Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Department Reimbursement Resolution - Adopt Resolution 2025-48 to replace Governing Body Resolution 2015-09 and add the Deputy Fire Chief classification for portal-to-portal reimbursement eligibility under the California Fire Assistance Agreement.
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Prepared by: Dan Griswold, Fire Chief, Dan.Griswold@visalia.city 713-4220;
Tom Van Grouw, Deputy Fire Chief, Tom.VanGrouw@visalia.city 713-4265;
Crissy Balderama, Sr. Administrative Analyst, Crissy.Balderama@visalia.city 713-4513
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends Council adopt Resolution 2025-48, replacing Governing Body Resolution 2015-09 to include the Deputy Fire Chief classification among the ranks eligible for portal-to-portal reimbursement under the California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA) for assignments outside of City jurisdiction.
Summary:
As part of the FY 2024/25 budget, the City Council approved the addition of a Deputy Fire Chief position to the Visalia Fire Department. To remain compliant with the CFAA and ensure consistent reimbursement practices, the Fire Department must update the governing body resolution submitted to Cal OES to include the Deputy Chief position.
The CFAA requires that all personnel seeking portal-to-portal reimbursement for emergency response must be listed in a governing body resolution or equivalent document. Portal-to-portal reimbursement means the city will be reimbursed for personnel time from the time of dispatch to the time the personnel return to Visalia. Without this update, the City risks limiting reimbursement for Deputy Fire Chief deployments to actual hours worked only, contrary to existing practice for other fire personnel.
Background Discussion:
On April 6, 2015, the Visalia City Council adopted Resolution 2015-09, authorizing portal-to-portal reimbursement for specified Visalia Fire Department personnel deployed to out-of-county emergency incidents under the California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA). This ...
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