HomeMy WebLinkAboutMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GA FORESTRY COMMISSION AND ARC FOR AUGUSTA AVIATION COMMISSION AT AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORTRURAL FIRE DEFENSE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION
AND
AUGUSTA - RICHMOND COUNTY FOR THE
AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT
Because of the intermingling of structures and wildland fuels in areas of Augusta -
Richmond County, the objectives of the two above - mentioned organizations are inseparable, to
minimize the loss of life and property as a result of uncontrolled fire. We, the undersigned, have
arrived at this MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING for these primary purposes:
1. Provide for closest possible cooperation on mutual objectives.
2. To clarify the purpose and responsibilities of each organizations.
A. Fire Department
1. Areas Covered: Map of Station's Responsibility
2. Resources:
a) Equipment:
b) Manpower:
3. Functional Responsibilities:
4. Funding Source:
B. Georgia Forestry Commission
1. Area Covered: Augusta Richmond County primarily all lands within the county,
both private and public, county and state owned and federal lands not under
specific agreement. Georgia Forestry Commission resources located within the
county are also responsible for all lands within the State of Georgia upon request
by the Chief of Forest Protection or his designee.
2. Resources:
a) Equipment:
b) Manpower:
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3. Responsibilities: All forest fire protection work shall be under the direction and
supervision of the State Forestry Commission, through the Director of said
Commission, subject to the provisions of this Act and the laws of the State, now
or hereafter enacted, relative to forestry and forest fire prevention and
suppression. The Commission shall have power to make and enforce all rules and
regulations necessary for the administration of forest fire protection. (Ga. Laws
1949, pp. 937, 938; Ga. Code 1981, Sec. 12- 6 -83).
C. Operational Procedures:
1. Dispatching:
a) The Forestry Commission will dispatch a crew to any known
forest/brush/grass /etc. fire or to any fires of unknown structure by
responding to wildland fires as dispatched.
b) The Fire Department will dispatch a crew to any known structure fire,
wildland fire, or to any fire of unknown nature. The Fire Department will
cooperate with the Forestry Commission dispatch by responding to
wildland fires as notified.
2. Communications: Upon arrival at the scene:
a) The Forestry Commission will provide command and control for wildland
fire suppression and will cooperate with the Fire Department for
protection of life and property threatened by a wildland fire. The Georgia
Forestry Commission will immediately advise the Fire Department of any
burning or threatened structure within the area.
b) The Fire Department will provide command and control for structural fire
suppression and will cooperate with the Georgia Forestry Commission for
protection of life and property threatened by structural fires. The Fire
Department will immediately advise the Forestry Commission of any
burning or threatened natural cover fuels within the area and assistance
needed.
c) This agreement in no way restricts either agency from taking action in an
emergency situation to save lives and property regardless of the nature of a
fire, either wildland or structural.
3. Mutual Assistance:
a) Suppression: When both agencies are at the same fire, overall command
and control of the incident shall lie with the agency concerned the most
directly with what is burning. If both woods and structures are on fire
simultaneously, each agency shall endeavor to initiate unified command
and provide support to each other to ensure shared resources, public and
firefighter safety, and efficient incident stability. All fire organizations
involved should endeavor to accomplish wildland fire certifications and
provide wildland fire personal protective equipment for firefighters who
are subject to respond to wildland fires. Only the Georgia Forestry
Commission can authorize backfires.
b) Use: The intended use of Georgia Forestry Commission manpower and
equipment (Type 6 Engines) is to provide protection/suppression relative
only to wildland fires (i.e., grass, brush, and trees). Forestry Commission
personnel are not trained, nor do they possess sufficient personal
protective equipment to allow them to function in environments other than
those listed above.
c) Training: Each agency agrees to attend/participate /assist/etc. in the other
agency's training program. The authority having jurisdiction shall be
responsible to ensure that all persons participating in training and wildland
or structural fire suppression activities meet established qualifications and
are properly equipped with the required personal protective equipment to
safely perform tasks at the individual's assigned level of responsibility.
d) Other: Each agency mutually agrees to provide support of fire prevention
programs which will increase the public awareness of the hazards and
destruction of fire and serve to make the objectives of this memorandum
possible.
The Georgia Forestry Commission and its sub - contractors are equal Opportunity employers and
service providers are subject to all provisions of Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and
therefore prohibit discrimination in all programs and services on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or
family status.
AGREEMENT
This memorandum shall be effective when signed by both parties. It continues in effect unless
and until either party gives thirty (30) da in writing to the other party.
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By:
Date:
DIRECTOR
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GEORGIA ORESTRY O MI
By:
COUN YRA GER
Date: l-
By:
Date:
Date:
FIRE DEPARTMENT
JAY FORRESTER, CHAIRMAN
AVIATION COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT
AUGUSTA RICHMOND COUNTY
Deke S. Copenhaver, Mayor
' Atipro as to Form: •
Andrew Mackenzie, Esq.
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