1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 29, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Danny Alvarez, Fire Chief
BY: Christine Alles, Fire Administrator
SUBJECT: A uthorize the Acceptance of $48,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency 2023 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant and Amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget to Appropriate Funds for the Burbank Fire Department’s Arson Investigator Program
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the acceptance of $48,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2023 Fire Prevention and Safety (FPS) Grant; amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Budget by a ppropriating funds towards the Fire Department’s Arson Investigator P rogram; and authorize the City Manager or his designee to take all necessary action to effectuate the grant award.
BACKGROUND
The Burbank Fire Department (Department) is mandated by the Office of the California State Fire Marshal to investigate and determine the origin and cause of all fires that occur in the City of Burbank. Pursuant to the California Fire Code and Building Code and as authorized by Burbank Municipal Code § 9-1-9-104.4.1, the Department investigates the origin, cause, and circumstances of each and any fire in Burbank involving loss of life, injury to persons, and property destruction or damage. The agency currently employs one 40-hour Fire Captain assigned to the role of Arson Investigator , who operates under the supervision of the Fire Marshal and is responsible for conducting a complete and comprehensive investigati on of all fires and explosions of suspicious origin occurring within the jurisdiction , including fires of unknown origin, fires involving juveniles, equipment and systems fires with complex origin, fatality fires, and fires resulting in significant loss or damage. As this position liaises with law enforcement and participates FIRE
DEPARTMENT
2 in the Verdugo Arson Task Force, it often serves as a subject matter expert and may assist other Area C cities in arson investigations.
In addition to fulfilling day-to-day duties in the Fire Prevention Bureau and overseeing its fire hazard reduction program, the Fire Captain assigned to the role of Arson Investigator conducts research and analysis on an average of 30 fires per year and may be consulted or called in after -hours to assist with or carry out fire investigations. With urban and population growth, this number is expected to increase in years to come, and the Department seeks to adapt its staffing assignments to meet this need.
DISCUSSION
In effort to mitigate overtime costs related to arson investigations, improve workload distribution, promote succession planning, and provide greater coverage for fire investigations, the Department will train and assign three 56- hour line staff to fulfill the responsibilities of Shift Investigators, who will assist the Department’s Arson Investigator in the completion of fire investigations. In April 2024 the Department sought supplemental funding through FEMA’s FPS Grant Program t o cover initial costs for this program expansion. Arson investigators require specialized training and must meet and maintain all professional qualifications for the assignment in adherence with standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), California Fire Service Training and Education System, and California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
Additionally, specialized equipment needs for this function include media equipment to capture images of a site or evidence, voice recording devices, combustible gas or hydrocarbon detectors, gas monitors, evidence collection markers, and electrical detectors amongst other miscellaneous tools. FEMA has preliminarily awarded the Department $48,000 in funding, which will cover expenses related to S hift Investigator differentials, training and associated travel, and equipment needs over the next two years as detailed in Attachment 1 . As part of the conditions for acceptance of the award, the City is required to contribute non-federal funds equal to or greater than five percent of the federal funds awarded, or $2,400. These funds are already budgeted in the Fire Department’s FY 2024- 25 operating budget and will also be directed towards Arson Investigation training and equipment, bringing the total allocation for the program to $50,400.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This grant will provide training and equipment and has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably 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.
3 FISCAL IMPACT
Staff is requesting Council authority to amend the FY 2024- 25 Budget by appropriating $48,000 in awarded grant funds from revenue account number 001.ND000.48010. 0000.25074 (General Fund, Non -Departmental, Other Intergovernmental Revenue, FEMA FPS Grant 2023) to expenditure account 001.FD01 A.62300.0000.25074.00000 (General Fund, Fire Prevention, Special Departmental Supplies, FEMA FPS Grant 2023).
Funds will initially be drawn from 001.ND000.30010.0000.00000 (General Fund, Non- Departmental, Unassigned Fund Balance) until reimbursed. The required City match of $2,400 is already budgeted in the Fire Department’s FY 2024-25 operating budget, for a combined allocation of $50,400 towards the Arson Investigator program.
CONCLUSION
The Arson Investigator position is a specialized role within the Fire Department, dedicated to uncovering the origin and cause of fires. The Department seeks to support the role of its Arson Investigator with the assignment of Shift Investigators , which will allow for greater operational flexibility, savings in overtime costs, and greater coverage for fire investigations at all hours. By providing funding for the additional training, equipment, and personnel costs related to this program expansio n, the 2023 FPS Grant will enable operational efficiency, cost savings, and expanded service to the Burbank community.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – 2023 FPS Grant Award Letter
Attachment 2 – Notice of Funding Opportunity