2014 2:00:00 PM

Monday, April 14, 2014 2:00 PM
Council Chambers, Legislative Bldg, 745 4th St, Sparks, NV

Consent Items: 5.3

Title: Consideration and possible approval of the Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement and the 2014 Annual Operating Plan between the Sparks Fire Department (SFD) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Petitioner/Presenter: Tom Garrison, Fire Chief/Tom Garrison, Fire Chief

Recommendation: The recommendation is for Council to approve the proposed Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement and the 2014 Annual Operating Plan between the Sparks Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management.

Financial Impact: The financial impact varies. If an incident exceeds the mutual aid period of 12 hours, all resources will be reimbursed at the rates as outlined in the Annual Operating Plan.

Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.

Agenda Item Brief: The current Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between the Sparks Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management expires April of 2014. The new agreement is effective upon approval by the Sparks City Council and the BLM Carson Ranger District and will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years. The Annual Operating Plan is an addendum to the agreement and is intended to identify and define the operational aspects of the cooperative agreement. This annual operating plan is renewed each year on or before April 1.

Background: The Sparks Fire Department maintains cooperative agreements with local, state, and federal fire agencies to provide resources to assist each other with emergencies that exceed the capabilities of a single agency. The current BLM Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement was negotiated in 2009 and has remained in effect for the past five (5) years. The renewal of this agreement will continue to provide SFD with the ability to receive mutual aid from the BLM within the city limits, as well as defines the areas where SFD will provide mutual aid in the areas surrounding the City. It also serves as a billing mechanism for fires outside of a 1 mile radius of the City and/or on the jurisdictions of the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service. This new agreement and annual operating plan will take effect once approved by the Sparks City Council and the BLM Carson Ranger District. The annual operating plan will then be reviewed on a yearly basis to make adjustments to billing rates and contact information as well as to clearly define the operational aspects of the cooperative agreement. If approved by the Council, the Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement and Annual Operating Plan will be returned to the BLM Carson Ranger District – Acquisition Officer for posting.

Analysis: Cooperative agreements are crucial in mitigating those emergencies that exceed the capabilities of a single agency. The Sparks Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management have a long history of working together in the containment and extinguishment of wildland fires. This cooperative agreement would ensure this relationship for another five years. The agreement also defines the areas where mutual aid and assistance for hire are applicable, a process to respond to and request resources for all incidents, and defines procedures for reimbursement and invoicing for services.

Alternatives: 1) Council can choose to not approve the Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement and The 2014 Annual Operating Plan between the Sparks Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management. 2) Council can accept the recommended motion.

Recommended Motion: Move to approve the Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement and the 2014 Annual Operating Plan between the Sparks Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management.

Attached Files:

Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement.pdf

2014 Annual Operating Plan.pdf

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