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RESOLUTION NO. 2016-216 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING THE ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT AWARD FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AUTHORIZING THE FIRE CHIEF OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTATION AND PROCUREMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GRANT, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2016/2017 TUT COMMON FUND BUDGET FOR MATCHING FUNDS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA), Grant Program Directorate (GPD), 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 by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognize standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster inter-operability and support community resilience.
The Chula Vista Fire Department has evaluated their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) and supplied air respirators (SARs) and determined that this personal protective equipment (PPE) is reaching its maximum serviceable life and does not meet the current standards for breathing apparatus outlined in the current National Fire Protection Association Standard 1981/82 (2013 Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Emergency Services) and is in need of replacement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
The Chula Vista Fire Department is an All-Risk urban fire department with densely populated aging neighborhoods, high and mid-rise structures, and a significant wildland urban interface. The department provides service delivery out of nine fire stations with 119 professional firefighters. The department protects approximately 260,000 residents within the city limits spanning 52 square miles and runs over 18,000 calls. The department has experienced call volume growth of over 8% annually for calendar years 2014 and 2015, with two engine companies with call volumes over 4,000 per year. As a whole, the Chula Vista Fire Department averages 50 calls per day for all 11 staffed companies. Over the past three years the department responded to an average of 410 fire calls, with 125 being structure fires and 84 vehicle fires requiring the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).
The Fire Department purchased SCBAs and SARs (for confined space rescue capability) between 2000 and 2004 and are compliant to the 2002 NFPA 1981/82 standard. The most current standard is the 2013 NFPA 1981/82. The department maintains an inventory of 114 SCBAs that are now between twelve to sixteen years old, and are at the end of their serviceable life since some replacement parts are no longer manufactured. The SCBAs are not compliant with the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. In addition, a majority of SCBA air bottles will exceed their pressure compliance testing dates and can no longer be tested for certification; rendering them useless. As a matter of standard practice, training, operational efficiency, and safety it is necessary to equip firefighters with one standard breathing apparatus in contrast to having a mix of SCBA equipment. Due to these factors, the Fire Department staff has determined the entire SCBA inventory is in need of replacement which will bring the Department into full compliance with the most recent NFPA standard (2013 NFPA 1981/82). The cost to complete this project ranges between $1.1M and 1.4M depending on the manufacturer, options, and other necessary equipment. In an effort to minimize impact to the general fund, the Fire Department has been actively seeking grant funding to help fund this project.
On January 2015, the Department applied for the Department of Homeland Security FY2015 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase 94 new SCBAs compliant with the 2013 NFPA 1981/82 standards, 25 additional face-pieces to ensure that each firefighter is fit-tested and properly outfitted with their own personal mask. Each mask will be outfitted with a heads-up display for better air management and a voice amplifier for clear and concise communications in life-threatening situations. This request is also inclusive of six air-line units to ensure they are completely compatible with the face-pieces of the requested SCBAs.
In May 2015, the Fire Department received notification of approval of the grant application and DHS awarded the Fire Department $669,355, which has a 10% match requirement equivalent to $66,935 for a total project budget in the amount of $736,290. The Fire Department will use this grant funding to purchase SCBA and related personal protective equipment as approved by the grant prior to the end of the grant’s performance period, May 15, 2017.
Fire Department staff recommends the City Council accept the FY2015 AFG grant award, appropriate grant funds in the amount of $669,355 in the Federal Grant Fund Supplies and Services Category, and authorize the Fire Chief or his designee to execute all related documentation and procurement associated with this grant.
Staff also recommends an adjustment to the fiscal year 2016-17 TUT Common Fund budget to transfer the required grant match amount of $66,935 to the Federal Grants Fund. This match will be appropriated to the Supplies and Services Category of the Federal Grants Fund, to be offset by the Transfers In revenue from the TUT Common Fund.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This resolution supports the goal of Operational Excellence and Healthy Community. Updating employee’s personal protective equipment will allow the Fire Department to provide our employees with the equipment they need that is up to the latest technology and fire standards and provide improved service to the community. The new equipment will improve firefighter safety, assist with rescues, and will provide overall operational efficiency.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the following fiscal year 2016-17 budget amendments and appropriations:
TUT Common Fund
The grant match of $66,935 is included in the Supplies and Services Category of the TUT Common Fund in the fiscal year 2016-17 budget. Staff is recommending these matching funds be transferred to the Federal Grants Fund to better account for all expenditures related to the grant. Staff is requesting a transfer of $66,935 from the Supplies and Services category to the Transfers Out category of the TUT Common Fund. The requested transfer will result in no net impact to the TUT Common Fund.
Federal Grants Fund
Staff is requesting a total appropriation of $736,290 to the Supplies and Services category of Federal Grants Fund which will be fully offset by the $669,355 grant award and $66,935 in matching funds.
The above requested adjustments and appropriations are summarized in the table below:
|
FUND |
SUPPLIES & SERVICES |
TRANSFERS OUT |
TOTAL EXPENSE |
TOTAL REVENUE |
NET COST |
|
TUT Common Fund |
($66,935) |
$66,935 |
$ - |
$ - |
$ - |
|
Federal Grants Fund |
$736,290 |
$ - |
$736,290 |
$736,290 |
$ - |
|
TOTAL ALL FUNDS |
$669,355 |
$66,935 |
$736,290 |
$736,290 |
$ - |
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
This equipment replaces existing equipment that is reaching the end of its useful lifespan and is out of compliance with the latest NFPA standards. Maintenance for this equipment and future replacement for this equipment will be budgeted as part of the normal budgeting process for Fire Department.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. FY2015 AFG grant award
Staff Contact: Madeline Smith