201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #300
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4000
Fax: (714) 765-4008
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 9, 2025
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CORONA
(CORONA FIRE DEPARTMENT)
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 09
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the Cooperative Agreement (Mutual Aid), with the City of Corona, authorizing continued shared emergency response capability for incidents occurring along the jurisdictional boundary, including the State Route 91 corridor and the Wildland Urban Interface, for a five year term, and authorize the Fire Chief or designee to execute the agreement and any related documents necessary to implement its provisions.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Anaheim and the City of Corona share a unique set of target hazards along their jurisdictional boundary, most notably the State Route 91 corridor, the adjacent Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and a mixture of residential and commercial occupancies. These areas experience a high volume of time-sensitive emergency incidents that routinely require rapid deployment of fire, rescue, and advanced life support (ALS) services. Because emergencies do not adhere to jurisdictional borders, both communities depend on close coordination and mutual support to maintain effective and timely response capabilities.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue (AF&R) and the Corona Fire Department (CFD) each provide paramedic-level ALS care and maintain an all-hazards response capability, including structural firefighting, transportation emergencies, WUI incidents, and hazardous materials first responder services. The similarity of missions, training standards, and response models makes the two organizations natural partners for mutual aid.
The 91 Freeway represents one of the most significant shared-risk environments. As a primary regional artery between Orange and Riverside counties, the corridor routinely experiences traffic congestion, high vehicular volume, and a disproportionate number of medical and vehicular emergencies. Given the freeway’s geography and the travel distances required to access certain segments, either agency may be the closest available resource depending on traffic flow, incident location, and unit availability. Maintaining an Cooperative Agreement with the City of Corona (Corona Fire Department) December 9, 2025
updated mutual aid agreement ensures both cities can rely on one another to deliver prompt, life-saving interventions in these time-critical environments.
Similarly, the WUI area along Anaheim’s eastern border directly abuts the City of Corona.
Wildland fires in this region possess the potential to rapidly grow, cross jurisdictional boundaries, and threaten multiple communities simultaneously. Effective initial attacks in these environments require robust and scalable resource deployment. An updated mutual aid agreement provides both agencies with the ability to mobilize and integrate additional resources quickly, reducing fire spread, minimizing risk to residents, and improving firefighter safety. Because WUI incidents are not confined to a single jurisdiction or stakeholder group, coordinated response planning is essential for both communities.
This updated agreement is not a new partnership, but rather a refinement of the longstanding cooperative relationship between AF&R and CFD. It formalizes operational expectations, establishes clear communication protocols, and ensures that both departments maintain the ability to respond rapidly to incidents anticipated to last fewer than twelve (12) hours. By preserving alignment on radio interoperability, incident management practices, and resource deployment, the agreement enhances the efficiency and reliability of emergency services along the shared border.
Approval of this agreement supports the ongoing commitment of both cities to safeguard their residents, strengthen regional response capabilities, and ensure that critical emergencies receive the fastest and most capable resources available, regardless of jurisdictional lines.
This agreement aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan Goal E – Support Public Safety by ensuring rapid, effective emergency response while minimizing financial impact, and supports the protection of Anaheim’s residents, visitors, and infrastructure without imposing additional routine expenses.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This mutual aid agreement is not expected to result in any significant cost to the City.
Under the terms of the agreement, neither Anaheim Fire & Rescue nor the Corona Fire Department will charge the other agency for assistance provided during incidents lasting fewer than twelve (12) hours. Because most shared-border emergencies are resolved well within this timeframe, any situation that would generate reimbursable costs is expected to be rare.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Russell
Fire Chief
Attachment:
1. Agreement