REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILLY P. ALCORN, Fire Chief
Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to Amending Agreement A231012261 with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES):
1. Approve acceptance of Cal OES Amendment Two for an additional $77,250 for a total of $324,450 for Regional Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Response and Regional Task Force Five (RTF 5) training agreement A231012261 and authorize the Fire Chief, or designee, to compensate Fire personnel in order to staff the vacancies caused by training attendance.
2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 49th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2025-179 appropriating $77,300 for amendment two to the 2024 Regional Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Regional Task Force Five (RTF5) training agreement A231012261 (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended Council approve the acceptance of Cal OES Amendment Two for an additional $77,250 for a total of $324,450 for Regional Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Response and Regional Task Force Five (RTF 5) training agreement A231012261 and authorize the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute the compensation to Fire personnel to staff the vacancies caused by training attendance; In addition, adopt the 49th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2025-179 appropriating $77,300 for amendment two to the 2024 Regional Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Regional Task Force Five (RTF5) training agreement A231012261.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Fire Department is the host agency for RTF 5 and is one of two RTFs that cover the Central Valley, to include the counties of Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern.
As host agency for RTF5, Fresno Fire was awarded agreement A231012261 to provide training to ensure the requisite number of certified USAR personnel will be available to activate and deploy through the Cal OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System to provide mutual aid to larger or more complex USAR events in accordance with the California State Mutual Aid Plan. Cal OES recently revised agreement A231012261 with amendment two funding an additional $77,250, bringing the total award to $324,450 between April 25, 2024, and June 30, 2028.
BACKGROUND
There are currently ten Regional Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces (RTF) located throughout the State of California. These USAR Task Forces are comprised of twenty-nine people specially trained and equipped for large complex urban search and rescue operations. The multi-disciplinary organization provides five functional elements that include Supervision, Search, Rescue, Medical, and Logistics.
In April 2024, Agreement A231012261 was entered into between the Fresno Fire Department and Cal OES for $169,950 to cover the cost of the necessary backfill for those staff attending required training. Amendment one, dated April 17, 2025, added $77,250 bringing the total amended agreement amount to $247,200. Amendment two will add $77,250 bringing the total amended agreement amount to $324,450. The $77,250 for amendment two needs to be appropriated in order to continue the USAR and RTF5 education.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this item does not include a bid or an award of a service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the general fund.
Attachments: OES Agreement A231012261
49th Amendment to AAR 2025-179