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APPROVE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF STOCKTON AND THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FOR SUBSURFACE SEARCH AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Stockton and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) regarding the transfer of underwater search and recovery responsibilities (Attachment A);
2. Approve the donation of the Stockton Fire Department’s SCUBA equipment and associated trailer, as listed in Attachment B - Exhibit A of the MOU, to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office; and
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the MOU and any related documents.
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Summary
The Stockton Fire Department (SFD) has historically, although not currently, maintained limited underwater search and recovery capabilities, though not required by law. To enhance operational efficiency and ensure continuous availability of qualified dive rescue services, the City negotiated an MOU with SJCSO. Under the MOU, SJCSO will assume responsibility for all subsurface search and recovery operations within waterways under the jurisdiction of the City of Stockton. The City will transfer ownership of SCUBA equipment and a related trailer to SJCSO to support these operations.
This agreement improves public safety outcomes, eliminates the City’s ongoing equipment obligations, and formalizes a coordinated approach to waterway emergency response.
DISCUSSION
Background
For many years, SFD maintained dive equipment and performed limited underwater search and recovery when needed. However, SFD currently does not maintain a certified dive rescue team, and the cost and training requirements to do so are significant. Meanwhile, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team possesses the necessary training, personnel, equipment, and experience to provide professional underwater search, recovery, and rescue operations.
Both agencies recognize the importance of coordinated responses in waterway emergencies. To improve service levels and reduce duplicative efforts, both the City and SJCSO collaborated on developing the attached MOU, which establishes clear responsibilities and facilitates equipment transfer.
Present Situation
Under the proposed MOU:
• SJCSO will assume full responsibility for all subsurface search and recovery operations within waterways under City jurisdiction, maintaining operational capability 24/7.
• The City will transfer ownership of the Stockton Fire Department’s SCUBA equipment and trailer, as identified in Exhibit A.
• SJCSO will assume all costs for maintenance, repair, operation, storage, and insurance of the equipment.
• Equipment is transferred as-is, where-is, with SJCSO responsible for all inspection, testing, and certification before use.
• The parties will continue joint training initiatives for coordinated emergency response.
• Either party may terminate the MOU with 12 months written notice, though transferred equipment remains SJCSO’s property.
This agreement modernizes the City’s operational posture, ensures uninterrupted underwater search and recovery services, and eliminates the City’s need to fund costly dive-team training, certification, and equipment maintenance.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no fiscal impact to the City beyond the value of the equipment being transferred to SJCSO.
• The equipment is no longer needed for City operations and is considered surplus.
• SJCSO will bear all future costs associated with storage, maintenance, certification, repair, and deployment of the equipment.
There are no ongoing operational, financial, or liability obligations to the City resulting from this transfer.
Attachment A - Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Stockton and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
Attachment B - Exhibit A - Water Rescue Inventory (Equipment Transfer List)