REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 17, 2026
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
2026 Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program Award
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Ratify the application submitted for the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division for the 2026 Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program.
2. Accept grant award (No. G26-07-82-S02) in the amount of $72,799 from the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division for the 2026 Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program, for the grant performance period of October 30, 2026 through October 29, 2027.
3. Approve Project Agreement in substantive final format (No. G26-03-82-S02), in the amount of $72,799, from the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division for the 2026 Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program, for the grant performance period of October 30, 2026 through October 29, 2027.
4. Adopt Resolution that:
a. Approves receipt of grant funding from the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant or Cooperative Agreement Program and makes the certifications required by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
b. Authorizes the Fire Chief/Fire Warden or the Deputy Fire Chief, on behalf of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, to conduct all negotiations and execute the Project Agreement, and submit all documents necessary to complete and administer the grant-funded project, including non-substantive amendments to the Project Agreement, payment requests, performance reports, and related grant documents, subject to review by County Counsel.
5. Direct the Fire Chief/Fire Warden or the Deputy Fire Chief to transmit the fully executed Project Agreement identified in Recommendation No. 4b., and any non-substantive amendments, to the Secretary of the Board of Directors within 30 days of execution.
(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.
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 the recommended actions will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Acceptance of this grant award in the amount of $72,799 requires San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) to contribute a cost-share amount of $37,305 for the implementation of a rapid advanced life support (ALS) response program, specialized off-road rescue capabilities, and increased readiness during peak off-highway vehicle (OHV) visitation periods. Funding for the cost-share amount will be from the various regional service zone budgets. No budget adjustments are required at this time but will be presented to the Board of Directors at a future date, if needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SBCFPD is an all-risk emergency and fire protection agency providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, and rescue operations throughout San Bernardino County. The County’s diverse terrain and extensive recreational areas present unique emergency response challenges, particularly in remote OHV recreation areas where access may be limited and incidents may involve severe traumatic injuries, rollovers, multiple patients, and complex rescues.
The Dumont Dunes OHV Recreation Area (Dumont Dunes) attracts thousands of visitors annually, with significant increases in visitation during peak holiday weekends. These periods create a concentrated demand for specialized emergency medical and rescue services due to increased OHV activity, challenging terrain, and the remote location. SBCFPD responds to OHV accidents, medical emergencies, fires, and large-scale incidents at Dumont Dunes while coordinating with the Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office, the California Highway Patrol, and air ambulance partners to support effective emergency operations. Although SBCFPD provides emergency services to several OHV recreation areas throughout the region, including Johnson Valley, El Mirage, Rasor, and Stoddard Valley, this project specifically addresses emergency response needs at Dumont Dunes because of its historically high call volume and large holiday-weekend crowds.
On June 1, 2026, following review and approval by County Counsel and County Administrative Office - Finance, SBCFPD submitted an online application for funding through the California State Parks Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program. Because of the limited time available between the funding opportunity and the application deadline, the application was submitted before final completion of the County’s standard approval process. Accordingly, this item requests that the Board ratify the June 1, 2026, application submission and approve and accept the grant award.
On October 7, 2026, SBCFPD was notified that its application for funding through the California State Parks Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program had been approved. The grant funding will support enhanced emergency medical response and rescue capabilities at Dumont Dunes during peak holiday visitation periods, including rapid ALS response, specialized off-road rescue capabilities, and increased operational readiness during periods of heightened recreational activity by increased staffing.
SBCFPD was awarded $72,799 in grant funding and is required to provide a matching contribution of $37,305, for a total project cost of $110,104. The funding will support timely emergency response and strengthen SBCFPD’s ability to respond to traumatic injuries, medical emergencies, and complex rescue incidents in this remote recreation area.
SBCFPD is also requesting delegated authority for the Fire Chief/Fire Warden and Deputy Fire Chief to execute and submit the Project Agreement, including all attachments, any documents necessary to administer the grant, including required performance reports, and to execute non-substantive amendments, subject to review by County Counsel. The fully executed Project Agreement and any such amendments will be transmitted to the Secretary of the Board of Directors within 30 days of execution.
Acceptance of this grant award will enhance SBCFPD’s ability to provide rapid emergency medical services and specialized rescue operations during peak OHV visitation periods.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 13, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5005) on October 30, 2026.