We all know who these "critics" are: controlling little twits with terminal megalomania.
Just fund enough to stomp on these cockroaches and the communities threatened, left to themselves, have the common sense to do what is necessary to protect themselves.
Just throw any "official" who interferes (after firing him, of course) and the problem takes care of itself.
Before 1972, I recall no great handwringing about dealing with the fire threat.