To: Board of Supervisors
From: Aaron J. McAlister, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Reimbursement Agreement with PG&E for Aerial Firefighting Costs
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief or designee to execute a reimbursement agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for up to $1,000,000 in recovery costs for contracted aerial firefighting helicopter services during the 2026 fire season.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agreement will generate up to $1,000,000 for the CCCFPD general fund to offset the costs of contracting for helicopter firefighting services.
BACKGROUND:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has partnered with local government agencies in multiple areas of its service territory to provide funding for aerial firefighting capabilities. In 2024, the Fire District operated under a similar agreement for 60 days as a trial program. In 2025 the program was expanded to cover the majority of the traditional wildland firefighting season. Given the success of this program and the threats of wildland fire facing our County, the District now endeavors to continue the services of a firefighting helicopter for the duration of the 2026 wildland season, and PGE will again partner with the District.
PG&E supports these programs to mitigate wildland fires that cause significant damage to utility infrastructure, incurring major costs to repair and rebuild it. We have worked with PG&E to develop a plan to bring aerial firefighting capabilities to the County for our exclusive use during the 2026 fire season.
The reimbursement agreement with PG&E will include terms similar to those in our 2025 agreement. These terms include the following:
• Terms requiring aircraft and pilots to meet regulatory requirements.
• Terms regarding the operation, management, and maintenance of the aircraft.
• Reimburse up to $1,000,000 of the Fire District’s costs.
• A requirement that the Fire District indemnify PG&E and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, representatives, related entities, successors, and assigns (indemnitees) from liabilities that arise from the Fire District's negligence or willful misconduct or the Fire District’s selection or use of any fire-retardant substance.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District would not be able to receive these revenues to offset costs associated with contracted aerial firefighting services.