis and professional expertise to allocate resources, reduce fire risks, and improve emergency response.

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13. Policy PP-3.13 Periodic needs assessment

    We periodically assess our facility, equipment, and staffing needs and use the assessment to allocate funding resources in the annual budget and capital improvement program.

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14. Policy PP-3.14 Qualified workforce

    We attract and retain a qualified workforce of fire fighters, emergency medical technicians, and support personnel, and invest in training and ongoing education.

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15. Policy PP-4.1 Emergency management plans

    A reduced risk of and impact from injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from emergencies, natural disasters, and potential changes in climate.

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16. Policy PP-4.2 Critical and essential facility operation

    We ensure that critical and essential County facilities remain operational during emergencies.

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17. Policy PP-4.5 Vulnerable populations

    We coordinate with and encourage the use of community-based networks to aid vulnerable populations prepare for emergencies and provide assistance with evacuation and recovery.

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18. Policy PP-4.6 Recovery

    We reestablish and expedite County services to assist affected residents and businesses in the short- and long-term recovery from emergencies and natural disasters.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps PP-2 Evacuation Routes (PDF | WEB)
2. Policy Maps PP-3 Sheriff Operations (PDF | WEB)

Policies

1. Policy HZ-1.2 New development in environmental hazard areas

   We require all new development to be located outside of the environmental hazard areas listed below. For any lot or parcel that does not have sufficient buildable area outside of such hazard areas, we require adequate mitigation, including designs that allow occupants to shelter in place and to have sufficient time to evacuate during times of extreme weather and natural disasters.

   • Flood: 100-year flood zone, dam/basin inundation area
   • Geologic: Alquist Priolo earthquake fault zone; County-identified fault zone; rockfall/debris-flow hazard area, medium or high liquefaction area (low to high and localized), existing and County-identified landslide area, moderate to high landslide susceptibility area)
   • Fire: high or very high fire hazard severity zone
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2. Policy HZ-1.6 Critical and essential facility location

   We require new critical and essential facilities to be located outside of hazard areas, whenever feasible.

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3. Policy Policy HZ-1.13 Fire protection planning

   We require that all new development in County-designated Fire Safety Overlay and/or CAL FIRE-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones meet the requirements of the California Fire Code and the California Building Code as amended by the County Fire Protection District, including Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations fire safety requirements for any new development within State Responsibility Areas, as well as provide and maintain a Fire Protection Plan or Defensible Space/Fuel Modification Plan and other pre-planning measures in accordance with the County Code of Ordinances.

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4. Policy Policy HZ-1.14 Long-term fire hazard reduction and abatement

   We require proactive vegetation management/hazard abatement to reduce fire hazards on existing private properties, along roadsides of evacuation routes out of wildfire prone areas, and other private/public land where applicable, and we require new development to enter into a long-term maintenance agreement for vegetation management in defensible space, fuel modification, and roadside fuel reduction in the Fire Safety Overlay and/or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

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5. Policy Policy HZ-1.15 Evacuation route adequacy

   We coordinate with CAL FIRE, California’s Office of Emergency Services, and other local fire districts to identify strategies that ensure the maintenance and reliability of evacuation routes potentially compromised by wildfire, including emergency evacuation and supply transportation routes.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Improve communication and coordination between Mentone and the County.

   Action Statement E.2

   Coordinate with County Fire and Sheriff Departments on calls for service information that can be shared with businesses and residents.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Enhance the community through resiliency efforts and coordination with local, state, and Federal agencies

   Action Statement E.6

   Coordinate with the Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire Department and CalFire to thin vegetation on land surrounding the community.

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   Action Statement E.7

   Expand fire safety education to the community and general public.

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   Action Statement E.8

   Explore additional fire safety methods.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Improve public safety

   Action Statement E.3

   Partner with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, United States Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve the delivery of essential services to the community.

   Action Statement A.2

   Improve local emergency services by advocating to County Fire to retain paramedic services at Station 2.

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   Action Statement A.3

   Advocate for additional Sheriff presence to improve response times to emergencies and public safety concerns.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT F - Improve the delivery of essential services to the community

   Action Statement F.1

   Advocate for increased police patrols.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Improve public and equestrian safety within Muscoy

   Action Statement C.3

   Partner with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, County Fire Department, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.

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   Action Statement C.6

   Construct traffic calming measures on State Street and major arterials.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Develop a sense of community pride

   Action Statement C.2

   Coordinate with the fire department on community events.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Improve the delivery of essential services such as police and fire to the community

   Action Statement E.1

   Coordinate with Cal Fire to change the boundaries of the State Responsibility Area (SRA) by shifting the boundary line of the SRA south to include only federals lands along the San Bernardino Mountains.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Increase water availability and accessibility

   Action Statement A.4

   Explore grants for water storage programs or a Lytle Creek fire hydrant study.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Increase resident and community safety

   Action Statement D.2

   Encourage participation in San Bernardino County Fire’s Community Emergency Response Team program.

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   Action Statement D.3

   Establish a Fire Corps program for the community in coordination with County Fire.

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   Action Statement D.4

   Improve fire truck ingress and egress for each neighborhood.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Enhance communication and cooperation with county, state, and federal institutions; especially Los Angeles County

   Action Statement C.3

   Convene residents and representatives of Los Angeles and San Bernardino County to learn, share concerns, and discuss opportunities to improve services through a possible Memorandum of Understanding between Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County and addressing the emergency road network, coordination of police response, and coordination of emergency operations.

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   Action Statement C.4

   Work with the San Bernardino County Fire Department Office of Emergency Services to learn about the existing 9-1-1 system, share evidence of address/phone number errors, and discuss methods to correct and maintain the 9-1-1 system database.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Defend community safety including on roads in the forest

   Action Statement E.5

   Meet with the local United States Forest Service (USFS) District Ranger’s office to consider allowing members of the public to use USFS System Roads for evacuation purposes.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public safety; EMS, fire and sheriff.

   Action Statement B.2

   Install a distributed water supply in case of fire emergencies (10 – 12 tanks).

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   Action Statement B.4

   Establish a local resident recruiting program for both the Citizens on Patrol and the Volunteer Fire Department.

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   Action Statement B.6

   Construct access across the Mojave River at Harvard Street for emergency service calls.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve community safety and reduce crime

   Action Statement B.4

   Collaborate with the San Bernardino Fire Department to conduct fire safety education programs for the community.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Enhance public safety by improving communication and coordination with law enforcement.

   Action Statement D.4

   Partner with the Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public health and safety in Homestead Valley

   Action Statement B.4

   Advocate for the reactivation of Fire Station #43 in Johnson Valley and research state and federal grant funding opportunities along with local fundraising efforts and other strategies to assist with funding operation of the Fire Station.*

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve the delivery of essential services to the community

   Action Statement A.2

   Advocate to County Fire to explore options to re-open the Wonder Valley Fire Station.

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