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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 - Authorization to apply for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant & CA Fire Foundation Safety & Preparedness Grant Department Name: Fire Cost Center: 8502 For Agenda of: August 18, 2020 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Keith Aggson, Fire Chief Prepared By: James Blattler, Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT (AFG) AND THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION WILDFIRE SAFETY & PREPAREDNESS GRANT RECOMMENDATION 1. Authorize the Fire Department to apply for a grant to the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program for the amount of $137,510 to send two EMT firefighters through certified paramedic training; and 2. Authorize the Fire Department to apply for a grant to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Grant Program for the amount of $14,953.52 to purchase Personal Protective Equipment coats for wildland firefighting; and 3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the grant documents and approve the budget changes necessary to appropriate the grant amount upon notification that t he grant has been awarded. DISCUSSION State, federal, and non-profit grants are occasionally offered to assist local governments with the financial impacts associated with daily operations and/or mandated programs. The Fire Department actively seeks out these opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of the Department while increasing fiscal sustainability for the City. Two grant opportunities were identified, which are in line with these goals and current needs for the Fire Department : the Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 AFG Program and the California Fire Foundation’s Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Program. Background Assistance to Firefighters Grant The Federal FY 2019 AFG Program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire - related hazards. The AFG Program accomplishes this goal by providing direct financial assist ance to eligible fire departments for critical training and equipment. The AFG Program represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS. Item 10 Packet Page 131 Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the AFG Program supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience. For federal FY 2019, Congress appropriated $315,000,000 in funding for AFG and is projecting to award grants to 2,500 applicants. The objectives of the AFG program is to provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. In calendar year 2019, the Department responded to more than 6,100 calls, 63% oh which were medical related. Advanced Life Support (ALS) is the highest level of pre-hospital emergency medical services that the Department is authorized to provide and is utilized during the majority of EMS incidents. The Department is currently understaffed with paramedics and does not have the funding for tuition, overtime, and travel costs needed to train EMT Firefighters to the level of Paramedic. If awarded, the AFG will allow the Department to train 2 EMT Firefighters as Paramedics at the City’s local community college. Of the 45 allocated firefighter positions, the Department has 24 allocated Paramedic positions. Currently, the overall Department staffs 42 firefighters, 19 of which are Paramedics. An increase in paramedics will not only help maintain the level of available pre-hospital care, but will also assist with the strain put on current paramedic staff and can improve the level of care available to staff members suffering medical emergencies while on duty. The Department has been unsuccessful in filling paramedic vacancies over the past four years and does not believe further recruitments will result in the successful hiring of paramedics due to the current Memorandum of Agreement with the Firefighters, Local 3523, which limits the Department’s ability to conduct a paramedic only recruitment, or rate paramedic-firefighter candidates higher than EMT-firefighter candidates. Fire Foundation Safety Grant Created in 1987, the California Fire Foundation (CFF), a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, provides public safety prevention education initiatives, emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. CFF’s mandate includes an array of programs that honor fallen firefighters and provide survivor and victim assistance, as well as public safety education initiatives aimed at preventing injuries and death from preventable safety hazards. Even without the coronavirus outbreak, as weather heats up across California and increases wildfire risk, our state is bracing for a long, hot summer due to the record drought. COVID-19 could make this fire season much worse. Programs or projects that focus on supporting wildfire prevention or relief efforts, which are aimed at protecting and enhancing the public’s safety and/or the safety of California’s firefighters and other first responders, including those that involve Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), are prioritized in this program. Adequate PPE is essential in allowing the Fire Department personnel to directly and aggressively fight wildland fires and protect homes and the community. Additionally, the grant will give the Department a strong message to the community that wildfire preparedness is a top priority. As part of the grant project, staff will promote the CFF’s grant to help encourage community wildfire preparedness. Item 10 Packet Page 132 The grant will request funding for the purchase of new coats for wildland firefighting to help maintain adequate PPE levels for all emergency response personnel. Policy Context The recommended actions are consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Financial Management Manual, Section 740 - Grant Management Policy. The policy states that Council will approve all grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and contract execution to the City Manager. Public Engagement This item is on the agenda for the August 18, 2020 City Council meeting and will follow all required postings and notifications. The public may have an opportunity to comment on this item at or before the meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2020-21 Funding Identified: Yes Fiscal Analysis: AFG Program (Paramedic Training) Funding Sources Current FY Cost Annualized On-going Cost Total Project Cost General Fund $12,501 $0 $12,501 State $0 $0 $0 Federal $129,009 $0 $129,009 Fees $0 $0 $0 Other: $0 $0 $0 Total $137,510 $0 $137,510 If the Fire Department were to receive funding from the AFG Program, the City would have to match the Federal grant funds equal to 10% of the total project cost. The total grant request is $137,510, and if fully funded would require a match from the City of $12,501. The Fire Department plans to pursue potential available carryover monies from FY 2019-20 operating budgetary savings to fund the match requirement and any additional project costs. If carryover is unavailable or the request is turned down, the Department will absorb the costs with the approved 2020-21 supplemental budget. The two firefighters who receive the training will be eligible for paramedic incentive pay once certified. The Department has already received authorization to fund a total of 24 paramedic positions. The increase in pay will be considered when budgeting the 2021-23 City Financial Plan, which is the earliest the employees would qualify for the incentive pay. Item 10 Packet Page 133 Fiscal Analysis: Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Program (Personal Protective Equipment) Funding Sources Current FY Cost Annualized On-going Cost Total Project Cost General Fund $0 $0 $0 State $0 $0 $0 Federal $0 $0 $0 Fees $0 $0 $0 Other: $14,954 $0 $14,954 Total $14,954 $0 $14,954 The California Fire Foundation Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Grant Program does not require any City matching funds. If both grants are awarded, the Fire Department could utilize funding appropriated for wildland PPE to assist with the 10% matching requirement associated with the AFG Program. For FY 21 the Fire Department has $1,000 appropriated for wildland PPE. ALTERNATIVE The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies or only pursue grants without matching fund requirements. This is not recommended as fire service grant opportunities are limited and the grant funds would only serve to enhance the effectiveness of the Fire Department while increasing fiscal sustainability for the City. Item 10 Packet Page 134