Public Safety Committee
January 23, 2023
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Edward D. Reiskin FROM: Reginald Freeman
City Administrator Fire Chief
SUBJECT: FY 2021 Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA)
Assistance to Firefighters Grant
DATE: December 6, 2022
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To:
1) Enter Into An Agreement With The U.S. Department Of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) To Accept The Fiscal Year 2021 Assistance To Firefighters Grant (AFG) Funds In The Amount Of Three Hundred Sixty Thousand One Hundred And Eighty-One Dollars And Eighty-One Cents ($360,181.81); And
2) Appropriate And Administer Said Funds For The Fire Department Personnel To Receive Specialized Testing For Potentially Lifesaving Cancer And Wellness Screenings; And
3) Expend Assistance To Firefighter Funds In Accordance With The City Of Oakland’s Purchasing Requirements And Programs/Policies; And
4) Allocating Matching Funds In The Amount Of Thirty-Six Thousand Eighteen Dollars And Nineteen Cents ($36,018.19)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) are a tremendous asset to the Oakland Fire Department. These grants provide direct financial assistance to obtain critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operations for the Department’s efficiencies, and support community resilience.
In 2022, the Oakland Fire Department (OFD) applied for and was awarded an AFG grant in the amount of three hundred sixty thousand one hundred and eighty-one dollars and eighty-one cents ($360,181.81). The grant is intended to provide specialized testing for the project period starting August 17, 2022, and ending August 16, 2024, or as extended up to 12 months as approved by FEMA.
Jan 11, 2023
Edward D. Reiskin, City Administrator
Subject: FY 2021 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant
Date: December 6, 2022 Page 2
Public Safety Committee
January 23, 2023
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Since 2001, FEMA’s AFG program has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
By accepting and administering these FEMA funds, OFD will be able to provide specialized testing for the project period starting August 17, 2022, and ending August 16, 2024, or as extended up to 12 months as approved by FEMA.
The specialized testing requested through this grant will benefit funding allowing every member of the organization can receive potentially lifesaving cancer and wellness screenings. These federal grant dollars will be directed towards early detection, a process that’s been proven to be accurate and effective.
Ensuring that the Fire Department has the tools necessary to conduct these specialized tests, is in strategic alignment with the Citywide priority to advance holistic community safety and promote and preserve health and wellness among our dedicated first responders.
FISCAL IMPACT
As a condition of this grant, the City of Oakland is required to contribute non-Federal funds equal to or greater than 10.00 percent (10%) of the federal funds awarded, or $36,018.19 for a total approved budget of $396,200.00. Matching funds shall be drawn from the Department’s current General Funds (Fund 1010).
SOURCES OF FUNDING:
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Firefighters Grant - $360,181.81
• City of Oakland 10% match: $36,018.19
PERFORMANCE PERIOD: August 17, 2022, to August 16, 2024, or as extended up to 12 months as approved by FEMA.
The are no personnel costs associated with this grant.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No outreach was deemed necessary for the proposed policy action beyond the standard City Council agenda noticing procedures.
Edward D. Reiskin, City Administrator
Subject: FY 2021 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant
Date: December 6, 2022 Page 3
Public Safety Committee
January 23, 2023
COORDINATION
The Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau were consulted in the preparation of this report.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: Acceptance of this federal grant to support specialized testing will provide relief to the City’s general fund.
Environmental: There are no environmental opportunities or direct impacts associated with this report.
Race and Equity: Acceptance of this grant supports Oakland firefighters and is an excellent step forward in promoting and supporting the health and welfare of the diverse members in the Oakland Fire Department.
Edward D. Reiskin, City Administrator
Subject: FY 2021 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant
Date: December 6, 2022 Page 4
Public Safety Committee
January 23, 2023
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To:
1) Enter Into An Agreement With The U.S. Department Of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) To Accept The Fiscal Year 2021 Assistance To Firefighters Grant (AFG) Funds In The Amount Of Three Hundred Sixty Thousand One Hundred And Eighty-One Dollars And Eighty-One Cents ($360,181.81); And
2) Appropriate And Administer Said Funds For The Fire Department Personnel To Receive Specialized Testing For Potentially Lifesaving Cancer And Wellness Screenings; And
3) Expend Assistance To Firefighter Funds In Accordance With The City Of Oakland’s Purchasing Requirements And Programs/Policies; And
4) Allocating Matching Funds In The Amount Of Thirty-Six Thousand Eighteen Dollars And Nineteen Cents ($36,018.19)
For questions regarding this report, please contact Deputy Chief Damon Covington, at (510) 238-4050.
Respectfully submitted,
Reginald D. Freeman
Fire Chief