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CC - Adoption of a Resolution (1) Approving the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group (RTG) Joint Powers Agreement; (2) Authorizing the City of Culver City’s Membership in the Los Angeles Area RTG Joint Powers Authority; and (3) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
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Meeting Date: July 8, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Ken Powell/Fire Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5910
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/02/19);
Department Approval: David White (06/13/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution (1) Approving the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group (RTG) Joint Powers Agreement; (2) Authorizing the City of Culver City’s Membership in the Los Angeles Area RTG Joint Powers Authority; and (3) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
There are 30 fire departments within Los Angeles County and each fire chief has membership within the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association (LAAFCA). LAAFCA recognized the need for regional training more than a decade ago and established the Regional Training Group (RTG), which is largely supported through homeland security grant funds. By establishing the RTG Joint Powers Authority (JPA), the Los Angeles Region is on the cusp of developing the next major cooperative nationally recognized fire service program, which will continue regional training far beyond the availability of federal grant dollars.
Fire agencies within the Los Angeles County Operational Area (LACOA) have worked together for years to prepare for natural, technological and human-caused disasters. California led the way in the 1940s with the development of the statewide mutual aid system. Then, Southern California fire agencies, through FIRESCOPE, developed the Incident Command System (ICS) to strengthen the command and coordination of fire resources responding to and managing large-scale emergencies. Both of these regional fire service systems are now in use nationwide.
Several years ago, in keeping with the progressive approach within the Southern California fire service, LAAFCA established a vision to create and operate a nationally recognized regional training and education program. Through this initiative to develop regional training for the ever-changing fire service environment, the RTG has proven to be successful at creating, conducting and evaluating regional training through multi-agency integration. The outcomes have been remarkable and are a force multiplier to what the Culver City Fire Department accomplishes within its own training apparatus. Currently, 9,000 professional firefighters within LAAFCA’s sphere of influence serve a population of well over 10 million people. RTG efforts have ramped up resource leverage and have increased the capacity of first responders and specialty teams to handle the most critical work required in the event of a disaster.
When a disaster strikes the Los Angeles region, no one department will be able to handle all calls for assistance. The RTG’s regionalized training fosters seamless and fluid operations amongst all 30 fire agencies in the region. Beyond the operational benefits, firefighter service delivery improvements to Culver City and all communities within Los Angeles County as well as improvements in preparation and response to terrorism or other large-scale disasters have improved.
By entering into the Joint Powers Agreement, agencies guarantee participation in fire service regional training even if federal dollars decrease. Additionally, by becoming an early adopter, the Culver City fire chief will become a board member and will determine critical aspects that will impact future training, such as:
• Creating bylaws and/or other guidelines
• Developing overall policy and strategies for regional training
• Developing a budget and comprehensive plan for equitable funding
• Creating committees and sub-committees, as needed
• Other related responsibilities as set forth by the board that will benefit all local fire departments that choose to form the Regional Training Group Authority.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The RTG JPA will ensure regional training continues even as Federal Homeland Security funds diminish. Over the past three years, LAAFCA has seen an annual $20 million reduction in Homeland Security funding that would otherwise be available for projects like RTG and there is no certainty that these dollars will return to previous levels in the future.
There are no fees associated with joining the RTG JPA at this time. However, establishing a budget and seeking funding from member agencies will be a top priority. The goal will be to provide equity, fairness and transparency for all member agencies and ultimately to follow LAAFCA’s vision of training 9,000 professional firefighters as one.
ATTACHMENTS
1. RTG JPA Questions and Answers
2. Proposed Resolution
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution (1) Approving the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group (RTG) Joint Powers Agreement; (2) Authorizing the City of Culver City’s Membership in the Los Angeles Area RTG Joint Powers Authority; and (3) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Joint Powers Agreement;
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.