Title
Request to Apply for and Accept 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant (Ordinance S-47448)
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, and accept, if awarded, up to $7,255,358 from federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 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 purpose of the SAFER Grant Program is to increase the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. The grant application will request $7,255,358 to hire 22 firefighter positions lost through attrition (retirements and resignations). These positions will be used to increase service coverage area and improve emergency response times. Funding will be distributed over a three-year period with no cost match required. If awarded, federal funding will be up to $7,255,358, over the period of performance.
Contract Term
The performance period of this grant, if awarded, is three years. The anticipated start date is on or around Aug. 24, 2021, with an anticipated end date on or around Aug. 24, 2024.
Financial Impact
If awarded, the Fire Department will receive up to $7,255,358 in grant funding for 22 firefighter positions. No match will be required from the City.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The grant application period opened on Feb. 8, 2021 and closed on March 12, 2021. The timeline did not give the Fire Department an opportunity to present this item to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Jeff Barton and the Fire Department.