A. The Berkeley/Oakland Hills Fire of October 1991 brought into stark focus the need to take preventative steps both to reduce the likelihood of another such conflagration, and to reduce its severity and the severity of its consequences in the event that, despite increased efforts, another large fire should occur.

B. Although a disaster such as the October 1991 Fire has far reaching consequences, the damage to the lives and property of the residents and property owners of the fire area is of an altogether different order of magnitude than that suffered by the City at large. Therefore, it is the residents of the hill areas of the City (or other areas of the City with a cognizable, special fire danger) that will specifically benefit from the preventative and preparedness procedures proposed; and it is those areas that should properly and equitably bear the costs of the extra services involved.

C. The implementation of a locally funded mechanism to implement a program of fire prevention and preparedness in areas of the City specially in need of such services is peculiarly a matter of local interest and concern and is a proper subject for an ordinance adopted under the City’s charter powers. (Ord. 6129-NS § 1, 1992)