REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 24, 2022
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Adoption/Donation Agreement with Working Dogs for Warriors
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve Amendment No. 1 to Adoption/Donation Agreement No. 22-213 with Working Dogs for Warriors, Corp., a non-profit corporation, to provide two additional service dogs, for a total of four service dogs, dedicated to helping San Bernardino County Fire Protection District employees in its Peer Support Program, with no other changes to the Adoption/Donation Agreement remaining in effect while the service dogs are in the custody of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the amendment will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). As part of this amendment, Working Dogs for Warriors, Corp. (WDFW) will fund the costs for acquiring the two additional service dogs and sending two additional San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) staff members to training and certification classes in Rialto. The annual costs associated with food, shelter and care for the canines will be funded by SBCFPD. Sufficient appropriation for these costs is available in SBCFPD’s 2021-22 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SBCFPD first responders face many physically and emotionally challenging situations, some of which lead to experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other service-related injuries. WDFW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that has established programs to honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving our community and country.
On March 15, 2022 (Item No. 57) the Board of Directors (Board) approved Agreement No. 22-213 (Agreement) with WDFW for the donation of two designated service dogs. The service dogs provided by WDFW joined SBCFPD’s Peer Support Program. SBCFPD’s Peer Support Program is an employee assistance program offering confidential help and guidance by selected trained Peer Support Personnel to all SBCFPD members experiencing a personal or professional crisis. The service dogs provided by WDFW help improve the physical, social, educational or mental health of the employees receiving services from SBCFPD’s Peer Support Program.
These service dogs are cared for by, and reside with, their assigned handler. Each designated dog handler receives a pay differential in accordance with SBCFPD policy and as agreed to through a side letter agreement with the labor union.
WDFW wishes to donate two additional service dogs to SBCFPD that will participate in SBCFPD’s Peer Support Program. SBCFPD will have designated handlers who will receive training from WDFW and will continue to receive training per WDFW Service Dog Training Standards.
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 22-213 will allow SBCFPD to receive two additional service dogs from WDFW to support SBCFPD’s Peer Support Program, bringing the total dogs in the SBCFPD program to four dogs. This Amendment No. 1 will take effect on the date it is signed and approved by both parties. Agreement No. 22-213 will continue to remain in effect while the service dogs are in SBCFPD’s custody.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, and Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 22, 2022; Human Resources (Gina King, Deputy Director, 387-5571) on April 28, 2022; Risk Management (Victor Tordesillas, Director, 386-8730) on April 27, 2022; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on May 2, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Diana Atkeson, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 3, 2022.