The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing an electronic application and acceptance of grant funds through the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for the FY2024 Law Enforcement Response to Mass Casualty Events: "FAST" Grant. If awarded, the grant begins October 1, 2023, and ends September 30, 2024, in the amount of $124,937.00. No cash-match or in-kind contribution is required. This will be the city's first award under this program. HPD presented this item on April 20, 2023 to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
This project will implement the First Assess Secure Treat (FAST) model within the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) North and North Belt Crime Suppression Teams, focusing on both the tactical response, as well as the medical response of the officers. This project will equip our front-line officers with training, tools, and medical supplies to conduct both effective tactical responses and save lives during a mass casualty event. The grant funds will be used for travel and training, equipment, supplies and direct operating expenses, which will allow the officers to enter the building or scene first, assessing tactical and medical needs, securing rooms, roadways, persons, or vehicles, and treating those needing medical attention quickly.
The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to act as the City’s representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related agreements with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Troy Finner
Chief of Police