Fremont City Council Meeting: 01/11/22 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Fire Department
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Grants
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
STAFF REPORT (ID # 4516) DOC ID: 4516
Updated: 1/4/2022 9:43 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE BAY AREA UASI GRANT FUNDS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT – Accept and Appropriate FY 2021 Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant for $14,408 to Purchase Search and Rescue Equipment
Contact Persons:
Name: Donna Do Zoraida Diaz
Title: Management Analyst II Deputy Fire Chief
Div/Dept: Fire Department Fire Department
Phone: 510-494-4200 510-494-4200
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: Staff seeks City Council approval to accept a grant in the amount of $14,408 and enter into an agreement with the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) to appropriate and use the funds for the purchase of search and rescue equipment in order to enhance mutual aid response.
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) program provides financial assistance to address the unique multi - jurisdictional and multi-discipline planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas. The UASI program is administered at the federal level by DHS through its Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since its inception in 2003, the intent of the federal UASI program has been to enhance regional preparedness in major urban areas by assisting with supplemental funding to build and sustain capabilities in support of the National Preparedness Guidelines.
The DHS has designated the City and County of San Francisco as the fiscal agent for the Bay Area UASI regional work group. With the goal of furthering the DHS program and objectives to improve domestic disaster preparedness, the DHS provides grant funds to the fiscal agents, which in turn grant those funds to their member agencies.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: For over 20 years, the Fremont Fire Department water rescue team has protected the waters of Alameda Creek, Lake Elizabeth, Quarry Lakes, and to the farthest reaches of the Bay. The team has been pivotal in saving the lives of several citizens trapped in the Alameda Creek, a low head damn near Niles (which has since been removed), several cars that have entered the water, and recovering several drowning victims.
The water rescue team is currently utilizing 20-year old dry suits that leak water through the seams and seals, causing the rescuer to suffer cold temperatures and weighing them down by the water in their suit. Additionally, the knives on the flotation devices have become dull or missing and need to be replaced to ensure that any persons tethered or tangled in rope can be freed. On June 9, 2021, the department was notified that the UASI grant was awarded in the amount of $14,408 to replace the search and rescue equipment.
Staff Report (ID # 4516) Meeting of January 11, 2022
Updated: 1/4/2022 9:43 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
These funds will be used to also purchase helmets, green jackets, gloves, and mid-shoes to allow the boat crews to safely handle the conditions of most rescue operations.
The replacement equipment will allow the fire department to continue to serve the citizens of Fremont, as well as those in and around its waterways. Safety is important to the department and its members, and this equipment will help to ensure that each of its water rescue team members will get to go home safely at the end of the shift.
FISCAL IMPACT: Staff recommends that the City Council recognize and appropriate the Bay Area UASI award in the Federal Operating Grants Fund (Fund 199). There is no matching requirement for this grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: None.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Accept the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant award for $14,408.
2. Appropriate the $14,408 to the Federal Operating Grants Funds (Fund 199).
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary agreements or documents in connection with the grant award.