by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Mayor John Peyton is asking City Council to approve legislation that would establish a contractual mutual aid agreement between the City, NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport to provide emergency fire and rescue services when needed.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue spokesman John Bracey and Navy publicist Bill Austin both said a similar agreement has existed for years. However, the new legislation is required due to the recent merger of the NAS and Mayport fire departments. According to the legislation, the stipulations call for a two-year agreement, followed by subsequent two-year agreements.
“This kind of agreement takes place all over the country,” said Austin. “I’d label this as a partnership where we achieve a benefit to both parties.”
Austin described a scenario where the Mayport EMT could be on a call and receive another call for care. Under the agreement, the Navy can contact fire and rescue personnel from Atlantic Beach to respond.
The same scenario would work the other way as well. Bracey said an example of this occurred when the chemical plant on the Northside exploded several months ago.
“Mayport helped with the T-2 plant explosion,” said Bracey.
Both Bracey and Austin said while the need for shared services doesn’t arise very often, knowing qualified back-up is available is reassuring.
“In essence, we both provide service on request,” said Bracey, adding no specific emergency event triggered the legislation. “Instead of two mutual aid agreements, we will have just one. We want something in place to help protect the property and people in all of Duval County, whether it’s private or public.”
A provision within the legislation will allow the City to recoup some costs associated with helping the Navy. Bracey said that provision covers any equipment that might get broken in the course of responding to an emergency, not personnel costs.
While the JFRD consists of thousands of employees and hundreds of pieces of equipment including rescue vehicles, the Navy’s fire and rescue department is much smaller. According to Austin, Mayport has 17 employees, two fire engines, two fire rescue vehicles and an ambulance. Located on the Westside, NAS has 23-29 full-time employees, two engine ladders, two fire rescue units and an ambulance.
The legislation has been assigned to the Council Finance and Public Health & Safety committees.