MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Between the City of Yuba City, the County of Yuba, the City of Marysville, and the Fire TEMS Agencies
Regarding the Yuba-Sutter Regional SWAT Team (YSRST)
(Including the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), Tactical EMS Program, and Tactical Dispatch Team)
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made and entered into this ___ day of ____________, 2026, by and between the City of Yuba City, the County of Yuba, the City of Marysville, and the Fire TEMS Agencies (Linda Fire Protection District, Yuba City Fire Department and Bi-County Ambulance Services), collectively referred to as the “Agencies.”
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Agencies recognize that the presence of a highly trained and skilled regional tactical response unit aids in the peaceful resolution of critical incidents, reducing the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, officers, and suspects alike; and WHEREAS, the Agencies desire to continue a cooperative effort to maintain a unified, cross-jurisdictional tactical response capability through the establishment of the YubaSutter Regional SWAT Team (YSRST); and WHEREAS, this MOU establishes the policies, responsibilities, and expectations of each participating agency for the continued operation and administration of the YSRST; NOW, THEREFORE, the Agencies agree as follows:
I. Special Operations Unit Participation
This MOU is voluntary in nature and places no party under obligation to respond to a request for YSRST services it cannot fulfill due to staffing, resource constraints, or other reasonable limitations. However, all reasonable efforts shall be made to accommodate requests for assistance and to attend scheduled team training and operational readiness activities.
Newly appointed members of either the SWAT or Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) shall attend a basic training course in their discipline within one (1) year of appointment.
Members of SWAT will not be deployed on entry teams until they have completed the basic SWAT training course.
Tactical Dispatch personnel shall attend specialized training as soon as practicable.
Tactical EMS (TEMS) personnel assigned by the Fire TEMS Agencies shall complete an approved Tactical Casualty Care course before appointment to the YSRST TEMS Team.
Each agency is responsible for ensuring training is completed for its personnel and providing YSRST Commanders with training records.
II. Special Operations Unit Structure
The YSRST is composed of the following organizational elements:
SWAT ELEMENT
Two (2) Tactical Commanders holding the rank of Lieutenant or Sergeant.
Entry Team consisting of:
• Two (2) Team Leaders (Officer/Deputy or Sergeant)
• Two (2) Assistant Team Leaders (Officer/Deputy or Sergeant) Sniper / Observer Team
• One (1) Sniper Team Leader (Sergeant, Officer, or Deputy), selected based on technical expertise and tenure on the YSRST, subject to approval by respective agency administrations.
• The Sniper Team shall consist of up to four (4) Sniper Team Members, with no more than two (2) non-leader members contributed by any single agency (hard cap). • Yuba City Police Department and Yuba County Sheriff’s Department shall each contribute no fewer than one (1) Sniper Team Member.
• Marysville Police Department may contribute Sniper Team Members as needed to fulfill the authorized team structure.
• Members must have at least one (1) year of YSRST service and have completed a Basic SWAT Course prior to selection.
• Each newly appointed Sniper Team Member must attend a Basic Sniper Course within one (1) year of appointment and may not deploy as a precision rifle shooter until completion of that course and written certification by the Sniper Team Leader. • Sniper Team Members must maintain ongoing range and physical fitness qualifications as outlined in the YSRST Operating Procedures. • Failure to meet standards may result in remediation not to exceed six (6) months.
Continued noncompliance may result in removal from the team. • Each agency is responsible for ensuring training is completed for its personnel and providing YSRST Commanders with training records.
Tactical EMS (TEMS) Team
The Fire TEMS Agencies shall provide Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) personnel to the Yuba-Sutter Regional SWAT Team (YSRST) in accordance with current Sierra-Sacramento Valley EMS Agency policies and procedures.
TEMS personnel shall remain under the administrative supervision of their respective employing agency while operating under the tactical direction of the YSRST Tactical Commander during training and tactical operations.
The primary mission of the TEMS Team is to provide emergency medical support to YSRST personnel and affected civilians during tactical incidents.
TEMS personnel shall:
• Maintain operational medical readiness.
• Respond to all YSRST deployments when activated.
• Participate in scheduled joint training consistent with the YSRST Operating Procedures.
• Work within their authorized scope of practice as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), providing Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Maintain, at a minimum, certification in Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) or another equivalent tactical medical course approved by the Fire TEMS Agencies.
An Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance shall be assigned to standby status during tactical operations and positioned at the Incident Command Post (ICP) or at an alternate staging location designated by the Incident Commander, in consultation with the YSRST Tactical Commander, when operationally appropriate.
TEMS personnel shall not participate in dynamic entry operations, arrest teams, or other tactical assignments except as authorized by the Tactical Commander and consistent with their employing agency policies.
TEMS members shall maintain all state-required certifications and complete all employing agency training requirements
Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT)
1. Purpose and Regionalization
The CNT functions as a regional component of the YSRST, providing crisis communication, negotiation, and de-escalation during high-risk incidents. The CNT may respond within Yuba City, Yuba County, or partner jurisdictions upon request.
2. Command and Oversight
The CNT is subordinate to the YSRST Commanders during tactical deployments. Strategic oversight is provided jointly by the participating Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police (Executive Committee).
Two (2) Negotiations Commanders serving as CNT Team Leaders shall be appointed from among eligible Sergeants, Officers, or Deputies based on communication skill, training, and experience, subject to approval by their respective agency administrations.
3. Composition
• Two (2) Negotiations Team Leaders / Commanders
• Four (4) to eight (8) trained negotiators from participating agencies
4. Training
CNT members shall complete a CA POST-certified Basic Negotiator Course within one (1) year of appointment and shall participate in training as scheduled by CNT Team Leaders in partnership with YSRST monthly training that includes CNT-specific topics no less than twice per year. Each agency is responsible for ensuring training is completed for its personnel and for providing YSRST Commanders with training records.
5. Deployment and Activation
CNT deployments are coordinated through the YSRST Command Structure.
CNT may respond jointly with SWAT during tactical incidents.
6. Performance Standards and Removal
CNT members must maintain attendance, proficiency, and participation standards.
Deficiencies trigger remediation not exceeding six (6) months. Unresolved deficiencies may result in removal.
7. Records and Reporting
CNT Team Leaders shall maintain training and deployment documentation and provide readiness reports to the Executive Committee.
Training and Gear
A regular training program shall be maintained to ensure operational efficiency. • SWAT: Training consistent with POST guidelines
• Tactical EMS: Conduct training per employing agency requirements and attend YSRST monthly training with TEMS-specific content at least twice per year • CNT: Complete POST Basic Negotiator Course and train with CNT and YSRST no less than twice per year
Failure to maintain training standards may result in remediation or removal.
Each Agency shall provide all gear and personal protective equipment necessary and required for the participation of its personnel in this MOU.
Records and Reports
The jurisdictional agency shall complete all investigative documentation.
Assisting agencies shall submit supplemental reports.
YSRST Commanders shall maintain training, deployment, and readiness records and share them with participating agencies upon request.
Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol
The agency of jurisdiction shall conduct the criminal investigation. Administrative investigation shall remain the responsibility of the employing agency.
All participating agencies are members of the Yuba-Sutter Officer Involved Shooting & Critical Incident Investigation Team (OIS/CIIT) and shall follow their employing agency protocols.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY
A. Third Party Death or Injury
The City of Yuba City, City of Marysville, County of Yuba, and Fire TEMS Agencies as parties to this Memorandum of Understanding, shall each be solely liable for any claim, loss, or damages to non-member third parties for personal injury and/or death, including without limitation, attorney’s fees and costs, arising out of the acts or omissions of that jurisdiction’s own employees who are members of, or who participate in support of, the Yuba-Sutter Regional SWAT Team (YSRST). To the extent permitted by law, proportional liability to third parties for death or personal injury arising out of acts or omissions of employees from more than one jurisdiction may be established either by stipulation among the affected jurisdictions or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
B. Third Party Property Damage
The jurisdiction requesting the response of the YSRST shall be solely liable for any claim, loss, or damages for property damage to third parties, including without limitation, attorney’s fees and costs, arising out of the activities of the YSRST.
C. City or County Property Damage and Injury to Employees Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties specifically agree that in the event of an injury, illness, or death to any duly assigned employee member of the YSRST, or damage or loss of any type to the property of a member agency, arising out of participation in training or operations of the YSRST, the employing agency shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other agencies, and their respective officials, officers, agents, and employees, from any and all such demands, claims, or liabilities arising therefrom, including but not limited to those which constitute a workers’ compensation claim.
D. Indemnification and Defense
In connection with any claim, injury, or property damage for which a member agency is obligated to indemnify and defend another member agency, such indemnifying agency shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other member agencies and their respective officials, officers, deputies, agents, and employees from any and all demands, claims, or liabilities of any nature arising out of the incident giving rise to the defense and indemnification obligation. In such cases, each member agency shall use its best efforts to cooperate and assist in the defense, except to the extent that such cooperation and assistance could, in the opinion of the member agency’s legal counsel, reasonably be expected to prejudice that agency’s legal interests. Each party shall at all times maintain in full force and effect workers’ compensation insurance and compliance with applicable law, and shall maintain adequate liability insurance or legally adequate self-insurance to cover its activities under this MOU.
E. Survival of Provisions
The requirements and obligations set forth in this Section titled “Agency Responsibility” shall survive any termination or expiration of this MOU, as well as the withdrawal of any member agency from participation in the YSRST.
Term, Termination, and Withdrawal
This MOU becomes effective upon execution and shall remain in effect until terminated.
Any agency may withdraw upon ninety (90) days written notice.
Entire Agreement
This MOU represents the entire agreement among the Agencies and supersedes all prior oral and written understandings. Amendments must be in writing and executed by all parties.
Notice
Any notice required or permitted to be made under this MOU shall be in writing and sent to the following addresses by personal delivery, U.S. Mail, or nationally recognized overnight courier. All written notices will be deemed given on the date of delivery, or three (3) days after placement in the U.S. Mail if by U.S. Mail.
City of Yuba City: Jim Runyen, Chief of Police
1545 Poole Boulevard
Yuba City, CA 95993
City of Marysville: Vance Nabeta, Chief of Police
316 6th Street
Marysville, CA 95901
County of Yuba: Wendell Anderson, Sheriff-Coroner
720 Yuba Street
Marysville, CA 95901
Linda Fire Department: Kyle Heggstrom, Chief Officer
1286 Scales Avenue
Marysville, CA 95901
Yuba City Fire Department: Josh Hubbard, Fire Chief
824 Clark Avenue
Yuba City, CA 95991
Bi-County Ambulance: Alex Bumpus, President/CEO
1700 Poole Boulevard
Yuba City, CA 95993
Execution and Signature
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this MOU as of the date first written above.
CITY OF YUBA CITY
By: ___________________________
Jim Runyen, Chief of Police
Date: _________________________
CITY OF MARYSVILLE
By: ___________________________
Vance Nabeta, Chief of Police
Date: _________________________
COUNTY OF YUBA
By: ___________________________
Wendell Anderson, Sheriff
Date: _________________________
LINDA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
By: ___________________________
Kyle Heggstrom, Chief
Date: _________________________
YUBA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
By: ___________________________
Joshua Hubbard, Chief
Date: _________________________
BI-COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICES
By: ___________________________
______________________________
[Authorized Representative – Title TBD]
Date: _________________________