Title
Request to Apply for and Accept 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant (Ordinance S-46701)
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, and accept, if awarded, up to $8,581,815 from federal fiscal year (FFY) 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program funds. 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 would be turned down.
Report
Summary
The purpose of SAFER grants 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 $8,581,815 to hire 27 Firefighter positions. These positions will be used to staff two Medical Rescue Vehicles (MRV) and a rescue. MRVs provide peak time coverage to reduce response times in busy areas. Funding will be distributed over a three-year period. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has waived the cost match for this grant program. Additionally, the Fire Department will seek a waiver for the minimum staffing requirement, and if denied, acceptance of the award will be contingent upon available funding.
Contract Term
The performance period of this grant, if awarded, is three years. The anticipated start date is on or around July 1, 2020 with an anticipated end date on or around June 30, 2023.
Financial Impact
If awarded, the City of Phoenix Fire Department will receive up to $8,581,815 in grant funding for 27 Firefighter positions.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The grant application period opened on April 13, 2020 and closed on May 15, 2020. This 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 recommended by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Fire Department.