Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-077 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ESTABLISHING COUNCIL COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPLICATION FOR THE 2016 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS), FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT TO HIRE 12 FIREFIGHTERS
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Fire Department is requesting the City Council’s commitment to and support of its application for a federal grant to hire 12 firefighters. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities. The goal of the SAFER grant is to enhance the local fire department’s abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710.
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 because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; 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 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER grant is to enhance the local fire department’s abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by NFPA Standard 1710.
SAFER is a cost sharing grant over a three-year performance period. Eligible costs within the grant include salary and benefits beginning from the date of hire including fire academy training.
SAFER Cost Sharing
|
YEAR # |
FEDERAL SHARE |
CITY SHARE |
|
Year 1 |
75% |
25% |
|
Year 2 |
75% |
25% |
|
Year 3 |
35% |
65% |
Total Cost - Years 1 through 3 (if awarded SAFER grant to hire 12 firefighters)
|
Year # |
FEDERAL SHARE |
CITY SHARE |
|
Year 1 |
$918,027 |
$306,009 |
|
Year 2 |
$918,027 |
$306,009 |
|
Year 3 |
$428,412 |
$795,624 |
|
Total |
$2,264,466* |
$1,407,642* |
|
*This table does not reflect Academy training cost beyond new hire salary & benefits, contractual or step salary increases, direct or indirect benefit increases due to the restrictions of the grant application process; however, these fiscal impacts are captured in the ongoing fiscal impact portion of this report below. |
The SAFER grant application was submitted by the Fire Department on February 10, 2017. Typically, grant awards occur in several weekly allocation rounds that begin in mid-July and run through September. If awarded and accepted, the SAFER grant Program allows the recruitment and hiring of firefighters to occur up to six months prior to the beginning of the three-year performance period. To receive a SAFER grant award, grantees are required to maintain staffing levels and incur no lay-offs during the grant performance period.
In the event of an inability to maintain the ongoing costs during or after the grant performance period, the Fire Department will avoid layoffs of these proposed 12 new firefighters by placing the staffing at the Millenia Fire Station or the Bayfront Fire Station Station to fulfill these obligations if necessary.
To ensure there is a clear understanding of the long-term obligations of a SAFER grant and that if awarded, the City is committed to fulfilling those requirements upon acceptance of the award; staff is requesting City Council establish its commitment through Council Resolution. This commitment does not obligate the City to accept a grant award offer. However, commitment via Council Resolution is required by DHS as part of the grant application and acceptance process. Upon award of the grant, the Fire Department will return to Council seeking formal award acceptance and approval.
Anticipated Department-wide Performance Improvements
|
METRIC |
WITHOUT SAFER GRANT |
WITH SAFER GRANT |
|
Additional firefighters |
42 |
54 |
|
Engine companies with 4 firefighters daily |
0% |
50% |
|
Initial Attack Force -4 firefighters to arrive at fire within 6 minutes 20 seconds (380 seconds) |
47% |
58% |
|
Effective Firefighting Force-14 firefighters to arrive at fire within 10 minutes 20 seconds (620 seconds) |
35% |
58% |
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.
Hiring 12 firefighters will improve firefighting performance metrics and move the Fire Department and the City towards improved operational delivery by placing four firefighters on-scene of a fire within 6 minutes 20 seconds and 14 firefighters within 10 minutes 20 seconds. These metrics are expected to increase efficiency by 11% and 23% respectively. This allows the Fire Department to move closer to meeting response standards and improve current service delivery to the citizens of Chula Vista.
Hiring 12 firefighters provides a safer and healthier work place for firefighters. This additional daily staffing allows for optimal distribution of work and increased performance, translating to increased effectiveness and efficiency. This in turn provides a healthier community for the citizens of Chula Vista and further develops strong and secure neighborhoods.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact in FY2016-17 as a result of this resolution. This resolution is requesting formal documentation from the City Council to establish commitment and support of this grant application.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
In the event the City is awarded and accepts this proposed 2016 SAFER grant, the ongoing fiscal impacts are shown in the table below.
|
Item |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Total |
Ongoing Annual Impact |
|
Firefighter Salaries (12) |
$775,791 |
$830,873 |
$872,416 |
$2,479,080 |
$916,037 |
|
Firefighter Benefits (12) |
$577,671 |
$656,585 |
$732,740 |
$1,966,995 |
$769,377 |
|
Constant staffing, Hard Holiday, FLSA,Training |
$456,144 |
$488,530 |
$512,957 |
$1,457,631 |
$538,605 |
|
Fire Academy Training |
$540,498 |
$0 |
$0 |
$540,498 |
$0 |
|
TOTAL COST |
$2,350,104 |
$1,975,988 |
$2,118,113 |
$6,444,204 |
$2,224,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SAFER Grant Revenue |
($918,027) |
($918,027) |
($428,412) |
($2,264,466) |
$0 |
|
Net Fiscal Impact |
$1,432,077 |
$1,057,961 |
$1,689,701 |
$4,179,738 |
$2,224,018 |
Awards from this grant program are expected to take place between July and September of 2017. If awarded and then accepted by the City Council, the fiscal impact will be in FY2018. Currently a funding source has not been identified for FY2018 and the City Council will need to consider recommended solutions for this impact at a future date.
ATTACHMENTS
Not applicable.
Staff Contact: Harry Muns