Report Prepared by: Derek Parker, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization for the Fire Department to Submit a Grant Application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2022 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program with a 0% Local Match
REPORT IN BRIEF
Authorizing the Fire Department to submit a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2022 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program with a 0% local match.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2022 SAFER Program with an estimated total project cost of $3,600,000 with FEMA providing 100% of the project cost and the city providing the 0% local match.
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 identified in the FY 22/23 adopted budget and FY 23/24 goals and priorities.
DISCUSSION
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency response (SAFER) Grant Program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
As the City of Merced continues to grow the threat of fire and life-safety have not reduced. The SAFER program provides finding directly to fire departments to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry standards and attain staffing and deployment capabilities, so they may more effectively and safely respond to emergencies.
FY 2022 SAFER Program Factoids:
• $360 Million Available for Funding
• 300 Projected Number of Awards
• 02/15/23 Application Period Opens
• 03/17/23, 5:00 p.m., E.S.T. Grant Application Deadline
• 06/02/23 - 09/30/23 Anticipated Award Dates
• 36 Month Performance Period with a 180-day recruitment period
• 01/01/24 Projected Period of Performance Start Date
• 05/31/27 Projected Period of Performance End Date
• Eligible Activities
o Hiring Activities
• 100% Program Cost
The Fire Department is seeking authorization to submit one grant application for the addition of 24 personnel, 24 firefighters. The fire department will staff a rescue squad and provide additional firefighters on the scene of an emergency. The change will result in the addition of 4-6 personnel to the effective firefighting force on each structure fire bringing the total on scene to 22 which is more inline with NFPA 1710 and 1720 standards.
|
Grant Name |
Performance Period (Months) |
Estimated Total Project Cost ($) |
Local Match Requirement (%) |
|
SAFER |
36 |
$3,600,000.00 |
0% |
Merced Fire Department is dedicated to protecting lives, property, and the environment, as indicated by our mission statement. The limiting factor at many of the structure fires which the fire department responds to is personnel. The increase in personnel will bring safety to the forefront and allow for buildings to be rapidly searched as well as provide advanced life support (ALS) personnel to the scene of the emergency under the auspices of the fire department. ALS personnel on scene remove the need to request valuable ambulances which respond to the community’s medical emergencies.
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 the grant is awarded, a supplemental appropriation will be needed from the unencumbered, unreserved General Fund and/or Measure Y balance for use as the City of Merced’s responsibility in hiring new personnel. Additionally, the use of pooled cash will be required to cover the initial outlays of the grant until the grant funds are reimbursed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FEMA Notice of Funding Opportunity - FY 22 SAFER