DATE: 07/02/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Fire Department
2025-267
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM AWARD
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to approve the acceptance and appropriation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program award to support the Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, Community Emergency Response Team, and the Emergency Management Division.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the submittal and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program award in the amount of $105,584. b. Authorize an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $105,584 to the Fire Department’s Operating budget within the General Fund 110.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allocates grant funding to local governments to support efforts to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade hazards, including potential terrorist threats.
This sub-grant to local jurisdictions is administered through the California Office of Emergency Services in cooperation with the Riverside County Emergency Management Department. Historically, this has been an annual grant, and although it is not guaranteed, the City anticipates receiving future allocations.
ANALYSIS:
Funding from the DHS grant will be utilized by the Fire Department to enhance the capabilities of the Hazardous Materials Response Team through training, exercises, and equipment purchases. Additionally, support for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program allows the City to provide free annual CERT training to residents, conduct Teen CERT classes at multiple high schools in partnership with the CoronaNorco Unified School District, and offer annual Spanish-language CERT training to expand accessibility.
Funding will also be allocated for the purchase of a Flame VR system, an interactive virtual reality tool that will be used for community outreach and training events. This system will enhance public education by providing immersive fire safety and emergency preparedness experiences.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation and estimated revenue increase in the amount of $105,584 from the General Fund 110 to the Fire Department’s Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget. The funding will be allocated to the following grant programs in the specified amounts:
Table: DHS Emergency Management Performance Grant Funding Allocation Program Name Proposed Allocated Grant Funding
FY24 CERT $22,530
FY24 Countywide Hazardous Operations
Group (CHOG)
$62,000
FY24 Emergency Management Program
Grant (EMPG)
$21,054
Total $105,584
The EMPG grant allocation is provided on a 50 percent cost-share basis. The in-kind match requirement will be met utilizing the Fire Department’s current emergency management budget approved for FY 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action authorizes the submittal for and acceptance of grant funding, and there is no possibility this will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: LEE SHIN, EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: BRIAN YOUNG, FIRE CHIEF
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1: Fiscal Year 2024 EMPG DHS Grant Program Award Letter - $21,054
2. Exhibit 2: Fiscal Year 2024 CERT DHS Grant Program Award Letter - $22,530
3. Exhibit 3: Fiscal Year 2024 CHOG DHS Grant Program Award Letter - $62,000