Council votes to join Arizona Mutual Aid Compact
At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council voted to join the Arizona Mutual Aid Compact.
The compact is an intrastate agreement that establishes the terms and procedures for participating organizations to lend and receive assistance across jurisdictional boundaries during emergencies or disasters.
The City has priorly joined countywide mutual aid agreements, but the last agreement has expired, and Cochise County has joined this statewide compact along with all other Arizona counties and multiple cities and public safety organizations in Cochise County. The City has historically assisted other agencies in need when requested, but this agreement formalizes procedures for requesting assistance and provides clear guidelines on getting reimbursement. Plus, the compact specifies responsibility for workers’ compensation and coverage and has important legal considerations and protections that it covers.
The compact is for statewide mutual aid, but it does specify that those agencies closest to the emergency will be asked to provide aid first. Although Sierra Vista could be asked to provide assistance to organizations outside the county, it is extremely unlikely.
As with most aid agreements, it is at the providing agency’s discretion to assist if they can and there is no requirement to do so.
In other business:
- Mayor Clea McCaa, Fire Chief Brian Jones, and Police Chief Chris Hiser presented David Escobar with the inaugural Sentinel of Life Commendation, honoring his exceptional courage and selfless action pulling another resident from a burning home.
- Mayor Clea McCaa proclaimed the week of Nov. 10-14 as Veteran-Owned Small Business Week in and for the City of Sierra Vista.
- On behalf of the Economic Development Commission, Mayor Clea McCaa and Tourism and Economic Development Director Tony Boone presented the Business Recognition Award for Veteran-Owned Business of the Year to Semper Fitness Training.
- Council appointed Zachary Plucas, Sr. to the Commission on Disability Issues.
- Council approved up updates to the Code of Ordinances relating to business licenses and solicitors.
