Item Number: 8
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: October 6, 2026
Submitted By:
Robert Clemmer, Fire Chief
Subject:
Budget Amendment and Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2024 San Bernardino County Homeland Security Grant Program
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 26-087 accepting the award of the Fiscal Year 2024 San Bernardino County Homeland Security Grant Program and amending the Fiscal Year 2027 revenue and expenditures in the amount of $18,579; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all grant-related documents necessary to secure said grant funds and carry out the approved purchase.
Fiscal Impact:
The award of this pass-through grant from the San Bernardino County Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) will increase both the revenue and expenditure appropriations by $18,579 in the following accounts:
Account Name Account Number Amount
24 HSGP Fire (Revenue) 2752010-43120-20266 $18,579
24 HSGP Fire (Expense) 2752010-52220-20266 $18,579
Additional funding will be required to cover the portion of the costs for equipment not covered by the grant. The remaining amount of $1,901.01 will be funded through the following account:
Account Name Account Number Amount
Fire Equipment—Radios 1002010-52220-96028 $1,901.01
Strategic Plan Goal:
Strategic Plan Goal B – Public Safety – Implement public safety strategies to support a thriving and growing community. Providing the proper equipment for the Fire Department’s personnel decreases response time and enhances the service provided to our community.
Background:
On December 15, 2023, the Fire Department (Department) received a letter from San Bernardino County announcing a call for projects for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) HSGP funding. On December 21, 2023, the Department submitted a project proposal for FY24 HSGP funding to purchase seven (7) Very High Frequency (VHF) portable radios to enhance interoperable communications during emergency incidents and deployments.
Following the submission of the project proposal, the HSGP was temporarily placed on a federal hold, taking the process longer than usual.
Discussion:
On August 20, 2025, the Department was notified that the project proposal had been approved and that the Department could proceed with the grant application process. On October 3, 2025, the Department received notification that its application for the HSGP had been approved in the amount of $18,579 for the purchase of seven (7) VHF portable radios. On December 15, 2025, the Department submitted a grant modification request to revise the approved quantity from seven (7) radios to eight (8). The modification was submitted to utilize the full amount as the total cost for the seven (7) radios was below the amount awarded. On August 18, 2026, the modification was approved.
The VHF portable radios will improve communication and interoperability during strike team deployments and other emergency incidents. The radios are industry-standard equipment and can be programmed by an Incident Management Team at an incident or switched to a common frequency. This facilitates communication with other agencies and personnel within the State and national radio communication system.
The grant was originally requested due to the Department not having sufficient portable VHF radios for the three (3) new transport-capable squads and the Tiller Ladder Truck that were purchased and anticipated in late 2024. Due to the grant being placed on hold, the Department proceeded with purchasing the radios necessary to outfit the four (4) apparatus when they were placed into service due to the grant not being awarded on time.
The purchase of the eight (8) grant-funded radios will allow the Department to replace older, irreparable VHF portable radios and ensure that sufficient radios are available for newly assigned firefighters. Staff solicited and received three (3) quotes (Attachment B) and would like to proceed with the lowest responsive quote from 49er Communications, Inc. in the amount of $20,480.01. The HSGP grant will provide $18,579 toward the purchase, with the remaining $1,901.01 to be funded under account code no. 1002010- 52220-96028, Fire Equipment - Radios. Therefore, staff recommends that the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-087 accepting the award of the Fiscal Year 2024 San Bernardino County HSGP and amending the Fiscal Year 2027 revenue and expenditures in the amount of $18,579 and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all grant-related documents necessary to secure said grant funds and carry out the approved purchase.
Staff is available to answer any questions the Council may have.
Prepared By:
Summer Virgilio, Management Technician
Karem Ostrom, Fire Administrative Manager
Attachments: A. Resolution No. 26-087
B. VHF Radio Quotes
C. FY24 HSGP Application Approval Letter