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SR-07-22-1980-11BSanta Mond -a, California, May 30, 1980 o/ 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)