DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2022
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS FIRE DEPARTMENT
FROM: SAMUEL KLEMEK, FIRE CHIEF
TITLE: FEMA FY 2021 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT (AFG) AWARD ACCEPTANCE RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept the FY 2021 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $29,225.37, for the procurement of 5 QRAE3 gas exposure monitors, and to appropriate $2,922.54 (10%) of required matching funds and execute all required agreements and related documents necessary to receive the funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council accept this grant award in the amount of $29,225.37 and the appropriation of matching funds in an amount not to exceed $2,922.54.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Salinas Fire Department is an all-hazard fire department required to respond to all incidents involving carbon monoxide (CO), smoke, or other alarm activations. The Fire Department only has monitors on its two trucks, which can cause delayed response times as the trucks are in only two of the City's six stations. The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program's objective is to provide funding directly to fire departments and other organizations for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the public and first responder personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. The Fire Department applied for and was awarded a grant to procure 5 QRAE3 gas exposure monitors for all apparatuses that will allow the department to respond to carbon monoxide events in an expedient manner, with the least amount of apparatus needed.
BACKGROUND:
As an all-hazard fire department, the SFD is required to respond to all incidents involving carbon monoxide (CO), smoke, or other alarm activations. Currently, only the two truck companies Salinas Fire owns have gas detectors capable of determining CO levels. For any calls to service requiring atmospheric monitoring, a truck company must be on the scene. This includes routine CO detector activation calls which occur in all districts within SFDs response area. Until all apparatus are outfitted with gas detection equipment, the SFD will be forced to dispatch multiple units to routine calls to service. This reduces overall city coverage, increases response times, and affects operational efficacy. If a multi-unit response is required during an ongoing CO call, additional resources may have to come from mutual-aid partners. Without rapid identification of a hazard, a CO emergency can quickly escalate without warning, threatening the safety of our most vulnerable communities. The grant award and matching funds will allow for the purchase of additional gas detectors for all frontline apparatus. This allows each engine to identify and respond to a hazardous condition independently while reducing response time.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approving the proposed resolution will support the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Salinas Fire Department will coordinate with the Finance Department through the management of the grant and the purchasing process.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The Fire Department is requesting an appropriation of required matching funds in the amount of $2,922.54 to the Assistance to Firefighters Fund (3115).
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Award Package
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