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Authority reports active‑shooter training, purchases body armor and mutual‑aid expenses; board seeks detail
Summary
Chief reported multi‑agency active‑shooter and mass‑casualty training and explained recent purchases including replacement ballistic plates and limited initial vests; directors asked for more detail on per‑diem and mutual aid charges listed in consent materials.
The Big Bear Fire Authority’s chief reported that the department completed classroom and live‑scenario active‑shooter and mass‑casualty training coordinated with San Diego County Fire, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Bear Valley Unified School District, hospital partners and Bear Airport.
Battalion Chief Fonda, with Captain Andrew Crane and engineers Bill Walters and Corey Anderson, organized the classroom training at the Paradise Training Yard and planned live‑scenario exercises to be held at Big Bear High School later in the month. The chief said the training has been a multi‑year coordination effort and aims to improve on‑shift capabilities without significant overtime impacts.
During the finance review, directors asked about specific consent‑calendar charges. The board discussed per‑diem and meal reimbursement policy (staff described a per‑person per‑day baseline of $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch and $30 for dinner), an Amazon business account charge of about $3,400 related to a capital purchase, and a corporate credit‑card charge of roughly $1,000 identified as for ballistic vests. The chief said an earlier grant had provided vests whose ballistic plates had expired; staff purchased a small number of replacement plate carriers in mixed sizes for shared use while broader replacement planning continues. The chief also characterized a $4,590 credit‑card charge as likely mutual‑aid travel (hotel, rental car) and said staff would follow up with exact details for the board.
Board members pressed for clarity about whether all personnel have replacement plates and whether vests are individually fitted. Staff said not all personnel are fully outfitted yet; the initial purchase provides a small pool of mixed sizes to circulate until a larger, size‑specific procurement can be completed. Directors recommended personal fitting and vendor consultation before final purchases.
Why it matters: The training aims to improve coordinated response to active‑shooter and mass‑casualty incidents in a resort community with limited on‑shift resources. The equipment purchases and mutual‑aid deployments have budget and operational implications; board members requested more detailed receipts and procurement documentation in follow‑up.
Next steps: Staff committed to provide itemized receipts and clarifications on the Amazon and mutual‑aid charges, an inventory/status update on ballistic plates and vests, and an implementation plan if further procurement is required.
