PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
APPROVAL OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ST. LUCIE FIRE DISTRICT FOR AUTOMATIC AID
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
In pursuit of enhancing and strengthening our ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating by improving response distance and increasing response times. Martin County Fire Rescue and the St. Lucie County Fire District (SLCFD) are requesting to enter into an Interlocal Agreement for Automatic Aid with an attached Letter of Understanding, which clarifies and formalizes the specific geographic boundaries and responsibilities for automatic aid responses, particularly addressing the Evergreen Club neighborhood in Palm City.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Rescue
PREPARED BY: Name: Thomas Hornbostel
Title: District Chief
REQUESTED BY: Chad Michael Cianciulli, Fire Chief
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
In accordance with ISO regulations, which mandate that responding units must be within five road miles of fire stations to achieve a higher ISO rating, this Interlocal Agreement (ILA) will allow more residents in the Evergreen Club neighborhood to benefit from reduced insurance premiums due to an improved ISO rating.
Purpose:
This Letter of Understanding aims to establish a clear framework for collaboration between SLCFD and Martin County. It supplements the existing Interlocal Agreement on Mutual Aid and Automatic Aid by providing detailed, actionable guidelines to streamline emergency response operations and ensure effective resource deployment. This cooperative approach will significantly strengthen our ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating by improving response times, increasing resource availability.
Key Benefits to Our ISO Rating:
1. Improved Response Times: By leveraging SLCFD's engine/aerial apparatus in the Evergreen neighborhood and Martin County’s we will significantly reduce response distance/times to structure fires, helping meet ISO requirements of having a suppression apparatus within five road miles
2. Increased Resource Availability: This agreement allows both counties to share specialized equipment and personnel, ensuring adequate resources are on scene faster.
Automatic Aid Responsibilities SLCFD:
SLCFD Responsibility: Respond with a minimum of one engine/aerial apparatus to structure fire call types for all addresses within the Evergreen neighborhood.
The Impact:
• Faster on scene times due to SLCFD within 5 road miles meeting ISO requirements
• Potential reduction in insurance premiums for our residents due to a better ISO rating.
In closing, this agreement strengthens our fire protection capabilities, enhances public safety, and directly supports our goal of improving Martin County’s ISO rating for all residents.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable
law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board approve the Interlocal Agreement between Martin County and St. Lucie Fire District.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and provide staff with direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.