REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 18, 2025
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
DON DAY, Director, Project and Facilities Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
Continuation of Emergency Related to Fire Station 21 Modular Installation in Earp
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, continue the finding, first made by the Board of Supervisors on May 20, 2025, that there is substantial evidence that immediate action is needed to prevent or mitigate the threat to life, health, property and essential public services posed by the cessation of contracted emergency fire services to the Earp, California area on June 30, 2025, after contract negotiations came to an impasse, which will now result in a community losing access to essential public safety services, unless a modular building to house staff for one engine company for living accommodations is installed, to allow staff to provide continuing essential public safety services to the community by July 1, 2025, which will not permit the delay resulting from a formal competitive solicitation of bids to procure construction services, and delegating authority, originally by Resolution on May 20, 2025, to the Chief Executive Officer to direct the Purchasing Agent to issue purchase orders and/or contracts, in a total amount not-to-exceed $1,033,215, for any construction, installation, remediation, and modifications of internal and external structures related to the need for procurement and installation of a modular building at 52874 Parker Dam Road, in Earp, finding that the issuance of these purchase orders and/or contracts are necessary to respond to this emergency pursuant to Public Contract Code sections 22035 and 22050 (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Don Day, Director, 387-5000)
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.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as the Fire Station 21 Modular Acquisition Project (WBSE 10.10.1850) budget of $1,033,215 will be funded with available reserves from the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s (SBCFPD) South Desert Regional Service Zone.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Currently, the SBCFPD has an agreement with the Buckskin Fire District to provide public safety services in the area, which expires on June 30, 2025. Despite negotiations that SBCFPD had hoped would result in continuing services from Buckskin Fire District, ultimately no agreement was reached between the two entities resulting in services set to lapse at the end of June. To ensure a continuity of life saving services, beginning July 1, 2025, SBCFPD will assign personnel to continue services in the area. The current station is inadequate for fire service operations due to lack of lodging and showers, so a modular building is needed to support operations. The new modular building will house staff for one engine company and will have accommodations of three bedrooms and two offices.
On May 20, 2025 (Item No. 102), the SBCFPD’s Board of Directors (Board) found there is an emergency, pursuant to Public Contract Code section 22050 to authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue purchase orders necessary to the project at 52874 Parker Dam Road in Earp, thus mitigating the risk of loss to health, property, and essential services.
Further, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-109 authorizing the Purchasing Agent, as directed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to direct the purchasing agent to issue purchase orders and/or execute contracts, in a total amount not-to-exceed $1,033,215, for any emergency remediation, construction, installation, and modifications of internal and external structures related to the Project.
On June 11, 2025, West Coast Renovations and Improvements, Inc. (WCR) mobilized for construction on the utility infrastructure in preparation for delivery of the modular building to site. CSLM Construction Inc. (CSLM) is expected to begin their contracted work with delivery and installation of the modular building anticipated by the third week of June.
The Project and Facilities Management Department (PFMD) continues to evaluate the emergency and scope of work to complete the required modular building acquisition and installation including utilities infrastructure connections. A continuation of the emergency is recommended as immediate action is required to provide living accommodations for one engine crew so that essential public emergency services can continue to the Earp area. Emergencies related to Public Code section 22050 and 22035, once ordered, must be affirmed at each subsequent meeting until terminated. The recommended action will meet this requirement.
PROCUREMENT
On May 20, 2025, PFMD prepared a scope of work and obtained quotes from CSLM and WCR.
On June 12, 2025, the Purchasing Agent, through delegated authority from the Chief Executive Officer, has issued a purchase order/contract to two contractors. The first contract was to CSLM in the amount of $289,352 for the purchase and installation of a modular building. The second contract was to WCR in the amount of $482,504, including an allowance of $109,904, for infrastructure utility connections to the modular building.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek and Richard Luczak, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 9, 2025; Purchasing (Alberto Cazares, Lead Buyer, 387-3376) on June 9, 2025; San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (Bertral Washington, Deputy Fire Chief, 387-5974) on June 9, 2025; Project and Facilities Management (Robert Gilliam, Chief of Project Management, 387-5000) on June 10, 2025; Finance (Yael Verduzco, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on June 12, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 12, 2025.