To: Board of Supervisors, County of Sonoma
Department or Agency Name(s): Emergency Management
Staff Name and Phone Number: Christopher Godley, Director / 565-1152
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Agreement with Bay Area Air Quality Management District to Accept and Distribute Portable Air Filtration Units
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to execute an Agreement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to accept portable air filtration units from the Air District, with a value of $100,000, at no cost to the County of Sonoma.
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Executive Summary:
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is partnering with each of the nine Bay Area County Offices/Departments of Emergency Management to prepare for catastrophic wildfires and smoke that impacts the region. The Air District is providing up to $100,000 of portable air filtration units to each county - approximately 100 units each. To participate in the Air District’s “Wildfire Preparedness Program,” Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management is required to sign an Agreement with the Air District with a term of 3 years, 08/01/2021 through 07/31/2024, at no cost to the County.
Discussion:
Sonoma County has experienced some of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history over the last several years. Studies show that climate change is not only causing higher temperatures and longer dry periods, but also lengthening the wildfire season and increasing the risk of wildfires throughout the state. The Air District’s Wildfire Air Quality Response Program (WAQRP) is a comprehensive program intended to prepare for and respond to catastrophic wildfires and ensure health-protective measures and strategies are in place. Through this program, the Air District will purchase and provide heavy-duty portable air filtration units for regional emergency management authorities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to help communities prepare for wildfire smoke that have the potential to impact air quality in entire regions for consecutive days.
The partnership between the Air District and Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) joins resources to protect public health and improve indoor air quality in communities most vulnerable to wildfire smoke. The approximately 100 air filtration units will be deployed at no cost to support Sonoma County community groups/agencies/organizations that serve the public.
Per terms of the agreement, the DEM will be responsible for:
1. Storage and deployment of portable air filtration units to evacuation centers and sheltering facilities during wildfires and/or other congregate facilities that are impacted by wildfire smoke. Congregate facilities may include but are not limited to schools, libraries, community centers, assisted living facilities, etc.
2. Maintain inventory and asset-tag all air filtration units.
3. Designate a county liaison responsible for notifying the Air District when portable air filtration units are deployed during wildfires.
4. Train staff on how to operate and maintain air filtration units per manufacturers’ specifications.
5. Track deployment of all air filtration units and provide semi-annual report to Air District:
a) Date of air filtration unit deployment;
b) Location of the evacuation center/sheltering facility/congregate facility;
c) Number of units deployed to the location;
d) Note whether the evacuation center/sheltering facility/congregate facility has an existing HVAC system. If so, specify if the air filtration unit(s) operate in conjunction with existing HVAC.;
e) Note size and dimension of facility space at the evacuation center/sheltering facility/congregate facility;
f) Report feedback on operations and maintenance of portable air filtration units and other comments and recommendations.
6. Acknowledge the Air District as funding source if any promotional materials/websites about the portable air filters are created.
Entering into this Agreement provides a broad framework for cooperation between the Air District and DEM and DEM’s community partners to store and deploy air filtration units to sheltering and evacuation centers and congregate facilities beginning in the 2021 wildfire season, and allow the County to provide resources that protect public health and improve indoor air quality in communities most vulnerable to wildfire smoke.
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The estimated value of the donated air filters is $100,000. There is no fiscal impact to the Department of Emergency Management’s budget or County General Fund.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A