2001/05/08 City Council Resolution (3)Resolution No. 2001 -102
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
OPPOSING
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Proposed Standards 1710 and
1720
WHEREAS, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international association composed of
individuals and trade /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 is an internationally recognized authority in producing codes and standards and has
produced over 275 codes and standards that deal with every aspect of 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 would impose onerous, unfunded mandates upon
local governments to meet established response times and staffing levels, if adopted by NFPA with
subsequent consideration taken 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
WHEREAS, these two proposed standards will be considered and voted on at the NFPA annual
conference on May 16, 2001 in Anaheim, California; and
Resolution 2001 -102 (continued)
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 increase the risk of fire
and the danger to local firefighters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park 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 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 Council will send this resolution to the National Fire Protection
Association 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 town.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED this Wh day of f May, 2001.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
M yor
CITY
FLORES: AYE REILLY: NO SPIRO: NO VIDAK- MARTINEZ: AYE MACKENZIE: AYE
AYES: (3) NOES: (2) ABSENT: (0) ABSTAIN: (0)