TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or his designee, to execute any and all documents necessary to enter into property use agreements for the purpose of conducting firefighting technique and training exercises on an ongoing basis. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD), through its Training Division, conducts a variety of exercises to provide training and continuing education to Firefighters on proper techniques for responding to structure fires and a multitude of medical and other types of emergencies. Included among training methodologies are fire ground operations involving actual structures to ensure safe and effective fire suppression techniques. To enhance this training, the LBFD is proposing to utilize property use agreements with owners of properties that are scheduled for demolition.
Under the property use agreements, property owners will authorize the LBFD to utilize their properties to conduct firefighting technique and training sessions within, around, and above the respective structure or property. Training will include the execution of fire techniques that include, but will not be limited to, controlled burns, emergency operations, and search and rescue operations. Training will simulate actual fire and emergency rescue scenarios in which first responders, under the direction of an Incident Commander, enter structures and simulate the performance of firefighting and rescue activities using all equipment and resources used in an actual fire or other emergency. This will continue to provide a valuable means of simulating firefighting and rescue activities in a controlled environment, allowing for opportunities to improve skills, evaluate performance, and recommend improvements to procedures.
The LBFD has worked with property owners to conduct the above training for many years. City Council authorization to enter into property use agreements will formalize and provide uniformity to the process, and will also expedite the process by which to execute agreements since there is often a short timeframe in which properties are available.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on August 3, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 29, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on August 18, 2015 in order to proceed with developing agreements with property owners.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request. Property owners will allow the LBFD access to properties at no cost. There is no local job impact associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL DUREE
FIRE CHIEF
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER