The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Cooperative Agreement will enable Goodyear Fire Department (“GFD”) to submit for reimbursement costs associated with wildland deployments.

Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and approve the execution of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Cooperative Agreement. (Tim Wayne, Deputy Fire Chief)

Should GFD respond to a wildland deployment, the equipment and salary costs, which covers the deployed employee and backfill costs, will be reimbursed. These costs are submitted to the Arizona State Forester’s Division for reimbursement at the rate listed in the Cooperative Rate agreement. In FY22, GFD received a total of $178,562.09 in reimbursement fees for 5 deployments and $175,493.03 in FY23 for 16 deployments. There were no wildland deployments in FY24.

The GFD has participated in wildland fire deployments beginning in 2004 to present. GFD provides personnel and equipment resources to manage wildland fire incidents that typically occur in the western region of the United States. The GFD Wildland team has deployed to Colorado, Oregon, California and Texas in recent years. The number of deployments varies greatly depending on the number of occurrences and severity of incidents.
 

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s mission to foster, maintain and enhance collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and cooperators to proactively promote the health and safety of Arizona’s forests, woodlands, deserts and watersheds; encourage fire-adapted communities; provide leadership and oversight of resources in wildfire response; and ensure fire safety in public buildings through the enforcement of the state fire code.

This agreement between Arizona Forestry and the City allows for utilization of State resources, if necessary, for wildland fires within Goodyear city limits.The agreement also provides reimbursement associated with fire deployment for wildland activities outside of Goodyear to include costs associated with fire suppression activities including equipment and manpower. The annual reimbursement rates are established by the Annual Operating Plan for Cooperative Fire Rate Agreement. The agreement will continue for ten (10) years from the effective date but may be terminated by either party within thirty (30) days.

The GFD Wildland Deployment Team is a critical part of the statewide network, consisting of local fire departments and fire districts, which provide emergency response services. The GFD Wildland Deployment Team supports the mission of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Staff recommends approval of this Agreement between the City and the Arizona State Forester.