To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing Board of the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District, RATIFY the Fire Chief's application of grant funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) for the Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant, to received funding in an amount up to $18,578 and ADOPT a Resolution to APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee to execute the related agreement with CAL Fire, to purchase personal protective equipment for the Fire District.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will ratify the Fire Chief’s grant application, and with the recent letter of award, receive grant funding of up to $18,578. The funding will allow the District to purchase personal protective equipment for a total approved project of $37,156. The award of funding requires the District to provide a match of 50% of the total grant amount awarded, which is budgeted in the District’s FY 2025-26 budget.
BACKGROUND:
Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department is a volunteer/paid on-call fire department serving the communities of Crockett, Port Costa, Valona, and Tormey. The Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District relies on external funding and has the opportunity to receive grant funding from CAL Fire.
The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program is a federally funded grant program that allows California to provide local and rural fire departments with minor firefighting, training, communications and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. The VFC Program is not intended for major equipment purchases (fire engines, vehicles, etc.) or capital repairs. This funding would allow Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), which is essential for the fire personnel to meet state requirements.
The VFC Program has a 50/50 match provision, which requires the awarded entity to be able to meet the intended grant award, dollar for dollar. Due to the quick turnaround time of the grant notification to the submission deadline, the District applied for this funding opportunity. The District received award notification and approval of this request will authorize the Fire Chief to execute the necessary grant agreement for the purchase of approximately $37,156 worth of PPE gear and water bottles.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District will not be able to receive grant funding and use it towards purchasing much needed equipment for Fire staff.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
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IN THE MATTER OF, Approving the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Agreement #7FG25033 for services from the date of last signatory on page 1 of the Agreement to August 31, 2026, under the Volunteer Fire Capacity Program of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.
WHEREAS, The Cal Fire Volunteer Capacity Grant will provide Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District with necessary funding to secure additional personnel safety equipment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors of the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District, that said Board does hereby approve the Agreement execution with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection dated as of the last signatory date on page 1 of the Agreement, and any amendments thereto. This Agreement provides for an award, during the term of this Agreement, under the Volunteer Fire Capacity Program of the Cooperative Fire Assistance Act of 1978 during the State Fiscal Year 2025-26 up to and no more than the amount of $18,577.98.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said Board is authorizing Fire Chief, Dean Colombo, who is hereby authorized to sign and execute said Agreement and any amendments on behalf of the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District.