Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 8/18/2026
Item Status: New
From: Tom Tyler, EMA Director
Submitted by: Amanda Thweatt, Operations Division Manager
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Disaster Assistance Agreements with Various Volunteer Fire Departments and Volunteer Search and Rescue Squads
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Approve the Disaster Assistance Agreements between the Baldwin County Commission and the following entities for volunteer services during and after emergencies affecting Baldwin County, Alabama:
Barnwell Volunteer Fire Department
Belforest Volunteer Fire Department
Bon Secour Volunteer Fire Department
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department
Elberta Volunteer Fire Department
Elsanor Volunteer Fire Department
Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department
Fish River/Marlow Volunteer Fire Department
Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department
Gateswood Volunteer Fire Department
Huggers Landing-Oyster Bay Volunteer Fire Department
Josephine Volunteer Fire Department
Lillian Volunteer Fire Department
Little River Volunteer Fire Department
Lottie Volunteer Fire Department
Loxley Volunteer Fire Department
Magnolia Springs Volunteer Fire Department
Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department
Perdido Volunteer Fire Department
Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department
Rabun Volunteer Fire Department
Rosinton Volunteer Fire Department
Seminole Volunteer Fire Department
Silverhill Volunteer Fire Department
Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department
Stockton Volunteer Fire Department
Styx River Volunteer Fire Department
Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department
Tensaw Volunteer Fire Department
White House Fork Volunteer Fire Department
Daphne Volunteer Search and Rescue
North Baldwin Sheriff’s Search and Rescue
Southern Star Search and Rescue
2) Authorize the Chairman to execute the agreements and any related documents.
These Agreements supersede and make null and void the previous Agreements approved by the Commission on September 5, 2023, and shall be effective and commence immediately upon the same date as full execution, and the same shall terminate upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) months or upon a written notification thereof received by either party within the required thirty (30) day period.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: These agreements will replace existing agreements with County Volunteer Fire Departments and Search and Rescue Squads that are set to expire on September 5, 2026. (Note that seven (7) fire departments are considered either all career or combination departments and are not included with these agreements since they seek reimbursement under their municipalities.) Pursuant to applicable federal requirements and/or other rules or regulations, the agreements allow for the volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads to qualify for reimbursement under Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines when applicable and when they are utilized during a disaster. Any prior agreements will be superseded by a new agreement, respectively.
Previous Commission action/date: 09/05/2023 - Approved Disaster Assistance Agreements for Volunteer Services, during and after emergencies affecting the County of Baldwin, Alabama.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
No
Reviewed/approved by: No review was completed as this agreement is renewed as is from the previous agreement (AJT)
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: Current agreements expire September 2026.
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Administration obtain Chairman’s signature on all Agreements. Retain one (1) original for files, and mail one (1) copy of agreements to individual VFDs and SAR departments; email one (1) copy to the following BCEMA staff:
cc: Amanda Thweatt and Danon Smith
Additional instructions/notes: Admin - Please see attached list for mailing addresses for each department for correspondence; terminate previous agreements and upload the new agreements to the portal