TIMBER COVE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
The Timber Cove Fire Protection District (TCFPD) provides services to approximately 500
residents in an area of 48 square miles, shown in Figure . The District is located along the
coast in western Sonoma County.
While the District faces challenges relating to staff shortages and the purchase of special
equipment, its reserves and relatively new equipment inventory appear adequate to meet
growth in the near future.
GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS
TCFPD was formed in 1996. It is empowered to provide fire protection, emergency medical
services, and non-transport rescue. TCFPD has no paid personnel; it relies on 24 volunteer
firefighters and is governed by a three-member Board of Directors. It also contracts with the
Sonoma County Department of Emergency of Services for administrative services. The Board
meets the third Tuesday of every month. Meetings are open to the public. Information is also
made available through a newsletter published by the District.
The District’s main revenue sources are property taxes and flat benefit assessment fees.
Property taxes comprise around 72 percent of total revenues. In FY 04-05, the sale of an old
engine and other miscellaneous funding (including approximately $30,000 carried over from the
previous fiscal year) brought the total operating budget to $144,800. The special tax is
assessed at a rate of $15 per unit of risk. TCFPD currently has two major sources of debt: a 15year, $300,000 loan taken out to pay for construction of the District fire station in 1996, and a
$60,000 loan taken out to pay for the 2004 purchase of a new water tender. It maintains
reserves in the amount of $30,000 to $40,000, or around 20 to 25 percent of its operating
budget.
The District has automatic aid arrangements with neighboring fire districts, community service
districts, and volunteer fire companies, including Monte Rio FPD, Cazadero CSD, Sea Ranch
VFC, Fort Ross VFC, and Annapolis VFC.
INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES
The District has an ISO rating of 8b. Its call volume has ranged from 64 to 95 calls annually
over the past six years.
Its equipment and facilities comprise seven vehicles, miscellaneous rescue tools and apparatus,
and a firehouse, located in Cazadero. The District needs a Type III Wildland engine and has
unsuccessfully made three attempts to apply for FEMA grant money in order to purchase one.
TCFPD has also applied for FEMA funding to pay for personal protection gear. Funding for
these purchases is not available in the District’s regular budget.
FIRE PROTECTION DEMAND AND CAPACITY
Sonoma County PRMD projections for the Sonoma Coast Planning Area (encompassing the
length of the County’s coast and extending up to 15 miles inland) anticipate annual growth of
1.77 percent between 2000 and 2020. No major growth or expansion is anticipated within the
District.
TCFPD faces the staffing problems common to volunteer districts, and it has had difficulty
finding adequate funding for special equipment. However, the District has relatively new
equipment and makes an effort to maintain reserves to fund necessary replacements. TCFPD
does not anticipate any changes in its boundaries or level of service over the next five years.
The demand from one fire department to another varies significantly. The table below provides a
snap shot on the calls for service for the department.
Emergency Incident Activity
Structure
Fire Res.
Structure
Fire
Com.
Medical
Aid
Vehicle
Accident
Vehicle
Fire
Vehicle
Accident:
Extrication
Outside:
Trash,
Dumpster
Wildland
Auto
Fire
Alarm
Other
Total
2009
2010
2011
Total
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Cumulative
Total
%
%
Figure: Timber Cove Fire Protection District Sphere of Influence
DETERMINATIONS – 2013 DRAFT
Growth and population projections for the affected area.
Sonoma County PRMD projections for the Sonoma Coast Planning Area (encompassing the
length of the County’s coast and extending up to 15 miles inland) anticipate annual growth of
1.77 percent between 2000 and 2020. No major growth or expansion is anticipated within the
District.
The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities
within or contiguous to the sphere of influence.
In Sonoma County the State Department of Water Resources and Sonoma LAFCO has
designated, Boyes Hot Springs, Cazadero, Glen Ellen, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Temelec and
Valley Ford as “disadvantaged unincorporated communities”.
None of the “disadvantaged unincorporated communities” are located in the district.
Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services,
including infrastructure needs or deficiencies
The District has made three unsuccessful applications for FEMA grant money to cover the cost
of a new Type III Wildland engine. Funding for this purchase is not available in TCFPD’s current
budget. Other equipment is relatively up to date; a water tender was purchased in 2004, and the
District’s station was built in 1996.
Financial ability of agencies to provide services
Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities
TCFPD has automatic aid arrangements with the neighboring districts and volunteer fire
companies of Monte Rio, Sea Ranch, Cazadero, Annapolis, and Fort Ross. It does not share
staff or facilities.
Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and
operational efficiencies
TCFPD has a three-member Board of Directors that meets the third Tuesday of every month at
the fire station. Meetings are open to the public. The District also makes information available
to the public via newsletters.
Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by
commission policy
None