Interlocal Agreement with RFA for Fire investigation services BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
APPROVE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH ) RESOLUTION NO 19- «L'
RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) FOR FIRE )
INVESTIGATION SERVICES FOR THE )
UNINCORPORATED AREAS WITHIN THE SERVICE )
BOUNDARIES OF RFA
WHEREAS Chapter 39 34 RCW, the Interlocal Cooperation Act, provides for interlocal cooperation
between governmental agencies to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to
cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage, and
WHEREAS, the parties, Lewis County and the Riverside Fire Authority(RFA), wish to enter into an
Interlocal Agreement(ILA)to provide reliable fire investigation services to the unincorporated areas
of Lewis County, within the service areas of the RFA, on an as requested basis, and
WHEREAS, the ILA will be for a period of 5 years and can be terminated by either party upon
written notice, and
WHEREAS, the BOCC has reviewed the attached ILA and it appears to be in the best interest of
the public to enter into said agreement
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BOCC has determined that ILA with the RFA for
the purpose of reliable fire investigation services to be in the best interest of the public and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BOCC authorizes the Director of Community Development
to sign the ILA with the RFA on behalf of the County
Done in open session this y4 day of July, 2019
APPROVED AS TO FORM BO 'D OF COUNTY COM SIONERS
Jonathan Meyer Prosecuting Attorney Lr IS COUNTY, S I T N
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By Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rolle J-ckso Y hair
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ATTEST Ga rY Sta per, Vice Chair
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Rieva Lester, Clerk of the Board „ d Edna J Fund, Corr 01-sioner
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INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
This Interlocal Agreement (Agreement) is made and entered into between the Riverside Fire
Authority (hereinafter referred to as "RFA") and Lewis County (hereinafter referred to as
"County"), both political subdivisions of the State of Washington, which may hereinafter be
referred as the "parties " This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation
Act, Chapter 39 34 RCW This Agreement is intended to provide reliable fire investigation
services to the residents of the unincorporated areas of Lewis County, within the service areas of
RFA, on an as requested basis
WHEREAS, regional fire authorities may enforce fire codes as provided under RCW 19 27,
pursuant to RCW 52 26 090,
WHEREAS, county governments generally must enforce the provisions of the International Fire
Code in unincorporated areas of said counties, pursuant to RCW 19 27 110, but may enter into
interlocal agreements delegating this authority to regional fire authorities,
WHEREAS, the parties desire that the County delegate its fire investigation obligations of the fire
code in unincorporated areas of the County to the RFA in accordance with RCW 19 27 110, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that in order to implement such an arrangement an Interlocal
Agreement (Agreement) be executed between the parties setting forth the conditions and terms
of that arrangement
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained herein, the RFA and
the County agree as follows
1 Purpose. This Agreement is intended to ensure fire investigation services to the residents
of unincorporated Lewis County within the service boundary of RFA
2 Means of Joint Undertaking No separate legal entity shall be created to implement the
terms of this Agreement The Director of Community Development for the County and
the Fire Chief for the RFA shall provide joint oversight to administer this Agreement No
property shall be exchanged between the parties in furtherance of this Agreement
3 Term The term of this Agreement and the performance thereof shall be limited to June
18, 2019 and expire June 18, 2024 This Agreement may be extended or renegotiated
upon mutual agreement between the parties hereto and pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement
4 Services and Responsibilities of the RFA The scope of services provided by the RFA
within the unincorporated areas of the service boundary of RFA addressed by this
Agreement shall be as specified below
1 I
a Investigation of the origin, cause, and circumstances and extent of loss from fire,
pursuant to RCW 43.44.050 Reports and investigation of fires-Police powers, in
cooperation with the state fire marshal, as well as state and County law
enforcement and regulatory personnel
b Provision for the on-call availability of a properly trained, experienced and
equipped fire investigator, 24 hours per day, each and every day of the year
representative
c The RFA shall furnish and supply all necessary labor, supervision, equipment,
communication services and supplies, and such administrative services as are
necessary to maintain a proper level of fire investigation service to the
unincorporated areas within the service boundary of RFA Administrative services
shall include, but are not limited to, the filing and storage of fire investigation
reports and investigative evidence, responding to public disclosure requests,
assign either the RFA Fire Chief, or designee, to act as a liaison to the County
Director of Department of Community Development, or designee, on all
operational issues and civil investigations and to act as liaison to the County
Sheriff's Office and Prosecuting Attorney on all criminal investigations
d Any operational concerns should initially be raised with the RFA's representative
designated under Section 2 of this agreement In addition, if regular meetings are
deemed necessary by the County to discuss issues regarding fire investigation
services, they will be arranged by representatives of the County Department of
Community Development and RFA Fire Department representatives
5 Services and Responsibility of the County The County agrees to meet the following
responsibilities under this Agreement
a The County shall grant to the RFA Fire Department personnel assigned to provide
fire investigation service the authority to investigate and enforce the provisions of
RCW 43 44.050 Reports and investigation of fires-Police powers, including duties
pertaining to civil and criminal fire investigations
b The County shall provide to the RFA Fire Department personnel, assigned to fire
investigation services, the assistance of the County Community Development
Department and associated personnel necessary to assist the RFA in providing fire
investigation services
6 Cost-reimbursement. Both parties understand that each will be financially responsible for
their respective role in this agreement and will not seek cost reimbursement from the
other party in carrying out their respective services and responsibilities
7 Assignment and Subcontracting No portion of this Agreement may be assigned or
subcontracted to any other individual, firm, entity without express and prior written
approval of the County's Community Development Director and the RFA's Fire Chief
8 Modification. Either party may request changes in this Agreement Any and all agreed
modifications shall be in writing, signed by each of the parties
2 I
9 Termination for Public Convenience. The RFA Fire Chief or the County Director of
Community Development may terminate this Agreement upon 90 days' written notice
whenever either party determines, at either party's sole discretion that such termination
is in the interest of the RFA or the County
10 Defense and Indemnity Agreement. Each party shall hold the other, its officials,
employees and agents, harmless and shall indemnify the other, its officials, employees
and agents, from any and all causes of action,judgments, claims, and damages arising out
of its sole and solitary acts of omissions. Without limiting the foregoing, County
acknowledges that County is solely responsible for all liability, costs, or expenses resulting
from its sole acts or omissions, and that the RFA's responsibility hereunder is expressly
limited to the provision of the services described in Section 4 of this Agreement
11 Venue and Choice of Law. In the event any litigation should arise concerning the
enforcement, breach, construction or interpretation of any of the terms of this
Agreement, the venue of such action of litigation shall be in the courts of the State of
Washington in and for the County of Lewis The law of the State of Washington shall
govern this Agreement for all purposes
12 Miscellaneous There are no third-party beneficiaries to this Agreement This Agreement
is the entire agreement of the parties and may not be modified or contradicted except in
a writing signed by both parties hereto The failure of either party to insist upon strict
performance of this Agreement shall not impact that party's right to insist upon strict
performance at a later time To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, that shall not impact
the remaining provisions of the Agreement, which shall be deemed severable from any
unenforceable provision This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, i e in
separate times and in separate places This Agreement does not create actionable duties
between the signatory parties or the public to provide a particular level of service in a
particular instance The recitals enumerated herein are for convenience only and shall
not be construed as a part of this Agreement
13 Notice and Deliverables. Any notices or deliverables to be given under this Agreement
shall at a minimum, be delivered and addressed to
• Riverside Fire Authority Fire Department
Attn Fire Chief
1818 Harrison Avenue
Centralia, WA 98531
• Lewis County Department of Community Development
Attn Director
2025 NE Kresky Ave
Chehalis, WA 98532
3 1
EXECUTED IN TRIPLICATE and effective as of the date and year first above written
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Michael Tomasheck date -e Napier date
RFA Commission Chairman Director of Community Development
Attest APPROVED AS TO FORM
Jonathan L Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney
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By Board Secretary 1 date By Civil Deput date
4 I Page
Fire Invest 1oatloIi Services 2019
[BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution. BOCC Meeting Date. Jul 01, 2019
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item. Agenda Type: Consent
Approve an Interlocal Agreement with Riverside Fire Authority (RFA) for fire investigation services for the
unincorporated areas within the service boundanes of RFA
Contact Lee Napier Phone: 3607402606
Department. Community Development
Action Needed. Approve Resolution
Description
This resolution will allow Lewis County to enter into an Interlocal Agreement(ILA) with the RFA to provide
reliable fire investigation services for the unincorporated areas within the service boundaries of the RFA
The term of this Agreement will be for a penod of five years This Agreement may be extended or renegotiated
upon mutual agreement between the parties hereto and pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
Approvals:
User Group Status
Gowmg, Graham Community Development Pending
Napier, Lee Community Development Pending
Sanford, Doyle Community Development Pending
Lester, Rieva BOCC Pending
Eisenberg,Enc Prosecutor Pending
Cover Letter To
Rieva Lester
Additional Copies
Doyle Sanford, Graham Gowmg,Lee Napier,Erik Martin, Steve Mansfield, Enc Eisenberg,Bruce Kimsey,Curt Spahn,
Dusty Breen