Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: JULY 15, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: adam loeser, fire chief
PREPARED BY: andrew yang, administrative analyst ii
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH CAL OES FOR TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF TYPE I FIRE ENGINE
SUMMARY
The Fire Department requests City Council approve an Agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to host a Type I Fire Engine. This would provide the City with an additional, State-maintained reserve apparatus, enhancing local service capabilities and preserving the existing fleet at minimal direct cost.
PROPOSED MOTION
Approve a Temporary Transfer of Vehicular Equipment - Type I Engine Agreement with the State of California, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Division (Cal OES) and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fullerton, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Do not approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
This is consistent with past practice.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability
Public Safety
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff anticipates minimal fiscal impact from this action. The State of California covers repair costs for individual items exceeding $100 and the City would not fund any significant repairs for the Cal OES engine. The agreement requires the City, as a self-insured entity, to provide a written statement agreeing to hold Cal OES harmless from any claims arising from engine use or maintenance.
The agreement helps the Fire Department preserve the aging apparatus fleet. The City would forego the $173.47 per hour reimbursement collected when deploying its own Type I engine on mutual aid incidents offset by savings from avoided maintenance, repair costs and extending current apparatus lifecycle with reduced mileage. This strategic Cal OES engine use on mutual aid assignments represents a long-term fiscal benefit by preserving City capital assets.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of Fullerton has a long-standing commitment to the California Fire Service and Rescue Emergency Master Mutual Aid Plan, which facilitates sharing statewide resources during major emergency events. The Fire Department proposes an agreement with the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to serve as temporary host for a Type I Fire Engine to further that commitment. The proposed agreement has ten-year term which either party can terminate with 14 days' written notice.
The agreement would assign a Cal OES Engine 386, a 2015 HME / Ahrens-Fox Engine valued at $410,263 ($368,263 vehicle; $42,000 hose and appliances) to Fullerton. Cal OES collaborates with local jurisdictions such as Fullerton to strategically place these assets throughout California and ensure rapid deployment to emergency incidents. The Type I Engine would complement the Fire Department Type III Brush Engine assignment, which the City hosted in partnership with Cal OES since November 2020. The proposed agreement would require the City to house the vehicle, operate the vehicle for up to 14 days (plus travel) for out-of-area Strike Team assignments when requested by the State and perform and document annual pump, hose and ladder testing.
The agreement clearly defines maintenance responsibilities, ensuring minimal financial commitment from the City. The City would pay for minor repairs costing less than $100, while the State would handle costs exceeding the $100 threshold, including consumables such as tires, hose and batteries. The State would continue to reimburse personnel and operational costs when a Strike Team from Fullerton deploys for mutual aid, which also includes an additional administrative fee paid to the City.
This agreement to host the Cal OES Type I engine provides tangible operational and financial benefits for the City. The engine provides an additional resource for local emergencies when not deployed as a state asset, functions as a critical reserve unit when City-owned apparatus are unavailable and supports Fullerton crews during statewide mutual aid deployments. Collectively, these operational and fiscal advantages enhance City emergency preparedness while reinforcing the commitment to the California emergency response network. Staff requests City Council approve the proposed agreement and authorize the City Manager, or the Fire Chief as designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fullerton.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Agreement for Temporary Transfer of Vehicular Equipment cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Cal OES Temporary Transfer of Type I Fire Engine Agreement July 15, 2025 - Page 2