The Houston Fire Department (HFD) requests City Council to approve an ordinance authorizing the application for and acceptance of award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $475,119.30 with a cash match of $71,267.90 for a total program cost of $546,387.20. The anticipated project period is to begin July 07, 2023 and end on July 6, 2025.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) requests City Council to approve an ordinance authorizing the application for and acceptance of award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the amount of $475,119.30 with a cash match of $71,267.90 for a total program cost of $546,387.20.
For the 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), the Houston Fire Department (HFD) proposes one project; Blue Card Training program. Previously HFD was awarded the 2018, 2019 and 2020 AFG grant that has installed vehicle exhaust removal systems in our 76 busiest fire stations and provided Blue Card training. HFD is now requesting $546,387.20. Previously, HFD secured funding from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 AFG grant to certify every officer, 650 Engineer Operators ("EOs,") Incident Command Technician in the Blue Card Program. The intent of this program is to address multiple core competencies identified in the National Preparedness Goal through the introduction of the Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Command Training and Certification Program (Blue Card). The Blue Card program enables HFD to improve upon issues related to fire management and suppression, threat and hazard identification, operational coordination, and operational communication. As HFD implemented the training and certification process, the need to include all of our EOs became apparent, as EOs are capable of functioning as an officer for HFD. Therefore, HFD is now seeking $546,387.20 to continue the Blue Card training for CE Certifications, renew licenses, and online subscription and overtime for students and instructors.
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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Samuel Peña, Fire Chief
Houston Fire Department