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June 15, 2005
TOWN BOARD ALSO DECLARES EMERGENCY, WILL JOIN COUNTY IN PURSUIT OF STATE, FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
By GINA B. GOOD
In his memorandum to Pahrump Town Manager Dave Richards, Lewis wrote that the current dry conditions have stressed fire department resources and imperiled the entire valley. He also revealed that in the 30 days through June 6 Pahrump Fire-Rescue responded to 60 brushfires, resulting in the loss of approximately 100 acres, 15 structures and as many vehicles, in addition to other personal property totaling $1,178,000 in losses. Lewis urged the board to pass Emergency Management Executive Order Number 1. "Our key issue is the number of structures involved (in the recent fires)," he said. "We're having great success fighting fast moving grass fires but (the U.S. Forest Service and BLM) can't actively engage in fires involving dwellings, automobiles, or structures such as businesses. "We are issuing citations - and successfully working in conjunction with the sheriff's department," Lewis explained. "We have roaming patrols and citizens are contacting us to report potential fire hazards and illegal burns (at 727-5658). Jack Jenkins, a senior volunteer, took 26 calls in a day and a half last week." In response to Chief Lewis, board member Paul Willis moved to approve the declaration of emergency, as well as to accept the town's comprehensive emergency management plan. When the meeting opened for public comment, a question from Pahrump resident and firefighter/paramedic Tim Gold sparked discussion that revealed there is no comprehensive emergency plan. Apparently, the county commissioners gave the plan to the town board for comment, where it has languished for some time. "How do you include a plan that doesn't exist in an executive order?" Gold asked. Willis explained the board had accepted the emergency management comprehensive plan, but had not approved it; however according to board member Laurayne Murray, the board was only presented with a rough draft of the document that was about 80 percent complete. Murray also stated, "(tabling) the executive order does not prohibit us from doing the emergency declaration today." At that point newly appointed board member Ron Johnson pointed out that the board and town should look at the spirit and intent of the proceedings. "We are experiencing a clear emergency in this area at this moment. We have a situation that needs to be addressed immediately. We need to make this declaration under this executive order. I suggest that we take care of the business at hand on this." Willis added that the county commissioners "were waiting for input from this board. Let's (get this done) instead of using it as an excuse." Murray responded by saying she supports the commissioners' work, "but I would say that we don't even have an understanding about what we are voting on, yet it is us in charge of the plan. I would like to see a motion made to declare the emergency without accepting the comprehensive plan." Willis then amended his motion to reflect that change. After being assured by Lewis that all the fire-rescue service mutual aid agreements were current, Johnson seconded the amended motion to pass the emergency management executive order. Tim Gold then stated from the podium set up for public comment that "I don't believe it is necessary to declare an emergency at this time." Johnson answered him by saying, "We obviously have a serious emergency. The destruction of property and the threat to lives just isn't acceptable. (The emergency declaration) allows us to gain some support money." Resident Keith Young agreed with Johnson. "I wonder what direction this meeting would take if we were standing upwind from a little grass fire right now." Other comments from the citizens in the tightly packed small meeting room at the Bob Ruud Community Center included Jane Schmidt, who said she started a fire on her own property. "I hit a rock with the lawn mower and the spark started the brush on fire. We can't wait around (with this declaration). There is a lot of explosive stuff and five acres (of weeds) on the other side of my house." Johnson added, "An awful lot of firefighters are killed on just one acre. This situation we are living in here really is ... unique with the height of the fuel and the continuity (of vacant land). We have lots of structures with weeds not only next to them, but growing up onto them and even into windows of vacant buildings." The board voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency and the meeting was summarily dismissed. The decision was relayed immediately to the county commissioners for further action. |
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