REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 11, 2014
FROM: KERRI L. DONIS, Fire Chief
Fire Department
BY: CHERYL CARLSON, Management Analyst III
Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to grant funding from the FY 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
1. RESOLUTION - Authorizing the application for and acceptance of FY 2013 Cycle U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant and authorizing completion of required documents
2. *RESOLUTION - 15th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2014-95 appropriating $374,600 to the Fire Department for replacement of personal protective equipment (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of $374,600 in FY 2013 Cycle Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program funding, authorize the Fire Chief to execute all required documents, and adopt the 15th Amendment to the AAR No. 2014-95 to appropriate these funds into the FY 2015 Fire Department budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department participated in the FY 2013 Cycle Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program process with other public safety agencies and was awarded grant funding for the replacement of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of turnout coats and pants that are worn or beyond their useful life. This grant will provide $337,095 in federal funds with a 10 percent matching requirement by the City of $37,455, for a total of $374,550. The adopted resolutions will enable the Fire Department to process the grant and receive payment of the grant funds.
BACKGROUND
The FY 2013 Cycle Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office. The Fire Department participated in the grant application process along with other public safety agencies, and in July was notified that it had been awarded $337,095 in federal funding towards the replacement of PPE that is worn or beyond its useful life. The Fire Department is mandated to provide two pairs of turnout PPE to each member. This provides firefighters with a backup set should one set become soiled, torn or be otherwise unsafe to wear. Per NFPA and OSHA standards, PPE must be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. Once a set of PPE is soiled, the garment loses its ability to dissipate heat which leads to an increased risk of being burned by the hot water vapor being produced, and increases the risk of heart attack and heat related injuries preventing firefighters from performing their jobs safely.
In 2011, the Fire Department conducted a survey of turnouts to assess the condition and identify the "in-service" date of each set. At that time, the Fire Department had 227 sets prioritized for replacement as they were seven to ten or more years old, or worn to a degree that repairs were no longer cost effective. The Fire Department has been systematically working to provide members with two new sets of turnouts utilizing grant funding to the extent possible. The Fire Department was able to replace over 100 sets utilizing 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant funding and another 60 sets were replaced with State Homeland Security Grant Program funding. The FY 2015 Adopted Budget included $100,000 in the General Fund for the purchase of an additional 60 replacement sets. The federal funds of $337,095 plus the required 10 percent match of $37,455 will purchase over 220 sets leaving approximately 185 sets remaining for future replacement. Funding will be requested in future budgets for those replacements where grant funding is not identified. The Fire Department will transfer $37,500 from the General Fund to the DHS Grant Program Fund 22059 for the 10 percent grant match.
An adopted City Council Resolution is required to enable the Fire Department to process the grant, to allow the Fire Chief to sign all required grant documents, and to receive payment of the grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a "project" and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because a resolution to accept a grant and an AAR do not include a bid or a contract for construction project or services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Existing FY 2015 appropriations in the amount of $37,500 will be transferred from the General Fund to the grant fund for the 10 percent match and $337,100 in federal grant funding will be appropriated and fully reimbursed.
Attachments:
Resolution - Authorizing Acceptance of FY 2013 AFG Grant
Resolution - 15th Amendment to AAR 2014-95