HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 56003 CSC No.56003
TEXAS A&M
FOREST SERVICE
Memorandum of Understanding
For the .Establishment of the NWCG Wildland Firefighter Standard
Between
Texas A&M Forest Service
And
The City of Fort Worth
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is dated the 13th day of July 12021,
and is between the City of Fort Worth ("Cooperator") and the Texas A&M Forest Service, an
agency of the state of Texas and a member of The Texas A&M University System ("TFS").
Definitions
• Director: The Director of TFS.
• South Central Forest Fire Compact: A compact between TX, OK, LA, and MS,
established by Federal Law and ratified by the respective state legislatures that provides
f'or sharing of each state's wildland fire suppression personnel and equipment.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group here after referred to as (NWCG): A consortium
of Federal and state wildland fire agencies that includes the TFS which establishes the
National firefighter qualification standard.
• Incident Management Teams here after referred to as (IMTs): A qualified group of
emergency responders specifically trained and qualified by virtue of training and
experience to manage wildfire and other incidents
• PMS 310-1: The publication of the NWCG that contains the minimum requirements f'or
wildland fire positions.
• PPE: Personal Protective Equipment.
Authorities
• TFS is the state signatory to the NWCG under Texas Education Code 88.120 and
supports that standard for state wildland firefighters and Fire Departments in Texas.
• TFS may cooperate with the United States Forest Service and other Federal agencies
under Texas Education Code 88.106 (a);
• TFS is responsible for wildland fire training within the State under Texas Education
Code 88.120;Has responsibility to establish Incident Management Teams under Texas
Education Code 88.122;
• TFS provides and receives support through the South Central States Forest Fire Compact
in suppression of wildfires as requested by member states under Texas Education Code
88.112 and 88.116.
Purpose
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
NWCG Red Card training MOU FT. WORTH, TX
This MOU is entered into with the intent of establishing the National Wildfire Coordinating
Group (NWCG) Training and Qualification Standards contained in the current or latest version
of PMS 310-1 as the wildland qualification standard for the Cooperator. The fire potential and
the amount of property within the area protected by the cooperator fosters the need to have local
fire agency personnel qualified to a higher wildland fire standard to assure that adequate well
trained and physically prepared fire personnel can be deployed to meet a local and state wildfire
response need. This MOU could represent both a cost saving and public safety measure for the
people of Texas. Benefits include increasing the number of wildland fire personnel in the state,
increasing the capability of the cooperator to more effectively deal with wildfire response, and
reduce loss of life and property at the local level. The MOU could further enhance the State's
ability to assist other state and Federal agencies on wildfires and all risk incidents by increasing
the number of NWCG fully qualified wildfire personnel to assist outside the state on incidents of
National and Regional significance.
Responsibilities sander the MOU
TFS shall:
• Provide NWCG qualified trainers to conduct training courses.
• Provide NWCG instructor training to local fire personnel as needed to allow them to
instruct.
• Conduct audits of training records,taskbooks, and qualifications at the discretion of the
TFS.
• Status qualified individuals/resources within the Resource Ordering System.
• Recognize,where possible,the Prior Learning of individuals within the Cooperators
personnel that is accepted within the NWCG standard.
• Provide a qualified Strike Team Leader-Engines (STEN) or Crew Representative
(CREP)when deemed necessary by TFS.
The Cooperator shall:
• Designate a training officer that will determine the training and taskbook needs of
Cooperator's personnel.
• Develop NWCG qualified instructors to teach at the 100,200, and 300 course level.
• Qualified instructors may deliver NWCG curriculum and request NWCG certificates
under the following circumstances:
o The instructor must be acting under the authority of this MOU, either as a paid
employee or as a volunteer instructor,
o The instructor must follow the standards set by NWCG 901-1 (Standards for
Course Delivery)and the processes set by the TFS training section,
o The fire department training officer or designee must acknowledge and sign the
course delivery packet and return to the TFS training section,
o NWCG certificates will only be issued by TFS.
am
NWCG Red Card training MOU Page 2 of 5
• Follow the fitness standard established by the NWCG for the respective positions and
administer the Work Capacity Test as prescribed by the NWCG. Follow all NWCG
annual requirements for refresher training,shelter deployment training, and fitness
testing.
• Follow all course and taskbook requirements as described in the latest version of the
NWCG PMS 310-1 and any additional TFS requirements per the TFS State Fire
Operations Plan.
• Work toward the establishment of at least one Fire Hand Crew and/or one Strike Team of
Engines.
• Certify personnel in the following positions: Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), Firefighter Type
1 (FFTI), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5),Engine Boss (ENGB). All other
positions must follow standard TFS procedures, including:
o All taskbook coversheets must be submitted to ticc a,tfs.tamu.edu prior to entering
in Incident Qualification System(IQS)
o All completed taskbooks must be submitted to ticc a,tfs.tamu.edu for approval by
TFS Certification Committee prior to certifying in IQS
• Provide the appropriate PPE for the respective incident assignment.
Termination
Either party may terminate this MOU at any time by giving written notice to the other party of
such termination and specifying the effective date, thereof, at least thirty(30) days before the
effective date of such termination. Otherwise,this MOU remains in effect for a period of five
years from the date of last signature.
Parties Responsible for their own Acts
Each party agrees that it will be responsible for its own acts and the results thereof and each
party shall not be responsible for the acts of the other party; and each party agrees it will assume
to itself risk and liability resulting from their own acts under this MOU.
Permits and Laws
The parties shall acquire and maintain in good standing all permits,licenses and other
entitlement necessary to the performance under this MOU. All actions taken by the parties under
this agreement shall comply with all applicable laws,statutes,ordinances,rules and regulations.
Non-Waiver
The failure of the Cooperator, or the State, at any time to enforce a provision of this MOU shall
in no way constitute a waiver of the provisions,nor in any way affect the validity of this MOU or
any part thereof to enforce each and every protection hereof.
Modifications
NWCG Red Card training MOU Page 3 of 5
The parties, from time to time may agree to modifications in the scope of services to be
performed under this MOU.All modifications to the agreement shall be incorporated by written
amendments to this MOU and approved by all signatories prior to effect.
Fair Intent
The parties following negotiations between them have jointly drafted this MOU. It shall be
construed according to the fair intent of the language as a whole, not for or against any party.
This MOU is not a fiscal document and no funds will be expended or exchanged under its
provisions.
Severability
In the event a provision of this MOU is found to be unenforceable or void for any reason, it shall
be considered as severed from this MOU, and the remaining portions of this agreement shall
stand as if that provision had never been included in the MOU.
Notice
All legal notices relating to this MOU, including change of address, shall be mailed to the parties
at the following addresses:
TFS
Texas A&M Forest Service
200 Technology Way
College Station, TX 77845
ATTN: Jared Karns
COOPERATOR
The City of Fort Worth
Assistant City Manager
200 Texas St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Attn: Assistant City Manager for Fire Department
With a copy sent to the City Attorney's Office at the same address
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the Texas A&M Forest Service and Cooperator have executed and
delivered this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.
`texas A&M Forest Service
X.-V By: 7.�
Interim Director
OFFICIAL RECORD
NWCG Red Card training MOU CITY SECRETARY
FT. WORTH, TX
Date: 7-8-2021
Cooperator - City of Fort Worth
By:Valerie Washington(Jul 13,202115:58 CQX
Name: Valerie Washington
Title: Assistant City Manager
Date:-Jul 13, 2021
Contract Compliance Manager
By: M_Rauscher(Ju113202112:56 CDT)
Name: Mark Rauscher
Title: Assistant Fire Director
Date: Jul 13,2021
Approved as to Form and Leg�a, lity
By. 1
Name: Christopher Austria
Title:Assistant City Attorney
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y Ronald P.Gon ales(Ju113,20 16�3 CDT) () j 0° °Q �d
Name: Ronald P. Gonzales �a °OO°oo° 'd
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Title:Acting City Secretary
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
NWCG Red Card training MOU
FT. WORTH, TX