City Council
MEETING DATE: 1/13/2016
TITLE:
Title
Grant Application for the Staffing of Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
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FROM:
Paul S. Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve a resolution in support of a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for federal fiscal year 2015/16. The grant would provide federal funds for two years, consisting of salaries and benefits, to hire three firefighter / paramedics for the fire department
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Cathedral City Fire Department operates the community fire trucks with only two firefighters. The National Fire Protection Association standard is four firefighters and the regional standard in Riverside County is a minimum of three firefighters on each engine and truck. The firefighter staffing standards are based on the ability of firefighters to effectively deliver life safety and fire suppression at emergencies and provide for the safety of the firefighters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides federal funds for local communities who demonstrate a need for adequate firefighter staffing.
The grant provides firefighter salaries and benefits for two years, on a reimbursable status.
A governing body resolution in support of the grant application is a required element of the process.
DISCUSSION:
Cathedral City applied for a FEMA SAFER Grant in the federal fiscal year of 2014/2015 but was not awarded the funding.
Staff has prepared a revised SAFER Grant application for federal fiscal year 2015/2016 with a goal of being awarded FEMA funding, to provide adequate firefighter staffing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FEMA SAFER Grant application, if awarded, would reimburse the City $1,533,444. over the two year period of performance, for the salaries and benefits of six firefighter / paramedics.
ATTACHMENT:
Resolution 2016 - FEMA SAFER Grant application