TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution amending and replacing Resolution No. RES-15-0036 identifying the Terms and Conditions for Fire, Police, and Health and Human Services Departments responses to incidents outside of the jurisdiction when the City is compensated or reimbursed for such response. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Under the Statewide Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) responds to requests from the State of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to assist with fire and emergency rescue incidents outside of Long Beach. Responses are typically for wildfires within the state of California. Additionally, in past years, the OES has called upon LBFD’s Urban Search and Rescue and Swiftwater Rescue Teams to assist in rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes in Texas and Louisiana.
In such responses, LBFD compensates all personnel from the time they leave the City until the time they return. This is referred to as “portal to portal” compensation, including travel time, time spent working on the incident, and rest periods. Historically, the OES has reimbursed LBFD for all personnel and equipment costs incurred during this portal-to-portal period. LBFD participates in an annual salary survey from OES to ensure OES reimbursement is based on the most current rates.
In 2015, the OES advised all local agencies that they will reimburse only for actual hours worked on a mutual aid incident unless the local agency has a Resolution in place that memorializes its practice of compensating its employees on a portal-to-portal basis. Without the Resolution, OES will not reimburse for travel time and rest periods, even though the City would continue to incur these costs. On March 24, 2015, the City Council adopted a Resolution identifying the terms and conditions for LBFD response to incidents outside of Long Beach when the City is reimbursed for such response. Since then, employees of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) have also responded to requests to assist with incidents outside of Long Beach, primarily as members of an incident management team or in related positions. Similarly, certain employees of the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) are qualified to serve on incident management teams or in related support positions on incidents outside of Long Beach. Therefore, the requested action will expand the Resolution to include LBPD, Health Department, and additional LBFD positions not included in the original Resolution who respond to such incidents outside of Long Beach.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Sarah E. Green on April 19, 2021 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on May 3, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 18, 2021, to ensure the City can continue to be reimbursed for the full costs of providing fire, emergency, and Incident Management Team services under the mutual aid system.
FISCAL IMPACT
In Fiscal Year 2020, the City incurred costs of $2,853,860 in deploying staff to statewide mutual aid incidents, all of which will be reimbursed by OES. Without the requested Resolution, OES will only reimburse the City for a portion of the costs of future mutual aid deployments. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
XAVIER D. ESPINO
FIRE CHIEF
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER