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October 3, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award and Appropriation: Accept and Appropriate Grant Funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) First Responder Equipment Program Report Number: 23-0258
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 $50,000 of grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety and appropriating $50,000 to the capital category of the Fire Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund . (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The Chula Vista Fire Department applied for the Office of Traffic Safety grant program for assistance in purchasing extrication equipment. The gr ant was awarded in the amount of $50,000. In order to achieve standardization within all extrication equipment in the Department, $52,244 will be used from existing Fire Department’s Measure P allocation to complete the purchase.
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 responds to Fi re, Rescue and Emergency Medical incidents both within the City and surrounding jurisdictions. Interstate 805 is one of the heaviest traveled highways in San Diego County and is a hotspot of traffic crashes according to Statewide Integrated Traffic Records Systems data. Of the 2,394 traffic crashes recorded in 2018 -2020, 22% of them were on Interstate 805 in the Chula Vista area.
Additionally, State Route 125 had nearly one hundred crashes. Travel patterns associated with these heavily traveled highways are impacted by residents, tourists, and commercial travelers.
Fire personnel are regularly moved from one fire station to another. Maintaining a standardized compliment of extrication equipment which firefighters can operate and locate in an efficient and t imely manner while working in emergency situations is paramount to providing the most effective and efficient results for the trapped persons.
Currently, the Fire Department utilizes extrication equipment manufactured by two different vendors. The grant funding from OTS, in conjunction with Measure P funds, will provide the opportunity for all extrication equipment to be the same, providing for increased familiarity and usability for the firefighters. Furthermore, technological advancements found in new extrication equipment will allow crews to reduce the time required to extricate trapped victims.
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 the 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 this resolution will result in the acceptance of $50,000 of grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Emergency Medical Services First Responder Equipment Program and amend the fiscal year 2023-24 budget by appropriating $50,000 in the capital category of the Fire Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund . The remaining $52,244 will be funded from current appropriations in the Fire Department’s Measure P fiscal year 2024 budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Anticipated future maintenance costs will be covered within the Fire Department’s approved General Fund baseline budgets.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Staff Contact: Harry Muns, Fire Chief