City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 17, 2025 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 2024 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM GRANT, COUNTY-WIDE HAZMAT OPERATIONS GROUP AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,000 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution accepting $67,000 in grant funding from the 2024 State Homeland Security Program Grant for City participation in hazardous materials incident exercises and training sponsored by the County-Wide Hazmat Operations Group (CHOG).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the 2024 State Homeland Security Program grant funds, administered through the Riverside County Emergency Management Department in the amount of $67,000; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $67,000, or the actual award amount, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund 2024 County-Wide Hazmat Operations Group revenue and expenditures accounts; and Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the County-Wide Hazmat Operations Group from the State Homeland Security Program, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The State of California has allocated Homeland Security Grant Program 2024 funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the Riverside County Operational Area (OA) to enhance the State’s ability to prepare for, prevent, and respond to terrorist attacks and other major disasters. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors appointed an Anti-Terrorism Approval Authority (ATTA) to manage the distribution of Homeland Security Grant Program funding, and authorized the Riverside County Emergency Management Department to serve as the lead agency on behalf of the Operational Area.
DISCUSSION:
The Fire Department is a sub-recipient through the Riverside County Emergency Management Department of Homeland Security Grant 2024 funds in the amount of $67,000. The funding is intended to reimburse the City for participation in drills and training sponsored by the County-Wide HazMat Operations Group (CHOG) and other hazardous material related drills, training and equipment as allowed by Homeland Security Grant Program guidelines. The grant period of performance covers April 23, 2025 through May 31, 2026.
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 County-Wide HazMat Operations Group fosters strong partnerships among community agencies with responsibilities involving hazardous materials incidents. Since its inception in 2005, the group has helped produce over a decade of enhanced capabilities to respond to chemical, biological, and explosive device threats within the city of Riverside increasing community trust.
Equity – The County-Wide HazMat Operations Group bring a diverse group of hazmat teams to all residents of Riverside and the surrounding communities from CALFIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, Riverside County Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Team, and Riverside University Health System.
Fiscal Responsibility – Through the use of the Department of Homeland Security, County-Wide HazMat Operations Group grant funding, the Fire Department subsidizes costs associated with staff training, department administration, and equipment acquisition.
Innovation – The County-Wide HazMat Operations Group provides funds to purchase equipment, attend trainings, and conduct exercises to maintain Type II HazMat status and to ensure a coordinated HazMat response in the event of an emergency in the city.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Equipment recapitalization, fully electronic administrative management/reporting capabilities, new/renewed with participating agencies and telecommute/virtual trainings have enhanced the program with a wide range of capability, personnel, and equipment which in turn has lessened the overall impact of the Sponsoring Agency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the grant award is an increase in revenues and expenditures in the amount of $67,000. The total grant award is $67,000 and does not require any matching funds. Upon Council approval an increase of revenue and a supplemental appropriation will be recorded in the amount of $67,000, or the amount of the award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, County-Wide Hazmat (CHOG) 2024 revenue account 9184700-331100 and expenditure account 9184700-411500.
Prepared by: Angie King, Administrative Services Manager Approved by: Steve McKinster, Fire Chief
Certified as to
Availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Signature Authority
2024 County-wide Hazmat Operating Group ηPage 2