HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5h. Authorization to apply for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Item 5h
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8502
For Agenda of: 8/15/2023
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief
Prepared By: Nicole Vert, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT (AFG)
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Fire Department to submit a grant application to the Federal Assistance
to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program in the amount of $98,845.45 to send two EMT
firefighters through certified paramedic training; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the grant documents and
approve the budget changes necessary to appropriate the grant amount upon
notification that the grant has been awarded.
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.
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 contributing to the fiscal sustainability of the City. A recent grant
opportunity was identified, which is in line with these goals and addresses a current need
for the City: the Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 AFG Program. The (FY) 2022 grant
applications open 2023.
Background
The Federal FY 2022 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) focuses on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with
respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The AFG Program accomplishes this goal by
Page 207 of 261
Item 5h
providing direct financial assistance 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.
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 2022, Congress appropriated
$360,000,000 in funding for AFG and is projecting to award grants to 2,500 applicants.
The objectives of the AFG program are 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 2022, the Fire Department responded to more than 7,100 calls, 65% of
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 two EMT Firefighters as Paramedics at the City’s local community
college. Of the 47 allocated firefighter positions, the Department has 24 allocated
Paramedic positions. Currently, the city staffs 47 firefighters, 22 of which are Paramedics.
Of those 22, two are on long term injury related leave leaving only 20 avail able for field
assignment. 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 from medical emergencies
while on duty.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
On August 18, 2020, the City Council authorized the fire department to apply for an AFG
Program to send two firefighters to paramedic school and authorized the City Manager,
or designee, to execute the grant documents and approve the budget changes necessary
upon notification that the grant had been awarded.
On March 15, 2022, the City Council authorized the fire department to apply for an AFG
Program to purchase Urban Search & Rescue equipment and authorized the City
Manager, or designee, to execute the grant documents and approve the budget changes
necessary upon notification that the grant had been awarded.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the August 15, 2023, City Council meeting and will follow
all required postings and notifications. The public will have an opportunity to comment on
this item at or before the meeting.
Page 208 of 261
Item 5h
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. If the work associated with the grant funding requires environmental review,
staff will not proceed with the project until a review has been completed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2023-24
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $ $9,884.55 $ $
State
Federal $98,845.45 $98,845.45
Fees
Other:
Total $98,845.45 $108,730.00 $ $
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 $108,730.00 and if fully funded would require a match from the city of
$9,884.55. The Fire Department can absorb this match re quirement within the existing
appropriated operating budget for FY 2023-24.
The Fire Department anticipates the cost of sending two firefighters to paramedic school
to be $108,730. Education costs will total $14,331.90, that includes books, tuition and
other expenses. The remainder of the funds will be to cover backfill and overtime while
the firefighters are in class.
The two firefighters who receive the training will be eligible for paramedic incentive pay
once certified. The Department has already rec eived authorization to fund a total of 24
paramedic positions, two of which are currently on long term work-related injury leaves.
The Department anticipates the leaves will lead to retirement creating available funds for
the incentive pay for the new paramedics once they are eligible.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies . This is not recommended
as fire service grant opportunities are limited and the grant funds would only serve to
enhance the City’s safety and resilience while increasing fiscal sustainability for the City.
Page 209 of 261
Page 210 of 261