The Houston Fire (HFD) requests City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the application and acceptance of award for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FY 2022 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program in the amount of $152,492.81 with a cash match of $7,624.65 for a total program cost of $160,117.46.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Houston Fire (HFD) requests City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the application and acceptance of award for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FY 2022 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program in the amount of $152,492.81 with a cash match of $7,624.65 for a total program cost of $160,117.46.
The Houston Arson Bureau (HAB) Juvenile Fire Setters Program (JFSP) is a voluntarily program offered to individuals between the ages of 2-17 that have been referred to the HAB for exhibiting fire risk behaviors. These behaviors can include intentionally setting fires or igniting explosives in an unsupervised environment, making threats to do either, or other actions, such as falsely activating fire alarms. The intent of the program is to educate the individuals and their guardians about the consequences of these actions, including criminal charges and loss of life/property, and to deter program entrants from repeating these behaviors in the future. HFD proposes the hiring of an Administrative Aide to be the Project Manager of the Houston Arson Bureau’s Juvenile Fire Setters Program.
HAB’s goal is to reduce risk to the community by eliminating repeat fire risk behaviors in juveniles. Our objective is to increase enrollment in the JFSP by implementing proactive intervention measures, which will include actively seeking out juveniles that meet entry criteria and by obtaining more referrals through improved community awareness. HAB JFSP members will operate as a team with the purpose of providing the highest quality education and training to juveniles that exhibit fire risk behaviors, and to their families. If awarded, HFD will hire an Administrative Assistant who will be the Project Coordinator for the JFSP. The Project Coordinator, along with current members of the Houston Arson Bureau, will be sent to complete the Youth Fire setter Intervention Specialist Level 1 and Level 2 certification as required by NFPA 1035. HFD is now seeking $160,117.46 to conduct this program.
The Houston Fire Department also requests City Council to authorize the Fire Chief 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 as to form of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
Funding for this item is included in the FY2024 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy.
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Estimated Spending Authority
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Department
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Current FY
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Out Year
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Total
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Houston Fire Department
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$3,755.90
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$3,868.75
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$7,624.65
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______________________
Samuel Peña, Fire Chief
Houston Fire Department