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 reimbursement model compensates and reimburses for eligible employees from the time of dispatch to their return to home base.
Resolution 2015-09 included the following classifications:
• Fire Chief
• Fire Battalion Chief
• Fire Captain
• Fire Captain Paramedic
• Fire Engineer
• Fire Engineer Paramedic
• Firefighter Paramedic
• Firefighter EMT
At that time, the classification of Deputy Fire Chief did not exist within the department and was therefore not included in the resolution.
Resolution 2025-48 will include the following classifications:
• Fire Chief
• Deputy Fire Chief
• Fire Battalion Chief
• Fire Captain
• Fire Captain Paramedic
• Fire Engineer
• Fire Engineer Paramedic
• Firefighter Paramedic
• Firefighter EMT
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact to the City of Visalia, as this action formalizes existing reimbursement practices for eligible classifications under CFAA and ensures continuation of full portal-to-portal compensation.
Prior Council Action: On April 6, 2015, the City Council adopted Resolution 2015-09, authorizing portal-to-portal reimbursement for Visalia Fire Department personnel deployed to out-of-county emergency incidents under the California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA). The resolution identified eligible classifications for reimbursement but did not include the Deputy Fire Chief position, which did not exist at that time.
Other: None.
Alternatives: If the City Council does not adopt an updated GBR, the Deputy Fire Chief will not be eligible for portal-to-portal reimbursement under the California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA). Instead, the City would only be reimbursed for the actual hours worked by the Deputy Fire Chief during out-of-county assignments, which is inconsistent with the reimbursement practices currently in place for other personnel.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to Adopt Resolution 2025-48, replacing Resolution 2015-09 and adding the classification of Deputy Fire Chief among the ranks eligible for portal-to-portal reimbursement under the CFAA for out-of-county emergency response assignments.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 7/21/2025
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2025-48
2. Resolution 2015-09 (Approved April 6, 2015)
3. Staff Report dated April 6, 2015
4. CFAA Agreement 5/1/2020 thru 12/31/2024
5. CFAA Extension (2025)