HomeMy WebLinkAboutA10_Twana Way Emergency Vehicle AccessFrom: John DiMaggio <dimaggiojohn17@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2023 10:38 PM
To: shawnbennett@yahoo.com; Nils Glomset <bglomset@comcast.net>; deedeehawley@yahoo.com;
adleorocks@yahoo.com; shawley11@gemail.com; Paul Kooiman <paul@kooimanphoto.com>;
starphanie@gmail.com; mogul33@msn.com; karlvonbargen@yahoo.com; ptatermwwalker@gmail.com;
Richard Rathvon <rrathvon@gmail.com>
Subject: Twana Way Emergency Vehicle Access
Hi neighbors,
This email is to share the information we received with regard to emergency vehicle access on Twana
Way. As you are aware, there has been a big push to widen and “improve” Twana Way primarily for this
reason. In order to fully understand the challenges, we contacted Quilcene Fire & Rescue and asked
them to evaluate the road. This occurred yesterday afternoon.
In summary, the road as it stands is accessible for emergency vehicles including their larger fire
truck. Because our situation is not rare, Quilcene Fire & Rescue purchases vehicles that can navigate
rural roads.
According to Quilcene Fire & Rescue, the way to shave minutes for emergency response is to create a
helicopter landing pad at the bottom of the hill. This is the only solution for improved medical response
and would allow residents to get the best care. There are a number of neighborhoods in Quilcene that
have landing pads. Fortunately, Rich, who has been the biggest proponent of improving emergency
access, has the necessary land near the water for the landing pad. It would be great if Rich would be
willing to help the neighborhood obtain this solution.
Here is the list of Quilcene Fire & Rescue comments:
1. The only way to improve medical response would be via helicopter.
2. The road currently supports trucks up to 30,000 pounds.
3. The limitations of access result from the steep and winding nature of the road, two factors that
cannot be remediated.
4. Response time is most dependent upon the weather conditions and experience of the
driver. Quilcene Fire & Rescue has drivers very experienced with navigating rural roads.
5. The problem is not getting vehicles down the road, it is getting the vehicles back up.
6. It would be good to address the 3 or 4 larger ruts, such as the one on our easement across from
the rock barrier. He suggested we use 4 inch “clean” rock, 2-inch rock and ¾ minus for repairs.
He also suggested culverts could help.
7. It would be good to get a GeoTek analysis of the road stability. In his estimation the road
appears stable but we would need an expert opinion. As a note, we did have a GeoTek analysis
done for our property and the analysis noted that there is significant instability in this area that
varies plot by plot.
8. Regardless of the weather conditions, emergency response will always occur, even during a
heavy snow. If necessary, they will send people on foot with stretchers and for fire response
they can use brush trucks or extended hoses.
9. The rocks placed by our slope are very helpful in providing a line of demarcation, helping drivers
clearly see the side of the road. He suggested reflectors be placed every 20 feet on the rocks as
that would also increase visibility. (We should consider adding additional rocks with reflectors
on other precarious parts of Twana Way.)
10. He has often encountered neighborhoods that have no Road Maintenance Agreement and this
makes road issues very complicated as 100% of landowners have to agree with any changes.
If these discussions continue, Michelle and I would appreciate an environmental impact report. A high
priority needs to be given to the fact that we live in a designated wilderness area. Supporting the many
years of effort and the significant resources invested to protect the Dabob area is of great importance as
this is a fragile and important environment.
For transparency we are forwarding communications regarding the road improvement proposals.
Thanks for your time and we hope this helps inform the conversation.
John and Michelle