Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Agreement with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to provide a grant in the amount of $8,471.50 for portable radio equipment for the Loma Mar volunteer staff.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution approving the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Agreement # 7GF21118 for services from the date of last signatory on page 1 of the agreement to June 30, 2022 under the Rural Fire Capacity Program of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Fire Department (“Department”) serves the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County, including over 20 miles of coastline. The Department provides fire protection services to eight rural communities in the County. Additionally, the Department responds to incidents throughout the County under a boundary-drop automatic aid agreement. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (“Cal Fire”) Fire and Resource Assessment Program (“FRAP”) maps designate a majority of the Department’s jurisdiction as a high or very high hazard severity zone. The Department’s budget supports the all-volunteer staffing at Loma Mar Fire Station 55. The volunteer station has one type-2 fire structural engine and one type-6 wildland fire engine. The next due fire companies are more than 15 minutes away. The response area is comprised primarily of single family homes, ranches, camps and agriculture. Wells and local private water systems are prolific, hydrants are limited. The Department relies heavily on volunteer-staffed water tenders during fires.
DISCUSSION:
The Department applied for, and was awarded, a grant from Cal Fire’s Volunteer Fire Assistance Program. The purpose of the grant is to provide additional resources for the volunteer firefighters at the Loma Mar station, with portable radio communication equipment (four radio units and one charging station). The total cost is $16,943. The Cal Fire grant will reimburse 50 percent of the cost of the equipment, for a total grant award of $8,471.50.
Approval of the attached resolution is required to accept the grant.
The resolution and agreement have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The subject grant will reimburse County Fire for half the cost of the equipment. The County Fire Department has budgeted the matching funds in the Loma Mar Safety Equipment sub-account.