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Brookings authorizes temporary intergovernmental agreement with Harbor Rural Fire Protection District
Summary
City Council approved a six-month intergovernmental agreement to have Brookings staff assist the Harbor Rural Fire Protection District with training, accreditation and operations; the agreement includes an optional three-month extension and a hold-harmless provision reviewed by the city attorney.
The Brookings City Council on May 12 authorized the city manager to enter into a six-month intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Harbor Rural Fire Protection District to provide training, accreditation support and operational assistance.
City Manager Rendell told the council the agreement is aimed at ensuring public safety and preserving the city’s insurance classification. “The Harbor Fire District responds to all the fire calls here in Brookings, and it's in our best interest to have the best, most qualified trained volunteers from the harbor coming across the bridge and assisting our guys,” Rendell said. He also said Brookings’ ISO rating affects local insurance rates and that staff did not want the arrangement to continue indefinitely: “we kinda decided to put a deadline of 6 months on the contract with the option for 3 month extension if needed.”
The council discussed operational and liability concerns before the vote. Councilors asked about staff time estimates, the state accreditation status of Harbor volunteers and equipment condition. Rendell and Chief Lee said initial staff time to organize training and restore accreditation files would be between about 5 and 10 hours per week, falling to about five or fewer hours weekly after files are updated and DPSST (the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training) audits the records. Amy Cusimano, chair of the Harbor Fire District, told the council the district had roughly 17 volunteers, most of them new.
Rendell said the city attorney had reviewed the agreement and that it includes hold-harmless language. Chief Lee and other Brookings fire leaders told councilors they intend to focus on training and operations rather than internal Harbor District disputes. “His goal and function is training, operational policies and not to step into any of that,” Rendell said about Brookings’ role.
Councilors signaled support while urging oversight and limits on resource use. Several members noted the six-month term — with a possible three-month extension — was intended to keep the assistance short-term so Brookings staffing and equipment would not be diverted indefinitely. Councilor votes were recorded as yes by Councilor Fulton, Councilor Perida, Councilor Malmar, Councilor Martin and Mayor Isaac Hodges; the mayor declared, “Motion carries.”
The agreement is to be administered by the city manager with periodic updates to council; Rendell said staff would provide reports while the IGA is in effect.
