PILLAR ONE
STRATEGY

DEFINE AND IMPLEMENT AN OFF-GRID POWER DISTRICT AND FIRE HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM

As with most catastrophic events, they result from a series of incidents happening together, in unison, and combined with specific existing circumstances that are the set point. Lahaina, HI, for example:

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1). Lahaina established some power lines below ground in newer developments, but many were above ground and exposed to the elements.

2). High winds, unexpected but easily forecasted. Past high winds had never proven to be particularly hazardous and were not anticipated to be exceptionally harmful.

3). Emergency warning communications that were designed for more specific tsunami warnings. Cellular phone services, transmission equipment, and cell towers were unprotected from the elements, high winds, and fire.  

The "trigger" for disaster was the high winds, bringing down power lines, causing fires, fires fed by high winds, and power outages that disabled early warning systems and most all communications with cell towers reliant on power to operate. The reality was that Lahina was a community fire blasted with high winds, with no early warning system designed for this specific event that could function appropriately, no reliable method of communication, and perhaps most importantly, a fire dynamic that had never before been experienced nor anticipated. While Laguna has some varying circumstances from Lahina, it is primarily similar, and this event may well be an early warning for Laguna. 

​PROACTIVE: 

Develop a cost-effective solar and power storage system to allow an independent, cost-saving, and profitable Peaker Power Generating District of Laguna Beach while providing lower-cost and reliable electric service to the community, minimizing the above-ground high-level power line requirements, and mitigating the related fire risk exposure.

RE-ACTIVE

Learn from the events of Lahaina concerning early warning systems and communications. Develop a fail-safe program to mitigate any fire danger.