Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Patrick O'Connell, Fire Chief
Contact Info
(830) 221-4267 - POConnell@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of the submission of an application to FEMA Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program for the purchase of Turnout Gear and miscellaneous fitness testing equipment, and authorization for the City Manager to accept funds and execute all contract documents associated with the grant if awarded.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
The New Braunfels City Council strategic priorities include using a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. If approved by Council, Staff will submit a grant application to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)’s Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program for the purchase of Turnout Gear and miscellaneous fitness testing equipment for the New Braunfels Fire Department (NBFD).
The grant application requests funding for the purchase of Turnout Gear, also known as bunker gear, which is personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters during the performance of their duties. FEMA considers a complete set of Structural/Proximity PPE Turnout Gear to be comprised of one pair of pants, one coat, one helmet, two hoods, one pair of boots, two pairs of gloves, one pair of suspenders, and one pair of goggles.
Additionally, the grant application will request a micro grant to support the purchase of miscellaneous fitness testing equipment required for NBFD to administer a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a standard assessment for measuring an individual's ability to handle the physical demands of being a firefighter. The various equipment purchased will be utilized during the CPAT which includes the following tasks: Stair Climb, Ladder Raise and Extension, Hose Drag, Equipment Carry, Forcible Entry, Search, Rescue Drag, and Ceiling Pull.
If permitted by City Council, Staff will submit a grant application for a total, not-to-exceed amount of $440,000, which will support $390,000 for the Turnout Gear and up to $50,000 for the miscellaneous fitness testing equipment.
Of the total cost of the PPE and CPAT equipment, FEMA grant funding will provide $396,000 and the balance, including the grant’s 10% city match requirement, of up to $44,000 will be paid from the General Fund.
If approved by the granting agency, the anticipated award timeframe is by April 30, 2021. As such, Staff is also requesting authorization from Council for the City Manager to accept funds and execute all contract documents associated with the grant if awarded.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
|
X |
Yes |
Strategic Priority |
Use a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the Turnout Gear is $390,000, of which the grant will provide $351,000 as a reimbursement upon the receipt and full payment of the equipment. The total cost of the miscellaneous fitness test equipment is up to $50,000, of which the grant will provide $45,000 as a reimbursement upon the receipt and full payment of the equipment. The portion not supported by the grant will be paid from the General Fund, with the allocation specifically earmarked as our matching funds for grants. Therefore, sufficient funds are available to approve the submission of the application described above.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submission of an application to FEMA Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program for the purchase of Turnout Gear and miscellaneous fitness testing equipment, and authorization for the City Manager to accept funds and execute all contract documents associated with the grant if awarded.