Item H2
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
FIRE AND AMBULANCE DISTRICT 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: April I?, 18,2002
Division: Public Safety
Bulk Item: Yes No ~
Department: Fire Rescue
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Automatic Aid Agreement betwe~n Board of Governors
of Fire and Ambulance District 10fMonroe County, Florida and various fire service providers within
Monroe County concerning closest unit response.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Automatic Aid or Closest Unit Response is a system whereby fire service
providers assist neighboring providers in controlling or extinguishing fires or other emergencies when
a quicker response may be provided due to being closer or more available. This practice is already
being successfully carried out throughout the county, however it is necessary to have an executed
agreement in place. Therefore, an agreement was prepared and routed to all fire service providers
within Monroe County requesting their execution.
PREVIOUS REVELANT BOG ACTION: None.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: New.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval.
TOT AL COST:
.00
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY: .00
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
APPROVED BY: County Atty Yes
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
To Follow
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
//~-
Revised 2/27/01
MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF GOVERNORS LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS FIRE AND AMBULANCE
TAXING DISTRICT
CONTRACT SUMMARY
Contract #
Contract with:Citv of Key West City of Marathon. Islamorada Village Effective
of Islands. Big Coppitt Volunteer Fire Department. Inc.. The Sugarloaf Date: 11/21/2000
Key Volunteer Fire Department. Inc.. The Big Pine Key Volunteer Fire
Department. Inc.. Marathon Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Inc.. The
Conch Key Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Inc.. The
Layton Volunteer Fire Department. Inc.. Tavernier Volunteer Fire
Department and Ambulance Corps. Inc.. Key Largo Volunteer
Fire/Rescue Department. Inc.. and Ocean Reef V olunteer Fire
Department. Inc.
Expiration Date:none
Contract Purpose/Description: Automatic Aid! Closest Unit Response Agreement by and among
the County and the various fire departments in Monroe County.
Contract Manager:Ross Willman 6006 F ire Rescue
(Name) (Ext. ) (Department)
for BOCC meeting on November 21, 22, 2000 Agenda Deadline: November 7,2000
CONTRACT COSTS
Total Dollar Value of Contract: $ 0.00 Current Year Portion: $ 0.00
Budgeted? YesO No 0 Account Codes: _-_-_-_
Grant: $ _-_-_-_
County Match: $ _-_-_-_
- - -
----
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Estimated Ongoing Costs: $_/yr For:
(Not included in dollar value above) (eg. maintenance, utilities, janitorial, salaries, etc.)
CONTRACT REVIEW
Changes / /J / Date Out
DrteIn Needed~' //~"e'er
Division Director '... 7f! l :,YesO No '--:..-.-,1::<. "7 ~''-' ~ .
"" I~"" - . / - .:>,/e' jt"..,
Risk Manage!TIent \ (,) 11(,t 0 c YesO NoB' \, L~'ck-','\---L \C,,(~ :'\"~J'r"'- Ie I fL. \ Db
o~~g (YeSDNO .' tl~~ /0(2-.3/4-0
CountyAttomey (O-I3'-I!:'OYesDNO~ /~-I3-(Q?
Comments:
OMB Form Revised 9/11/95 Mep #2
Monroe County
Automatic Aid Agreement
AUTOMATIC AID/CLOSEST UNIT RESPONSE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG
THE COUNTY AND THE VARIOUS FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN MONROE COUNTY
This Agreement is made this day of , 20_, by and between Board
of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Board of Governors Lower and Middle Keys Fire
and Ambulance Taxing District, City of Key West, City of Marathon, Islamorada Village of
Islands, Big Coppitt Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., The Sugarloaf Key Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc., The Big Pine Key Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Marathon Volunteer Fire
and Rescue, Inc., The Conch Key Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc., The
Layton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Tavernier Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance
Corps, Inc., Key Largo Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, Inc., and Ocean Reef Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Monroe County, it's fire service districts and cities desire to provide a
uniform emergency response system, known as an "Automatic Aid/Closest Unit Response"; and
WHEREAS, said fire service providers are not restricted by local, county, state or federal
statute or laws from assisting neighboring providers in controlling or extinguishing fires or other
emergencies; and
WHEREAS, city and jurisdictional boundaries may be common between two (2) or more
fire service providers; and
WHEREAS, calls for assistance occur in areas where a neighboring jurisdiction's
emergency units may be closer or available quicker for an emergency response; and
WHEREAS, delays in responding to certain emergency situations, due to availability of
emergency apparatus or personnel because of distance or operational status, may result in more
severe conditions involving loss of life, injury or loss of property; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the fire service agencies and/or governmental entities on
behalf of their fire service providers participating in this Agreement to mutually cooperate in
Page I of8
order to effectively provide assistance to each other in the interest of the public's health, safety
and welfare; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to provide a remedy for jurisdictional problems
that could result from the use of facilities, equipment or personnel shared in common by the
parties at such emergencies; and
WHEREAS, joint response or closest unit response or automatic aid or mutual aid, may
result in a reduction of fire insurance rates for the citizens of Monroe County;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises herein contained, it
is mutually agreed between the parties as follows:
SECTION I
DEFINITIONS
A. Local Authority - The authority having the responsibility to provide the Primary
Emergency response in a certain jurisdiction.
B. Closest Unit Response - The unit which is pre-determined to be the closest to the
emergency scene and which is dispatched first without regard to the jurisdiction
where an emergency occurs.
C. Automatic Aid - the process for automatically assisting in controlling an
emergency situation. This may entail the dispatch from formal "Runcards".
When implemented.
D. Runcards - The systematic response on a pre-determined basis of the emergency
units. Runcards are accessed in the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and
dispatched on the recommendation of the CAD system.
E. Incident Commander - The person who assumes overall command of personnel,
apparatus, equipment and operations at the incident scent.
F. Responsible Agent - Agent or Agencies affected by the content of this agreement.
Page 2 of8
SECTION 2
The Monroe County Automatic Aid Standard Operating Guideline dated September 29,
2000 will be the guide to vehicle response until such time Monroe County implements
"Runcards". (See attached Exhibit A)
An emergency response run card system, hereafter called "Runcards", will be maintained
by Monroe County Fire - EMS, Fire and EMS contract agencies and the Monroe County
Sheriffs Department Communications/Dispatch Center(s) when implemented.
A. Said runcards will be prepared to indicate the closest or most appropriate
emergency units to respond to each type of emergency situation as determined by
the local authority.
B. Runcards will be monitored by Monroe County Fire - EMS and affected Fire and
EMS contract agencies within Monroe County, changes may be requested only by
the authority directly affected in coordination with other affected department or
agencIes.
C. Each fire service provider agrees to respond available units in accordance with the
established runcards.
SECTION 3
During or prior to an impending local or area-wide disaster such as, but not limited to,
hazardous material incident, tornado, hurricane or major fire, the local authority may withdraw
that jurisdiction's responses from the runcard system and retain control locally of all responses of
that agency's emergency units. Normal operation will be resumed by the Monroe County
Sheriffs Department Communications/Dispatch Center(s) upon notification by local authority.
SECTION 4
Units responding to an emergency into another jurisdiction shall be under the command
and control of the incident commander until released.
Page 3 of8
SECTION 5
Representatives of each emergency service agency will meet regularly to review
communications and operational procedures.
SECTION 6
The service provided herein by the parties shall be provided without cost to the other
parties and no cost against any party shall be assessed by the other parties unless consented to by
formal action of the party's governing body.
SECTION 7
The parties hereto agree that all acts and omissions of each party's employees, are
performed as agents of the employing party. The employees of one party shall not be deemed to
be the agent of another party by performing any function under the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 8
The parties agree that each will defend, indemnify and save the other harmless due to the
negligent acts of its own employees, officers, or agents, including volunteers, or due to its
negligent operation of equipment. The parties shall each be obligated to indemnify and hold
harmless the other under this Agreement only to the extent that the other may be held liable
under Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, as the same may be amended from time to time. This
section shall not be construed as waiving any defense or limitation which any of the parties may
have against any claim or cause of action by any person not a party to this Agreement.
SECTION 9
The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a term beginning the date that each party
executes this Agreement and to remain in effect indefinitely. If any party expresses its intent to
withdraw from this Agreement, the party shall provide written notice to all other parties no less
than ninety (90) days in advance of the date of withdrawal.
Page 4 of8
SECTION 10
Notices provided for herein or related to the subject matter of this Agreement shall be
provided to the attention of the responsible agent at the addresses set forth below:
Mr. Roberts, County Administrator
Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County
Public Service Building, Wing II
5100 College Road, Stock Island
Key West, FL 33040
Julio Avael, City Manager
City of Key West
P.O. Box 1409
Key West, FL 33040
Craig Wrathell, City Manager
City of Marathon
11 090 Overseas Hwy.
Marathon, FL 33050
James Mooney, Mayor
Islamorada Village of Islands
P.O. Box 568
Islamorada, FL 33036
Timmy Leonard, President
Big Coppitt Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
P.O. Box 2292
Key West, FL 33040
Michael Bowden, President
The Sugarloaf Key Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc.
P.O. Box 40
SugarloafKey, FL 33044
John McCarthy, President
The Big Pine Key Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc.
P.O. Box 430192
Big Pine Key, FL 33043-0192
Robert Coletti, President
Marathon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc.
8900 Overseas Hwy.
Marathon,FL 33050
Page 5 of8
Steve Drew, President
The Conch Key Volunteer Fire Department
and Rescue Squad, Inc.
RT 1, Box 438
Conch Key, FL 33050
Charles MaClaren, President
The Layton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
P.O. Box 624
Layton, FL 33001
Donald Bock, President
Tavernier Volunteer Fire Department and
Ambulance Corps, Inc.
P.O. Box 301
Tavernier, FL 33070
Chris Fleming, President
Key Largo Volunteer Fire/Rescue
Department, Inc.
P.O. Box 782
Key Largo, FL 33037
David C. Ritz
Ocean Reef Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
100 Anchor Drive #505
Key Largo, FI 33037-5273
SECTION 11
This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the appropriate officers of the
respective parties. Failure of any City or Fire Service Provider to sign this agreement will not
affect the agreement as signed by other providers.
(SEAL)
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Attest: Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk
o:r
Clerk
MAYOR
Date
(SEAL)
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS
FIRE AND AMBULANCE TAXING
DISTRICT
Attest:
Clerk
Chairman
Date
(SEAL)
CITY OF KEY WEST
Attest:
Clerk
MAYOR
Date
(SEAL)
CITY OF MARATHON
Attest:
Clerk
MAYOR
Date
Page 6 of8
(SEAL)
Attest:
Clerk
(CORPORATE SEAL) fJf1.
I~
------ ~
Se(,;..~.ta1) lr
(CORPORATE SEAL)
If iJrJ)
, -, i
,j
, /tf. (71.1 ("-7
,::$ecretary
(CORPORATE SEAL)
, j
"
(CORPORr\TE SEAL)
~/a/ L2~Lfd; ~
Se~retary 1
ISLAMORADA VILLAGE OF ISLANDS
MAYOR
Date
BIG COPPITT VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT, INe.
P::::?t - ~
/2- 0"- 0
Date
Date
THE BIG PINE KEY VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMF~~INC._~
~.-s=~~~/
President
1/-/-c;91
Date
MARATHON VOLUNTEER FIRE
RE.., U. E, INC. .! 11 '
/ / / '/~
a r~ l-J...-./(
presi72t '
:2 'lO/G1(
I ,
Date
Page 70f8
(CORPORATE SEAL)
Secretary
(CORPORATE SEAL)
cd;! L '0A t
//.1 / / H~
- ' c
~cretary
(CORPORATE SEAL)
~) r)
_ " / ':">41 ~/_____
Secretary
(CORPORATE SEAL)
Secretary
(CORPORATE SEAL)
Secretary
THE CONCH KEY VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RESCUE
SQUAD, INC.
President
Date
THE LAYTON VOLUNTEER FIRE
DTTMENI1INC. ,
G'\ "Y\t'0'"\ U~ ~-'-L...-"-~~
President
10 --.J-. - C I
Date
TAVERNIER VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND AMBULANCE
CORPS, INC.
(2;1"",'1? ,0A,,-<{
/;Z/29/0"
Date
KEY LARGO VOLUNTEER
FIRE/RESCUE DEPARTMENT, INC.
President.
Date
OCEAN REEF VOLUNTEER
F~E.~ P ~T~T,.}~C.
/-J-./ Ie II \ cZ7
President j, / ' ./
f6(2 Of
Date
Page 8 of8
EXHIBIT A
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 1 of 13
Intent The intent of a Mutual Aid Agreement or Automatic Aid Agreement
is to insure a high level of emergency response in a cost-effective rtlanner.
Mutual aid Is the request of additional equipment or personnel by an individual.
This procedure is usually supported by a written document between two
agencies.
Automatic Aid The process for automatically assisting in the control of an
emergency situation, This entails the dispatch of equipment and personnel by
the communication system without a formal request from an Incident
Commander. The benefit of this type of response is that emergency equipment
and personnel are en-route to assist much quicker. In addition ISO will give credit
to the receiving department as if the mutual aid equipment were part of the
requesting department as long as the equipment is within five miles of the district.
Implementation Monroe County primarily operates under an Automatic Aid
Agreement between Monroe County Fire - EMS and volunteer fire departments.
This agreement is formalized through written contracts between Monroe County
and the fire department corporations within Monroe County. In addition Monroe
County may have the need for assistant from other agencies within or outside of
Monroe County, these agreements are addressed in written formal agreements
where the county has a need for assistance or the county will offer assistance,
Workers Compensation Workers Compensation insurance for injuries
to volunteer fire department members is a budgeted item of the county, which
falls under the county insurance policy. Paid employees of the corporations are
covered by the corporation insurance. The corporations covered under the policy
at this time are Big Coppitt Volunteer Fire Department, Inc" Sugarloaf Key
Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Big Pine Key Volunteer Fire Department, Inc"
Conch Key Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc" Layton
Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Tavernier Volunteer Fire Department and
Ambulance Corps, Inc., Marathon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc. until October
1, 2000, Key Largo Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Inc., and Key Largo
Fire/Rescue Department, Inc. Liability for agencies not listed must address
liability in a written agreement between Monroe County and that agency.
Cost of service Monroe County provides funding for Big Coppitt Volunteer
Fire Department, Inc., Sugarloaf Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Big Pine
Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Conch Key Volunteer Fire Department and
Rescue Squad, Inc., Layton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Tavernier Volunteer
Fire Department and Ambulance Corps, Inc., Marathon Volunteer Fire and
Rescue, Inc. until October 1, 2000, Key Largo Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and
Key Largo Volunteer FirelRescue Department, Inc.. Therefore no cost shall be
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 2 of 13
incurred from these departments. For agencies not listed, Monroe County shall
not pay for any assistance unless addressed in a written document outlining
payment.
Authorization to respond Under the automatic aid procedure, the county
dispatch system shall respond the two nearest departments to Structure Fires,
Multi-Casualty Incidents and Heavy Rescue/Extrication & Entrapment. This
procedure may be improved with the implementation of a computer aided
dispatch system at which time computerized "Run Cards" shall be utilized.
Mutual Aid may be activated by the Incident Commander or officer within our
system, the request for mutual aid with Dade County for a hazardous material
response must be requested by a command officer, with notification to the
Monroe County Fire Marshals Office. A large hazardous material incident will
require the notification of the Directors of Public Safety, EMS, Emergency
Management, Fire Marshal and Fire Rescue.
Mutual Aid through the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association STATEWIDE FIRE -
RESCUE DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN shall be routed to the Director of Public
Safety through the Sr. Director of Fire Rescue utilizing an Assistant Fire Marshal
as the liaison to the State EOC through ESF4 and 9. In addition the EMS chief
shall be notified for request of EMS.
Staffing & Equipment It is important that the appropriate emergency
equipment and personnel respond to any request for assistance. Each
department should address their needs with other agencies as to insure the
appropriate equipment is dispatched and properly equipped. The Monroe
County Emergency Services System Standard Operating Guidelines -
Automatic Aid adopted May 1, 1998 address the response of a Tanker or other
appropriate apparatus and personnel. In the absents of an agreement between
departments to address equipment and personnel this document will be in effect.
Designated Incident Commander The first arriving officer or member on
the first arriving unit to an emergency scene shall assume command and provide
a brief situation report by radio that indicates the nature and the extent of the
emergency. The report shall identify the on-scene unit, confirm assumption of
command, describe the incident parameters, state the obvious conditions, and
briefly describe the course of action initiated by that unit.
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 3 of 13
Transfer of Command Transfer of command from the first commander shall
be carried out according to the Monroe Counties IMS, whereby continuity of
command responsibility is formally turned over in person on the scene.
Command Options When a command officer arrives with the first arriving
units, this command officer shall assume command and establish a fixed
command post. If a company is the first to arrive at the scene, it shall be the
responsibility of the company officer to assume command until relieved by an
officer of higher rank or an officer from the jurisdiction in which the incident is
taking place.
Command Structure The Incident Commander shall delegate responsibility
to subordinates in order to concentrate on overall strategy. This results in an
increase in the number of staff and command positions, as an emergency
escalates, in conformity with the Monroe County IMS.
Deployment of Resources Staging shall be established as soon as
possible, large incidents may require two levels of staging. The first level of
staging will be in the immediate area of the emergency and the secondary shall
be in a location large enough to accommodate a large volume of equipment and
personnel.
Training Training shall be conducted between agencies, which have the
primary responsibility of providing assistance to each other. The training shall be
sufficient to ensure compatible operations.
Communication Apparatus responding to mutual aid incidents shall be
equipped with radios that allow personnel to communicate with Incident
Commanders and Sector, Division or Group officers. Separate frequencies shall
be utilized as to not interfere with the working operations. Each and every
department has adequate radios and frequencies to accomplish this goal.
Departments from outside the county may not have compatible radios. To assist,
both re-hab units Big Coppitt and Tavernier have a supply of radios on board to
assist until the county communication vehicle can be activated. These radios are
on VHF not our primary UHF frequency, therefore a person shall be necessary to
monitor these radios for the Incident Commander.
Dispatch procedure The dispatcher shall dispatch the primary and
Automatic Aid department only. Additional aid will be dispatched as required by
request of the Incident Commander.
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 4 of 13
Should the first responding unit fail to acknowledge the tone out or is otherwise
engaged in another response, the dispatcher shall tone out the next nearest
department to the incident.
Automatic Aid will be utilized for only the following type of incidents:
Structure Fires, Multi-Casualty Incidents, Heavy Rescue / Extrication &
Entrapment.
If in doubt the dispatcher shall ask for direction from the first responding
unit.
Automatic Aid Standard Operating Guidelines The operating guidelines,
Monroe County Automatic Aid Standard Operating Guidelines adopted May
10, 1998 shall be the document of reference until changed or updated.
Mutual Aid Agreements Agencies not covered by the Monroe County
Automatic Aid procedure should have a written mutual aid agreement with the
county if they wish to receive assistance from Monroe County.
Agencies which Monroe County would request mutual aid shall have a written
agreement between Monroe County and That agency.
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 5 of 13
Sample Mutual Aid Agreement
This agreement, made and entered into this
and the
by and between the
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, each of the parties hereto maintain equipment and personnel for the
suppression of fires or other emergency operations within its own jurisdiction and
areas, and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to augment the fire and emergency
protection available in their establishments, districts agencies and municipalities
in the event of large fires, conflagrations, and natural or technological disasters,
and
WHEREAS, the agencies entered into this Agreement have an interest in
providing mutual assistance in emergencies for which each respective fire
department has the capabilities to respond, and
THEREFORE BE IT AGREED THAT:
(a) Whenever it is deemed advisable by the commanding officer of a fire
department belonging to a party to this Agreement, or whenever the
commanding officer of any such fire department is actually present at an
emergency incident, such commanding officer may request assistance for
the purpose of extinguishing, controlling, or aiding in the extinguishment or
controlling of fires, or in the mitigation of emergency medical service
incidents or other emergency incidents from the fire department which are
signatory to this Agreement. Under the terms of this Agreement, such
commanding officer is authorized to make such a request and the
commanding officer of the department receiving the request or authorized
subordinates, shall forthwith take the following action.
1. Immediately determine if apparatus and personnel can be spared in
response to the call;
2. What apparatus and personnel might most effectively be dispatched;
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 6 of 13
3. The exact mission to be assigned in accordance with the detailed plans
and procedures of operation drawn in accordance with this Agreement by
the managing representatives of the fire department concerned.
4. Dispatch such apparatus and personnel as the responsible officer
receiving the call reasonably believes should be sent, with complete
instructions as to the mission, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and pursuant to the instructions received in the request for
assistance.
(b) The tendering of assistance under the terms of this Agreement shall not
be mandatory, but the party receiving the request of assistance should
immediately inform the requesting agency if, for any reason, assistance
can not be rendered.
(c) Each party to this Agreement waives all claims against the other party or
parties for compensation for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death
occurring in consequence of the performance of this Agreement.
(d) Each party to this Agreement shall maintain its own insurance coverage or
self-insure for equipment and personnel.
(e) All services performed under this Agreement shall be rendered without
reimbursement of either party or parties.
(f) The commanding officer of the fire department requesting assistance shall
not relinquish responsibility for mitigating the emergency incident to those
officers responding pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. A senior
officer of a responding mutual aid department will make him I herself
available to the commanding officer for consultation as a resource person,
to assist in tactical or strategical decisions during the emergency. As
often as is practically possible, the mutual aid department will remain
intact under the direct supervision of the highest-ranking officer from their
own department. Direction for the responding department's fire fighters
and subordinate officers' activities will, however, come from the
commanding officer of the fire department initiating the request for
assistance.
(g) The chief fire officer and personnel of the fire departments of both parties
to this Agreement are invited and encouraged, on a reciprocal basis, to
frequently visit each other's activities for guided familiarization tours and
as feasible, to jointly conduct pre-fire planning inspections and drills.
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 7 of 13
(h) The commanding officers of the fire departments of the parties of this
Agreement are authorized to meet and draft any detailed plans and
procedures of operation necessary to effectively implement this
Agreement. Such plans and procedures of operation shall become
effective upon ratification by the signatory parties.
(i) This Agreement shall become effective upon the date hereof and shall
remain in full force and effect until canceled by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto or by written notice by one party to the other party, giving
ten (10) days notice of said cancellation.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement at
Monroe County, Florida, on the day and year first above written.
Reference: NFPA 402
Mutual aid agreements should be drafted by the legal system of the participating
agencies
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 8 of 13
Sample Automatic Aid Agreement
AUTOMATIC AID/CLOSEST UNIT RESPONSE AGREEMENT BY AND
AMONG THE COUNTY AND THE VARIOUS FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN
MONROE COUNTY
This Agreement is made this day of , 2 , By and between
Big Coppitt Fire Department, SugarloafFire Department, Big Pine Fire Department, The
City of Marathon, Conch Key Fire Department, Layton Fire Department. The City of
Islamorada, Tavernier Fire Department, Key Largo Fire Department, Key Largo
Ambulance and Monroe County Fire-EMS.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the fire service districts and cities desire to provide a uniform
emergency response system, known as an "Automatic Aid/Closest Unit
Response"; and
WHEREAS, said fire service providers are not restricted by local, county, state or
federal statute or laws from assisting neighboring providers in controlling or
extinguishing fires or other emergencies; and
WHEREAS, city and jurisdictional boundaries may be common between two (2)
or more fire service providers; and
WHEREAS, calls for assistance occur in areas where a neighboring jurisdiction's
emergency units may be closer or available quicker for an emergency response; and
WHEREAS, delays in responding to certain emergency situations, due to
availability of emergency apparatus or personnel because of distance or operational
status, may result in more severe conditions involving loss of life, injury or loss of
property; and
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 9 of 13
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the fire service agencies and/or governmental
entities on behalf oftheir service agreement participating in this Agreement to mutually
cooperate other in order to effectively provide assistance to each other in the interest of
the public's health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to provide a remedy for jurisdictional
problems that could result from the use of facilities, equipment or personnel shared in
common by the parties at such emergencies; and
WHEREAS, joint response or closest unit response or automatic aid or mutual
aid, may result in a reduction of fire insurance rates for the citizens of Monroe County;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises herein
contained, it is mutually agreed between the parties as follows:
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1
A. Local Authority - The authority having the responsibility to provide the
Primary Emergency response in a certain jurisdiction.
B. Closest Unit Response - The unit which is pre-determined to be the
closest to the emergency scene and which is dispatched first without
regard to the jurisdiction where an emergency occurs.
C. Automatic Aid - the process for automatically assisting in controlling an
emergency situation. This may entail the dispatch from formal
"Runcards". When implemented.
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 10 of 13
D. Runcards - The systematic response on a pre-determined basis of the
emergency units, Runcards are accessed in the computer aided dispatch
(CAD) system and dispatched on the recommendation of the CAD system.
E. Incident Commander - The person who assumes overall command of
personnel, apparatus, equipment and operations at the incident scent.
F. Responsible Agent - Agent or Agencies affected by the content of this
agreement.
SECTION 2
The Monroe County Automatic Aid Standard operating Guide-Line dated
of 2 will be the guide to vehicle response until such time
Monroe County implements "Runcards".
An emergency response run card system,
hereafter called "Runcards", will be maintained by the Monroe County Fire - EMS
Office, Fire and EMS contract agencies and the Monroe County Sheriff Office dispatch
office when implemented.
A. Said runcards will be prepared to indicate the closest or most appropriate
emergency units to respond to each type of emergency situation as
determined by the local authority.
B. Runcards will be monitored by Monroe County Fire - EMS and affected
the Fire and EMS contract agencies within Monroe County, changes may
be requested only by the authority directly affected in coordination with
other affected department or agencies.
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 11 of 13
C. Each fire service provider agrees to respond available units in accordance
with the established runcards.
SECTION 3
During or prior to an impending local or area-wide disaster such as, but not
limited to, hazardous material incident, tornado, hurricane or major fire, the local
authority may withdraw that jurisdiction's responses from the runcard system and retain
control locally of all responses ofthat agency's emergency units. Normal operation will
be resumed by the COUNTY Central dispatch upon notification by local authority.
SECTION 4
Units responding to an emergency into another jurisdiction shall be under the command
and control of the incident commander until released.
SECTION 5
Representatives of each emergency service agency will meet regularly to review
communications and operational procedures.
SECTION 6
The service provided herein by the parties shall be provided without cost to the
other parties and no cost against any party shall be assessed by the other parties unless
consented to by formal action of the party's governing body.
SECTION 7
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 12 of 13
The parties hereto agree that all acts and omissions of each party's employees, are
performed as agents of the employing party. The employees of one party shall not be
deemed to be the agent of another party by performing any function under the terms of
this Agreement.
SECTION 8
The parties agree that each will defend, indemnify and save the other harmless
due to the negligent acts of its own employees, officers, or agents, including volunteers,
or due to its negligent operation of equipment. The parties shall each be obligated to
indemnify and hold harmless the other under this Agreement only to the extent that the
other may be held liable under Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, as the same may be
amended from time to time. This section shall not be construed as waiving any defense
or limitation which any of the parties may have against any claim or cause of action by
any person not a party to this Agreement.
SECTION 9
The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a term beginning the date the last
party executes this Agreement and to remain effect during the period of time that the
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners provides emergency communications
services through the Sheriffs' Office to each fire service provider. If any party expresses
its intent to withdraw from this Agreement, the party shall provide written notice to all
other parties no less than ninety (90) days in advance of the date of withdrawal.
SECTION 10
Notices provided for herein or related to the subject matter of this Agreement
shall be provided to the attention of the responsible agent at the aforementioned
addresses:
Monroe County Fire - EMS
Mutual Aid - Automatic Aid
SOG 600.07
9/29/00
Page 13 of 13
SECTION 11
This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the appropriate officers
of the respective parties and upon filing with the Clerk of The Circuit Court. Failure of
any City or Fire Service Provider to sign this agreement will not affect the agreement as
signed by other providers.
SECTION 12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereto set their hands and seal
day of
,2_
this
ATTEST:
Mayor-Commissioner
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
CORRECTNESS:
City Manager
District President
Reference: Pinellas County Automatic/Closest Unit Response Agreement
Mutual aid agreements should be drafted' by the legal system of the participating agencies