REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Facility Use and License Agreement with San Bernardino International Airport Authority for a Fire Training Facility in San Bernardino
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Find that approval of the Facility Use and License Agreement with San Bernardino International Airport Authority for the continued use of approximately 11,000 square feet of building space situated on approximately 15.02 acres of land for helicopter and ancillary fire training activities is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Approve the Facility Use and License Agreement with San Bernardino International Airport Authority to:
a. Authorize San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s use of approximately 11,000 square feet of building space situated on approximately 15.02 acres located at 2235 Perimeter Road, San Bernardino International Airport (portion of APN: 0136-371-41-0000) for helicopter and ancillary fire training activities.
b. Establish a one-year term commencing July 1, 2026, with the Facility Use and License Agreement continuing on a month-to-month basis thereafter unless terminated in accordance with its terms.
c. Authorize the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to provide in-kind Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting services in lieu of annual license fees with an estimated annual value of up to $1,263,282, in accordance with the terms of the license agreement.
3. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The total estimated annual value of this one-year Facility Use and License Agreement (Agreement) is $1,263,282. In lieu of license fees, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) will provide Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services to the San Bernardino International Airport (SBIAA). The license value will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a minimum increase of 3% and a maximum of 8%, resulting in a corresponding increase in the value of ARFF services provided by SBCFPD. Funding for ARFF services provided under the Agreement will be supported through the SBCFPD Fire Administration operating budget (1068002410). Sufficient appropriation is included in the 2026-27 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets. The estimated annual value of the License is as follows:
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Year |
Estimated Annual Value of Agreement |
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July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 |
$1,263,282 |
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Total Estimated Value |
$1,263,282 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SBCFPD currently operates the Regional Training Center located at 2235 E. Perimeter Road, San Bernardino (Premises), under a Ground Lease No. 2003-40 between SBIAA and the former ARFF Training Center Joint Powers Authority (JPA) originally executed in 2003. The JPA, formed June 29, 1998, by the City of San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Consolidated Fire District, and San Bernardino Community College District has dissolved, and the existing Ground Lease term expired on June 30, 2026. With SBIAA’s consent, SBCFPD continues to occupy the Premises pending approval and execution of the proposed Agreement with an effective date of July 1, 2026, since the prior term expired with the dissolving former JPA.
To ensure SBCFPD's continued use of the Regional Training Center, SBIAA and the SBCFPD have negotiated a new Agreement for approximately 11,000 square feet of building space situated on approximately 15.02 acres at the San Bernardino International Airport. The facility will continue to be used for helicopter and ancillary fire training activities in support of SBCFPD’s operational and training needs. Under the Agreement, SBCFPD will provide in-kind ARFF services to SBIAA in lieu of license fees, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
SBCFPD remained in occupancy with SBIAA's consent while the Agreement was being prepared for Board of Directors (Board) consideration. The parties established a retroactive effective date of July 1, 2026, ensuring continuity of the contractual relationship and SBCFPD's uninterrupted use of the Regional Training Center.
The project to approve the Agreement was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1) because the proposed Agreement is to secure property to operate within the existing structure with negligible or no expansion of existing use.
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Summary of Lease Terms |
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Lessor: |
San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) |
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Location: |
2235 E. Perimeter Road, San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino (portion of APN: 0136-371-41-0000) |
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Size: |
Approximately 11,000 square feet of building space situated on approximately 15.02 acres |
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Term: |
One year, July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 |
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Options: |
None |
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Rent: |
Not applicable (in-kind services provided in lieu of license fees) |
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Annual Increases: |
License value adjusted annually per CPI (3% minimum, 8% maximum); adjustment increases the value of ARFF services provided by SBCFPD in lieu of license fees |
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Improvement Costs: |
None |
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Custodial: |
Licensee |
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Maintenance: |
SBIAA shall maintain the common areas, reciprocal access areas, and common facilities; SBCFPD shall maintain the licensed Premises in good and safe condition |
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Utilities: |
Licensee responsible for utilities associated with its use of the licensed Premises |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the Facility Use and License Agreement, is on file with the Real Estate Services Department |
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Holdover: |
Upon expiration of the initial term, the Agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement |
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Right to Terminate: |
SBCFPD may terminate the Agreement upon 90 days’ written notice; SBIAA may terminate the Agreement upon 90 days' written notice to accommodate airport development or aeronautical uses; either party may terminate the Agreement in accordance with the default and termination provisions contained in the Agreement |
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Parking: |
Sufficient for County Fire operational needs |
PROCUREMENT
County Policy 12-02, Leasing Privately Owned Real Property for County Use shall not apply to leases of real property owned by a federal agency, the State, a city, a county, a school district, special district, or other public entity. The Board or the County Administrative Office, pursuant to County Resolution No. 2000-248 shall, as required by law, approve all such leases.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 21, 2026; San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (Bertral Washington, Deputy Chief, 387-5779) on July 27, 2026; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on July 21, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, 387-5005, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on August 18, 2026.
(DM: 909-677-8388)