DATE: March 25, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Fire Department
TITLE: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAND CREW PROGRAM TO PERFORM EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FIRE PREVENTION VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES ON A COST-RECOVERY BASIS AND ADOPTING A SUPPORTING FEE SCHEDULE
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Oceanside Fire Department to enter into mutual aid or similar agreements with other governmental agencies under which the Fire Department Hand Crew Program will be loaned out on a cost recovery basis to assist with vegetation and fuels management for the purpose of fire prevention or emergency response and adopt a corresponding fee schedule in support of the program.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On November 5, 2025 the City Council approved the creation of a new part-time employee classification of Fuels Crew Member and initial funding to stand up the Hand Crew Program. The goal of the Hand Crew Program is to develop a self-sustaining operational model supported through partnerships with local agencies, other City departments, and mutual aid deployments.
The program is intended to support wildfire resilience and community safety through project-based work and emergency response capabilities. The crew will conduct project-based work through service agreements with local and regional partners, including vegetation management, fuel reduction, fire prevention, and related public safety services. These projects will support wildfire resilience efforts in Oceanside and surrounding communities while providing a local resource to address emerging fuel management needs in coordination with partner agencies and other City departments. Cost recovery for these activities will occur through project-based service agreements that reimburse for personnel, administrative, and equipment costs associated with providing the service.
In additi...
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