The Riverside County Board of Supervisors is slated Tuesday to approve an inaugural automatic aid agreement between that county’s fire department and the San Diego County Fire Authority, each of whom would be expected to lend a hand during wildfires and other emergencies within a few miles of the county line.
“Riverside County and the San Diego County Fire Authority will benefit with the automatic aid agreement, by securing automatic aid in fire protection, in the protection of life and property from fire, and in firefighting for the residents and visitors of both areas,” according to a Riverside County Fire Department statement posted to the board’s policy agenda.
“With the increased fire potential, which is predominately due to the water drought, both parties will be better prepared for the fire season, or any emergency each party may potentially face.”
Riverside County maintains automatic aid agreements with several jurisdictions, but this would be the first such compact with San Diego County.
The agreement specifies that either fire agency could be called upon to send resources to wildfires on either side of the county line — up to five miles inside their respective jurisdictions.
“However, neither party shall be required to reduce its own fire protection resources, personnel, services and facilities to the detriment of its normal fire protection capability,” according to the compact.
Aid requests would have to be mutually acknowledged before crews and firefighting equipment are dispatched, officials said. In Riverside County, the Perris Emergency Command Center would be the controlling authority.
In San Diego County, it would be the Monte Vista Inter-Agency Emergency Command Center, according to the proposed agreement.
Generally, neither fire agency would be responsible for costs incurred by the other in meeting obligations established by the accord, but there would be exceptions, including when specialized equipment is put to use and some maintenance is required for gear during extended deployments, according to the terms.
The agreement would take effect immediately and expire on June 30, 2025.
— City News Service