Resolution 2023-32831 RESOLUTION NO, 2023-32831
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
PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES IN ISRAEL; AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO (1) EXPEND FUNDS TO
FACILITATE RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF THE MBFD MISSION TO ISRAEL; (2)
SEEK AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OR APPROPRIATIONS OF FUNDS AND
IN-KIND SERVICES TO PAY FOR THE MISSION AND/OR TO REIMBURSE
THE CITY FOR FUNDS EXPENDED; (3) 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, October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by terrorist organization Hamas have
targeted the people of Israel on Shabbat and during the Jewish holy days, resulting in the loss
of innocent lives; 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; 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, the City's Fire Department is exploring options to deploy volunteers to Israel
comprised of Miami. Beach Fire Department ("MBFD") personnel, either through an non-
government organization, or other mechanism, to "backfill" firefighting/paramedic positions in
Israel that have been made vacant due to the deployment of the Israeli staff to military service
relating to the Israeli war with Hamas, or to provide other services as needed; 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 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; and
WHEREAS, as follows, the Mayor and City Commission wish to 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 provide emergency
services in Israel; and further authorize the City Manager to (1) expend funds to facilitate rapid
deployment of the MBFD mission to Israel; (2) seek and accept donations or appropriations of
funds and in-kind services to pay for the mission and/or to reimburse the City for funds
expended; (3) 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.
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 provide emergency services in
Israel; and further authorize the City Manager to (1) expend funds to facilitate rapid deployment
of the MBFD mission to Israel; (2) seek and accept donations or appropriations of funds and in-
kind services to pay for the mission and/or to reimburse the City for funds expended; (3) 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 18th day of October 2023.
ATTEST:
•
Mayor
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Rafael E. G nado, City Clerk
(sponsored by Mayor Dan Gelber) r a�,N
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1. I : APPROVED AS TO
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FORM & LANGUAGE
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City Attorney a/ Date
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10/20/23,10:23AM Item Coversheet
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New Business and Commission Requests-R9 Al
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez •
DATE: October 18,2023
. SUBJECT: DISCUSS/TAKE ACTION - PREPARE AND PUBLISH ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND OTHER
INFORMATIONAL CHANNELS AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH'S
SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WITH THE LETTER TO BE SIGNED BY EACH MEMBER OF THE
CITY COMMISSION AND TO SPECIFICALLY ENCOURAGE OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO ADOPT SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT, AND TO
CONTRIBUTE FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN AID RELIEF EFFORTS IN ISRAEL.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
In light of the recent heinous attacks on the people of Israel by terrorist group Hamas, I would like to prepare and remit an open
letter,signed by each member of the City Commission,to express the City of Miami Beach's unwavering support and solidarity with
the Jewish community worldwide and the people of Israel.The letter would urge other local governments in Miami-Dade County to
adopt similar expressions of support,and to contribute funding for humanitarian relief efforts in Israel.
A copy of the letter would be published on the City's website and other informational channels, and transmitted by the City Clerk to
Israel's ambassador to the U.S., and the Consulate General of Israel to Florida in Miami.
While the recent acts of terrorism were inflicted on the people of Israel, the pain and suffering associated with this tragic event has
been felt throughout the world. As public servants and representatives of our great City, I want to transmit our City's steadfast
support and admiration for the tremendous resilience and determination displayed by the Jewish people throughout history, and
continuing to this day.
By coming together and advocating for peace, understanding, and shared values, we can help build a more inclusive and
harmonious world.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a"Residents Right to Does this item utilize G.O.
Know"item,_pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes No
Strategic Connection
Non-Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
https://miamibeach.novusagenda.com/AgendaWeb/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=32746 1/1