SMFD Issues

Everywhere we look right now, it is clear that fires pose a real and present danger to California. The Southern Marin Fire Protection District is a critical Marin County agency dedicated to protecting our residents’ safety through emergency preparedness, fire prevention and fire protection. 

As a Director, I work with my colleagues, the Fire Chief, the firefighters and staff to ensure we have a high performing, fiscally prudent district that prioritizes our residents safety through emergency preparedness, fire prevention and fire protection. 

  • Fire Prevention

    Fire prevention must continue to be a top priority. For everyone’s safety, it is imperative that we help our district residents prepare for fire season by assisting with debris clearance, chipper days, and other strategies that prevent fires.  

    We must also pull our private sector partners in to help us solve the crisis of wildfires in California. PG&E can be a better steward of their electrical infrastructure to ensure they do not start fires and that we are not exposed to widespread power outages. 

    I am a strong supporter of Measure U. It has enabled us to expand our fire prevention efforts and provide greater resiliency to our community. I will continue to advocate for fire prevention programs that increase our community resilience. 

    Measure U enabled us to set up a new Fire Prevention Division that works in partnership with residents of the District to keep us safe. We now have a Vegetation Management Specialist, an Occupancy Compliance Inspector, and a dedicated Fire Prevention Specialist. 

  • Fire Preparedness and Protection

    Our Fire District must continue to protect the residents we serve by ensuring we have highly trained firefighting staff whom are well equipped and prepared to respond to all emergencies. We must continue to improve our ability to react to and contain wildland fires, maintain our local fire protection efforts and emergency medical services as well as our 9-1-1 response times.  

    To achieve these goals, we need to ensure our staff has state-of-the-art equipment, training and Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to enable a safe and rapid response to all emergencies.  

    We must also ensure the long-term health of our firefighter staff. I support efforts to protect the health of our firefighters through advance cancer screenings and other health support related to the unique dangers of the job.

  • Fiscal Responsibility

    I am committed to running an efficient agency that makes the highest use of our taxpayer resources. All our work must be fundable though a budget that prioritizes the safety of the residents and ensures high quality services for all.

    I supported Board action to not take the automatic Measure U tax increase for 2021. 

    I voted to suspend select permit fees to help small businesses struggling to survive as a result of COVID 19.

  • Increase the diversity of our staff

    A career as a firefighter is a rewarding one that many in our community would enjoy. I am working with our labor unions, management and my fellow directors to find ways to improve the recruitment, training and hiring of more women and people of color.