HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2021-074 CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2021-074 Sponsored by: Bower
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN
AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SEWARD
FIRE DEPARTMENT (SFD) AND THE LOWELL POINT VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT (LPVFD) FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIREFIGHTING
AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Seward, Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Moose Pass
Volunteer Fire Company, and Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department are the emergency
responders for the Eastern side of the Kenai Peninsula; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward currently has Automatic Aid Agreement in place with
Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and Mutual Aid Agreements with Moose Pass Volunteer
Fire Company and State of Alaska Forest Services; and
WHEREAS,Alaska Statute§ 18.70.150 permits a city to adopt an ordinance or resolution
authorizing and permitting their fire department to go to the aid of another city,incorporated entity,
fire protection group or territory outside of it; and
WHEREAS, having an Automatic Aid Agreement in place between the City of Seward
and the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department will clarify the two agencies' roles,
responsibilities, and dispatch procedures, and help facilitate joint training exercises and
communications.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into an Automatic Aid
Agreement,in accordance with the terms and conditions and in substantial form as attached hereto
with the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department.
Section 2.The City Manager and Seward Fire Chief are authorized to execute and amend the
Operations Plan pursuant to this agreement without further review by the Council so long as they do
not conflict with the Automatic Aid agreement.
Section 3.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 12th
day of July, 2021.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2021-074
se•J
THE TY F WARD, ALASKA
risty Terry Ma
AYES: DeMoss, Baclaan, McClure, Casagranda, Seese, Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: Osenga
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
rends J. Ball u, MMC
City Clerk
. FE(City Seal•). •t V •`* B � Q�,
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City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: July 26, 2021
To: Mayor and Council Members
From: Clinton Crites, Fire Chief
Thru: Janette Bower, City Manager
Agenda Item: Automatic Aid Agreement with the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department
BACKGROUND &JUSTIFICATION:
In the past, the City of Seward has been requested to respond to fire and emergency events in the
Lowell Point Area without having a formal aid agreement in place.
The Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department personnel and equipment may not be enough to safely
fight fires and they depend on assistance from the City of Seward Fire Department and the Bear
Creek Volunteer Fire Department. The Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department has approached us
requesting a formal Automatic Aid Agreement. It is noted that many of the Lowell Point Volunteer
Fire Department responders work in the Seward area and can be called upon for additional trained
personnel in the event of large-scale emergency within City limits for automatic aid to both
departments.
The City of Seward currently has an Automatic Aid Agreement with the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire
Department, and Mutual Aid Agreements with Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Company and State of
Alaska Division of Forestry.
This agreement with the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department is a much-needed addition to our
current aid agreements. Automatic Aid Agreements with neighboring fire departments can
significantly impact cost savings on insurance for community members through rate determinations
by the Insurance Services Office(ISO) scores for all departments involved.
INTENT: Council authorization for the City Manager to execute a mutual aid agreement and
operational plan between SFD and Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department. Increased equipment
and man power allowing better protection for the citizens of both communities.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A
1 Comprehensive Plan (document source here):2030 plan page 27 volume X
2, 12.1 Provide Emergency Medical Services _
2 Strategic Plan (document source here): 199 Page 18, Promote safe X
community
Other (list):AS§ 18.70.1 S0 permits a city to adopt an ordinance or
3 resolution authorizing and permitting their fire department to go to the X
aid of another city, incorporated entity, fire protection group or territory
j outside of it
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:
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No x
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Resolution 2021-074 approving the City Manager to enter into an Automatic Aid
Agreement between the City of Seward Fire Department and the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire
Department.
AGREEMENT FOR EXCHANGE OF AUTOMATIC AID BETWEEN THE CITY OF
SEWARD FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LOWELL POINT VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT
This Automatic Aid Agreement(the "agreement"), is made by and between the City of
Seward Fire Department(SFD) and the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department (LPVFD).
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 SFD, LPVFD agrees to provide a
designated fire response, as determined by the Fire Chiefs of SFD and LPVFD.
c. In return for the services to be provided by LPVFD, SFD agrees to provide a
designated fire response, as determined by the Fire Chiefs of SFD and LPVFD.
2. Emergcncies—Information Provided.
Upon report of a structure fire through a 9-1-1 Call Center within the automatic aid
response area of either service area, SFD or LPVFD will automatically dispatch its nearest
available and appropriate designated fire response to that incident location. The automatic
aid response areas are determined by the Fire Chiefs of SFD and LPFD and set forth in the
Annual Operational Plan.
3. Jurisdiction.
"Jurisdiction" is defined to be that political and geographical boundary designating the
respective service areas that are party to this agreement.
4. 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 direction of the officer in charge of the
jurisdictional department, working cooperatively with the aiding department's officer
in charge.
d. The aiding department will be released from the scene as soon as practical by the
officer in charge of the jurisdictional department.
5. 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
SFD&LPVFD Automatic Aid Agreement/2021 P a g e 1 1 4
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 incident 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 either party may terminate the agreement at any time by
giving written notice to the other party at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of
termination.
6. Responsibilily 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. Each party waives all claims against the
other party for compensation for loss, damage,personal injury or death occurring as a
consequence of the performance of this agreement.
e. Each party agrees to carry sufficient general liability insurance and insurance on
their personnel and equipment, including coverage for damage to other equipment
and personnel through error or omission. Parties will provide proof of insurance upon
request.
7. Annual Oueratin-a Plan.
a. It is in the best interests of the citizens of SFD and LPVFD 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 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 SFD and LPVFD.
b. Such details shall be recorded in an Operational Plan by Fire Chiefs of SFD and
LPVFD.
SFD&LPVFD Automatic Aid Agreement/2021 Page 2 1 4
8. The Operational Plan shall be approved and signed by the agencies and the Seward City
Mayor and City Manager, dated and attached hereto. Integration:
This Agreement and all appendices embody the entire agreement of the parties. There
are no promises, terms, conditions, or obligations other than those contained herein; this
agreement shall supersede all previous communications,representations, or agreements,
either oral or written,between the parties. This agreement shall only be amended,
modified or changed by a writing executed by authorized representatives of the parties.
9. Mutual Aid Agreement
It is mutually understood that incidents other than structure fires will be on a Mutual Aid
request basis. The Fire Chief, or their designee, can request resources of the other agency for
other types of emergencies. When resources of either department are requested,they will offer
vehicles, services and personnel to assist the other department in their emergency as needed and
when available.
9. Warranty of Authority. By execution of this Agreement, each person signing
on behalf of an entity warrants that. (1) This Agreement is executed on behalf of a valid legal
entity; (2) Such entity has the full right and authority to undertake the action contemplated by
this Agreement; (3) The execution of this Agreement by the signatory has been duly and
properly authorized by the Party on whose behalf said Agreement is executed in accordance with
Alaska laws, regulations, agreements and procedures governing the authority of such person or
entity to execute this Agreement on behalf of such Party; and(4)The consent of all persons or
entities whatsoever necessary to the due execution of this Agreement has been obtained.
AGREEDED BY:
CITY OF SEWARD FIRE DEPARTMENT LOWELL POINT VOLUNTEER F
DEP E
By: By:
ClintonCrites, Fire Chief Karl Van Buskirk, Fire Chief
Date: 'g f elf/`--Loix Date: 06- C7';�'—2-► Z
CITY OF SEWARD COM TY O L POINT
By: By: A4i 4tn fh�i +'�..
Janette Bower, City Manager Lowell Point Community Council President
Date: Date: { '
SFD&LPVFD Automatic Aid Agreement 12021 Page 3 1 4
ATTEST:
Date:
Brenda Ballou
City Clerk
(City Seal)
SFD&LPVFD Automatic Aid Agreement 12021 Page 4 1 4
OPERATIONAL PLAN(Exhibit A)
AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN
CITY OF SEWARD FIRE DEPARTMENT
and
LOWELL POINT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
This Operational Plan.between City of Seward Fire Department(SFD)and the Lowell Point Volunteer
Fire Department(LPVFD) is for automatic aid response of fire apparatus and personnel for structure fires.
The purpose of the Plan is to outline the procedures for carrying out an automatic aid response between
SFD and LPVFD. This Plan is a guide for day-to-day operations,and may be revised, amended or altered
annually by mutual consent of SFD and LPVFD with approval by Seward and Lowell Point Fire Chief's
for the purpose of carrying out the original intent of the Automatic Aid Agreement. In addition,this Plan
may be cancelled by the City or Community of Lowell Point on behalf of either entity after a 30-day
notice has been given to the other party involved in the Automatic Aid Agreement.
I. AUTOMATIC AID RESPONSE AREAS AND AMOUNT AND TYPE OF
ASSISTANCE
a. SFD will automatically respond to a LPVFD alarm for any structural fire within the
Community of Lowell Point(map attached), and will provide engine and personnel on a
first alarm response. Unless re-directed by the Incident Commander(IC),the response
will be to the fire scene. If necessary,the additional responders will accompany the
engine in another vehicle suitable for emergency response. The deployment of designated
automatic aid will depend on current staffing and conditions, and be at the discretion of
the Fire Chief,or On-Call Command Officer.
b. LPVFD will automatically respond for any structural fire within the SFD boundaries
(map attached), and will provide tanker/pumper and personnel on a first alarm response.
Unless re-directed by the IC,the response will be to the fire scene. If the tanker/pumper
responding can only safely carry two personnel,the additional responders will
accompany the tanker/pumper in a vehicle suitable for emergency response. The
deployment of designated automatic aid will depend on current staffing and conditions,
and be at the discretion of the Fire Chief or On-Call Command Officer.
c. Cancellation may occur in small uncomplicated incidents that may be false alarms, out on
arrival, out immediately after arrival, etc.by the officer in charge of the jurisdictional
department.
H. TRAINING
Joint training exercises shall be carried out annually under the direction of the Chief or the
Chief s or Training Officers in each department. Classroom instruction should be available
upon request by each department,and should include ICS and unified command exercises.
III. COMMUNICATIONS
a. RADIO—Dispatch shall announce by radio that an Automatic Aid is needed on the
responding agency's dispatch channel. This will occur without direction by either
SFD&LPVFD Automatic Aid Operational Plan 12021 Page 1 1 2
department for fire incidents. The responding agency, after notifying dispatch that they
are en route,will switch to the requesting agency's dispatch channel and advise the IC
they are in route.
b. The responding agency will communicate with the IC unless advised otherwise.
e. Radio traffic will be kept to a minimum.
d. Clear text will be used at all times.
IV. FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING
Each agency shall be responsible for reporting the incident in accordance with their
department policy and procedures,
V. REVISIONS
The Operational Plan shall be cooperatively developed,reviewed annually and become part
of the Automatic Aid Agreement upon consent of the agencies and execution by the City
Manager for the City of Seward and President of the Lowell Point Community Council.
APPROVED:
CITY OF SEWARD FIRE DEPARTMENT LOWELL POINT VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT
I
By. By:
Y
Clinton Crites,Fire Chief Karl Van Buskirk,Fire Chief
Date: Date: e!>,6-0.�L_Z0
CITY OF SEWARD CO ITY OF L E L P
1ico-
Janette Bower,City Manager Lowell Point Community Council President
Date: Date: ('�2(
-r
ATTEST:
By:
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Efate:
SFD&LPVFD Automatic Aid Operational Plan/2021 Page 212