HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6i. Application for Regional Crash Response and Extrication Improvement Grant Program through CA Office of Traffic Safety Item 6i
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8502
For Agenda of: 4/2/2024
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief
Prepared By: Nicole Vert, Business Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR REGIONAL
CRASH RESPONSE AND EXTRICATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT
PROGRAM THROUGH CALIFORNIA’S OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Fire Department to apply for funding under California’s Office of Traffic
Safety grant program to purchase modern extrication equipment ; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or Fire Chief as 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 awarde d.
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 delegate receipt and
contract execution to the City Manager.
The work conducted under the grant is in line with the City’s Major City Goal of Climate
Action, Open Space, and Sustainable Transportation by proactively addressing the
climate crisis through replacing diesel powered equipment with clean running electric
extrication tools (e-draulic).
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. A recent grant
opportunity was identified, which is in line with these goals and addresses a current need
for the city: the Regional Crash Response and Extrication Improvement Grant Program
through the California Office of Traffic Safety.
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Item 6i
Staff recommends seeking $169,354.00 in grant funding to purchase four sets of e -draulic
extrication tools for the department, allowing for each front -line apparatus to have an
updated modern set.
The e-draulic equipment is more powerful in all aspects, including cutting and spreading
forces. Newer vehicles are becoming increasingly more difficult to cut through as new
technology is being integrated and the stronger tools can reach victims qu ickly. The new
tools are smaller and lighter with fewer pieces than the conventional internal combustion
powered hydraulic tools currently in use. The new e-draulic extrication tool allows for
quicker response to crash victims, especially those that are fa r off the roadway, such as
on Cuesta Grade, where firefighters must rappel down to victims with the equipment . The
requested equipment also aligns with the City’s Major City Goal of carbon neutrality by
2035 through reduction of the use of internal combustion engines (for the hydraulic power
heads) in favor of the electric powered e-draulic extrication equipment.
Background
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grants program is funded by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The OTS awards more that $100 million
annually in innovative, evidence-based education and enforcement programs and
technologies designed to improve road safety. The OTS evaluates all potential programs
to make sure California addresses current and future traffic safety needs.
The OTS has identified ten priority areas of concentration for grant funding, one being
Emergency Medical Services program. Providing timely care to crash victims is critical to
reducing deaths and the severity of injuries. The program’s goals include decreasing the
average extrication time, from the time of arrival at the crash site to transport. Funded
activities include replacing extrication tools for fire departments to meet the above goal.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the April 2, 2024, 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.
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
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Item 6i
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $ $ 169,354.00 $ $0
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $ $169,354.00 $ $0
The Office of Traffic Safety grant program does not require a match. The department
currently owns extrication tools that range in age from 13 to 20 years old and already
require ongoing maintenance that is budgeted. The replacement tools will not increase
the departments ongoing budget.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could decide not to pursue the grant funding. 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.
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