REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 11, 2022
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Automatic Aid and Mutual Aid Agreement Between San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and Apple Valley Fire Protection District
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve a non-financial automatic and mutual aid agreement with Apple Valley Fire Protection District for mutual assistance on fire, rescue, and emergency response services from January 11, 2022 through January 11, 2027.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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 agreement will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County cost). This is a non-financial agreement that defines the responsibilities of the two entities regarding mutual aid response.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (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. The purpose of these agreements is to provide the closest engine response within, adjacent, or proximate to each party’s designated boundaries and to provide the most expeditious response to suppress fires and render other emergency services to the community.
On July 24, 2018 (Item No. 54), the Board of Directors (Board) approved an automatic aid/mutual aid agreement (Agreement No. 18-545) between SBCFPD and the Apple Valley Fire Protection District (District) for emergency response services from July 24, 2018 through June 30, 2023. The recommended agreement, which supersedes Agreement No. 18-545, will continue the mutual aid for emergency response services through January 11, 2027. The recommended agreement also includes an updated scope of services, including a minimum number of personnel and equipment necessary when responding to incidents.
SBCFPD and District mutually benefit from this arrangement by allowing resources to cross jurisdictional boundaries and providing equipment and apparatus that are unavailable from within the jurisdiction. This agreement allows for the most expeditious and cost-effective response to suppress fires, as well as other emergency services, for the public served by these fire agencies. In the event of multiple calls for service within a short time frame, this agreement identifies the closest, most appropriate resource and reduces travel delays from units located at a further distance. When multiple calls for service occur, there will be a draw from the units in the area that can lead to an increase in response time for any additional calls.
Approval of this agreement will provide for the safety, health, and social service needs of County residents by enhancing the emergency response capabilities of SBCFPD and District. The term of this agreement is from January 11, 2022 through January 11, 2027, but may be terminated by either party upon 90 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 14, 2021; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on December 15, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Diana Atkeson, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on December 15, 2021.