Report Prepared by: Casey Wilson, Interim Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Submit a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) with an Estimated Total Project Cost of $1,000,000 for the Purchase of Live Fire Training Props to Complete Phase 2 of the Hawk Fire Training Facility
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers authorizing the submittal of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) with an estimated total project cost of $1,000,000 for the purchase of live fire training props to complete phase 2 of the Hawk Fire Training Facility.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing the submittal of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) with an estimated total project cost of $1,000,000 for the purchase of live fire training props to complete phase 2 of the Hawk Fire Training Facility.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve with modifications; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
4. Continue to a future Council meeting; or,
5. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
Charter of the City of Merced, Article IV, Section 405
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public safety as provided by the City Council goals and priorities.
DISCUSSION
Congress created the AFG grant programs to help address the significant staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of fire departments. AFG grants fund equipment, training and other fire department needs. AFG grant program helps ensure that fire departments have the necessary training, equipment, and staffing to respond to emergency calls annually and to continue to reduce community risk.
The Fire Department is seeking authorization to submit a grant application in the estimated amount of $900,000 with an estimated local match requirement of $100,000.
|
Grant Name |
Performance Period (Months) |
Estimated Total Project Cost ($) |
Local Match Requirement (%) |
Estimated Local Share ($) |
Estimated FEMA Grant Reimbursement ($) |
|
AFG |
24 |
$1,000,000 |
10% |
$ 100,000 |
$ 900,000 |
AFG Purpose
The primary goal of Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting emergency response needs of fire departments by helping firefighters obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
The Merced Fire Department proposes to purchase live fire training props to complete phase 2 of the Hawk Fire Training Center. The live fire training props would include a flashover chamber, interior attack prop, backdraft prop, garage fire prop, and hotel/motel interior hallway fire training prop.
Hawk Training Center Background
MFD has been exceeding record-setting call volumes year after year and there is no projected slowdown. MFD has outgrown the current facility at 99 E. 16th St. (Fire Station 51). As the fire department continues to grow with the additions of stations, apparatus, and members, the existing space needed to adequately train the membership will not suffice. Additionally, MFD has developed valuable partnerships with Merced College, Merced Union High School District (MUHSD), and Merced City School District (MCSD) where MFD members will train future leaders while diversifying the workforce. MFD understands that they will not be able to recruit quality recruits without investing in the local workforce.
Since the school partnerships were formed, the largest obstacle to overcome was the funding component to plan and build the infrastructure for the Hawk Regional Training Center located at the Merced Airport Industrial Park.
In 2023 Senator Anna Caballero, representing Senate District 14, advocated for funding through the state budget process to advocate for having $3 million being awarded to the City of Merced for capital costs for the development of the Regional Training Center’s Phase 1. Phase 1 includes the design, utility infrastructure, constructing classrooms, restrooms, parking and building a training tower. The design phase is nearing completion. Three classrooms have been donated and will be placed at the Hawk Training Center once site improvements have been completed.
Phase 2 of the Hawk Training Center would include expanding training opportunities at the site by adding live fire training props. The addition of live fire training props will allow MFD and Merced College students to train in a manner that would meet NFPA and California State Fire Training standards and requirements.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is required at this time. Should the grant be awarded, the fire department will return to Council and request that the grant be accepted.
If grant funding is awarded, a supplemental appropriation of 10% of the project cost ($100,000) will be needed from the unappropriated General Fund, Measure C, or Measure Y fund balance for use as the City of Merced’s local match as required by the grant’s terms and conditions. Additionally, the use of pooled cash to cover the initial outlays of the grant would be required until grant funds are reimbursed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Merced Fire Hawk Training Center Site Plan