California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA) Overview

Agreement Details

• Parties Involved:
  • State of California, Governors Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  • USDA Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Southwest Region
  • USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California State Office
  • USDI National Park Service (NPS), Interior Regions 8, 9, 10, and 12
  • USDI Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Pacific Southwest Region
  • USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Pacific Region
• Purpose:
  • Provides a framework for cooperation and reimbursement between local government and state/federal fire agencies for fire and emergency assistance.
  • Based on the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act, Disaster Relief Act of 1974, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1996.

Key Provisions

Wildland Fire Protection Responsibilities

• Federal Fire Agencies: Protect federal lands per Congressional mandates.
• CAL FIRE: Protect State Responsibility Area lands.
• Local Government Lands: Not included in this agreement except for resource exhaustion scenarios.

Cooperation and Resource Sharing

• CAL FIRE and Federal Fire Agencies can exchange protection responsibilities for efficiency.
• Cal OES Role:
  • Organizes fire and rescue resources through California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System.
  • Mobilizes all-hazard resources and aviation resources based on authority.

Usage of Agreement

• Applied when local agreements are exhausted or not present.
• Reimbursement Usage:
  • For engines, water tenders, bulldozers, hand crews, and overhead.
  • Includes CIIMT member reimbursements.
  • Applicable for ordering aviation resources when local agreements fail.

California Fire Assistance Agreement Committee

• Purpose: Negotiate terms and maintain the Agreement.
• Composition: Representatives from Cal OES, CAL FIRE, Federal Fire Agencies, and local agencies.
• Meetings: Conducted quarterly and annually for rate adjustments.

Rate Letter

• Establishes Base Administrative Rate, Personnel Base Rates, and Equipment Rates.
• Changes to equipment rates based on FEMA Schedule.
• Emergency changes permitted with Committee’s approval.

Terms and Conditions

Amendments

• Exhibits and Amendments: Reviewed annually by March 30th, changes agreed by April 15th.
• Requests for emergency amendments: Can be negotiated under emergency circumstances.

Resource Mobilization

• Requests: Made through California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System.
• Documentation: Required for confirmation and reimbursement.
• Protective Equipment: Sending jurisdiction ensures compliance with safety regulations.

Liability and Claims

• Parties waive claims against each other for fire protection services.
• Third-party claims processed per relevant tort claims acts.

Reimbursement Dispute Resolution

• Informal resolution attempted first.
• Formal appeals processed through the CFAA Committee.

Additional Provisions

Audit and Examination

• Agencies subject to examination and audit for five years post-final payment.

Termination

• Agreement effective until December 31, 2024, with the option of withdrawal upon 30-day notice.

Delegations of Authority

• Parties may delegate authority to Cal OES for maintaining contact details and non-material changes.

Signatures

• Agreement allows for electronic signatures and multiple signature pages.

Reimbursement Procedures

• Personnel and Equipment: Standardized formulas for reimbursement based on established rates.
• Travel Expenses: Reimbursed as per diem and lodging rates specified in exhibits.
• Personnel Rotation: Procedures for reimbursement established for rotation in extended assignments.

Communications and Equipment Standards

• Minimum standards for operational communication capabilities.

Aircraft Usage

• Reimbursement based on specified hourly rates and minimum daily hours.

Definitions

• Comprehensive list of definitions related to terms used in the CFAA.

These notes capture the essential framework and operational details of the California Fire Assistance Agreement, outlining the cooperation, responsibilities, reimbursement processes, and administrative structures in place for fire and emergency assistance between state, federal, and local entities.