City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 19, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: RENEE GORDON, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY AND CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Grant Program for Resiliency
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of grant funding from the VDEM to fund initiatives that directly benefit PSAP staff and enhance operations in the areas of readiness and continuity, cybersecurity, training, and technology and service improvements.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of a grant application for up to $350,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The NG9-1-1 Funding and PSAP Grant Program is a multi-million-dollar funding program administered by the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board through VDEM. The PSAP Grant Program for Resiliency provides funding to civilian primary PSAPs in the Commonwealth for initiatives that directly benefit PSAP staff and operations in six functional areas: 9-1-1 and PSAP Operations; Cybersecurity; Technical Systems; PSAP Resiliency; Data Development, Maintenance and Support; and Analysis and Planning. It is not a one-size-fits-all grant. It provides flexibility for local assessments and planning.
DISCUSSION: The Department of Emergency and Customer Communications (DECC) serves as the City of Alexandria’s only public safety answering point for 9-1-1 calls. The department’s highest priority is to ensure the continued strength and effectiveness of 9-1-1 operations as it responds to emerging challenges and prepares for future needs. If awarded, DECC intends to use this one-time funding to support customer service enhancements, initiatives designed to strengthen staff retention and workplace well-being and improve operational continuity.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant does not require matching funds. If approved, all grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2028.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Tenesia Wells, Deputy Director, DECC
Martina Alexander, Assistant Director of Administration, DECC
Walter Kaplan, Division Chief of Public Safety Communication Systems, DECC