Loading...
Item C26 C26 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY of MONROE Mayor Craig Cates,District 1 The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5 Michelle Lincoln,District 2 James K.Scholl,District 3 m' David Rice,District 4 Board of County Commissioners Meeting October 18, 2023 Agenda Item Number: C26 2023-1658 BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Jeff Manning NA AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of an updated Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement between the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management and Monroe County. ITEM BACKGROUND: Chapter 252 Florida Statutes provides each local government the authority to develop and enter into mutual aid agreements within the state for reciprocal emergency aid and assistance in case of emergencies too extensive to be dealt with unassisted, and through such agreements to ensure timely reimbursement of costs incurred by the local governments which render such assistance. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: Monroe County approved and has been a signatory to the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement since November 2000. The agreement does not expire, but has been updated. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: NA STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval DOCUMENTATION: M _2023_MONROE.pdf FINANCIAL IMPACT: NA 1163 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director STATEWIDE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT -2023 This Agreement is an acknowledgment of receipt by the Florida Division of Emergency Management ("the Division") and the local government ("Participating Party") signing this Agreement. Execution of this agreement replaces all previous iterations and is active until a new agreement is drafted and requested by The Division. This Agreement is based on the existence of the following conditions: A. The State of Florida is vulnerable to a wide range of emergencies and disasters that are likely to cause the disruption of essential services and the destruction of the infrastructure needed to deliver those services. B. Such emergencies and disasters often exceed the emergency response and recovery capabilities of any one county or local government. C. Such incidents may also give rise to unusual and unanticipated physical and technical needs which a local government cannot meetwith existing resources, but that other local governments within the State of Florida may be able to provide. D. The Emergency Management Act, chapter 252, Florida Statutes, provides each local government of the state the authority to develop and enter into mutual aid agreements within the state for reciprocal emergency aid in case of emergencies too extensive to be dealt with unassisted, and through such agreements ensure the timely reimbursement of costs incurred by the local governments which render such assistance. E. Pursuant to chapter 252.32, Florida Statutes, the Division renders mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state to carry out emergency management functions and responsibilities. F. Pursuant to chapter 252, Florida Statutes, the Division has the authority to coordinate and direct emergency management assistance between local governments and concentrate available resources where needed. Based on the existence of the foregoing conditions, the Parties agree to the following articles: ARTICLE I: DEFINITIONS As used in this Agreement, the following expressions shall have the following meanings: A. The "Agreement" is this Agreement, which shall be referred to as the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement ("SMAA"). DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1164 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF ■ MANAGEMENT Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director B. The "Division" is the Florida Division of Emergency Management. C. A "Requesting Party" to this Agreement is a Participating Party who requests assistance under this agreement. D. An "Assisting Party" to this Agreement is a Participating Party who provides assistance to a Requesting Party under this agreement. E. The "Period of Assistance" is the time during which an Assisting Party renders assistance to a Requesting Party under this agreement and includes the time necessary for the resources and personnel of the Assisting Party to travel to the place specified by the Requesting Party and the time necessary to return to their place of origin. F. A "Mission" is a documented emergency response activity performed during a Period of Assistance, usually in reference to one operational function or activity. G. A "local government" is any educational district, special district, or any entity that is a "local governmental entity" within the meaning of section 11.45(1)(g), Florida Statutes. H. An "educational district" is any school district within the meaning of section 1001.30, Florida Statutes, and any Florida College System Institution or State University within the meaning of section 1000.21, Florida Statutes. I. A "special district" is any local or regional governmental entity which is an independent special district within the meaning of section 189.012(3), Florida Statutes, established by local, special, or general act, or by rule, ordinance, resolution, or interlocal agreement. J. A "tribal council" is the respective governing bodies of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Miccosukee Tribe of Indians recognized as special improvement district by section 285.18(1), Florida Statutes. K. An "interlocal agreement" is any agreement between local governments within the meaning of section 163.01(3)(a), Florida Statutes. L. A "Resource Support Agreement" as used in this Agreement refers to a supplemental agreement of support between a Requesting Party and an Assisting Party. M. "Proof of work" as used in this Agreement refers to original and authentic documentation of a single individual or group of individuals' emergency response activity at a tactical level. DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1165 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director N. "Proof of payment" as used in this Agreement refers to original and authentic documentation of an emergency response expenditure made by an Assisting Party. O. A"Reimbursement Package"as used in this Agreement refers to a full account of mission response documentation supported by proof of work and proof of payment. P. Any expressions not assigned definitions elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the definitions assigned them by the Emergency Management Act, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes. ARTICLE II: APPLICABILITY OF THE AGREEMENT Any Participating Party, including the Division, may request assistance under this Agreement for a "major disaster" or "catastrophic disaster" as defined in section 252.34, Florida Statutes, minor disasters, and other such emergencies as lawfully determined by a Participating Party. ARTICLE III: INVOCATION OF THE AGREEMENT In the event of an emergency or anticipated emergency, a Participating Party may request assistance under this Agreement from any other Participating Party or the Division if, in the judgement of the Requesting Party, its own resources are inadequate to meet the needs of the emergency or disaster. A. Any request for assistance under this Agreement may be oral, but within five (5) calendar days must be confirmed in writing by the Requesting Party. All requests for assistance under this Agreement shall be transmitted by the Requesting Party to another Participating Party or the Division. If the Requesting Party transmits its request for Assistance directly to a Participating Party other than the Division, the Requesting Party and Assisting Party shall keep the Division advised of their activities. B. The Division shall relay any requests for assistance under this Agreement to such other Participating Parties as it may deem appropriate and coordinate the activities of the Assisting Parties to ensure timely assistance to the Requesting Party. All such activities shall be carried out in accordance with the State's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. ARTICLE IV: RESPONSIBILITIES OF REQUESTING PARTIES To the extent practicable, all Requesting Parties shall provide the following information to their respective county emergency management agency, the Division, and the intended Assisting Party or Parties. In providing such information, Requesting Parties should utilize Section I of the DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1166 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director Resource Support Agreement (RSA) Form, available via the Division approved documents SharePoint site'. A. A description of the Mission to be performed by the Assisting Party; B. A description of the resources and capabilities needed to complete the Mission successfully; C. The location, date, and time personnel and resources from the Assisting Party should arrive at the incident site, staging area, facility, or other location designated by the Requesting Party; D. A description of the health, safety, and working conditions expected for deploying personnel; E. Lodging and meal availability; F. Any logistical requirements; G. A description of any location or facility outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Requesting Party needed to stage incoming resources and personnel; H. The location date, and time for personnel of the Requesting Party to meet and receive the personnel and equipment of the Assisting Party; and I. A technical description of any communications equipment needed to ensure effective information sharing between the Requesting Party, any Assisting Parties, and all relevant responding entities. ARTICLE V: RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASSISTING PARTIES Each Party shall render assistance under this Agreement to any Requesting Party to the extent practicable that its personnel, equipment, resources, and capabilities can render assistance. If upon receiving a request for assistance under this Agreement a Party determines that it has the capacity to render some or all of such assistance, it shall provide the following information without delay to the Requesting Party, the Division, and the Assisting Party's County emergency management agency. In providing such information, the Assisting Party should utilize the Section II of the Resource Support Agreement (RSA) Form, available via the Division approved documents SharePoint site. 'FDEM approved documents such as activity logs and mutual aid forms can be found at: https://portal.floridad isaster.org/projects/FROC/FROC_Docu ments/Forms/All I to ms.aspx?V iew=%7B6 F3C F7B D%2 DCOA4%2 D4BE2%2 DB809%2 DC8009D7D068 6%7D DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1167 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director A. A description of the personnel, equipment, supplies, services and capabilities it has available, together with a description of the qualifications of any skilled personnel; B. An estimate of the time such personnel, equipment, supplies, and services will continue to be available; C. An estimate of the time it will take to deliver such personnel, equipment, supplies, and services to the location(s) specified by the Requesting Party; D. A technical description of any communications and telecommunications equipment available for timely communications with the Requesting Party and other Assisting Parties; E. The names and contact information of all personnel whom the Assisting Party has designated as team leaders or supervisors; and F. An estimated cost for the provision of assistance. ARTICLE VI: RENDITION OF ASSISTANCE The Requesting Party shall afford the emergency response personnel of all Assisting Parties, while operating within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Requesting Party, the same powers, duties, rights, and privileges, except that of arrest unless specifically authorized by the Requesting Party, as are afforded the equivalent emergency response personnel of the Requesting Party. Emergency response personnel of the Assisting Party will remain under the command and control of the Assisting Party, but during the Period of Assistance, the resources and responding personnel of the Assisting Party will perform response activities under the operational and tactical control of the Requesting Party. A. Unless otherwise agreed upon between the Requesting and Assisting Party, the Requesting Party shall be responsible for providing food, water, and shelter to the personnel of the Assisting Party. For Missions performed in areas where there are insufficient resources to support responding personnel and equipment throughout the Period of Assistance, the Assisting Party shall, to the fullest extent practicable, provide their emergency response personnel with the equipment, fuel, supplies, and technical resources necessary to make them self-sufficient throughout the Period of Assistance. When requesting assistance, the Requesting Party may specify that Assisting Parties send only self-sufficient personnel and resources but must specify the length of time self-sufficiency should be maintained. DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1168 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director B. Unless the Requesting Party has specified the contrary, it shall, to the fullest extent practicable, coordinate all communications between its personnel and the responding personnel of the Assisting Parties, and shall determine and share the frequencies and other technical specifications of all communications equipment to be used, as appropriate, with the deployed personnel of the Assisting Parties. C. Personnel of the Assisting Party who render assistance under this Agreement shall receive the usual wages, salaries, and other compensation as are normally afforded to personnel for emergency response activities within their home jurisdiction, and shall have all the immunities, rights, interests, and privileges applicable to their normal employment. If personnel of the Assisting Party hold local licenses or certifications limited to the jurisdiction of issue, then the Requesting Party shall recognize and honor those licenses or certifications for the duration of the Period of Assistance. ARTICLE VII: REIMBURSEMENT After the Period of Assistance has ended, the Assisting Party shall have 45 days to develop a full reimbursement package for services rendered and resources supplied during the Period of Assistance. All expenses claimed to the Requesting Party must have been incurred in direct response to the emergency as requested by the Requesting Party and must be supported by proof of work and proof of payment. To guide the proper documentation and accountability of expenses, the Assisting Party should utilize the Claim Summary Form, available via the Division approved documents SharePoint site as a guide and summary of expense to collect information to then be formally submitted for review by the Requesting Party. To receive reimbursement for assistance provided under this agreement, the Assisting Party shall provide, at a minimum, the following supporting documentation to the Requesting Party unless otherwise agreed upon between the Requesting and Assisting Parties: A. A complete and authentic description of expenses incurred by the Assisting Party during the Period of Assistance; B. Copy of a current and valid Internal Revenue Service W-9 Form; C. Copies of all relevant payment and travel policies in effect during the Period of Assistance; D. Daily personnel activity logs demonstrating emergency response activities performed for all time claimed (for FDEM reimbursement Division approved activity logs will be required for personnel activity claims); DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1169 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF ■ MANAGEMENT Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director E. Official payroll and travel reimbursement records for all claimed personnel expenses; F. Neat and comprehensive fringe benefit calculations for each position class or category of claimed personnel; G. Written justification for all additional expenses/purchases incurred during the Period of Assistance; H. Proof of payment for additional/miscellaneous expenses incurred during the Period of Assistance I. Equipment activity logs demonstrating equipment use and operation in support of emergency response activities for all time claimed (for FDEM reimbursement Division approved forms will be required for equipment activity claims); J. Proof of reimbursement to all employees who incurred emergency response expenses with personal money; K. Justification for equipment repair expenses; and L. Copies of any applicable supporting agreements or contracts with justification. If a dispute or disagreement regarding the eligibility of any expense arises, the Requesting Party, Assisting Party, or the Division may elect binding arbitration. If binding arbitration is elected, the Parties must select as an arbitrator any elected official of another Participating Party, or any other official of another Participating Party whose normal duties include emergency management, and the other Participating Party shall also select such an official as an arbitrator, and the arbitrators thus chosen shall select another such official as a third arbitrator. The three (3) arbitrators shall convene by teleconference or videoconference within thirty (30) calendar days to consider any documents and any statements or arguments by the Division, the Requesting Party, or the Assisting Party concerning the protest, and shall render a decision in writing not later than ten (10) business days after the close of the hearing. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall bind the parties and shall be final. If the Participating Parties do not elect binding arbitration, this agreement and any disputes arising thereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida and venue shall be in Leon County, Florida. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create an employer-employee relationship or a partnership or joint venture between the participating parties. Furthermore, nothing contained herein shall constitute a waiver by either Party of its sovereign immunity or the provisions of section 768.28, Florida Statutes. Nothing herein shall be construed as consent by either Party to be sued by third parties. DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1170 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director ARTICLE VIII: COST ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT The costs incurred by the Assisting Party under this Agreement shall be reimbursed as needed to make the Assisting Party whole to the fullest extent practicable. A. Employees of the Assisting Party who render assistance under this Agreement shall be entitled to receive from the Assisting Party all their usual wages, salaries, and any and all other compensation for mobilization, hours worked, and demobilization. Such compensation shall include any and all contributions for insurance and retirement, and such employees shall continue to accumulate seniority at the usual rate. As between the employees and the Assisting Party, the employees shall have all the duties, responsibilities, immunities, rights, interests, and privileges incident to their usual employment. The Requesting Party shall reimburse the Assisting Party for these costs of employment. B. The costs of equipment supplied by the Assisting Party shall be reimbursed at the rental rate established in FEMA' s Schedule of Equipment, or at any other rental rate agreed to by the Requesting Party. In order to be eligible for reimbursement, equipment must be in actual operation performing eligible work. The labor costs of the operator are not included in the rates and should be approved separately from equipment costs. The Assisting Party shall pay for fuels, other consumable supplies, and repairs to its equipment as needed to keep the equipment in a state of operational readiness. Rent for the equipment shall be deemed to include the cost of fuel and other consumable supplies, maintenance, service, repairs, and ordinary wear and tear. With the consent of the Assisting Party, the Requesting Party may provide fuels, consumable supplies, maintenance, and repair services for such equipment at the site. In that event, the Requesting Party may deduct the actual costs of such fuels, consumable supplies, maintenance, and services from the total costs otherwise payable to the Assisting Party. If the equipment is damaged while in use under this Agreement and the Assisting Party receives payment for such damage under any contract of insurance, the Requesting Party may deduct such payment from any item or items billed by the Assisting Party for any of the costs for such damage that may otherwise be payable. C. The Requesting Party shall pay the total costs for the use and consumption of any and all consumable supplies delivered by the Assisting Party for the Requesting Party under this Agreement. In the case of perishable supplies, consumption shall be deemed to include normal deterioration, spoilage, and damage notwithstanding the exercise of reasonable care in its storage and use. Supplies remaining unused shall be returned to the Assisting Party in usable condition upon the close of the Period of Assistance, and the Requesting Party may deduct the cost of such returned supplies from the total costs billed by the Assisting Party for such supplies. If the Assisting Party agrees, the Requesting Party may also replace any and all used consumable supplies with like DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1171 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director supplies in usable condition and of like grade, quality and quantity within the time allowed for reimbursement under this Agreement. D. The Assisting Party shall keep records to document all assistance rendered under this Agreement. Such records shall present information sufficient to meet the audit requirements specified in the regulations of FEMA and any applicable circulars issued by the State of Florida. Upon reasonable notice, the Assisting Party shall make its records available the Requesting Party for inspection or duplication between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. on all weekdays, except for official holidays. ARTICLE IX: INSURANCE Each Participating Party shall determine for itself what insurance to procure, if any. With the exceptions in this Article, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require any Participating Party to procure insurance. A. Each Participating Party shall procure employers' insurance meeting the requirements of the Workers' Compensation Act, as amended, affording coverage for any of its employees who may be injured while performing any activities under the authority of this Agreement, and shall be provided to each Participating Party. B. Any Participating Party that elects additional insurance affording liability coverage for any activities that may be performed under the authority of this Agreement shall be provided to each Participating Party. C. Subject to the limits of such liability insurance as any Participating Party may elect to procure, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to waive, in whole or in part, any immunity any Participating Party may have in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding. D. Each Participating Party which renders assistance under this Agreement shall be deemed to stand in the relation of an independent contractor to all other Participating Parties and shall not be deemed to be the agent of any other Participating Party. E. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to relieve any Participating Party of liability for its own conduct and that of its employees. F. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to obligate any Participating Party to indemnify any other Participating Party from liability to third parties. DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1172 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director ARTICLE X: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, all Participating Parties shall be subject to the following requirements in the performance of this Agreement: A. All Participating Parties shall allow public access to all documents, papers, letters, or other materials subject to the requirements of the Public Records Act, as amended, and made or received by any Participating Party in conjunction with this Agreement. B. No Participating Party may hire employees in violation of the employment restrictions in the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. C. No costs reimbursed under this Agreement may be used directly or indirectly to influence legislation or any other official action by the Legislature of the State of Florida or any of its agencies. D. Any communication to the Division under this Agreement shall be sent via either email, the Division of Emergency Managements Enterprise System (DEMES), or mail to the Response Bureau, Florida Division of Emergency Management, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100. E. Any communication to a Participating Party shall be sent to the official or officials specified by that Participating Party. For the purpose of this section, any such communication may be sent by the U.S. Mail, e-mail, or other electronic platforms. ARTICLE XI: EFFECTS OF AGREEMENT Upon its execution by a Participating Party, this Agreement shall have the following effect with respect to that Participating Party: A. The execution of this Agreement by any Participating Party which is a signatory to the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement of 1994 shall terminate the rights, interests, duties, responsibilities, and obligations of that Participating Party under the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement of 1994, but such termination shall not affect the liability of the Participating Party for the reimbursement of any costs due under the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement of 1994, regardless of whether such costs are billed or unbilled. B. The execution of this Agreement by any Participating Party which is a signatory to the Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement shall terminate the rights, interests, duties, responsibilities and obligations of that Participating Party under the Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement, but such termination shall not affect the liability of the Participating Party for the reimbursement of any costs due under the Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement, DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1173 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director regardless of whether such costs are billed or unbilled. C. Upon the activation of this Agreement by the Requesting Party, this Agreement shall supersede any other existing agreement between it and any Assisting Party to the extent that the former may be inconsistent with the latter. D. Upon its execution by any Participating Party, this Agreement will continue in effect for one (1) year from its date of execution by that Participating Party, and it shall automatically renew each year after its execution, unless within sixty (60) calendar days before the renewal date the Participating Party notifies the Division, in writing, of its intent to withdraw from the Agreement. E. The Division shall transmit any amendment to this Agreement by sending the amendment to all Participating Parties not later than five (5) business days after its execution by the Division. Such amendment shall take effect not later than sixty (60) calendar days after the date of its execution by the Division and shall then be binding on all Participating Parties. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Participating Party who objects to the amendment may withdraw from the Agreement by notifying the Division in writing of its intent to do so within that time in accordance with section E of this Article. F. A Participating Party may rescind this Agreement at will after providing the other Participating Party a written SMAA withdrawal notice. Such notice shall be provided at least 30 days prior to the date of withdrawal. This 30-day withdrawal notice must be: written, signed by an appropriate authority, duly authorized on the official letterhead of the Participating Party, and must be sent via email, the Division of Emergency Managements Enterprise System (DEMES), or certified mail. ARTICLE XII: INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF AGREEMENT The interpretation and application of this Agreement shall be governed by the following conditions: A. The obligations and conditions resting upon the Participating Parties under this Agreement are not independent, but dependent. B. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement, and of the performance of all conditions, obligations, duties, responsibilities, and promises under it. C. This Agreement states all the conditions, obligations, duties, responsibilities, and promises of the Participating Parties with respect to the subject of this Agreement, and there are no conditions, obligations, duties, responsibilities, or promises other than those expressed in this Agreement. DIVISI ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1174 STATE OF FLORIDA uu'uilHxui DIVISION OF EMERGENCY Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director D. If any sentence, clause, phrase, or other portion of this Agreement is ruled unenforceable or invalid, every other sentence, clause, phrase, or other portion of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, it being the intent of the Division and the other Participating Parties that every portion of the Agreement shall be severable from every other portion to the fullest extent practicable. The Division reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to change, modify, add, or remove portions of any sentence, clause, phrase, or other portion of this Agreement that conflicts with state law, regulation, or policy. If the change is minor, the Division will notify the Participating Party of the change and such changes will become effective immediately; therefore, please check these terms periodically for changes. If the change is substantive, the Participating Parties may be required to execute the Agreement with the adopted changes. Any continued or subsequent use of this Agreement following the posting of minor changes to this Agreement shall signify implied acceptance of such changes. E. The waiver of any obligation or condition in this Agreement by a Participating Party shall not be construed as a waiver of any other obligation or condition in this Agreement. NOTE: This iteration of the State of Florida Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement will replace all previous versions. The Division shall provide reimbursement to Assisting Parties in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article for missions performed at the direct request of the Division. Division reimbursement eligible expenses must be in direct response to the emergency as requested by the State of Florida. All required cost estimations and claims must be executed through the DEMES Mutual Aid Portal and assisting agencies must use all required FD M forms for documentation and cost verification. If a Requesting Party has not forwarded a request through the Division, or if an Assisting Party has rendered assistance without being requested to do so by the Division, the Division shall not be liable for the costs of any such assistance. FDEM reserves the right to deny individual reimbursement requests if deemed to not be in direct response to the incident for which asset was requested. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date specified below: D I V I S I ON HEADQUARTERS Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.Florida Disaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1175 STATE OF FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Ron DeSantis,Governor Kevin Guthrie,Executive Director FOR ADOPTION BY A COUNTY STATE OF FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT By: Date: Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director or Ian Guidicelli, Authorized Designee ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COUNTY, STATE OF FLORIDA By: By: Clerk or Deputy Clerk Chairman Date: 10.3.23 Approved as to Form: By- (jiJA Assistant County Attorney D I V I S 1 0 N H E A D Q U A R T E R S Telephone:850-815-4000 STATE LOGISTICS RESPONSE CENTER 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard www.FloridaDisaster.oro 2702 Directors Row Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Orlando, FL 32809-5631 1176