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RESOLUTION NO. 2017-153 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING THE 2016 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT AWARD FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS), FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) TO HIRE 12 FIREFIGHTERS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTATION, HIRING AND PROCUREMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GRANT
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Chula Vista Fire Department the fiscal year 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to hire twelve (12) firefighters. The SAFER grant is designed 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
On May 23, 2017 the City Council approved Resolution 2017-077, which established commitment and support for the Fire Department to apply for the 2016 SAFER grant to hire twelve (12) firefighters. The SAFER grant provides 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 NFPA Standard 1710.
On February 10, 2017 the Fire Department applied for the SAFER grant, and on July 28, 2017 the Fire Department received notification of the grant award. The performance period of the grant begins January 24, 2018 and ends January 23, 2021. The SAFER grant program allows the hiring of firefighters to occur up to six months prior to the beginning of the three-year performance period.
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, which will occur prior to the fire academy. The grant and matching funds are allocated as follows:
|
PERIOD |
FEDERAL SHARE |
FEDERAL AMOUNT |
CITY SHARE |
CITY SHARE |
TOTALS |
|
First -12 Months |
75% |
$918,027 |
25% |
$306,009 |
$1,224,036 |
|
Second -12 Months |
75% |
$918,027 |
25% |
$306,009 |
$1,224,036 |
|
Third - 12 Months |
35% |
$428,412 |
65% |
$795,624 |
$1,224,036 |
|
TOTAL |
|
$2,264,466 |
|
$1,407,642 |
$3,672,108 |
The Federal award amount for the complete performance period is $2,264,466. As a condition of the grant, the City is required to contribute a cost match in the amount of $1,407,642, for a total project cost of $3,672,108.
Acceptance of this grant will add 12 new firefighters to increase staffing levels from 3.0 to 4.0 on four engine companies for each of the three rotating shifts. Benefits of these additional firefighter positions will include creating an Initial Attack Force (IAF) allowing immediate firefighting entry upon arrival of the first engine on scene (Two-in, Two-out), and creating an Effective Fire Force (EFF) at structure fires faster than what the current 3.0 staffing can provide. Currently, Department compliance with EFF is 35%. With the award of this Grant, compliance may increase to 58% providing a 23% improvement.
In addition, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) study findings include that four person companies can complete the 22 essential firefighting functions 25% faster than an engine company staffed with three personnel. In 2011, a Chula Vista Fire Department internal critical task analysis was completed. The analysis demonstrated that an OSHA mandated Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) with a charged hose line could be deployed in 2 minutes 30 seconds with a 4.0 staffed crew vs. 6 minutes with a 3.0 staffed crew. In the same analysis, a three minute difference was demonstrated when 4.0 staffed crews applied water to the fire.
These two major performance metrics described above (IAF & EFF) can be found in the table below with current performance of the Fire Department and expected outcomes with the acceptance of the SAFER grant.
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% |
Acceptance of this grant award requires the City to abide by the Homeland Security Grant policies and procedures. To remain compliant the City is obligated to maintain these new staffing levels through the performance period.
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.
We anticipate that hiring 12 firefighters will improve firefighting performance metrics and move the Fire Department and the City towards improved operational delivery by placing four firefighter’s 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
Appropriation of funds will occur at a later date when Fire Department staff return to the City Council with updated actual costs associated for fire academy, salaries, and benefits.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Ongoing fiscal impact cost after the three-year performance period ends are estimated at approximately $2 million per year and will be included in the City Manager’s proposed budget for City Council consideration. As the City continues to grow additional fire personnel will be needed to serve the Millenia and Bayfront Fire Stations. Economic conditions at the time may necessitate the transfer of the 12 firefighters, discussed in this report, over to the new stations until sufficient funds become available.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Award Documents
Staff Contact: Madeline Smith, Harry Muns