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October 3, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award and Appropriation: Accept Grant Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant and Appropriating Funds
Report Number: 23-0257
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Fire
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $78,945, matching with City funds of $7,895, and appropriating funds for that purpose. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The Chula Vista Fire Department applied for the FE MA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program for assistance in purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) extractors and dryers. The grant application was awarded for $78,94 5, with the City of Chula Vista matching ten percent ($7,89 5) of the funds , totaling $86,840.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the state CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The Fire Department applied for the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program for the acquisition of six (6) personal protective equipment (PPE) dryers and two (2) PPE extractors. The grant application was awarded for $78,945 with the City of Chula Vista matching ten percent ($7,895).
The City of Chula Vista has steadily seen expanding developments on both east and west sides of the city.
Residential, commercial, and industrial developments have led to rapidly growing population numbers in recent years. This population growth in turn has created a city where all-hazard firefighters are facing daily new risks, expanding response service, and increasing call volume in areas of the city that were previously uninhabited. The i ncrease in modern buildings being constructed equates to more expo sures to deadly carcinogens to fire crews, more risk. Modern construction materials consist of synthetics and plastics that prove to be highly carcinogenic. These contaminants are then trapped in the PPE worn by firefighters and remain in the fibers until properly decontaminated.
Our city is dramatically growing, and the community is relying more heavily on emergency services.
Forecasts indicate another 20% increase in demand for services in the coming years , proportional to population growth. The boom in construction continues to bring thousands of families to the eastern portion of the city. A new fire station is currently being built to manage the expanding service to this new area.
Another major building development is the Bayfront project. Phase I of this massive construction has begun that will increase the population and bring added risk of high -rise, mixed use, and waterway protection amongst other hazards. Again, these two developments alone add all th ree factors of risk, expansion of services, and increase in call volume. Firefighter health and safety can be enhanced with PPE washers and dryers as we continue to take steps to mitigate exposure.
The requested funds from AFG will play a part in reducing and mitigating exposure. Firefighter PPE is exposed to deadly carcinogens that remains trapped in the fibers until the PPE is effectively decontaminated.
AFG funding will be used to purchase PPE Dryers and Extractors to rid the PPE of contaminants in compliance with AB 2146, national standards, and manufacturer recommendations.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of t he City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the resolution will result in the acceptance of $78,945 of grant funding from FEMA for the AFG program and amend the fiscal year 2023 -24 budget by appropriating $ 78,945 in the supplies a nd services category of the Fire Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund. The City’s share of the grant match of $7,895 will be funded from current appropriations in the Fire Department’s Measure A fiscal year 2023-24 budget.
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ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Future maintenance costs will be included as part of the annual budget development process and funded by the General Fund and Measure A Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Award Package
Staff Contact: Harry Muns, Fire Chief
Chris Manroe, Deputy Fire Chief