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2C992226B5A15D4A87258A1A005E1482 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT & DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

INTERIM COMMITTEE  WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Aug 29, 2023      
Location LSB A



Department of Public Health and Environment & Department of Public Safety - Committee Discussion Only
11:07:38 AM  
Chief Mike Morgan,
Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), Department
of Public Safety, discussed what the DFPC is trying to accomplish and their
wildfire mitigation priorities, including managing risk and the wildland-urban
interface (WUI). He explained the need for collaboration between safety
and public health officials when coming up with wildfire management plans.
11:18:53 AM  
Chief Morgan responded to questions from the committee on the development of prescribed burn strategies.
11:22:37 AM  
Scott Brookman, Senior
Director of Public Health Readiness and Response, Colorado Department of
Public Heath (CDPHE), gave a presentation on how CDPHE responds to wildfires
and the smoke produced by them. He introduced his co-presenters, Kristy
Richardson and Kristen Good.



Their presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/cdphe_wildfire_presentation.pdf
11:26:10 AM  
Kristy Richardson,
State Toxicologist, CDPHE, discussed the health concerns that arise from
the air pollution caused by wildfire smoke and the water contamination
risks after a wildfire. She also discussed how certain groups are more
vulnerable to the health impacts of wildfires.
11:36:55 AM  
Ms. Richardson responded
to questions from the committee on how to identify the source of pollutants
in the air and on what measurements were taken during the Marshall Fire.
11:55:05 AM  
Dr. Kristen Good, Health Equity Branch Deputy Chief, CDPHE, discussed the way that outdoor air pollution from wildfires can affect indoor air quality if a building does not have proper ventilation. She discussed methods to improve indoor air quality and the lack of a statewide clean air shelter program.
12:07:46 PM  
Director Brookman discussed communities that are disproportionately by wildfires and what CDPHE does to support them.
12:08:41 PM  
Dr. Good responded to questions from the committee on the funding and progress of the indoor air quality assessment pilot program.






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