City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: COREY SMEDLEY, FIRE CHIEF
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the 2023 State Homeland Security Program Grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for Replacement of the Firefighting Foam Carried by the Alexandria Fire Department.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the 2023 State Homeland Security Program grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to fund the replacement of the Alexandria Fire Department’s (AFD) firefighting foam with a new environmentally friendly foam.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the application of a grant application for up to $32,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The State Homeland Security Program is a grant program administered by VDEM. Grant applications are submitted to support Homeland Security efforts in local jurisdictions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Funds for the program are provided by the National Preparedness Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Grant Program. Allowable expenditures include equipment, exercises, and training.
DISCUSSION: The Department plans to replace the foam currently carried on the foam response trailer with a more environmentally friendly foam.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Fire Department is requesting to apply for grant funds up to the amount of $32,000 to replace our current inventory of the 660 gallons of foam carried on the response trailer. The grant is a 100% funded project which requires no cash match from the City of Alexandria. City staff will administer the grant. The City is also responsible for the normal administrative costs associated with this grant, including financial and reporting oversight provided by the Fire Department, as well as the Office of Management and Budget, and the Finance Department.
The City has applied for and was awarded a grant to purchase training foam and send several of our personnel to training programs related to foam usage.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager