TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, and any necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the City of Santa Fe Springs regarding response to hazardous materials incidents. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Fire Department’s (LBFD) Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Program (Program) started in 2007 through a partnership with the Port of Long Beach and the assistance of the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department (SFSFD). The Program consisted of a four-person team that responded to and mitigated small hazmat incidents within the boundaries of the City of Long Beach. On large Hazmat incidents, the LBFD Hazmat Team utilized the assistance of the SFSFD Hazmat Team to safely mitigate the incident and keep the community safe. The LBFD Hazmat Team was certified by the Office of Emergency Services (OES) as a “Type 3” team. In 2016, it was increased to a ten-person team and was upgraded by OES as a “Type 1” team, the highest trained and equipped level for Hazmat resources. Currently, the LBFD Hazmat Team trains with local Hazmat teams in Los Angeles County and responds to Hazmat incidents within the Region by request only.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SFSFD addresses training components, response criteria, and financial responsibilities. The LBFD and SFSFD Hazmat Teams will each host, organize, and pay the costs of one field exercise drill per year. The field exercise drills will provide an opportunity for the Hazmat teams to work cohesively and increase safety while mitigating future Hazmat incidents. The LBFD Hazmat Team will respond into Area “E” and the SFSFD Hazmat Team will respond into Long Beach by request only. Area “E” is a section of California’s Region 1 Operational Area that includes the cities of Compton, Downey, Montebello, La Habra Heights, and Santa Fe Springs. Each city will pay for the materials and labor costs associated with its team’s response. In a Hazmat incident, if the responsible party is identified, every attempt is made by the host city to recover cost reimbursement for materials, labor costs, and damaged equipment for all cities. If legal action is required, each city bears its own costs and attorney fees.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Sarah H. Green and Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on November 9, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 8, 2020, to allow for the timely execution of the MOU.
FISCAL IMPACT
The MOU with SFSFD does not have a fiscal impact. The City can incur costs for Hazmat incidents but if the responsible party is identified every attempt will be made by the host city to recover reimbursement costs for materials, labor, and damaged equipment for all cities. If legal action is required, each city will bear its own costs and attorney fees. 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,
XAVIER ESPINO
FIRE CHIEF
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER