Report Prepared by: Casey Wilson, Fire Chief
Title
SUBJECT: Update Regarding Automatic Aid Agreement for Fire and Emergency Services Between the City of Merced and Merced County
REPORT IN BRIEF
Update regarding the Automatic Aid Agreement for Fire and Emergency Services between the City of Merced and Merced County. Staff will also provide an update on discussions related to extending the agreement.
Body
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Merced City Council provided direction to staff to explore opportunities to provide Fire and emergency operation services to Merced County to assist in area generally defined as north of Hwy 140, west of Kibby Rd, West of N. Lake Rd. and East of G St, and south of Old Lake Rd. This area was previously being provided Fire and EMS services through Merced County - CALFIRE with primary responses coming from Station 85 located on McKee Rd. Due to budgetary constraints being faced by Merced County this station closed on January 1, 2025.
Both city and county staff held a series of meetings to discuss various options. Additionally, city staff discussed options and received feedback from the City Council Public Safety Sub Committee. The entire council was briefed at the May 6, 2024, regular meeting and the special meeting held on December 9, 2024. Council approved a Stop Gap Aid Agreement for Fire and EMS Services with Merced County on December 16, 2024. An update to Council was provided on July 21, 2025.
This Stop Gap Aid Agreement for Fire and EMS Services with Merced County covers a two-year term from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
Aid Agreement Details
A copy of the agreement is included as Attachment 1. Specific details of this agreement include the following.
Term
The agreement covers a two-year term from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. The term of the agreement generally follows the timing of the 2023 SAFER Grant. During this time period the city has additional grant paid positions, twenty-...
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