HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12i - Foothill Air Support Team Annual (FAST) JPA Cost
DATE: October 15, 2019
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Robert Guthrie, Chief of Police
By: Dr. Jennifer Brutus, Sr. Management Analyst
SUBJECT: FOOTHILL AIR SUPPORT TEAM (“FAST”) ANNUAL JPA COST IN THE
AMOUNT OF $67,780
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Arcadia Police Department has participated in an open-ended Joint Powers
Authority Agreement for participation in the Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”) for the
past 20 years. Every year, the City and other partner agencies benefit from this law
enforcement helicopter program. It is recommended that the City Council approve the
annual FAST JPA cost for participation in the Foothill Air Support Team for the period of
July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, in the amount of $67,780. Funds for Fiscal Year
2019-20 have been allocated in the Operating Budget under contract services.
BACKGROUND
The Foothill Air Support Team, otherwise known as FAST, was developed in 1999 after
several local cities expressed an interest in airborne law enforcement. As a result, a
JPA was established in July 2000, which included the Cities of Monrovia, Arcadia,
Azusa, Covina, Pasadena, and West Covina. These agencies chose to form a joint
helicopter patrol operation that could lessen the costs for each agency, enhance their
ability to deter criminal activity, and apprehend offenders.
Over the years, the FAST program has evolved and proven to be very successful. The
JPA now includes eleven partner Cities, including: Alhambra, Arcadia, Covina,
Glendora, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Pomona, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and
South Pasadena. Pasadena PD is the coordinator and fiduciary of the program. In
addition, Pasadena PD provides the helicopters and pilots.
The FAST JPA is administered by a Board of Governors, and day-to-day oversight is
provided by an Executive Committee comprised of Police Chiefs from partner cities. The
current Board President is the Irwindale Police Chief, Ty Henshaw.
Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”)
October 15, 2019
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In order to participate in this partnership, each agency is required to provide a qualified
and motivated police officer to perform the role of Tactical Flight Officer (“TFO”) twice a
month. Following a rigorous six to eight week initial training program, the TFOs work
alongside a Pasadena Pilot to serve the FAST cities. The TFO monitors radio calls
within the FAST cities and makes a determination whether to respond with the police
helicopter. The team also attends one monthly training day.
When it is determined that an airborne response would be beneficial, the FAST flight
crew responds and provides an aerial platform. This platform provides a tremendous
level of intelligence, direction, and coordination to the officers on the ground. When not
responding to calls for service, the crew will constantly search out criminal activity
and/or monitor problem locations.
The FAST helicopter has been upgraded to include a Video Downlink System. This
allows a live feed of an aerial view for ground units. Night Vision Goggles along with the
Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system are an extension of the helicopter’s ability to
help fight crime at night. FLIRs are thermal imaging and can detect body heat at night,
while Night Vision Goggles allow the TFO to see in low light conditions. For Fiscal Year
2019-20, FAST is pursuing additional technology upgrades including new monitors,
enhanced cameras systems, advanced surveillance/broadcast systems, and cooling
systems.
For Fiscal Year 2018-19, FAST responded to 1,493 calls for service during Friday and
Saturday dedicated night shifts. This resulted in 327.5 flight time hours, of which 134
were on-scene hours (41%). This night work contributed to 53 arrests and the helicopter
was the first on-scene in 247 incidents. The FAST team also completed 1,396 calls for
service during non-dedicated shifts, which amounted to 217 flight hours during the day
and night.
DISCUSSION
The FAST Board adopted an annual budget of $393,769 for Fiscal Year 2019-20. The
budget comprises annual flight costs for dedicated and non-dedicated flights, flight crew
costs, the City of Pasadena administrative fees, the JPA’s liability insurance policy, and
fleet replacement funds. Arcadia’s portion for Fiscal Year 2018-19 was $60,997 and it
will increase to $67,780 for FY 2019-20, which is an 11% increase due to various
increases in operational costs.
Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”)
October 15, 2019
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Foothill Air Support Team (FAST)
Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget for Partner Cities
Alhambra PD $ 98,440
Arcadia PD $ 67,780
Covina PD $ 55,865
Glendora PD $ 60,456
Irwindale PD $ 10,577
Monrovia PD $ 42,722
San Marino PD $ 15,363
Sierra Madre PD $ 12,724
South Pasadena PD $ 29,842
Total $ 393,769
The helicopter used in the program is owned and maintained by Pasadena PD and
contracted to the JPA. Pomona PD does not participate in the regular population-based
pricing plan that is required of the other FAST agencies. Instead, Pomona provides one
day of coverage to FAST cities and, in exchange, FAST provides one day of coverage
to Pomona.
The costs being proposed are reasonable and the service provided by the JPA is highly
valuable to police operations. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council
approve the annual FAST JPA cost for participation in the Foothill Air Support Team for
FY 2019-20, in the amount of $67,780.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the
environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s obligation to participate in FAST for FY 2019-20 is $67,780. This amount has
been budgeted in the City’s Operating Budget. The FAST Board of Directors will provide
ample notice of the next year’s costs during the City’s normal budget preparation season.
Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”)
October 15, 2019
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Foothill Air Support Team (“FAST”)
annual JPA cost in the amount of $67,780.
Attachments: Copy of Original 2000 FAST JPA and 2011 Amendment