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Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the North Central Texas Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement
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MEETING DATE: July 16th, 2013
DEPARTMENT: Public Works / Fire - Office of Emergency Management
CONTACT: Hal Cranor, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
ITEM SUMMARY:
- In an effort coordinated through NCTCOG, North Central Texas' participating Public Works Departments have developed a more formal means of providing mutual aid in the event of natural and/or man-made disasters through the creation of a Public Works Emergency Response Team (PWERT) supported by "Mutual Aid Agreements". While we have always responded as needed, this effort brings a more organized, coordinated and efficient approach.
- The Agreement provides planning and operating procedures whereby public works- related Agencies may request aid and assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and/or other associated services from other public works related agencies. The agreement allows for better coordination of efforts, identifies available resources and helps ensure that timely aid can be provided.
- Under the Agreement requests for assistance will:
- Be made only with a Declaration of a state of Local Civil Emergency or Declaration of Disaster by a Requesting Party pursuant to Section 418.108, Texas Government Code or after a proclamation of a State of Emergency under Section 433.001, Texas Government Code,
- Be allowed without a Declaration of a state of Local Civil Emergency or Declaration of Disaster only if the requesting agency expects to use the resource(s) for less than one operational period (not longer than 36 hours) or if the declaration of emergency is expected to be issued during the first operational period,
- Be made by the highest ranking authority of the Requesting City available at the time of need,
- Be made to the highest ranking authority of the Responding City available at the time of need, and
- Specify to the greatest extent possible the nature of the emergency requiring assistance.
- The Agreement shall continue in force and remaining binding on every participating City for twelve 12 months from the effective date. The Agreement shall renew automatically for a period of one (1) year upon the completion of the initial term and each subsequent term unless such time as the governing body of a participating City terminates its participation in the Agreement.
- We believe it is to the benefit of the City of McKinney to participate in this effort. McKinney Public Works has two personnel currently serving on the State of Texas Public Works Response Team. These same personnel will be able to utilize their skills on the North Central Texas PWERT.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
- The State of Texas developed the Public Works Response Team (PWRT) initiative. The PWRT is a State asset deployed by the State Operations Center (SOC) under the direction of the Chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), as required to support local jurisdictions in the event of a catastrophic incident. The operationally ready response teams are recruited from local jurisdictions and coordinated with other State Agencies. The teams are made from identified public works disciplines and will function under Memorandums of Understanding and the Texas Statewide Mutual Aid System.
- Although several cities in the North Central Texas region have personnel participating on the State PWRT, the NCTCOG region identified a need for a local/regional response as the PWRT is a State asset and may or may not be available when requested depending on the situation. A local/regional team can respond to our 16-County region faster and may still be augmented by the State PWRT if needed. To meet this need, the NCTCOG region developed the PWERT initiative to serve this region when requested.
- The North Central Texas PWERT provides a mechanism for local governments to assist one another during emergencies beyond the scope of local resources. It sets up a method and protocol for McKinney to provide as well as obtain assistance but does not require McKinney to respond if it chooses not to do so for any reason.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
- There is no initial cost to enter into the Mutual Aid Agreement. Costs may be incurred, if the City of McKinney chooses to act on an incident/emergency, for the first 36 hours in the event of an actual emergency while others may expend similar resources on our behalf should the emergency occur in McKinney.
- A Requesting City shall not be required to reimburse a Responding City for costs incurred during the first Operational Period (36 hours), even if the event becomes a declared emergency/disaster by the President, as defined in Section 3 of the Agreement. A Requesting City shall be required to reimburse a Responding City for costs incurred after the first 36 hour Operational Period. As previously mentioned, a City may choose not to render aid and assistance at any time for any reason, or to recall aid that has been deployed at any time.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A