Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing a cooperative fire protection agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to provide fire protection services for the term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $99,200,464.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 1962, the County has contracted with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) to provide fire protection services in the County Service Area #1 (CSA #1) and other unincorporated areas of the County not protected by cities or fire districts. In addition to fire and emergency medical services, CALFIRE provides fire protection planning for new construction, fire prevention activities and life safety inspection in the County areas. CALFIRE also oversees the operations of three volunteer fire companies located in La Honda, Kings Mountain, and Loma Mar.
DISCUSSION:
CALFIRE is proposing a new 6-year agreement with the County for fire protection services. The proposed Six Year Operating Plan includes eight new staff added over the course of the contract. Starting in FY 2019-20, three firefighters would be added to provide staffing of four firefighters on truck calls, an increase from the three firefighters on truck calls currently provided. Starting in FY 2021-22, three firefighter/paramedics would be added to increase staffing at the Pescadero Fire Station and reduce overtime costs. Starting in FY 2023-24, two fire apparatus engineers would be added to further reduce overtime costs and improve quality standards.
The contract also includes a proposed Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Risk Reduction Program. The WUI Program proposal includes creation of a vegetation management crew led by a Fuel Reduction Operations Coordinator who would oversee a seasonal - November to June - risk reduction workforce of eight staff including two limited term fire captains and six seasonal firefighters. The plan also includes employing a building code and planning officer to oversee code and local fire regulation development, land use planning fire issues and also respond to over-grown vegetation and clearance issues. The WUI staff also includes an outreach and education officer to conduct community trainings, school presentations and maintain and update websites and social media.
Due to the specialized nature of these services and the need for continuity and long-range planning, staff recommends that the Board approve a contract term of six years and find that it is in the best interest of the County to waive the request for proposals process for this contract.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
Approval of this resolution contributes toward the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy and Safe Community by providing fire protection services in CSA #1 and other unincorporated areas of the County not protected by cities or fire districts.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
FY 2016-17 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2018-19 Estimate |
FY 2019-20 Target |
FY 2020-21 Target |
|
Number of fire related deaths and injuries |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Percent of fire and emergency medical calls responded to within time criteria established by County EMS (7 minutes) |
94.71% |
86.23% |
90% |
90% |
90% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the contract is from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2025 for a not to exceed amount of $99,200,464. The contract costs are included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget and the FY 2020-21 Preliminary Recommended Budget for CSA #1 and Fire Protection Services. Budget requests will also be included for future budget years.