To: Board of Supervisors
From: Aaron J. McAlister, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: CAL FIRE County Coordinator Statewide Grant Program Extension
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, RATIFY the Fire Chief’s, or designee’s, on behalf of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, ACCEPTANCE of grant funding in the amount of $151,500, from the 2025 CAL FIRE County Coordinator Grant Program Extension. This will extend the performance period from July 1, 2026, through October 15, 2027, enabling the Fire District to expend the remaining funds from the 2025 County Coordinator Grant Program, along with additional funds from the grant extension in the amount of $151,500, over the period of performance, with an amount not to exceed $303,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% State Grant Fund Revenue. There is no local match requirement.
BACKGROUND:
On November 8, 2022, the Board of Directors (Board) approved and authorized the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) to apply to the California Fire Safe Council for the 2022 CAL FIRE County Coordinator Statewide Grant Program for a one-time, 18-month grant of $175,000.
On February 7, 2023, the Board authorized and approved the District to execute the California Fire Safe Council Sub-award Agreement (Contra Costa County Coordinator Project 22 CAL FIRE CC STATEWIDE 423343), providing the District total funding in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for wildfire prevention planning through December 31, 2024.
On April 11, 2025, the California Fire Safe Council announced the 2025 County Coordinator Grant Program. The objective of the County Coordinator Grant is to educate, encourage, and develop countywide collaboration and coordination among wildfire mitigation groups. Program funding covered administrative costs relevant to countywide coordination efforts, including but not limited to salary, support, and administrative costs for a designated County Coordinator, at an amount of $151,500.
On April 14, 2026, the Board approved the District to submit an application to the California Fire Safe Council for an extension of the 2025 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) County Coordinator Statewide Grant Program, at an amount of $151,500.
On April 15, 2026, the California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) began accepting applications for the 2025 County Coordinator Program Extension. The applications were intended to fund up to 21 counties for a one-time, 15.5-month grant extension. If approved, the Fire District will continue to use the grant funds to pay the salary of a part-time, non-benefited contractor to serve as the County Coordinator, as well as the costs for supplies, outreach materials, administrative costs, travel, and other meeting expenses through October 15, 2027.
The County Coordinator is responsible for developing plans and recommendations related to wildfire prevention and for collaboration amongst participating public and non-profit agencies; assisting in new fire safe council and associated group formations; participating in quarterly meetings with California Fire Safe Council staff, state/regional/county coordinators, and other interested wildfire mitigation groups; and producing project deliverables. The County Coordinator may also support the management of local Measure X-funded wildfire mitigation programs.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
An alternate revenue stream would need to be identified to fund the County Coordinator position. Without continued funding, the District, Fire Safe Councils throughout the county, and other fire agencies would lose the benefits provided by the County Coordinator work. This includes developing educational videos, creating handouts explaining Zone 0 requirements, and imitating the update for the County Wildfire Protection Plan.