SR-07-22-1980-11BSanta Mond -a, California, May 30, 1980
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TO: Mayor and City Council 'JUL 2 1930
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Fire Department Mutual Assistance Plan
Introduction
This report recommends an agreement with the Los Angeles Fire Depart-
ment for an improved plan of mutual assistance.
Background
In May, 1979, the City Council approved a Staff recommendation which
authorized the Chief of.the Fire Department to commence discussions
with the Los Angeles City Fire Department directed toward an im-
proved plan of mutual assistance during fire or other emergencies.
The purpose of the discussions was to develop an agreement which
would provide a higher level of effectiveness through the use of
automatic aid and the'establishment of initial action zones.
Progress
Since May of 1979, numerous meetings and discussions have been con-
ducted between staff members of the Santa Monica Fire Department and
the Los Angeles Fire Department. As a result of these meetings, the
proposed agreement which is attached would provide dispatching of the
nearest available fire protection resources, regardless of jurisdiction,
to the scene of reported emergencies. The intent is to improve emer-
gency response time, and therefore service, to residents of City areas
where the City's resources are limited due to jurisdictional 'boundaries.
In return for this automatic response by Santa Monica fire companies
into adjacent areas of Los Angleles, Los Angeles will provide immediate
major emergency assistance to the Santa Monica Fire Department when
&5.148 0 O loon
May 30, if 1
T0: Mayor and City Council
needed due to the limited fire protection resources of our department.
The proposed Automatic Aid /Initial Action Agreement provides for an
exchange of services between jurisdictions with no reimbursement by
either party. This cooperative exchange of services approach, to be
implemented through Letters of Agreement between the Fire Chiefs, ad-
dresses the continuing need for more effective and efficient service
delivery.
The proposed agreement differs from the State Master Mutual Aid Agree-
ment in that an automatic response will be provided to certain desig-
nated areas. Under the State Master Mutual Aid Agreement, a specified
request and notification procedure must be followed. The proposed
agreements would supplement the existing provision of certain fire
protection and rescue services from one jurisdiction to another under
the Master Mutual Aid Agreement.
Program Areas
The automatic aid /initial action exchange of fire protection resources
will be implemented in selected areas where it is anticipated positive
public benefits would be achieved with no appreciable increase in costs.
Under the agreement, the Fire Chiefs of the concerned jurisdictions
jointly would be empowered to designate and revise as necessary both the
areas involved and the types of response as may be dictated by the re-
quirements of mutual benefits to both parties. The areas of Los Angeles
expected to be affected by the agreement would include:
1. Santa Monica Canyon
2. A portion of Venice
3. A portion of Brentwood
. U ,_ 1, u
To: Mayor and Council
4. A high rise apartment building at 101 Ocean Avenue
5. Centinela Avenue
6. Bristol Avenue
May 30, 1980
The residents of these areas would benefit from implementation of these
agreements through quicker response to fire and rescue emergencies by the
automatic dispatch of the nearest available fire protection resource regard-
less of jurisdiction.
In return for this automatic response by Santa Monica fire companies into
adjacent areas of Los Angeles, Los Angeles will provide immediate major
emergency assistance to the Santa Monica Fire Department when needed. A
major emergency is defined as any fire emergency which can or will develop
into an incident that will require the deployment of resources beyond
that which is normally on duty on the Santa Monica Fire Department. The re-
cent fire in a shoe store in the Santa Monica Mall required on all duty per-
sonnel and equipment. A "working" fire in any of the High Rise buildings
in Santa Monica, in Santa Monica Place, in the upper floor of any of the
numerous new and planned multi -story office buildings, and in any number of
commercial /industrial buildings located throughout Santa Monica could re-
quire an immediate response of resources that exceeds the capability of the
Santa Monica Fire Department. It is the amount of resources provided on any
one incident that is the key issue as opposed to the number of responses made.
It is the opinion of the Fire Department that one response from Los Angeles to
a major fire in Santa Monica would far out weigh the limited responses of
To: Mayor and Council
May 30, 1980
of Santa Monica Fire Department resources into specific areas of Los Angeles
for fires or emergency medical incidents.
Emergency Medical Service
The proposed agreements will also provide a framework for interjurisdiction
delivery of emergency medical service to certain designated areas in order
to improve response times. It is envisioned that a Santa Monica paramedic
engine company would make an initial response to a paramedic required call in
Santa Monica Canyon along with the City's nearest ambulance whichis currently
staffed by emergency medical technician (EMT) trained firefighters. Improved
response time to a medical, as well as fire emergency, improves the level of
service provided to the public.
Provisions of the Proposed Agreement
The proposed agreement is summarized as follows:
Section 1 and 2. Services by Los Angeles and Santa Monica - Santa Monica
and the City of Los Angeles agree to provide designated fire or rescue
response as jointly agreed to by the Fire Chiefs to designated areas
within the jurisdiction of the other department.
Section 3 and 4. Dispatch -- Santa Monica and the City of Los Angeles
will dispatch its nearest available and appropriate designated fire or
rescue response and notify the dispatcher of the other department who will,
in turn, dispatch the agreed upon response.
Section 5. Mutual Benefits - The Fire Chiefs are authorized to revise
any designated areas or types of responses as may be dictated by the re-
quirements of mutual benefits to both parties.
To: Mayor
and Council
May
30, 1980
Section 6
Administration
- The Fire Chiefs of the respective
juris-
dictions are to administer the agreements. Details as to type of as-
sistance, areas, dispatching methods, and equipment and personnel utili-
zation shall be developed and recorded in Letters of Agreement between
the fire chiefs.
Section 7. Incident Commander - The Senior Officer of the first ar-
riving unit will take necessary action dictated by the situations;
then overall command of the incident will be assumed by the jurisdictional
department upon its arrival at the scene. The aiding department per-
sonnel will remain under the command of the Senior Officer of the aid-
ing fire department at the incident.
Section 10. Consideration - There shall be no compensation for the ser-
vices rendered under these agreements.
Section 12. Term - The term of the agreements is indefinite; however,
either party to each agreement may terminate it by a written 30 -day
notice.
The proposed agreement was adopted by the Los Angeles City Council at their
meeting held June 4, 1980. Attached to this report is a copy of the proposed
agreement.
It is anticipated that improved response of fire protection resources to the
areas indicated will produce significant savings in lives and property and
provide a more cost effective means of supplying fire protection resources to
the citizens of the two cities. If the agreement is approved, the Fire De-
To: Mayor and City Council May 30, 1980
partment intends to monitor the program closely and will report
back to the Council at the conclusion of the first year.
The City Attorney has reviewed the agreement and has approved it
as to form.
Recommendations
In view of the provision for termination of the agreement at any
time by written notice of at least 30 days, it is recommended the
City Council approve the agreement for exchange of Fire Protection
and Rescue Services between the City of Santa Monica and the City
of Los Angeles for approval by the Santa Monica City Council.
Prepared by: Charles Kent McClain
City Manager
Thomas Tolman
Fire Chief
CKM:TT:gs
Attachment: Copy of Prepared Agreement
Reference:
Contract No. 3538
(CCS)