REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 18, 2026
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Non-Financial Mutual Aid Agreement with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve Amendment No. 2 to the non-financial Mutual Aid Agreement No. 18-648 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, for mutual assistance on fire and rescue services, extending the term by five years, for a total term of August 30, 2018 through August 30, 2031.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Recommendation
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of Amendment No. 2 (Amendment) to Mutual Aid Agreement No. 18-648 (Agreement) with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Agreement is non-financial in nature and defines the responsibilities of San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) and Cal Fire regarding mutual aid response.
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 August 21, 2018 (Item No. 64), SBCFPD’s Board of Directors (Board) approved the Agreement between SBCFPD and Cal Fire. The Agreement allows SBCFPD and Cal Fire to furnish fire protection personnel/equipment and render fire protection services to each other, as may be necessary for the purpose of maximizing the fire response to wildland fires on initial attack, minimize the effects on the public, environment, and property, and suppress fire of a size beyond the control of either party through assistance from the other.
On October 26, 2021 (Item No. 76), the Board approved Amendment No. 1, updating the type of aid provided to include automatic aid, amended the types of equipment and resources provided, made additional miscellaneous changes to the Operating Plan, and extended the term of the agreement by three years, for a total contract term of August 30, 2018 through August 30, 2026.
Approval of Amendment No. 2 will extend the term by five years, for a total term of August 30, 2018 through August 30, 2031. The Amendment will allow for the most expeditious and cost-effective response for the public served by SBCFPD and Cal Fire to address all-risk emergencies that require a rapid, efficient, and coordinated response to minimize their effects on the public, taxpayers, the environment, and property. This often requires a coordinated response from State, Federal, and Local Agencies. Both parties will mutually agree to provide fire protection personnel and equipment, and to render such fire protection services to each other, as may be necessary to provide rapid responses to all-risk emergencies when the other agency’s resources are committed or extended beyond initial response areas, which therefore requires assistance from the other.
The Agreement may be terminated by either party upon 30 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 (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 24, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Jessica Trillo, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on July 28, 2026.