DATE:
April 8, 2025
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Fire
TITLE: Reimbursement of Mutual-Aid Support—
Fire Department Appropriation
RECOMMENDATION
Increase appropriations in the Fire Department for reimbursements in the amount of $361,850.32 for Strike Team deployment overtime for the Park Fire. (Five votes required)
BACKGROUND
The City of Mountain View Fire Department (MVFD) participates in the State of California Mutual- Aid System and deploys staff to assist with wildland fires and other emergency incidents . As a result, the City is reimbursed at agreed -upon rates by the s tate for personnel hours, administrative costs, travel costs, and vehicle -related costs for participating in deployed emergencies.
ANALYSIS
The California Fire Assistance Agreement with the State of California’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) requires that fire agencies be reimbursed for time and resources expended in the support of California fires requiring mutual- aid fire suppression services. The reimbursement funds recommended for appropriation were received by the City for overtime costs associated with strike team deployments, administrative costs, travel expense fees, and vehicle -related expenses for the Park Fire in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Code of Federal Regulations . Table 1 shows the reimbursement funds received for various costs associated with the Park Fire.
Reimbursement of Mutual-Aid Support—Fire Department Appropriation April 8, 2025
Table 1: Park Fire
Dates Fire/
Incident Total Amount MVFD
Personnel
Vehicle
Fees/Fleet
Travel
Expense
Fees
Admin. and
Misc.
Fees
Status
July 25, 2024
to
August 13, 2024
Park $535,161.64 $361,850.32 $35,295.28 -0- $138,016.04 Reimbursement received
FISCAL IMPACT
The City has been reimbursed a total of $ 535,161.64 by the California OES related to fire suppression efforts during the Park Fire. The reimbursement of $ 138,016.04 for administrative and other miscellaneous expenses is revenue to cover the City’s fixed costs already included in the Operating Budget. The reimbursement of $35, 295.28 for Vehicle Fees/Fleet provides reimbursement for expenses incurred for Equipment and Support Vehicle expenses. The remaining reimbursement of $ 361,850.32 is for direct personnel costs related to mutual-aid support, which was not budgeted in Fiscal Year 2024 -25. Therefore, staff requests approval to appropriate $361,850.32 associated with Fire personnel hours to cover the additional expenses incurred due to Park Fire mutual-aid support.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Decline the recommendation to increase appropriations for the reimbursement of Mountain View Fire Department personnel hours and allow the personnel costs to exceed the budgeted amount.
2. Provide other direction.
LEVINE ACT
California Government Code Section 84308 (also known as the Levine Act) prohibits city officials from participating in any proceeding involving a “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” if the official has received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant within the last 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more Reimbursement of Mutual-Aid Support—Fire Department Appropriation April 8, 2025
information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to- play-limits-and-prohibitions.html.
Please see below for information about whether the recommended action for this agenda item is subject to or exempt from the Levine Act.
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
☒ General policy and legislative actions
PUBLIC NOTICING—Agenda posting.
Prepared by:
Amanda Slovick
Senior Management Analyst
Approved by:
Juan F. Diaz
Fire Chief
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager
AS/4/CAM
141-04-08-25CR
205057