Resume automatic aid agreement with county fire district

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In Plain English

Richmond Fire Department and Contra Costa County fire crews currently do not automatically help each other during emergencies. This agreement lets the closest fire truck respond to calls regardless of which agency owns it. If approved, residents get faster emergency response when their local station is busy with another call.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Enter into the Automatic Aid Agreement immediately, sunset the agreement in one year and place on the next agenda, July 11, 2006, the recommendations made by Councilmember Marquez on the next conceivable agenda of the City Council for discussion and consideration of a permanent solution

Passed

5 to 4

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Why This Vote Matters

In a divided vote, the council approved a one-year automatic aid agreement allowing Richmond Fire Department and Contra Costa County fire crews to respond to emergencies regardless of which agency's territory the call is in. This means residents will get faster emergency response when their local fire station is already busy with another call, as the closest available fire truck can respond instead. The agreement passed 5-4, with Councilmembers McLaughlin, Anderson, Rogers, and Butt voting against it. The council also agreed to revisit the issue in July 2006 to discuss a permanent solution based on recommendations from Councilmember Marquez.

Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.

Other motions

Richmond assumes all responsibility for fire protection, including staffing, for San Pablo and unincorporated West Contra Costa County, including El Sobrante, North Richmond, Montalvin Manor, East Richmond Heights and Rollingwood. Contra Costa passes through all tax revenue for fire service currently provided to West contra Costa Consolidated fire district and all future taxes generated through that tax base. Richmond maintains equal level of service which is two Paramedic Engine Companies. Provide first opportunity to any West Contra Costa Consolidated Fire District employees, currently assigned to Stations 69 and 70, should they wish to work for Richmond fire. Form a fire Advisory Committee comprised of five citizens, 3 appointed by District 1 Supervisor and two appointed by Mayor of San Pablo. Advisory Committee will provide oversight of fire protection in consolidated area and report periodically to Cities of Richmond, San Pablo and Contra Costa County. A Council Committee comprised of Tom Butt, Nat Bates, and John Marquez is appointed by the City Council to negotiate with the County for the City of Richmond to provide fire protection for West Contra Costa Consolidated District. The Committee may hire expert(s) during negotiations. The City of Richmond should adopt the Contra Costa fire district's dispatch system as presently used by Stations 69 and 70 and the City of Pinole.

Failed

Community Discussion

This discussion was submitted to the City Clerk as part of the public record.

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