O 2020-0242 ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the submission of a grant application to the US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION-FY2019 First Responder Mental Health Resiliency Program and the acceptance of the award for the Houston Fire Department; Declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Chief 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 First Responder Mental Health Resiliency Program Grant in the amount of $76,960 with an in-kind match of $19,240 for a total program cost of $96,200.

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 First Responder Mental Health Resiliency Program Grant in the amount of $76,960 with an in-kind match of $19,240 for a total program cost of $96,200.

The intent of this program is to reduce the rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among firefighters employed by the City of Houston. Recent research found that firefighters have a greater risk of dying by suicide than in the line of duty. The specially trained Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team will deliver a video, PowerPoint presentation, and facilitate a discussion on PTSD, developed by our Staff Psychologists.  Presentations will be delivered to all 93 stations, which includes 4 shifts, over a six-month period, approximately reaching 4,000 firefighters. The goal is to provide Suicide Prevention programs to HFD Firefighters. 

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

$19,240 General Fund In-kind Match (Fund 1000)

$76,960 Fed/Local/State Pass Grant (Fund 5030)

Overall Total: $96,200

Richard Mann                   Phone: 832-394-6712

Richard Galvan                 Phone: 832-394-7223

Rodney West                    Phone: 832-394-6731