Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.N
Meeting Date: July 22, 2026
From: Michael Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: FY 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the FY 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) subaward in the amount of $5,146 from the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all required grant acceptance documents, and approve the use of grant funds to support the City's ongoing Emergency Operations Center (EOC) modernization effort.
BACKGROUND:
On June 24, 2026, the City of Cathedral City received notification that its FY 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) subaward had been approved in the amount of $5,146 through the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, which administers the program on behalf of the Riverside County Operational Area (Grant Number 2025-5008, CFDA Number 97.042). The EMPG is a federally funded program administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is designed to assist local governments in sustaining and enhancing their emergency management capabilities.
The grant period of performance for equipment expenditures begins June 24, 2026, and extends through January 31, 2027. The award is subject to the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the Preparedness Grants Manual, grant assurances, and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements. To finalize acceptance of the subaward, the City must submit signed acceptance documents to the Riverside County Emergency Management Department by August 24, 2026, including the Financial Management Forms Workbook, a Governing Body Resolution, Standard Assurances, and an Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Screening Form. Reimbursement requests will not be processed until these documents are filed, and the County requires that a minimum of 90 percent of the awarded funding be expended within the period of performance.
DISCUSSION:
The FY 2025 EMPG award will directly support the City's current Emergency Operations Center (EOC) modernization effort. The EOC serves as the City's central command and coordination facility during emergencies, disasters, and other significant incidents requiring multi-agency collaboration. Over the past several years, the city has made steady investments in the EOC, including upgrades to the facility's audiovisual systems, radio communications, and incident management technology.
The EMPG funding will be applied toward the equipment and technology enhancements identified in the current phase of the EOC update. These improvements will strengthen the EOC's ability to display and share incident maps, situational awareness dashboards, weather information, resource tracking, and other critical operational data. Enhanced technology will improve visibility for EOC personnel, support better decision-making during emergency operations, and enhance coordination among City departments and partner agencies.
The city will utilize the full $5,146 FY 2025 EMPG award toward the EOC update. All grant funded expenditures will be completed within the period of performance and submitted to the County for reimbursement in accordance with grant requirements. This investment continues the City's commitment to emergency preparedness and ensures the EOC remains equipped with reliable technology to support effective incident management.
This is a 100% match grant. As a result, there will be grant revenue and grant expenditure along with a General Fund expenditure of the same amount. The fire department will absorb the grant match portion within the FY26-27 approved budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2026-2027 2025 EPMG
REVENUE
259-300-330-
335-6700-6701 G055XX $5,146 ONE-TIME
2026-2027 2025 EMPG
EXPENSE
259-300-330-
335-8200-8222 G055XX $5,146 ONE TIME
2026-2027 2025 EMPG
EXPENSE
100-300-330-
335-8200-8222 G055XX $5,146 ONE TIME
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E - Safety
This action supports the City's strategic goal of enhancing emergency management capabilities by modernizing critical Emergency Operations Center technology and improving the City's readiness to respond to emergencies and disasters.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY 2025 EMPG Award Letter