City Council
MEETING DATE: 1/25/2017
TITLE:
Title
Resolution to Approve a Fire Department Application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a Staffing of Adequate Fire and Emergency Response 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 2016/17. The grant would provide federal funds for three years, consisting of salaries and benefits, to hire up to six firefighters for the fire department.
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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 three years, on a reimbursable status. The FEMA SAFER Grant requires a City Match of 25% for FY2017/2018 of $181,183., 25% for FY2018/2019 of $187,865. and 65% for FY2019/2020 of $505,302. The City would be responsible for a total match of $874,350. over the three year period.
The former FEMA SAFER Grant would have reimbursed the City $1,483,380. over a two year period. The City would have paid the full cost (salaries and benefits for six firefighters) in the third year of $751,461.
The current FEMA SAFER Grant would reimburse the City $1,379,229. over a three year period. The City would pay the full cost (salaries and benefits for six firefighters) in the fourth year of $789,048.
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 Grants in the federal fiscal years of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 but was not awarded the funding.
Staff has engaged a grant writer and prepared a SAFER Grant application for federal fiscal year 2016/2017. The goal is for the City to be awarded FEMA funding to provide adequate firefighter staffing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FEMA SAFER Grant application, if awarded, would reimburse the City $1,379,229. for the salaries and benefits of six firefighters, over a three year period of performance.
The City would be responsible to budget the following match amounts;
25% in FY2017/2018 of $181,183.
25% in FY2018/2019 of $187,865.
65% in FY2019/2020 of $505,302.
Total City match of $874,350. during the three year period of performance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution 2017 - FEMA SAFER Grant application