From
Chase Wheeler, Emergency Management Coordinator
Title
Authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept grant award for FY 2015 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) from the Texas Department of Public Safety/Texas Division of Emergency Management. The grant award amount for FY 2015 has not yet been calculated by the State and Federal Government; however $56,129.00 is anticipated. The City of Grand Prairie is at the advanced level of preparedness and is considered an eligible jurisdiction for the Emergency Management Performance Grant for FY 2015.
Presenter
Chase Wheeler, Emergency Management Coordinator
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie Office of Emergency Management (GP OEM) plans to apply for and receive a grant award for approximately $56,129.00 for grant period October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2016 from the State of Texas Department of Public Safety/Division of Emergency Management for GP OEM to receive reimbursement for emergency management program related expenses. The City of Grand Prairie Office of Emergency Management has received EMPG grant awards for the last several years by completing the necessary requirements.
The purpose of the EMPG grant program is to assist local governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Title VI of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMA to make grants available for the purpose of providing a system of emergency preparedness for the protection of life and property in the United States from hazards and to vest the responsibility for emergency preparedness jointly in the federal government and the states and their political subdivisions.
Associated reporting requirements are included in this grant to determine how effective the City of Grand Prairie (grantee) is utilizing the EMPG program funding to prepare for all hazards and advance a whole community approach. The federal government, through the EMPG program, provides necessary direction, coordination, and guidance, and provides necessary assistance, as authorized so that a comprehensive emergency preparedness system exists for all hazards.
The City of Grand Prairie Office of Emergency Management must evaluate the progress towards achieving specified objectives in quarterly EMPG program reports and in compliance with the below reporting requirements:
- Maintain an approved Emergency Management Plan and Annexes
- Develop and Maintain a Multi-Year Training and Exercise Plan to include conducting of exercises.
- Verify Capability of Personnel through the completion of National Incident Management System (NIMS) related training and other required emergency management related training.
- Completion of Work Plans, Progress Reports #1 & #2, and Quarterly Financial Reports must be submitted.
This item is expected to be presented and passed through the Public Safety, Health, and Environmental Committee (January 7, 2015) and the Finance and Government Committee (January 6, 2015). If approved, the item will be then be placed on the City Council agenda for final approval on January 20, 2015.
Financial Consideration
As part of the FY 2014/2015 General Fund Budget, the City Council approved $222,452 in total expenditures for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Since the City has consistently received EMPG grant funding for many years now, an estimate of $56,129 in EMPG grant revenue was also included in the FY 2014/2015 budget in anticipation of receiving the award again. If the City is awarded this grant, no other financial consideration is necessary. However, if the City does not receive the grant award in FY 2014/2015 the City will increase the cash match by $56,129 - this funding will come from the General Fund contingency account (331010-65120).