Remote Surveillance Trailer in Sonoma, CA

Lessons learned in fire-prone Sonoma County, California

Sponsored by Hexagon

In October of 2017, an electrical malfunction in northern California sparked what would become one of the largest wildfires in the state’s history.

The so-called Tubbs Fire, which started on Tubbs Lane in Napa County and quickly spread to Sonoma County, burned 36,807 acres, destroyed more than 5,600 structures and resulted in 22 deaths. The total damage estimate was more than $1.3 billion, one of the 10 most destructive fires ever in California.

Between 2017 and 2020, Sonoma and surrounding counties dealt with three more major wildfires—the Walbridge Fire, the Glass Fire, and the Kincaid Fire—each exacting huge tolls on lives, property and resources.

“By the time we caught our breath, we were in four major fires in three years,” said Bret Sackett, executive director of the Sonoma County Public Safety Consortium. “And so, the fact that we haven’t had a fire since 2020 – or a significant fire – I think has a lot to do with the lessons we learned in (2017-20) and the things we put in place.”

Experience has been a key factor in preparing to prevent wildfires. Each major fire prepares responders more for the next one. But technology—from AI-equipped fire-spotting cameras to text alert platforms and dynamic mapping to speed evacuations—has played a major role in the ongoing battle, said Sackett.

Here are five ways technology is helping to keep wildfires at bay in Sonoma County and surrounding areas of northern California:

3. Orchestrated ecosystem: These days, emergency communications systems rely on dozens of third-party apps for various needs and seamless integration is a necessity. Mobile communication and mapping apps for responders in the field, drone video, lightning strike alerts, and apps to quickly triangulate the location of cell phone signals, for example, must all work in concert with the CAD, so dispatchers aren’t forced to toggle between multiple screens and waste valuable time. Giving dispatchers access to everything they need in a single interface is key to efficient workflow and rapid response times.

4. Scalability on demand: An emergency communication center’s average call volume can quickly explode during an emergency such as a wildfire. During the 2017-2020 period, when Sonoma County was experiencing multiple major fires, its CAD vendor, Hexagon, deployed people to add extra users and help keep the system operating at optimum levels.

5. Communication channels: With everyone on cell phones today, it’s important to have multiple sources of communication and alerts. Having systems in place to geotarget public alerts and evacuation orders through social media and text with links to evacuation zones and routes is key to saving as many lives as possible.

The devastating impact of the Tubbs Fire and subsequent wildfires in Sonoma County between 2017 and 2020 underscored the urgent need for improved wildfire prevention and response strategies.

The integration of advanced technologies has not only improved the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response efforts but also contributed to the region’s resilience against future fire threats.

“It’s not that we haven’t had fires, it’s that we can [deploy] resources so you can knock that thing down before it becomes a problem,” Sackett said.

Other jurisdictions in wildfire-prone areas can learn from Sonoma County’s experiences and its response. By continuing to invest in and refine these technological solutions, officials are better equipped to protect lives, property and resources from the ever-present threat of wildfires.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has been providing Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training to CA State Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensed establishments in Sonoma County for over a decade. Our motivation to partner with the alcohol industry and offer these courses is driven by our ongoing commitment to substance use prevention and education. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing sales to minors and sales/service to obviously intoxicated individuals. Our ultimate goal is to protect the public health and safety of Sonoma County residents.

Until recently, RBS training has only been required for ABC licensees in cities and counties through the enactment of local policies and regulations. Included in these rulings have been on-sale establishments (bars, restaurants, cafes, wineries, breweries) and off-sale establishments (stores, markets, mini-marts, gas stations).

With the passage of CA Assembly Bill 1221, beginning July 1, 2022, RBS training will be mandated for all alcoholic beverage servers and managers in on-sale establishments statewide with the requirement to successfully complete an ABC-approved RBS training course and RBS online exam, no later than August 31, 2022 (or within 60 days for new hires). For more information about AB1221 click on the link below: https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/rbs/frequently-asked-questions

The Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Division is proud to announce that our RBS training was approved by the ABC in May, 2021, (and renewed in May, 2024), the first County in the State to achieve this certification as a Training Provider. Our 4-hour virtual trainings are offered at no cost and meet all the state requirements. The trainings also allow off-sale establishments to meet local city municipal code regulations.

AB1221 requirements for Servers and Managers:

To register for an upcoming RBS training, please visit the following website:https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/n4hy8vn

For more information, contact Andrea Pickett andrea.pickett@sonomacounty.gov or call (707) 565-4894