Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution approving an Interlocal Automatic Aid Agreement for Fire and EMS Services with the City of Belton.
Summary
DATE: April 19, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: James Kubinski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Aid Agreement with the City of Belton
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Mutual Aid and Interlocal Agreements supply fire department services with additional resources when an incident, or multiple incidents, deplete resources from any one entity. Aid agreements are the legal documents which set, in writing, the conditions under which all involved entities agree to operate. City Council item RS-18-014 is a countywide Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement approved in 2018 that allows for multiple fire departments in Bell County to request equipment responses from each other on an as needed basis, whenever a significant incident occurs.
This agreement with the City of Belton outlines terms, specific equipment that will be deployed by each agency, dispatching procedures, and training requirements for both agencies. The primary benefit is that delays in dispatching will be reduced due to the “automatic” aid portion that will not require the communications agency to check with an on-duty chief officer before dispatching a unit that is requested by either agency.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Enter into this agreement and allow the two cities to work together to respond to large scale incidents.
Not enter into the agreement and continue to have each entity serve their own community individually.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Entering into this agreement creates cooperation between the Belton Fire Department and the Killeen Fire Department to help mitigate large scale events whenever they occur.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
The agreement conforms to all current city policies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The fiscal impact of this agreement will be minimal but is not able to be precisely measured. It will provide fire and EMS response to areas of both cities that will be mutually beneficial to residents in both cities.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Recurring
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes. Fire and EMS units are staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Already staffed units will be utilized for this agreement which are provided for in the annual budget.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Interlocal Agreement for Automatic Aid and allow the City Manager to sign all necessary documentation to execute the agreement.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Fire Department
Legal
City Manager Office
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Interlocal Agreement