As California grapples with increasingly frequent and intense wildfire events, the City of Gilroy recognizes the critical importance of proactive planning and preparedness. The City is committed to maintaining robust emergency response capabilities to protect our community should a disaster occur. The City’s efforts to prepare include comprehensive emergency and wildfire preparedness initiatives, a comprehensive review of the resilience of our water infrastructure, and ongoing efforts to enhance safety and resilience for everyone in Gilroy.
Emergency Preparedness Overview: Wildfire Preparedness
The City takes a proactive approach to prepare both its organization and the community for wildfires. Key efforts include:
Wildfire Mitigation and Prevention
- Vegetation Management: Annual abatement of brush and vegetation to reduce potential fire fuel.
The City in cooperation with the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program performs annual inspections and clearance of brush and vegetation around critical infrastructure areas to reduce fire fuel. The City’s water division works with internal staff and contractors to maintain clearance surrounding critical infrastructure. The City also performs inspections and conducts enforcement to ensure weed abatement is performed on privately owned parcels in compliance with municipal codes further contributing to community safety.
- Community Wildfire Protection Plan & Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: Guide maps for directing the City’s wildfire preparedness efforts.
The City has adopted both a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), key tools for wildfire mitigation. These plans identify vulnerable areas, guide fuel reduction efforts, and promote community collaboration for defensible space and emergency preparedness.
Emergency Response Preparedness
- Emergency Operations Plan: The City’ has adopted an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) which outlines a framework for coordinated actions to protect life, property, and the environment during disasters. The EOP ensures an organized response and enhances resilience.
- Training: The City conducts regular training with city staff and partner agencies to improve coordination ahead of emergency events including wildfire events.
- Planning: The City works with local fire agencies, the County Office of Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service to ensure readiness before, during, and after critical fire weather events.
Water Infrastructure Readiness
Water is a critical resource for any emergency, but especially in the event of a wildfire.
Water Division Overview
- Controls: Advanced system for monitoring and controlling the City’s water supply.
The City’s water system operates through a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) platform. This computer-based system monitors and manages water distribution and storage in real-time by collecting and analyzing data from sensors and devices across the network. SCADA provides a centralized overview, enabling remote monitoring and control to enhance operational efficiency and responsiveness.
This advanced technology ensures the reliability of the water infrastructure by issuing 24/7 alerts to personnel, allowing for rapid responses to changes in demand or potential issues. Staff can remotely adjust settings or override controls as needed, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. The system’s design incorporates redundancy and physical bypass options, allowing specific areas to be isolated or rerouted to address changes in flow, pressure, or demand.
- Storage: Gilroy’s above-ground water storage
The City’s water storage tanks are typically maintained at 90% capacity. However, during periods of increased usage, such as morning irrigation or other daily activities, capacity may temporarily drop to 75%. SCADA systems are programmed to alert personnel if storage tank levels fail to regenerate to predetermined thresholds, ensuring timely corrective actions.
Maintenance and Operations
To maintain reliability, the City’s water wells, booster pumps, and storage tanks undergo routine inspections and servicing:
- Daily: Wells and booster pumps are checked.
- Weekly: Generator fuel levels are assessed and replenished by Fleet and Facilities, as needed.
- Monthly: Generators undergo full testing to ensure operational readiness.
Emergency Management
The Water Division maintains an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to ensure that the City’s water system supports firefighting and emergency management during emergency situations. The plan outlines operations, procedures for collaboration, protocols, and communication during critical events. This plan is a cornerstone of effective disaster response, safeguarding our community’s water resources crucial for life safety and emergency operations.
Ongoing Emergency Education and Planning Efforts
Community Engagement and Education
- Outreach Programs: The City regularly conducts outreach, participates in educational events, and provides educational resources at City Hall and on its emergency preparedness website. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training further encourages preparedness.
- Communications: The City posts regular reminders about emergency preparedness, including weed abatement and wildfire preparedness, on the City website, through the e-newsletter, and on social media.
- Public Alerts and Warnings: In times of emergency, the City utilizes systems like Nixle, wireless emergency alerts, AM Radio 1610, and social media to share real-time information on fire threats, evacuation orders, and safety tips.
- Collaboration with Regional and State Partners
- Mutual Aid Agreements: The City maintains agreements with neighboring cities and the County for resource sharing during wildfire incidents. Additionally, resources can be obtained from the state as existing resource demand increases.
- Agency Coordination: The City regularly collaborates with state and local fire and emergency management agencies to enhance response capabilities.
By combining mitigation, planning, community education, and interagency collaboration, the City strengthens its resilience against wildfires and enhances the safety and preparedness of its residents. Preparedness programs are vital components of this effort, and your continued support and awareness make a difference in safeguarding our resources and ensuring a safer environment for all.