OLA#: 016-03K

LEGISLATIVE ANALYST REPORT

TO: Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors

FROM: Office of the Legislative Analyst

DATE: June 6, 2003

SUBJECT:Employee Suggestion #477: Firebreaks

EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION

Gardeners for the Department of Recreation and Parks (DRP) are responsible for cutting back flammable vegetation on city-owned property to create firebreaks. Some of the terrain that must be cleared is steep or otherwise dangerous for city workers causing injuries that lead to worker's compensation claims. To minimize future injuries and the resulting costs, the employee suggests requiring property owners to clear firebreaks in a 50-foot radius around their property even though it is public property.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

By California State Code, the city cannot require private landowners to maintain firebreaks beyond their own property. However, DRP may wish to explore other ways to minimize costs. The use of goats is a more cost-effective means of clearing vegetation. Expansion of the use of goats could result in lower costs and in fewer worker injuries.

ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDATIONS

California State Public Resources Code Section 4291 states that any building owner whose property contains dangerously flammable vegetation must maintain a firebreak in a 30-foot radius only up to the property line. San Francisco can not require property owners to care for property other than their own. Therefore, the responsibility of clearing firebreaks on public property must remain with the City.

DRP began utilizing goats to clear firebreaks two years ago in order to protect employees from injury and to minimize costs. The cost per acre for DRP workers to clear firebreaks is between $3,000 and $4,000. The cost per acre for goats to clear firebreaks is approximately $1,500. After the use of goats began two years ago, employee hours spent on clearing firebreaks were reduced by about 40%. With goats now clearing between four and seven acres, DRP is saving between $6,000 and $17,500 and has reduced the likelihood of employee injury. DRP staff indicates that there is some room for expansion of the use of goats, though it is limited. The department may wish to expand this program as much as possible in order to minimize costs and injuries.