I_WMRC_2021A 08/12/2021 09:02:50 AM Committee Summary PUBLICSTAFF SUMMARY OF MEETINGINTERIM COMMITTEE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE Date 08/12/2021 Attendance Coram X Lee X Lynch X Simpson X Snyder X Story E Valdez D. X Will E Ginal X Cutter X Time 09:02:50 AM to 03:53:19 PM Place Old State Library This Meeting was called to order by Cutter This Report was prepared by Anne Wallace Hearing Items Action Taken hOpening Remarks Committee Discussion Only hFederal Perspectives on Wildfire Management Committee Discussion Only hInsurance Issues and Wildfire Committee Discussion Only hWildfire Detection and Response Technology Committee Discussion Only hUtilities and Wildfire Committee Discussion Only hFirefighting Workforce Challenges and the SWIFT Program Committee Discussion Only hPublic Testimony Committee Discussion Only Opening Remarks - Committee Discussion Only 09:03:21 AM Representative Cutter, Chair, called the meeting to order and made announcements about the agenda. Federal Perspectives on Wildfire Management - Committee Discussion Only 09:06:03 AM Jaqueline Buchanan, U.S. Forest Service, presented regarding the 2020 wildfire season and the U.S. Forest Service's work on mitigation and response. She discussed budgetary concerns, workforce issues, and the importance of state and federal cooperation to work on mitigation. 09:24:08 AM Ms. Buchanan responded to committee questions about federal wildfire recovery efforts. Insurance Issues and Wildfire - Committee Discussion Only 09:59:27 AM Commissioner Michael Conway, Colorado Division of Insurance, presented to the committee regarding homeowner's insurance and wildfire issues, using a power point. The Commissioner's presentation, and all other presentations may be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/iwmrc2021acommsched. He discussed different types of homeowner's insurance and insurance's role in wildfire recovery. Commissioner Conway discussed the availability and affordability of insurance and the claims process. He provided data on insurance claims from the 2020 wildfires in Colorado, and summarized other states' approaches to insurance and disaster mitigation. 10:21:50 AM Carole Walker, Rocky Mountain Insurance Association (RMIA), presented to the committee regarding insurance and wildfires, using a powerpoint. She discussed increased insurance claims related to catastrophes in Colorado, increased home building costs, and the importance of mitigation. Ms. Walker discussed educating homeowners and communities on the risks of wildfire and the importance of insurance. 10:43:37 AM Ms. Walker and Commissioner Conway responded to committee questions regarding homeowner incentives to mitigate their property, insurance company profits, a state-sponsored insurance pool, and issues with insurance adjusters. Wildfire Detection and Response Technology - Committee Discussion Only 11:21:37 AM Karen Jefferson, Rocky Mountain TSG, presented regarding new wildfire detection and response technology, using a powerpoint. She discussed technology to detect smoke and firefighter fatigue. Rod Goossen, RoGO, presented regarding technology to ensure communicate and location tracking of firefighters on remote sites. 11:35:33 AM Mr. Goossen and Ms. Jefferson responded to committee questions regarding RoGO technology and smoke detection cameras. 11:42:09 AM The committee recessed for lunch. 01:03:50 PM The committee came back to order. Michael Morgan, Director, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and Ben Miller, Director, Center of Excellence for the Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting, presented to the committee regarding technology updates, using a powerpoint. The presenters discussed Center of Excellence wildland fire technology, unmanned systems, and aviation projects. 01:26:11 PM Mr. Miller and Director Morgan responded to committee questions regarding communication in wildland areas, fire predicting technology, and funding for wildfire technology. Utilities and Wildfire - Committee Discussion Only 01:48:14 PM Tim Coleman, Colorado Rural Electric Association, presented to the committee regarding wildfires in electric cooperatives territory. Paul Erickson, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, presented regarding successes and difficulties conducting wildfire mitigation. Jeff Wadsworth, Poudre Valley REA, presented regarding vegetation management and utilites' right of way. 02:15:34 PM Mr. Erickson, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Wadsworth responded to committee questions regarding communication with federal authorities, difficulty enforcing a utility's right of way, and cooperative liability during fires. 02:35:42 PM Sandra Johnson, Xcel Energy, presented regarding Xcel Energy's wildfire mitigation plan using a powerpoint. She discussed the impact of 2020 wildfires on Xcel's assets and customers. Ms. Johnson summarized Xcel's plan to minimize risks of wildfire, which includes increased inspections, hardening equipment, conducting high fire threat operations, and engaging community and the industry. Firefighting Workforce Challenges and the SWIFT Program - Committee Discussion Only 02:53:31 PM Jessica Warren, Colorado Correctional Industries, presented regarding employment of people who are incarcerated in Colorado. She discussed the State Wildland Inmate Fire Team (SWIFT) program participants, the areas to which they have been deployed, and their wages. Ms. Warren summarized 2021 legislation that will expand the opportunities for participants in the SWIFT program. Mr. Lee, SWIFT participant, discussed his experience with the SWIFT program and the skills he learned through the program. 03:07:09 PM Ms. Warren and Ruth Coffman, Colorado Department of Corrections, responded to committee questions regarding SWIFT crews, challenges with the SWIFT program, and utilizing the SWIFT program for mitigation work. 03:16:48 PM Chied David Wolf, Estes Valley Fire Protection District, presented regarding firefighting workforce challenges, using a powerpoint. He discussed challenges, including limited housing and demographic issues, in Estes Valley. Mr. Wolf provided suggestions for state assistance for volunteer firefighters. 03:24:13 PM Chief Brad White, Grand Valley Fire Protection District, presented regarding challenges with attracting and retaining firefighting workers, using a powerpoint. He explained Grand Valley's staffing model and changes over time. Chief White discussed staffing challenges with volunteer firefighter, career staff, and resident firefighters. Chief White discussed incentives, funding options for fire protection districts, and developing surge capacity. 03:41:28 PM Chief White and Chief Wolf responded to committee questions regarding SWIFT crews. Public Testimony - Committee Discussion Only 03:42:55 PM Michele Robbins, representing herself, testified regarding insurance issues and wildfire. She responded to questions from the committee. 03:53:19 PM The committee adjourned.
