TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Robert Sapien, Jr.
AND CITY COUNCIL Jim Shannon
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: July 24, 2023
Approved Date
8/2/23
SUBJECT: 2021 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM TRAINING
AND EXERCISE FUNDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION
(a) Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute an amendment to the Agreement between the County of Santa Clara and the City of San José for 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program Funds to increase the maximum amount payable by $36,000, from $351,898 to $387,898, for training to deliver advanced medical care for victims and rescuers in all-hazard disaster events.
(b) Adopt the following 2023-2024 Appropriation Ordinance and Funding Sources Resolution Amendments in the General Fund:
(1) Increase the estimate for Revenue from Federal Government by $36,000; and (2) Establish a City-Wide Expense appropriation to the Fire Department for the State Homeland Security Grant – Fire 2021 in the amount of $36,000.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The State of California 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program awarded an additional $36,000 to the City to enable the Fire Department (Department) to host a training facilitated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Medical Specialist (referred to as Rubble Medic) function. This level of training positions the Department to deliver advanced medical care for victims and rescuers in all-hazard disaster events.
BACKGROUND
The State of California designated the County of Santa Clara (County) as the operational area for the purpose of State Homeland Security Grant Program funds to cities, special districts, and other COUNCIL AGENDA: 8/15/23
FILE: 23-1026
ITEM: 2.15
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 24, 2023
Subject: 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program Training and Exercise Funding to the Fire Department
entities within the county boundaries. The County’s Anti-Terrorism Approval Board approves the distribution of State Homeland Security Grant Program funds, including training and exercise requests. In May 2022, the City entered into an agreement with the County allocating $351,898 to the Police Department for both equipment and training and exercise courses for personnel. In April 2023, the County re-released its Fiscal Year 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity for training and exercise requests due to excess funding. In May 2023, the Department submitted a request to host a FEMA US&R Rubble Medic training. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this course had not been offered in three years and has resulted in a backlog of FEMA-trained US&R paramedics in need of this training.
In May 2023, the County’s Anti-Terrorism Approval Board approved the Department’s request and allocated $36,000 for tuition to host the training. The current agreement has been amended to include the Department’s training and exercise allocation.
ANALYSIS
The Department’s US&R company responds to daily calls from the community for emergency medical services and fire incidents, as well as specialized rescue events throughout the city and county. US&R serves as a resource for technical expertise in numerous rescue types, including, but not limited to, confined space, trench, structural collapse, low/high angle, and water.
Additionally, this company provides mutual aid emergency response services beyond the state level through FEMA’s US&R California Task Force 3, which is one of 28 US&R task forces in the country.
By utilizing the training funds awarded through this grant, US&R will have the ability to improve ways to support life safety during natural disasters, terrorist attacks, mass casualty incidents, and hazardous materials events. These events are normally high risk/low frequency types of calls; however, the Department strives to stay current on all necessary trainings to reinforce the company’s operational knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The requested training course will allow nine members of the US&R company to attend classroom-based training as well as in-person exercises. The specialized Rubble Medic level of training enables personnel to perform medical assessments and care during incidents that involve a structure collapse, natural disaster, and/or a terrorist-related event. With this advanced training, the Department will be able to continue to serve those in need at the local, regional, state, and federal level.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
This item does not require evaluation or follow-up, although the City may be subject to an audit of records pertaining to this agreement by the County or its representatives.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 24, 2023
Subject: 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program Training and Exercise Funding to the Fire Department
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
The recommended actions in this memorandum will recognize and appropriate the additional 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program funding in the amount of $36,000. The maximum financial obligation for tuition fees under this amended agreement for this training shall not exceed $36,000. The current term of the amended agreement ends on March 31, 2024, with no additional on-going costs.
BUDGET REFERENCE
The table below identifies the fund and appropriations to recognize and appropriate the grant recommended as part of this memorandum.
Fund
#
Appn
#
Appn. Name
Current
Total
Appn
Rec.
Budget
Action
2023-2024
Adopted
Operating
Budget
Page
Last Budget
Action (Date,
Ord. No.) *
001 R110 Revenue from
Federal
Government
$7,496,254 $36,000 N/A
06/20/23
Res No. 23-248
001 NEW State Homeland
Security Grant –
Fire 2021
N/A $36,000 N/A N/A
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the August 15, 2023 City Council meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 24, 2023
Subject: 2021 State Homeland Security Grant Program Training and Exercise Funding to the Fire Department
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-003, Agreements/Contracts (New or Amended) resulting in no physical changes to the environment.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
ROBERT SAPIEN, JR. JIM SHANNON
Fire Chief, Fire Department Budget Director
I hereby certify that there will be available for appropriation in the General Fund in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 moneys in excess of those heretofore appropriated therefrom, said excess being at least $36,000.
JIM SHANNON
Budget Director
For questions, please contact Athena Trede, Deputy Director, Fire Department, at [email protected] or (408) 794-6953.