O 2020-0241 ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the submission of a grant application to the US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION-FY2019 Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Program and the acceptance of the award for the Houston Fire Department; declaring the City’s eligibility for such grant; authorizing the Director of the Houston Fire Department (“Director”) to act as the City’s representative in the application process; authorizing the Director to accept the grant award and expend the grant funds, as awarded, to extend the grant period and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the grant

The Fire Chief recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the application and acceptance of award for the U.S. Department of Justice: Criminal Justice Division FY 2019 Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Program Grant in the amount of $58,450 with an in-kind match of $14,613 for a total program cost of $73,063.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:

The Fire Chief recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the application and acceptance of award for the U.S. Department of Justice: Criminal Justice Division FY 2019 Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Program Grant in the amount of $58,450 with an in-kind match of $14,613 for a total program cost of $73,063.

The intent of this program is to provide The Houston fire Department Critical Incident Stress Management Team training of incident-related psychological and emotional support services to 4,000 firefighters and EMS personnel who encounter extraordinary stresses on a daily basis. The team is comprised of 50 specially trained emergency personnel who volunteer to provide these services to their peers as an additional job duty. The team will provide a comprehensive, confidential peer support to employees, retirees, and their family members. This training will fulfill our mission of providing a comprehensive peer support through the CISM Team by offering a variety of individual and group services, including stress management education, crisis intervention, and appropriate follow-up care.

Fiscal Note:

Funding for the in-kind match is included in FY20 Adopted Budget.

Fiscal Note:

No fiscal note is required on grant items.

______________________

Samuel Peña, Fire Chief

Houston Fire Department

$14,613, General Fund In-kind Match (Fund 1000)

$58,450 Fed/Local/State Pass Grant (Fund 5030)

Overall Total: $73,063

Richard Mann                   Phone: 832-394-6712

Richard Galvan                 Phone: 832-394-7223

Rodney West                    Phone: 832-394-6731