During a recent city council meeting, the Santa Maria Fire Department presented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing collaboration among member agencies of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Regional Task Force 12. This task force, which includes fire departments from Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara City, Montecito, and Vandenberg, is trained to respond to various emergency situations, including structural collapses, trench rescues, and water rescues.

The MOU outlines the framework for reimbursement of training and operational costs through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Under this agreement, Santa Maria will act as the financial conduit for funds allocated to the task force, allowing member agencies to receive reimbursements for training and deployment expenses. The city will retain a 3% administrative fee for managing these funds.

Fire Chief's overview highlighted the importance of ongoing training and the need for member agencies to maintain daily availability for task force deployment. Recent incidents where the task force was activated include the Montecito mudslides and the Paradise Fire, showcasing the critical role of the task force in emergency response.

Concerns were raised regarding the indemnification clause within the MOU, which some council members found to be one-sided. The clause stipulates that if a member agency is sued due to negligence during training, they must cover Santa Maria's legal fees, but not vice versa. The city attorney acknowledged the low risk associated with this provision, noting that no significant incidents have prompted such concerns in the past.

Despite the potential risks, council members expressed support for the MOU, recognizing the benefits of streamlined funding and training coordination. The agreement is expected to facilitate better preparedness and response capabilities among the participating agencies, ultimately enhancing public safety in the region.