Resolution 2024-33393 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33393
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION AND MIAMI BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT ("MBFD") TO
PARTICIPATE IN ANY MISSION OR PROGRAM FOR VOLUNTARY
DEPLOYMENT OF THE CITY'S FIREFIGHTERS OR PARAMEDICS TO
RETURN TO ISRAEL TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES; AND
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO (1) ACCEPT
DONATIONS OF FUNDS AND IN-KIND SERVICES TO PAY FOR THE
MISSION AND (2) ALLOW THE MBFD TO TREAT PERSONNEL WHO
VOLUNTEER FOR, AND ULTIMATELY SERVE IN, ISRAEL, AS ON-DUTY
MBFD EMPLOYEES, TO ENSURE THAT ANY POTENTIAL INCIDENTS
INVOLVING MBFD PERSONNEL WHILE ON THIS MISSION WOULD RESULT
IN THE SAME BENEFITS TO THE PERSONNEL AND/OR THEIR
BENEFICIARIES AS IF THEY WERE RESPONDING TO AN ON-DUTY
EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by terrorist organization Hamas
targeted the people of Israel on Shabbat and during the Jewish Holidays, resulting in the loss of
approximately 1,200 lives and 250 individuals taken as hostages; and
WHEREAS, presently, over one (1) year later, the war continues on and has proven to
be the most significant military engagement for Israel in the region since the Yom Kippur War in
1973; and
WHEREAS, the City condemns all acts of terrorism and violence targeting innocent
civilians, and acknowledges the resilience and courage of the people of Israel in the face of
these threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian proxies; and
WHEREAS, South Florida, and the City of Miami Beach are home to a sizeable Jewish
population, and in 2013, the City became Sister Cities with Nahariya and Ramat Gan, Israel,
and
WHEREAS, the City and Israel have developed strong ties with Israel through cultural,
economic, educational, and diplomatic exchanges that have mutually benefited both
communities; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2023-32832, which was unanimously adopted
by the Mayor and City Commission, the City previously deployed eight (8) volunteer Miami
Beach Fire Department ("MBFD") personnel to provide emergency services in Israel; and
WHEREAS, MBFD routinely deploys personnel to assist other jurisdictions with
emergency services, whether it is in the context of hurricane disaster recovery efforts or
humanitarian relief, such as a prior mission undertaken in Haiti following a devastating
earthquake; and
WHEREAS, the City's Fire Department is seeking to again deploy MBFD personnel, on
a voluntary basis, to provide aid and assistance in Israel; and
WHEREAS, the deployment of MBFD personnel to Israel will be privately funded, with
the timing of deployment to be determined once all necessary arrangements have been
finalized; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission find that the foregoing serves a municipal
purpose in view of the City's long-standing commitment to peace, and humanitarian principles
by helping the innocent victims of violence and contributing to the reconstruction and recovery
of affected communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach, Florida, that the Mayor and the City hereby approve and authorize the Administration
and Miami Beach Fire Department ("MBFD") to participate in any mission or program for
voluntary deployment of the City's firefighters or paramedics to return to Israel to provide
emergency services; and further authorize the City Manager to (1) accept donations of funds
and in-kind services to pay for the mission and (2) allow the MBFD to treat personnel who
volunteer for, and ultimately serve in, Israel, as on-duty MBFD employees, to ensure that any
potential incidents involving MBFD personnel while on this mission would result in the same
benefits to the personnel and/or their beneficiaries as if they were responding to an on-duty
emergency assignment in the City of Miami Beach. '
PASSED and ADOPTED this do day of dl/,lyieet7 , 2024.
ATTEST:
NOV7\61 /
2 2 202 S"even Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
&fO ELUTION
iIN(OF ,0RATEO,
City Attorney A^W. Date
2
Resolutions - C7 AP
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Mayor Steven Meiner
DATE: November 20, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION AND MIAMI BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT ("MBFD") TO
PARTICIPATE IN ANY MISSION OR PROGRAM FOR VOLUNTARY
DEPLOYMENT OF THE CITY'S FIREFIGHTERS OR PARAMEDICS TO RETURN
TO ISRAEL TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES; AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO (1) ACCEPT DONATIONS OF FUNDS
AND IN-KIND SERVICES TO PAY FOR THE MISSION AND (2)ALLOW THE MBFD
TO TREAT PERSONNEL WHO VOLUNTEER FOR, AND ULTIMATELY SERVE IN,
ISRAEL, AS ON-DUTY MBFD EMPLOYEES, TO ENSURE THAT ANY POTENTIAL
INCIDENTS INVOLVING MBFD PERSONNEL WHILE ON THIS MISSION WOULD
RESULT IN THE SAME BENEFITS TO THE PERSONNEL AND/OR THEIR
BENEFICIARIES AS IF THEY WERE RESPONDING TO AN ON-DUTY
EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Mayor Steven Meiner_
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices!
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page 546 of 1993
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Project?
No No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Deploy MBFD Firefighters to Aid Israel. (Meiner) CA
Page 547 of 1993