HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2012 c3 2012 assistance to fire fighter grant applicationcounci lacEn6a i epoR t
CITY O F S A N L U I S O B I S P O
FROM :
Charlie Hines, Fire Chie f
Prepared By :Julie Cox, Administrative Analys t
SUBJECT :ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT APPLICATION FOR 201 2
RECOMMENDATIO N
1.Authorize staff to submit a grant application for an estimated $47,000 to the Federa l
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to fun d
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for fire suppression personnel .
2.If grant is awarded, authorize the City Manager to accept and appropriate the funds to Fir e
Department Operating Material and Supplies .
DISCUSSIO N
State and federal grants are occasionally offered to assist local governments with the financia l
impacts associated with daily operations and/or mandated programs . The Federal Assistance t o
Firefighters Grant Program is one of these programs . The primary goal of this competitive gran t
program is to. help fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs . In fiscal
year 2012, Congress appropriated $285 .5 million for this grant program, a reduction from $40 4
million in 2011, $390 million in 2010, and $565 million in 2009 .
During the 2012-2013 Financial Plan Supplement process the Fire Department requested a
Significant Operating Program Change (SOPC) for three sets of PPE for $21,300 for new hires i n
the Fire Department . The City Council approved the SOPC on June 19, 2012 with the understandin g
that grant funding would be sought as a first option .
Currently, due to retirements and promotions, the Fire Department has four vacancies, and fou r
additional vacancies are expected by the end of the calendar year 2012 . If that occurs, th e
Department plans on filling five of the positions and protective equipment will need to be purchase d
for each firefighter . Fire's base budget provides for one set of PPE per fiscal year .
The grant request is for six sets of PPE, items include structure firefighting PPE, wildland PPE ,
Emergency Medical Services PPE, self-contained breathing apparatus portable mask with mas k
mounted regulator and station boots .
FISCAL IMPAC T
If grant funding is received from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, a ten percent matc h
($4,700) will be required. The Department would use $4,700 of the $21,300 in SOPC funding t o
meet the match requirement and the remaining SOPC balance of $16,600 would return to th e
General Fund .
A
Meeting Date
08-07-201 2
Item Numbeea 3
ALTERNATIVE S
The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies . This is not recommended as fire servic e
grant opportunities are limited and would require that the SOPC funding be used .
T:\Council Agenda Report\08 .07 .12\ECAR 2012 Assistance Firefighter Grant Request 08 .07 .12