Title
Request to Apply for and Accept Federal Fiscal Year 2018 Assistant to Firefighters Grant Program Funds (Ordinance S-45154)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to retroactively apply for, and accept, if awarded, up to $1,050,000 from federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to fund three projects: Incident Safety Officer System (ISOS) Training, Peer Support Team (PST) Training, and Firefighter Physical Therapy Project for the Fire Department. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. If not approved, the grant, if awarded, would be turned down.
Report
Summary
The AFG Program, administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is intended to help the nation's fire service by providing vital funds to local fire departments across the country. The primary goal of the program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and State Fire Training Academies. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
ISOS Training
This training enhances first responder safety by mastering skill sets in risk management, hazard identification, hazard mitigation, Incident Command System and communication. This would be a regional grant request for $794,014 and would fund ISOS training for 100 Phoenix Fire Department firefighters and 20-50 firefighters from other fire departments in the Phoenix region.
PST Training
The Peer Support Team request for $80,568 is a continuation of the 2016 PST program. This program, which is certified by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), has had a positive effect on firefighter wellness and safety with regard to life-threatening situations such as PTSD, substance abuse and suicide. Funding for this program would improve the lives of firefighters and increase the number of lives, careers, and relationships that could be saved. Funding through the 2018 AFG would facilitate the ability for the Fire Department to train and maintain the entire Peer Support Team. Funding for this project would continue these efforts through the end of 2019.
Firefighter Physical Therapy Project
This project request for $175,418 would be used to upgrade worn and outdated equipment in the Phoenix Fire Department Health Center. The equipment would modernize and enhance the quality of care provided, improve annual firefighter physical exams, and update technology to modern standards. The equipment includes advanced treadmills and rehabilitation equipment for firefighter health and wellness.
Since 2008, the Fire Department has received more than $5 million in AFG funding. These grants were used to purchase portable radios, thermal imaging cameras, Incident Safety Officer System training, Automatic Chest Compression devices, and Peer Support Team Training.
Procurement Information
The Fire Department will administer the grant in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10.
Contract Term
The one-year grant Period of Performance is projected to begin on or around June 1, 2019.
Financial Impact
The grant is anticipated to have a 15 percent required cost match; funds are available in the Fire Department's operating budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for City Council approval by the Public Safety and Veterans Subcommittee by a vote of 4-0 on Oct. 17, 2018.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Fire Department.