TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear and possibly take action to provide consent to submit a grant application to the Assistance to Firefighters, Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program in an amount not to exceed $13,000 and to approve a contingency transfer of up to $1,300, which is a ten percent (10%) match requirement, if the grant is successfully awarded, from General Fund, Contingency (10010000-99000) to General Fund, Fire Prevention, Non-Capital Equipment (10022526-55690). Providing consent to submit a grant application designates the City Manager authority to sign all documents necessary to complete the application process. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The Grant Programs Directorate administers the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants as part of the AFG Program. The purpose of FP&S grants are to fund Fire Prevention and Safety Activities and Firefighter Safety Research and Development Activities. Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Activities are designed to reach high-risk target groups and mitigate incidence of deaths and injuries caused by fire and fire related hazards. Firefighter Research and Development Grant Activities are aimed at improvements to firefighter health and safety.
The authority of the AFG Program is derived from the Federal Fire Protection and Control Act of 1974. In FY 2012, Congress appropriated $337.5 million under the Consolidated Appropriations Action, 2012 (Division D-Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Action, 2012) Public Law 112-74 to carry out the activities of the AFG Program. Pursuant to the Federal Fire Protection and Control Act, no less than five percent (5%) of the funds appropriated must support fire prevention and safety activities. Therefore, no less than $16.875 million of the FY 2012 appropriation must be awarded for fire prevention and safety activities. This, however, is the minimum required under the statue. Recognizing the importance of fire prevention and safety projects, FEMA, has reserved $35 million for FP&S grants.
The grants under FP&S will be awarded on a competitive basis. The appropriated funds are available for obligation by FEMA until September 30, 2013. Projected award start date for grants is March 1, 2013. Fire Departments serving areas with a population between 20,000 and 50,000, inclusive, must match the Federal grant funds with an amount of non-Federal funds equal to ten percent (10%) of the total project cost.
In 2009, the Maricopa Fire Department applied for an FP&S grant and was awarded $64,173 for the purchase of a mobile fire safety house which is currently being used to educate the community as well as enhance the Fire PALS program at the local schools.
To enhance the current fire prevention activities in the community, the Maricopa Fire Department is requesting to apply for grant funding to purchase a fire extinguisher training kit. The average cost of the training kit to include tax and shipping is $13,000. This will include a limited two year warranty. The fire extinguisher kit can create a realistic training scenario in nearly any environment and allows the trainee to learn to use proper techniques to extinguish the flames. The system is self-contained which allows it to be safely operated in a setting where workers or residents may encounter a hazard.
This item is being presented by Fire Chief Wade Brannon and Grants Manager Mary Witkofski.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council provide consent to submit a grant application to the Assistance to Firefighters, Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program in an amount not to exceed $13,000 and approve a contingency transfer of up to $1,300, which is a ten percent (10%) a match requirement, if the grant is successfully awarded, from General Fund, Contingency (10010000-99000) to General Fund, Fire Prevention, Non-Capital Equipment (10022526-55690).