November 4, 2025
Fire Department
DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Aaron Osorio, Fire Chief
Subject:
Memorandum of Agreement with Oakland Fire
Department for National Urban Search and Rescue
Sponsorship
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Richmond Fire Department will cover the initial cost of purchasing task force uniforms for each participating member, which is not expected to exceed a total of
$5,000. This purchase will be funded through the
approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Fire Department’s
personal protective equipment budget (Account String:
01204022-400384).
In addition, as a Federal Emergency Management
Agency’s National Urban Search and Rescue System
Participating Agency, the Department is eligible for
reimbursement from California Task Force 4 (“CA-TF4”)
for any approved activities during deployments.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Fire Department (“Department”) intends to
join Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National
Urban Search and Rescue System California Task Force
4 (“CA-TF4”) as a Participating Agency. This participation would provide the Department with access to specialized training, resources, and expertise for responding to large- scale urban search and rescue operations which will
enhance the department’s emergency preparedness.
AGENDA
REPORT
November 4, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the City of Richmond to
enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with The
Oakland Fire Department, Sponsoring Agency of
California Task Force 4, and join as a Participating
Agency, and AUTHORIZE the City Manager or their
designee to execute all necessary documents – Fire
Department (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021).
DISCUSSION:
In the event of large-scale disasters such as structural collapses, earthquakes, or transportation accidents, specialized teams are in place to quickly deploy and assist victims. One of these teams is the Urban Search & Rescue (“US&R”), which is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Urban Search and Rescue System. US&R teams consist of highly trained professionals who respond to emergencies, providing rescue (extrication) and initial medical stabilization to victims.
These teams are critical for locating, rescuing, and stabilizing victims trapped in confined spaces, including collapsed buildings, trenches, and other hazardous environments.
As a multi-hazard discipline, US&R is essential for responding to both natural and man- made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and even terrorist-related events. FEMA’s US&R program organizes search and rescue capabilities into a national system that can rapidly deploy to impacted areas, providing specialized rescue and medical services where they are needed most.
California Task Force 4
There is a total of 28 US&R teams in the United States. The Oakland Fire Department serves as the Sponsoring Agency for California Task Force 4 (“CA-TF4”) of the National Urban Search and Rescue System, and it is one of the eight teams based in California.
California Task Force 4 is part of a comprehensive network established to respond to urban and large-scale emergencies (Attachment 1). A few of the notable incidents that CA-TF4 has been deployed to are Ground Zero in 2001, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Irma in 2017, and the Lahaina Wildfire in 2023.
The Richmond Fire Department (“Department”) intends to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with the Oakland Fire Department to be a Participating Agency in California Task Force 4 (Attachment 2). By joining CA-TF4, the Department will gain experience, resources, and expertise in handling complex rescue operations that extend beyond local response capabilities. Additionally, the Department will foster stronger collaboration with neighboring agencies, including local fire departments, law enforcement, medical teams, and other first responders, which will improve mutual aid coordination and ensure that, in times of need, resources and personnel can be rapidly mobilized.
November 4, 2025
As a Participating Agency, the Department will be trained and equipped to respond to large-scale urban search and rescue operations. This includes advanced technical rescue techniques, hazardous materials handling, and the use of specialized equipment. These skills are essential that will further the Department's overall emergency response capabilities. In addition, by increasing the Department’s preparedness for urban search and rescue operations, the department will enhance its ability to respond to major disasters, ensuring the safety of the community.
Responsibility
As a Participating Agency, the Department agrees to provide personnel for designated positions on CA-TF4 as determined by the Sponsoring Agency. These personnel must be trained and meet CA-TF4 requirements. The Department currently has 80 eligible personnel, and the Department intends to commit 10 personnel to the Task Force. In case of activation and deployment, the Department must provide at least 30 percent of its rostered team members for Task Force activities. Lastly, the Department is expected to fully cooperate with the Sponsoring Agency and engage in activities that support Task Force preparedness goals, including maintaining a 24/7 point of contact for timely receipt of deployment notices (Attachment 3).
Financial Impact
In terms of activation and deployment, CA-TF4 may distribute FEMA preparedness grant funding to the Participating Agency. These funds will be subject to the requirements of the grants and the overall needs of the Task Force. The Sponsoring Agency will also reimburse the Participating Agency for authorized response expenses once reimbursement is received from the federal government (Attachment 4).
In addition, the Department will have to cover the initial cost of purchasing Task Force uniforms for each participating member, which is not expected to exceed a total of $5,000. This expense will not be reimbursed by the Sponsoring Agency and will be solely funded through the Department’s personal protective equipment budget. It is important to note that the long-term benefits of joining CA-TF4 far outweigh these immediate expenses, including enhanced public safety, skill development, and career advancement, all of which ultimately contribute to a more resilient and capable emergency response team.
Recommended Action
City staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Richmond enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Oakland Fire Department and join CA-TF4 as a Participating Agency (Attachment 5). By becoming part of CA-TF4, the Department will gain access to specialized training, resources, and the ability to collaborate with neighboring agencies in response to large-scale urban search and rescue operations. This partnership will enhance the Department’s
November 4, 2025
preparedness, improve mutual aid coordination, and ensure a more effective response to emergencies within the community.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1– MOA between Homeland Security_Oakland to serve as USAR Attachment 2 – PROSPOSED MOA USAR Oakland_Richmond
Attachment 3 – CA-TF4 Administrative Manual
Attachment 4 – USAR Interim Rule 70 Fed Reg 9181_Max Pay Table Attachment 5 – Resolution