Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding Resolution No. 2013.  A resolution of the City of San Luis, Arizona authorizing and directing the entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of San Luis and the City of Yuma for Mutual Aid and Assistance for Fire, Medical, Hazardous Material, Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear-Explosive (CBRNE), Mass Casualty Emergencies, Technical Rescue and Operation Support.  (Hank Green, Fire Chief)

The City of San Luis Fire Department is requesting authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement for Mutual Aid and Assistance for Fire, Medical, Hazardous Material, Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear-Explosive (CBRNE), Mass Casualty Emergencies, Technical Rescue and Operations Support.

Previous agreements were a little less wordy and generally were called mutual aid agreements.  This agreement between SLFD and YFD will allow each agency to assist the other, should the need arise, regardless of the type of event.

Historically, SLFD has utilized the resources of YFD; the Sol International Fire and most recently at several medical events when ground ambulances were not available from SLFD, Somerton-Cocopah Fire Department or Rural Metro Corporation.

Such an agreement facilitates the interactions, operations, and responsibilities between our two communities and departments.  For example, if an auto crash is reported on Arizona 195, it really doesn’t matter that we determine the exact location of the event to determine who should respond; the agency who receives the 9-1-1 call dispatches their appropriate units and notifies the other agency, who send their units.  We will meet at the scene and assist the other agency, to the benefit of any patients and, each agency closest resource without depleting either agencies resources.

There are two, new elements in this version of the Mutual Aid Agreement.

The first is the inclusion of the traffic signal preemption system (OPTICOM®).  This system is installed at all signalized traffic intersections within the City of Yuma, receives a coded, infrared signal from an apparatus mounted emitter and advances the traffic signal intervals to provide a green light to the direction of approach of the apparatus.  In other words, cross traffic at an intersection will be given a red signal light and the apparatus equipped with the emitter will receive a green signal light.  Apparatus will not “run a red light” at controlled intersections.

SLFD ambulances will be able to access the City of Yuma’s OPTICOM® system when transporting medical patients to YRMC.  SLFD and San Luis Public Works will require the installation of an OPTICOM® system at all future signalized intersections within San Luis and the retrofit of our six existing signalized intersections in San Luis is an element of our Capital Improvement Program.

The second new element of this IGA addresses our ability to access and use their Yuma Public Safety Training Facility.  This complex will provide SLFD personnel the opportunity to conduct and participate in live fire training, apparatus driver training, confined space and ladder operations when the mobile live fire training system is not on site at SLFD.

The City of San Luis Fire Department is requesting appropriate authority to enter into the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Yuma.