East Fork announces outreach sessions

Two public outreach sessions have been scheduled to explain the new East Fork Fire Protection District regulations that were introduced Nov. 15 by the district board of directors.

The sessions are 3-5 p.m. Wednesday and 3-5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the district offices 1694 County Road in Minden.

The meetings are public but designed for folks in the building industry.

A second reading of the regulations is scheduled for Dec. 20.

“Based upon the advice of their legal counsel, Mark Forsberg, the District is proceeding with the adoption process following a similar process that is used to adopt ordinances,” Chief Tod Carlini said on Wednesday. “The District Board made it clear that they wanted a transparent process to be following and directed the administration to conduct outreach information sessions. While the meetings are open to the public, the target audience will be developers, contractors, designers, architects, engineers, and owner-builders.”

The outreach sessions will follow an agenda and include a presentation and discussion session.

The district is implementing the regulations in response to Douglas County’s repeal of a residential sprinkler requirement in certain locations that had been in effect for three years.

Carlini said the outreach sessions are designed to provide accurate information about the proposed regulations and to have a civil discussion with those in attendance regarding the need

and rationale.

“We need to move past the action taken by Douglas County and work towards regulations which provide some options for fire flow, water supplies, and early notification in those areas outside of established water systems,” Carlini said.

The district is responding to 7,000 calls a year now with a limited number of resources covering 650 square miles.

“We have a very dedicated staff of both career and volunteer personnel who work hard each and every day to meet the needs of the community, and the proposed fire regulations support that effort as well,” Carlini said.