Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2016-0611 Sponsored by: Hunt Substitute CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2016-061 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PLAN BETWEEN THE CITY OF SEWARD FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE BEAR CREEK FIRE SERVICE AREA WHEREAS, automatic aid agreements are a form of mutual aid agreements and their operational plans provide for automatic requests for additional resources to residents of the Seward area in the form of emergency response personnel when required; and WHEREAS, Alaska Statute 18.70.150 provides that: "A city, other incorporated entity, and other fire protection groups may organize a mutual -aid program by adopting an ordinance or resolution authorizing and permitting their fire department, fire company, emergency relief squad, fire police squad, or fire patrol to go to the aid of another city, incorporated entity, or fire protection group, or territory outside of it,"; and WHEREAS, resolution 1989-080 adopted on July 10, 1989 provided for a mutual aid agreement and operations plan between the Seward Fire Department (SFD) and the Bear Creek Fire Service Area (BCFSA); and WHEREAS, no automatic aid agreement and operational plan has been formalized and this process will update and clarify the terms of automatic aid between SFD and BCFSA; and WHEREAS, this automatic aid agreement is for the provision of fire apparatus and personnel. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. That an automatic aid agreement between the Seward Fire Department (SFD) and the Bear Creek Fire Service Area (BCFSA) serves the best interests of both areas and is hereby approved. The City Manager is authorized to execute an automatic aid agreement substantially in the form of the attached agreement. Section 2. That the operational plan substantially in the form of the attached hereto is hereby approved and the City Manager and Fire Chief are hereby authorized to approve amendments to the operational plan without further review by the Council so long as any such amendments do not conflict with the automatic aid agreement. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2016-061 Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 24'h day of October, 2016. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA J an Bardarson, Mayor AYES: Keil, Squires, McClure, Slater, Bardarson NOES: None ABSENT: Casagranda, Altermatt ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: janna Ki y, CMCy Clerk (City Seal) 1 Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: October 10, 2016 To: City Council Through: Jim Hunt, City Manager From: Edward Athey, Fire Chief Agenda Item. Automatic Aid Agreement between the City of Seward Fire Department and the Bear Creels Fire and Emergency Services Area. BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: Automatic aid agreements are a form of mutual aid agreements and their operational plans provide for automatic requests for additional resources in the form of emergency response personnel and equipment when required. For the past 34 years, the Seward Fire Department (SFD) has had a mutual aid agreement with the Bear Creek Fire and Emergency Services Area (BCFEMSA), which was last updated in 1989. Under the umbrella of this mutual aid agreement there have been provisions for automatic aid, however it was no more formal than a letter or memo between the departments. This formalization of an automatic aid agreement and operational plan will provide clarification and clear direction for our response and communications personnel. Additionally, significant cost savings for fire insurance can be afforded local taxpayers through rating determinations by Insurance Services Office (ISO) when automatic aid agreements are in effect. Automatic aid agreements and operational plans are common in the fire and emergency service professions. For years the operational plans have been considered as matters within the expertise of the agencies providing automatic aid and, therefore, future amendments to the operational plans have been left to the discretion of the agencies. INTENT: Council authorization for the City Manager to execute an automatic aid agreement and operational plan between SFD and BCFEMSA. Furthermore, Council authorization for the City Manager and Fire Chief to approve amendments to the operational plan without further reviews by Council so long as any such amendments do not conflict with the automatic aid agreement. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No NIA I. Comprehensive Plan (document source here): Volume 1- page 14 X 2. Strategic Plan (document source here): page 18 X 3. Other (list): AS 18.70.150 X FISCAL NOTE: All associated costs are borne by each responding agency, and in this manner, costs for manpower, materials, supplies and equipment are exchanged between the agencies, ultimately resulting in funds being expended for the benefit of the areas. Approved by Finance Department: A4avD 4f ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X No RECOMMENDATION: City Council approves Resolution 2016-061 authorizing the City Manager to execute an automatic aid agreement and operational plan substantially in the form of the attached agreement and plan. BCFSA & SFD Automatic Aid Agreement ::t AGREEMENT FOR EXCHANGE OF AUTOMATIC AID This agreement, hereinafter referred to as the Automatic Aid Agreement, dated for reference purposes on this day of , 2o16, is made by and between Bear Creek Fire Service Area (BCFSA) and City of Seward Fire Department (SFD). 1. Response to Automatic Aid Requests. a. Both parties to this agreement provide fire protection services within their jurisdictions. b. In return for the services to be provided by BCFSA, SFD agrees to provide a designated fire response, as determined by the Fire Chiefs of BCFSA and SFD. c. In return for the services to be provided by SFD, BCFSA agrees to provide a designated fire response, as determined by the Fire Chiefs of BCFSA and SFD. 2. Emergencies — Information Provided. Upon receipt of an alarm through a 9-1-1 Call Center within the automatic aid response area of either agency, BCFSA or SFD will automatically dispatch its nearest available and appropriate designated fire response to that alarm. The automatic aid response areas are determined by the Fire Chiefs of BCFSA and SFD and set forth in the Annual Operational Plan. g. Jurisdiction. "Jurisdiction" is defined to be that political and geographical boundary designating the respective agencies that are party to this agreement. 4. Authority to Establish the Automatic Aid Agreement. a. Alaska State Statutes, AS 18-70.150 states that "[a] city, other incorporated entity, and other fire protection groups may organize a mutual -aid program..." b. Automatic Aid is automatic mutual aid. 5. Command Authority. a. When the aiding department arrives before the jurisdictional department, the aiding department will take the necessary action dictated by the situation. b. Upon arrival of the jurisdictional department, the operational responsibility for the situation will be immediately assumed by the jurisdictional department. c. The aiding department personnel will be under the direction of the officer in charge of the jurisdictional department. d. The aiding department will be released from the scene as soon as practical by the officer in charge of the jurisdictional department. BCFSA & SFD Automatic Aid Agreement :o:t. 6. Withdrawal of Resources or Assignment Turndown. a. If, after arrival at the emergency scene or staging area with the resources as identified in the annual operational plan, it becomes necessary to withdraw a portion or all of such resources in order to address an emergency situation in the jurisdiction served by the aiding department, such withdrawal may be initiated at the sole discretion of the officer in charge of the aiding department. b. Such withdrawal may also be made at the sole discretion of the officer in charge of the aiding department if they determine that the aiding department's resources are being subjected to unnecessary or unreasonable danger. c. In either case, the officer in charge shall coordinate the withdrawal with the jurisdictional department's officer in charge in a manner that avoids endangering personnel of either department. d. It is mutually understood and agreed that this agreement does not relieve either party from the necessity and obligation of using its own resources to provide fire protection within any part of its own jurisdiction. e. In the event a jurisdictional department ever fails to respond to an alarm within its jurisdiction to which an aiding department has responded, at the sole discretion of the aiding department, this agreement may be terminated by the aiding department immediately, or within a reasonable time thereafter. f. It is further agreed that that either party may terminate the agreement at any time by giving written notice to the other party at least thirty (3o) days prior to the date of termination. 7. Responsibility for Costs & Liability. a. Each party desires to provide to the other a reasonable, professional and reciprocal exchange of fire response services on a day to day basis at no additional cost. b. Each party shall bear its own costs for responding to an automatic aid request. c. Each responding agency shall be responsible for its own liabilities incurred traveling to the scene, at the scene and returning to the station of origin. d. In rendering emergency services, each agency will bear the responsibility for its own acts and any liability incurred by such acts. 8. Annual Operating Plan. a. It is in the best interests of the citizens of BCFSA and SFD to be provided the most expeditious and professional response to suppress fires. The details as to amounts and type of assistance to be dispatched, response areas, methods of dispatching, communications, training programs and procedures, methods of requesting aid, and the names or ranks of persons authorized to send and receive such requests, lists of personnel and resources which will be utilized, shall be developed by the Fire Chiefs of BCFSA and SFD. BCFSA & SFD Automatic Aid Agreement ::t b. Such details shall be recorded in an Operational Plan by Fire Chiefs of BCFSA and SFD. c. The Operational Plan shall be approved and signed by the agencies and the Borough Mayor, dated and attached hereto. 9. Mutual Aid Agreement Not Affected. It is mutually understood that this agreement will in no way affect or have any bearing on existing area mutual aid agreements. APPROVED: BEAR CREEK FIRE SERVICE AREA By: Connie Bacon, Chief Date: BEAR CREEK FIRE SERVICE AREA BOARD By: Chairman Date: CITY OF SEWARD go Jim Hunt, City Manager Date: KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH go Mike Navarre, Mayor SEWARD FIRE DEPARTMENT By: Edward Athey, Chief Date: APPROVED as to form and legal Sufficiency Seward City Attorney Date: APPROVED as to form and legal Sufficiency Date: Date: Amy Fenske Assistant Borough Attorney BCFSA & SFD Automatic Aid Agreement ::t ATTEST: By: Borough Clerk Date: