PRESENTER: Presenter
Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval to ratify the submission of an application to the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the purchase of two vehicles for the New Braunfels Fire Department, and authorization for the City Manager to accept funds and execute all contract documents associated with the grant if awarded.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The New Braunfels City Council strategic priorities include using a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. As such, Staff recently submitted a grant application on behalf of the New Braunfels Fire Department (NBFD) to the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Grant Programs Directorate’s Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the purchase of a technical rescue vehicle and an air/light vehicle.
The grant application requests funding for the purchase of a medium-duty technical rescue vehicle that will be used to transport specialized equipment quickly and efficiently to emergency scenes for Swiftwater, Heavy Vehicle, Confined Space, Trench, and High Angle rescue team members. An air/light vehicle will provide emergency scene lighting during nighttime rescues, and in addition to other critical equipment, carry full air bottles for a firefighter’s self-contained breathing apparatus that can be swapped on-scene rather than relying on the offsite transport of spent bottles from NBFD fire stations during an emergency. Both vehicles will allow NBFD to better support the City’s residents and visitors, as well as participate in a variety of regional, state, and national emergency responses.
Each of the vehicles is estimated to cost approximately $550,000; therefore, City staff recently submitted a grant application for a total amount of $1,100,000. Of the total cost of the vehicles, FEMA grant funding will provide $990,000 and it is anticipated that any balance, including the grant’s match requirement, of approximately $110,000 will be paid from the General Fund.
If awarded, the City will receive notification no later than September 2023 and will initiate the grant award acceptance process at that time, including the execution of contract documentation by the City Manager or authorized designee. Additionally, Staff will request additional consideration and approval by Council for the purchase of the vehicles and any related budget amendments if required. All awarded grant funds must be used within 24 months from the award date.
ISSUE:
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the vehicles is $1,100,000, of which the grant will provide $990,000 as a reimbursement upon the receipt and full payment of the vehicles. It is anticipated that any additional cost, including the grant’s match requirement, will be paid from the General Fund and will be included in the budget at that time. Therefore, sufficient funds are available to support the purchase of the vehicles as described above.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval to ratify the submission of an application to the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the purchase of two vehicles for the New Braunfels Fire Department, and authorization for the City Manager to accept funds and execute all contract documents associated with the grant if awarded.