DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Antonio and BCFS Health and Human Services
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and BCFS Health and Human Services (BCFS HHS) to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide emergency response resources including mobile command platforms, mass transportation assets, communications equipment and other related and supportive resources to the City of San Antonio during civil emergencies, disasters, and/or large scale incidents at no cost to the City. The City agrees to perform all reasonable and necessary maintenance on requested resources during and after its use, and repairs necessary as the result of its use as deemed appropriate and/or necessary by the City and BCFS HHS.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that local jurisdictions enter in pre-disaster agreements to expedite response and recovery efforts during disasters. BCFS HHS manages a system of non-profit organizations that partner with government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and community leaders to develop programs and service models that combat challenges in health and human services.
The Office of Emergency Management has developed a close partnership with BCFS HHS over the past few years. This agreement will help solidify this relationship and strengthen the City’s ability to respond and recover from a catastrophic disaster or civil emergency.
The City of San Antonio has entered into emergency response and preparedness Mutual Aid Agreements (MAA) in the past. Currently the Office of Emergency Management coordinates other mutual aid agreements approved by City Council, such as the Alamo Area Council of Governments (ACCOG) Regional Mutual Aid Agreement signed on August 23, 2016, City Ordinance #2016-08-04-0552. More recently, due to devastation of Hurricane Harvey, the City has entered into a mutual aid agreements with the City of Houston, Harris County, Aransas Pass, and Aransas County.
All requests for equipment from BCFS HHS will be made through the Office of Emergency Management and approved by the City Emergency Manager before assets will be assigned to the City. This agreement is effective from the date of signing until June 1, 2020.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and BCFS Health and Human Services (BCFS HHS) to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide emergency response resources including mobile command platforms, mass transportation assets, communications equipment and other related and supportive resources to the City of San Antonio during civil emergencies, disasters, and/or large scale incidents.
BCFS HHS owns emergency response resources including mobile command platforms, mass transportation assets, communications equipment and other related and supportive resources that could assist for the City of San Antonio as a temporary provision during civil emergencies, disasters, and/or large scale incidents. This action will allow the City’s first responders to request equipment from BCFS HHS through the City’s Office of Emergency Management in responding to a civil emergency or disaster. The City will also agree to perform all reasonable and necessary maintenance on requested resources during and after its use, as deemed appropriate and/or necessary by BCFS HHS.
ALTERNATIVES:
The alternative is not to participate in MOU with the BFCA HHS. This action could impact the City’s ability to quickly and effectively respond to a civil emergency or disaster.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and BCFS Health and Human Services (BCFS HHS) to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide emergency response resources including mobile command platforms, mass transportation assets, communications equipment and other related and supportive resources to the City of San Antonio during civil emergencies, disasters, and/or large scale incidents. The City agrees to perform all reasonable and necessary maintenance on requested resources during and after its use, as deemed appropriate and/or necessary by BCFS HHS.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinances and execution of the MOU with BCFS HHS.