REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 13, 2026
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the United States Forest Service, Angeles National Forest
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve Amendment No. 1 to Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement No. 25-438 with the United States Forest Service, Angeles National, for reciprocal fire protection, including mutual aid, reimbursable assistance, and coordination for the prevention, detection, management, and suppression of wildland fires on property within the protection areas or jurisdiction of the parties, adding provisions related to nondiscrimination and paid sick leave, and extending the term by 45 months for a total term of June 29, 2025 through July 28, 2030.
(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 Amendment No. 1 (Amendment) to Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement No. 25-438 (Agreement) with the United States Forest Service, Angeles National Forest will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). In accordance with this Agreement, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) and the United States Forest Service, Angeles National Forest (U.S. Forest Service) will provide the services on a contractual basis.
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.
On June 10, 2025 (Item No. 122), SBCFPD’s Board of Directors approved the Agreement between SBCFPD and the U.S. Forest Service effective June 29, 2025. Item No. 122 inadvertently indicated that the Agreement was effective through May 31, 2027, but the terms of the Agreement indicate it is only effective through October 30, 2026.
The Agreement allows for mutually beneficial prevention, detection, management, and suppression of wildland fires in and adjacent to their areas of responsibility. Due to the shared borders between SBCFPD and the U.S. Forest Service, the Agreement allows for the most expeditious and cost-effective response for the public served by these fire agencies.
Approval of the Amendment will add provisions related to nondiscrimination, paid sick leave, and extends the term through July 28, 2030.
The Agreement may be terminated by either party with 90 days’ written notice.
All other terms of the Agreement shall remain the same.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, and Charles Phan, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 30, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on December 17, 2025.