REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 27, 2020
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Agreement with Big Fish Entertainment, LLC
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD), approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 18-823 with Big Fish Entertainment, LLC (Big Fish), extending the agreement by one year, for a total contract period of November 6, 2018 through November 5, 2021, allowing Big Fish continued access to SBCFPD staff and facilities for the purpose of filming the television series titled “Live Rescue.”
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Since this is a non-financial agreement, approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Big Fish is the producer of a number of visually-driven reality television shows including “LivePD” in which Big Fish has worked with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The series “Live Rescue” embeds a Big Fish crew in various cities across the country following several fire stations, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians to capture the real-time perspective and diversity of first responders. Their stories are told through live experiences during actual shifts, with some pre-taped packages to further showcase the first responders and their departments.
On November 6, 2018 (Item No. 80), the Board of Directors (Board) approved Agreement No. 18-823 with Big Fish allowing access to SBCFPD staff and facilities from November 6, 2018 through November 5, 2019 for filming the television series “First Responders Live” (the title was subsequently changed to “Live Rescue”). The agreement with Big Fish allows SBCFPD to participate in the “Live Rescue” multi-part series. There are strict protocols regarding the parameters of filming. Confidential information will not be revealed during the series. In addition, “Live Rescue” will be shown on a time delay in order to eliminate/blur sensitive material and address any legal concerns in advance of the broadcast.
Due to the nature of the television series and change of broadcasting network, a one-year extension of the contract term through November 5, 2020 (Amendment No. 1) was approved by the Board on October 8, 2019 (Item No. 46). A second amendment has been requested by Big Fish to continue filming the very popular show since the show season has been extended by A&E, the television network that “Live Rescue” premiers on.
Approval of Amendment No. 2 will allow an additional year for filming and production of the television show “Live Rescue”. SBCFPD recommends approval of this amendment as the series highlights the often difficult and heroic work performed by first responders. At no time is safety secondary to filming. The first responders control the environment at all times and are able to stop filming at their discretion.
SBCFPD has been working to expand its outreach and recruitment efforts (both locally and nationally) to obtain qualified candidates for its first responder positions, particularly Firefighters and Ambulance Operators. SBCFPD remains committed to reaching a more diverse pool of qualified applicants and feels that participation in the series “Live Rescue” provides an opportunity to accomplish that objective at no additional cost to SBCFPD.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 19, 2020; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on October 19, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on October 19, 2020.