Title
Request to Apply for and Accept Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Funds (Ordinance S-50748)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to retroactively apply for, and accept, if awarded, up to $311,553 from Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to fund wearable biometric devices for firefighter safety and accountability. 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.
Wearable Biometric Device Project
This project will implement a limited pilot program to trial wearable biometric technology for firefighters who face high-risk, physically intensive tasks in extremely hot conditions. The devices are designed to offer feedback on key health indicators directly related to heat stress, including pulse rate, core body temperature, and levels of physical exertion. Immediate access to critical health data will enable more effective monitoring and management of the risks associated with heat-related illnesses and injuries among firefighters. The total investment for this initiative is estimated at $311,553 with a contribution of approximately $40,637.35 coming from City funds.
Since 2008, the Fire Department has received more than $7 million in AFG funding. These grants have been used to purchase portable radios, thermal imaging cameras, Incident Safety Officer System Training, Automatic Chest Compression devices, Peer Support Team Training and Physical Therapy Equipment upgrades, Peer Fitness Instructor Training and Fire Ground Survival Training and Equipment.
Procurement Information
The Fire Department will administer the grant in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10.
Contract Term
The grant Period of Performance is twenty-four months and projected to begin on or around Sept. 1, 2024.
Financial Impact
The grant is anticipated to have a 15 percent required cost match; funds are available in the Fire Department's operating budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department.