REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 7, 2025
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Agreement for Exchange of Fire Protection and Rescue Services - Automatic Aid/Initial Action with Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve non-financial Agreement for Exchange of Fire Protection and Rescue Services - Automatic Aid/Initial Action, which includes a Memorandum of Understanding with Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County for automatic assistance on fire and emergency response services from October 7, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
2. Authorize the Fire Chief/Fire Warden to make non-substantive amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding, which is an attachment to the automatic aid/initial action agreement, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Fire Chief/Fire Warden to transmit any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding to the Secretary of the Board of Directors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this agreement will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as this is a non-financial agreement that defines the responsibilities of the two entities regarding automatic aid. No party furnishing aid is entitled to compensation from the other party for services rendered under the Agreement. However, in the event that costs incurred are related to a declared emergency or major disaster or a declared fire, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) retains its right to claim reimbursement in accordance with any established federal guidelines.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SBCFPD has numerous mutual aid agreements with local, state, and federal agencies to assist each other in the suppression of fires and in the provision of emergency medical services. These agreements allow one party to assist the other party by providing personnel, equipment, materials/supplies, and other services, as needed, for fire and/or emergency incidents.
Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (CFPD) is a fire district located in Los Angeles (LA) County. While CFPD’s jurisdictional area is in LA County, the boundaries are adjacent and contiguous to SBCFPD’s boundaries so that automatic assistance during times of disaster and/or emergencies is necessary.
SBCFPD and CFPD desire to enter into the recommended mutually beneficial automatic aid/initial action agreement for a reasonable and reciprocal exchange of fire, rescue and emergency medical services between the two agencies. Automatic aid responses from either party shall include equipment, material and supplies such as are usually and customarily used within the sending party’s jurisdiction. SBCFPD will, upon notification from its primary dispatch facility, and with approval of its Duty Officer, respond with the requested type of emergency equipment to an incident within the CFPD’s jurisdictional boundaries. CFPD will, upon notification from its primary dispatch facility, and with approval from its Duty Officer, respond with the requested type of emergency equipment to an incident within SBCFPD’s jurisdictional boundaries.
SBCFPD and CFPD will mutually benefit from this arrangement by allowing resources to cross jurisdictional boundaries and providing equipment and apparatus that are unavailable from within the jurisdiction. The service to the communities will be enhanced by decreasing emergency response times, allocating specialized equipment to incidents, and developing partnerships and a spirit of cooperation among agencies.
Approval of this agreement will provide for the safety, health, and social service needs of County residents by enhancing the emergency response capabilities of SBCFPD and CFPD. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 30 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Rick Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 17, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on September 17, 2025.