Vision SMTX Appendix Adopted 2024

APPENDIX D: POLICY BASELINE AND DEVELOPMENT

The San Marcos Fire Department (SMFD) operates in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the nation. Additionally, the SMFD and community maintain a unique composition that includes the following: · Multiple geographic restriction zones that impact response times and reliability. · 58% of residential properties are multi-unit and multi-story dwelling units. · A large student population combined with low to moderate-income families. · A major distribution and transportation pipeline via the Amazon fulfillment center, H.E.B distribution center, and the soon-to-be-built and expanded San Marcos Air, Rail, and Truck (SMART) terminal. · Large retail presence with regionally recognized outlet mall that serves as a major attraction for visitors and retail shoppers. · Limited staffing within the SMFD that challenges the Department’s ability to effectively manage large and/or expanding fire events. The Risk Analysis section highlighted a broad range of community risks and identified the highest concentration of occurrence related to pre-hospital medical incidents. However, the greatest potential risk is associated with flooding events and structural fires in non-sprinklered, multi-family buildings. Recommendations outlined in this report include: · Flooding Preparation · The City should engage SMFD in discussions related to resiliency measures and ensure that operational deployment plans are aligned with the critical staffing requirements for swift-water and flooding events. · Geographic Restriction Zones · The City and SMFD should continue to review future site development plans with a goal to improve current thoroughfare conditions. Numerous grade-level rail-crossings were noted to impact SMFD unit responses due to congestion and the lack of alternate routes. This is most discernible when a multi-unit response is required because it extends the time to assemble an effective response force and the critical staffing needed to manage an escalating incident. Reduced road widths and reduced turning radius due to residential street parking were also noted within some new subdivisions. City development projects should consider compliance with the International Fire Code. As of October, 2023, the first phase of the training center is near completion including the construction of a state of the art burn building for live fire training exercises.

SAN MARCOS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2024

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