TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into an agreement with the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) approving the Fire Department to conduct Urban Search and Rescue training exercises through April 30, 2024, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Fire Department by $77,250, offset by reimbursement funds from CalOES. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) is responsible for planning and facilitating various emergency response exercises throughout the State of California’s various fire agencies. This training requires specialty trained and certified firefighter personnel in the discipline of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) tactics and strategies to lead such exercises and trainings.
CalOES would like to enter into an agreement with the Fire Department (FD) to provide training and exercises for Statewide and regional opportunities. The period of performance for the Agreement shall be through April 30, 2024, with the option to extend for two (2) additional one-year periods.
On an overtime basis, USAR certified personnel shall conduct and participate in training for one-(1) twelve-(12) hour operational period Mobilization Exercise (MOBEX), with an additional two-(2) hours for mobilization and another two-(2) hours for demobilization. CalOES would reimburse FD at an annual not to exceed amount of $77,250.
The funding provided from CalOES will be used to mobilize and deploy the City of Long Beach's (City) USAR Regional Task Force (RTF) team and to exercise the USAR RTF in a simulated natural or manmade disaster. In the event of a large scale natural or manmade disaster within Long Beach, the USAR RTF would be deployed to provide life saving measures for advanced technical rescue operations. CalOES will be invoiced by FD for the labor costs required to execute the training exercise. Furthermore, FD is approved for a 3 percent administrative fee for processing invoices and other administrative support.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on July 20, 2023 and by Budget Development Officer Jennifer Rodriguez on July 25, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 15, 2023, to ensure the agreement is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive reimbursement funds in an annual amount not to exceed $77,250 from the CalOES to complete the identified training exercise by April 30, 2024. An appropriation increase, contingent upon an executed agreement with CalOES, is requested in the amount of $77,250 in the General Fund Group in the Fire Department. 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.
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS BUCHANAN
FIRE CHIEF
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER