From
Robert Fite, Fire Chief
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply and accept (if awarded) for the SAFER Grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) from The Federal Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $1,622,628
Presenter
Robert Fite, Fire Chief
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The SAFER Grant was approved and enacted in 2004 and has been funded each year by the Federal Government. The grant funding is to assist local jurisdictions to hire Firefighters and the overall strategy of the grant is to aid Fire Departments meet NFPA 1710 related to response personnel on emergency incidents. NFPA 1710 provides all fire departments with adequate staffing guidelines and methods to maintain personnel accountability on major emergency scenes such as structure fires or incidents that require multiple personnel to mitigate.
Financial Consideration
The SAFER grant is structured for years one and two as a 75% FEMA share and a 25% local jurisdiction share and on year three, the share changes to 35% FEMA and 65% local. For years one and two, the City of Grand Prairie share is $135,219 each year and on year three our share would be $351,569. The entire city share would be funded from the Fire Trust fund. After the three year period and depending upon current budget conditions, the Fire Department will determine if the firefighters can be absorbed within the General Fund or through retirement and attrition, the 6 new firefighters positions would be eliminated. Under FEMA and SAFER guidelines, there is no committment to maintain the positions.
Year 1: FEMA $405,657 and GP $135,219 (334691 50020)
Year 2: FEMA $405,657 and GP $135,219 (334691 50020)
Year 3: FEMA $189,307 and GP $351,569 (334691 50020)
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO ASSIST THE GRAND PRAIRIE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMPROVE THE STAFFING OF COMPLEX FIRE INCIDENTS BY HIRING 6 FIREFIGHTERS USING THE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,622,628
Whereas, FEMA is accepting applications for the SAFER grant program; and
Whereas, the Grand Prairie Fire Department wishes to apply and accept the funding if awarded; and
Whereas, the matching portions of the three year grant will be funded by the fire department using existing Trust funds.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, does authorize the City Manager to apply and accept (if awarded) for the grant amount of $1,622,628 to hire 6 new Firefighters.
Section 2. The City Manager of the City of Grand Prairie is empowered to accept, reject, alter or terminate this grant on the behalf of the City Council.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS 3RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2019.