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Board approves MOU with Eastern Sierra Council of Governments to fund wildfire preparedness coordinator
Summary
The board approved a memorandum of understanding allowing the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) to contract with the county wildfire coordinator to support regional wildfire resiliency projects while bridging a local funding gap in the coordinator position.
The Board approved a memorandum of understanding on March 11 to allow the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) to contract with Inyo County’s wildfire coordinator to support regional wildfire resilience planning and implementation, ESCOG’s executive director told the board.
Elaine Kabbalah, ESCOG executive director, said the SCOG administers grants from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Inyo National Forest to build regional capacity for wildfire planning, interjurisdictional coordination and workforce development. The MOU will let ESCOG contract with Inyo County’s wildfire coordinator to perform grant‑funded regional work and to help bridge a funding gap in the county position after state grant funds diminished.
Kabbalah said the agreement had been approved by the ESCOG board and includes a requirement that the wildfire coordinator and ESCOG develop a specific scope of work for presentation to the ESCOG board three months after execution. County staff said the arrangement supports Inyo County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan work and will be used in coordination with regional Community Wildfire Defense Grant submissions.
A motion to approve the MOU carried by voice vote. Board members expressed support for regional coordination and the continued wildfire-coordination capacity the MOU preserves.
