1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 31, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Eric Garcia, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a $225,000 Federal Financial Assistance Award for Purchase of a W ildland Firefighting Water Tender and Amending the Fiscal Year 2022 -23 Budget by Appropriating Funds
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CI TY OF BURBANK ACCEPTING A $225,000 FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AWARD FOR PURCHASE OF A
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING WATER TENDER AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
“Community Project Funding – Congressionally Designated Funding” is an initiative that allows Members of Congress to request f inancial assistance for projects in their communities. In April 2021, the Burbank Fire Department (BFD) submitted a request to Congressman Adam Schiff’s Office for federal funding of its water tender. The BFD’s water tender is 37 years old, has exceeded its life span and is now in critical need of replacement. Due to current operability issues, the water tender cannot be assigned to regional fires and provides limited support to local fire needs. Congressman Schiff secured federal funding of $225,000 for the replacement water tender to support Burbank.
Starting with the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget, the City Council approved three years of additional funding for the water tender, which are required to match the federal financial assistance.
DISCUSSION
A water tender is a firefighting apparatus that allows for the transport of water from a FIRE
DEPARTMENT
2 water source to a fire scene. Water tenders help fire agencies to serve and protect their communities and are valuable tools for extinguishing fires because they are low cost, effective, and mobile. Water tenders can be used for transporting water to the Burbank hillside, roadside, and freeway firefighting, and draw ing from water sources during any major incident.
BFD will purchase a tactical water tender, which transports water between locations and has a pump and roll capability. This capability allows water to be pumped through fan sprayers while it is moving to assist with fire suppression. Also, a water tender has a hose to assist in wildland firefighting efforts. It can pre- treat structures with Class A fire retardant and provi de a protection line for the firefighters if there are dynamic weather conditions. It can wet down dusty roads or incident base camps, which provides better visibility and driving conditions for the community. A new water tender will allow BFD to provide enhanced fire suppression resources to support wildland firefighting needs for local, state, and federal mutual aid partners.
As specified in the “Federal Financial Assistance Award of Domestic Grant 22- DG- 11052012-132 Between the Burbank, C ity of and the USDA, Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Fire and Aviation Management” ( Attachment 2), BFD received $225,000 from the Community Project Funding – Congressionally Designated Funding for a water tender . Pending City Council approval, BFD estimates completing the purchasing process by March 2023 and anticipates delivery of a new water tender in September 2024. The delayed timeline is due to potential supply chain issues. This water tender project will also include purchasing supportive equipment such as f ire shelters, radios, hoses, nozzles, and tools.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This grant has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a r easonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
This $225,000 grant requires 100% matching funds from the City. The total budgeted cost of $555,000 includes $507,000 for the water tender and $48,000 for the supportive equipment. Starting with the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget, the City Council approved three phases of funding for the water tender. The total amount of City funds currently available is $311,000 ($278,000 from two years of Council funding and $33,000 from the Vehicle Equipment Replacement Fund 532). The third phase of Council funding for $139,000 is scheduled for the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget; however, staff will only request $20,000. 3 Staff is requesting City Council authority to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Adopted Budget by accepting a grant from the Federal Financial Assistance Award of Domestic Grant 22-DG-11052012-132 in the amount of $225,000, and appropriating $225,000 from revenue account 001.FD000.48010.1999.24628 (General Fund, Fire Department General, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, Miscellaneous, Water Tender Project), and $33,000 from 532.ND000.30011.0000.00000 (Vehicle Equipment Replacement Fund, Non-Departmental, Assigned Fund Balance) to expenditure account 001.FD02A.62300.0000.24628.00000 (General Fund, Fire Suppression, Special Department Supplies, Water Tender Project).
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends adoption of the attached resolution. The grant funds will allow for the acquisition of a new water tender to enhance BFD’s response capabilities. The new water tender will serve as a local, regional, and state asset for urban and wildland fire suppression services.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Federal Financial Assistance Award of Domestic Grant 22- DG- 11052012-132 Between the Burbank, City of and the USDA, Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Fire and Aviation Management