20080722_m

COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

County Manager/Clerk of the Board

DATE:

July 14, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 22, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Reyna Farrales, Deputy County Manager

SUBJECT:

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kings Mountain and La Honda Volunteer Fire Brigades

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the La Honda Fire Brigade, Inc. and Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc. to provide volunteer fire protection and emergency response services in cooperation with the San Mateo County Fire Department.

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

This Board action contributes to this goal by documenting the roles and responsibilities of the County and the two volunteer fire departments that provide emergency response and fire protection and prevention services to approximately 250 square miles of the county’s rural mountains and south coast.

Background

The County provides emergency response and fire protection services to unincorporated areas not already in other fire protection districts through a cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE. The scope of services provided by CAL FIRE includes the coordination and training of volunteer firefighters. There are approximately 40 active volunteer firefighters serving in the Kings Mountain Fire Brigade and La Honda Fire Brigade. The County has historically provided training, equipment, insurance, supplies and other support to the two volunteer fire departments through its agreement with CAL FIRE, but there has been no written documentation that specifies the roles and responsibilities of the County and the volunteer fire departments.

Discussion

It is recommended that the Board approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). In addition to roles and responsibilities in keeping volunteer fire department operations current, the MOU calls for the creation of a Volunteer Fire Department Policies and Procedures Manual. It also includes the exploration of additional reimbursement to volunteer firefighters for out of pocket expenses incurred in responding to calls and attending required training sessions, after stable funding has been identified to address the operating deficit for County Fire. The terms of the MOU will be reviewed periodically, and in no event less than once every two years.

County Counsel has reviewed the MOU. The Boards of Directors for both the La Honda Fire Brigade and Kings Mountain Fire Brigade have approved the MOU at their meetings during the week of July 7.

Fiscal Impact

Annual operating costs related to supporting the volunteer fire departments are estimated at $200,000. These costs are included in the County Fire budget. The replacement of equipment and vehicles owned by the County will be determined by CAL FIRE based on equipment and vehicle replacement plans and schedules developed for County Fire.



COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
County Manager/Clerk of the Board
DATE:		July 14, 2008
BOARD MEETING DATE:		July 22, 2008
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:		None
VOTE REQUIRED:		Majority

TO:	Honorable Board of Supervisors
FROM:	Reyna Farrales, Deputy County Manager
SUBJECT:	Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kings Mountain and La Honda Volunteer Fire Brigades

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the La Honda Fire Brigade, Inc. and Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc. to provide volunteer fire protection and emergency response services in cooperation with the San Mateo County Fire Department.

Vision Alignment
Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all
Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

This Board action contributes to this goal by documenting the roles and responsibilities of the County and the two volunteer fire departments that provide emergency response and fire protection and prevention services to approximately 250 square miles of the county’s rural mountains and south coast.

Background
The County provides emergency response and fire protection services to unincorporated areas not already in other fire protection districts through a cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE. The scope of services provided by CAL FIRE includes the coordination and training of volunteer firefighters. There are approximately 40 active volunteer firefighters serving in the Kings Mountain Fire Brigade and La Honda Fire Brigade. The County has historically provided training, equipment, insurance, supplies and other support to the two volunteer fire departments through its agreement with CAL FIRE, but there has been no written documentation that specifies the roles and responsibilities of the County and the volunteer fire departments.




Discussion
It is recommended that the Board approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). In addition to roles and responsibilities in keeping volunteer fire department operations current, the MOU calls for the creation of a Volunteer Fire Department Policies and Procedures Manual. It also includes the exploration of additional reimbursement to volunteer firefighters for out of pocket expenses incurred in responding to calls and attending required training sessions, after stable funding has been identified to address the operating deficit for County Fire. The terms of the MOU will be reviewed periodically, and in no event less than once every two years.

County Counsel has reviewed the MOU. The Boards of Directors for both the La Honda Fire Brigade and Kings Mountain Fire Brigade have approved the MOU at their meetings during the week of July 7.

Fiscal Impact
Annual operating costs related to supporting the volunteer fire departments are estimated at $200,000. These costs are included in the County Fire budget. The replacement of equipment and vehicles owned by the County will be determined by CAL FIRE based on equipment and vehicle replacement plans and schedules developed for County Fire.