City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 23, 2024 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF MOBILE BARRIERS AND TRAILERS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FROM MERIDIAN RAPID DEFENSE GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $244,528.57 ISSUES:
Approve the purchase of twenty-two (22) mobile barriers and three (3) trailers for the Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management from Meridian Rapid Defense Group in the amount $244,528.57.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council approve a purchase with Meridian Rapid Defense Group for mobile barriers and trailers in the amount of $244,528.57 through Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) FY2020 grant funds.
BACKGROUND:
The Department Homeland Security (DHS) offers the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program to enhance regional preparedness high-threat, high-density areas and provides funding opportunities every fiscal year to address the unique multi-discipline planning, operations, equipment, and training needs to these areas as it relates to terrorism prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.
On February 2, 2021, the City Council approved acceptance of the FY 2020 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) in the amount of $2,894,500.00, for regional training activities, equipment, staff salaries, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program materials, and Office of Emergency Management Critical Infrastructure Assessment program.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside Fire Department (RFD) currently owns and operates two hydraulic barriers, 12 mobile anti-vehicle barriers and two (2) tow vehicles. This project will add twenty-two (22) mobile anti-vehicle barriers, and three (3) barriers drop deck trailers that will be used with the existing deployable and shareable UASI funded portable vehicle barricade systems. These barricade systems allow partner agencies to enhance and protect ingress and egress for infrastructure protection. This equipment will prevent vehicles from accidentally or intentionally entering areas that have been closed to maintain critical infrastructure protection, public safety, and personnel protection.
These barrier systems are designed to impede vehicle ramming attacks. The barrier systems can be shared and deployed over extended periods of time within the UASl region at high density, high threat events that require additional protection. Due to investment in this system by the City of Riverside, Riverside UASI program and other regional partners there is a readily trained staff to design vehicle mitigation plans and deploy the equipment ensuring interoperability at regional events. The focus of this equipment is to be utilized for infrastructure protection and special events. This equipment can control ingress and egress providing enhanced security for critical infrastructure, public gatherings, and safety personnel. Having this additional barrier system heavy duty tow vehicle will allow for quicker deployment of the multiple barrier systems and their accessories as the UASI continues to purchase barriers and expand this capability for the region. The vehicle barriers are towed then dropped off for use at short term and long-term special events such as the Festival of Lights. Barriers may also need to be rapidly towed for use at emergency incidents and at critical infrastructure.
The Office of Emergency Management as the UASI Program Office is completing this project on behalf of the region. The UASI FY20 grant performance period ends on 05/31/2024, whereby all approved goods and services need to be purchased, received, and invoiced by this date to receive the grant reimbursement. The City of Riverside and the Riverside Urban Area region have previously invested in this particular barrier solution, the Single Source option best suits the needs of this purchase and allows the department to leverage this external funding source and maintain City and regional interoperability with equipment and deployment training Per Purchasing Resolution 24101, Section 602 (c) states that “When the Procurement can only be obtained from a sole source and the Manager is satisfied that the best price, terms and conditions have been negotiated”.
The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommendation complies with Purchasing Resolution No. 23914, Section 602(c).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.6 – Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery.
This item aligns with Each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant has increased the capabilities and capacities of our first responder departments and emergency management agencies for over a decade increasing community trust in our emergency response efforts.
Equity – Funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security help the region plan and equip departments to protect our diverse community including those with access and functional needs.
Fiscal Responsibility – The use of the Department of Homeland Security grant funding increases the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan Area’s capability and capacity to plan for, train for, exercise and respond to emergencies within the region and beyond through classes and costs associated with training staff, UASI program administration, and equipment acquisition and organization of planning, training, and exercising.
Innovation – The Riverside Fire Department- Office of Emergency Management manages the Riverside Urban Area Security Initiative by bringing regional partners on board to build innovative capabilities throughout the two-county region.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Educating responders, individuals and community organizations thru the UASI program develops disaster resilient organizations through critical infrastructure assessments and disaster training that increases our overall community resilience.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the action is $244,528.57. The funds are available in the UASI FY 2020 account 9171310861-44045200. No City match is required.
Prepared by: Michael Moore, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
UASI FY20 Barrier ● Page 3