Northport To Consider Entering State Mutual Aid Agreement For Fire Department

NORTHPORT, AL — Northport leaders on Monday will consider entering the city's fire department into the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs (AAFC) Mutual Aid Consortium Agreement, which aims to streamline the process of providing and receiving emergency equipment, personnel and services to other areas in times of unexpected crisis.

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The Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs first drafted the agreement, according to Marvin Green — the association's president and fire chief for the city of Vestavia Hills. Cities around Alabama are still in the process of adopting the measure, with Northport being the latest to consider joining.

Mutual aid agreements come in many forms, but primarily allow state and local governments to assist each other across jurisdictional lines. The lines of communication are improved and resources are catalogued, all with the goal of swiftly addressing moments of crisis.

"The agreement not only helps streamline the mutual aid assistance request process, it also categorizes resource types, equipment and personnel that departments have available to offer if/when needed across jurisdiction lines," Northport Fire Chief Bart Marshall told Patch on Friday. "Even better is that it should expedite the process of getting the 'proper' help to those in need. The Alabama Fire College will manage the data, file agreements and serve as a contact point for activation."

If approved, the mutual aid agreement will look as follows:

• It does not create a duty or responsibility that a fire department must provide aid if requested.
• Fire chiefs in each jurisdiction will have sole authority when determining if an event or incident meets the parameters of an emergency that requires outside assistance. These events could include those like the June 19, 2021 flooding event in Northport that resulted in swift water rescues and numerous homes being damaged.
• Fire chiefs will be required to notify other participating agencies what resources are available for assistance if requested.
• The rules and procedures for the mutual aid agreement, as Green has noted, have not been fully formed and will be determined by directors appointed from each AAFC region.
• An Incident Command System will be installed for any event where Mutual Aid is requested, in an effort to expedite communication and the movement of resources.
• While departments may provide aid in the form of resources and personnel, any aid provided will remain under the direction of the fire chief requesting it.
• Participating cities are allowed to terminate the Mutual Aid Agreement so long as a 30-day notice is provided by city officials to the AAFC.

The Northport City Council's next regular meeting is set for Monday, March 21.

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