Proposal: Implementing Hollister Ranch Parcel Identification Signs
Hollister Ranch is one of the most beautiful spots on the earth. Several families call Hollister Ranch their home and this proposal focuses on providing emergency responders with a standardized approach to identifying the parcels or addresses at Hollister Ranch. Time counts during medical, wildfire or any event that requires emergency services to be activated and respond to the ranch, anything that can enhance the existing system should be considered... Failure to prepare is preparing for failure...
Existing Hollister Ranch Graphics...
Proposed Hollister Ranch Parcel (Address) Sign...
Identification signs need to be a contrasting background with reflective numbers to enable easy viewing at night or in smoky or foggy weather conditions. Two examples are shown above, one black and white and the other color, using existing Hollister Ranch graphics.
The continued threat of wildland fires makes it an absolute priority to enable responding engine companies the benefit of clearly identified parcel identification signs. Relying on existing Hollister Ranch Security personnel to "birddog" or guide engine companies is only good as long as you have available personnel. Couple this with mutual aid engine and dozer strike teams and it becomes very clear that Hollister Ranch needs to have a system that enables the user to look at a simple map and to compare the numbers on the map with a standardized parcel identification sign.
Response times to a fire or medical emergency can be reduced if safeguards are put in place to minimize the potential for any delay including emergency response units getting lost of disorientated.
A San Diego County home (above) was consumed by fire due to lack of initial response emergency response equipment. This is why fire agencies statewide and nationally rely on mutual aid from other fire jurisdictions. While Hollister Ranch is located within Santa Barbara County Fire Department's jurisdiction, it would not be uncommon to see mutual aid engines from Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Kern County and local area city fire departments as well as any other available resource statewide and nationally on an initial response to a large incident.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong without compounding the problem with emergency responders not knowing exactly where they are. Not all parcel addresses look the same and in some cases, some addresses are difficult to see or locate, specially at night...
Standardizing one sign makes identification quick and easy. These signs also serve as reference points that can be compared to the Hollister Ranch map received by visitors (engine companies) at the Gate House.
This proposal would also aid visitors to the ranch, unfamiliar with their final destination. In the event of an emergency evacuation, the parcel signs would also ensure residents responding the safest route, verifying locations by using the parcel addressing.
Think Safety!
Web Design and Graphics by Mike Schlags, Fire Captain / Santa Barbara County Fire Department Fire Station 18 / Gaviota
Email: mschlags@msn.com
Website Updated December 4, 2004