Agenda

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10.

City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

09/28/2021

BACKGROUND

The Schertz Fire Department is charged with the responsibility of regional fire suppression, protection and prevention. The Fire Department does not have the means to effectively remediate certain emergency situations without the assistance of outside agencies. Suburban Fire Departments typically enter into mutual aid agreements with each other for that purpose. During structure fires or other emergencies that exceed the capacity of a single fire department, surrounding fire departments mutually respond to assist the requesting department. Mutual aid agreements include clauses that protect the respective cities for committing resources outside their boundaries when such would be detrimental to those cities. The obligation to respond is always contingent upon the ability to maintain adequate protection at home.

JBSA employs a well-trained cadre of firefighters on base for aircraft emergencies as well as structural responses. Schertz Fire has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the military firefighters, training with them regularly. We have assisted them in the past with their air show emergency stand-by and response, and they have assisted us on fires in our city.

GOAL

City staff recommends Council approval of Resolution 21-R-109 to authorize the City Manager to sign the mutual aid agreement between the City of Schertz and Joint Base San Antonio for Fire Emergency Services.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

It is not feasible for fire departments to maintain the amount of staffing necessary to combat a typical house fire. Therefore, most suburban fire departments provide adequate manpower for the initial fire attack and rely on mutual aid partners for additional help when needed. Mutual aid is an efficient use of equipment and manpower when an emergency exceeds the capability of everyday staffing.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact.

RECOMMENDATION

Attachments
21R109
Exhibit A