City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) Grant Program, Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Health.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) Grant Program, Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Health.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of the grant application (due September 16, 2013); and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
DISCUSSION: As part of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) project within the City, the need for improved Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) has been identified to aid in improving our EMS system. The City has selected PowerPhone as our preferred EMD software. PowerPhone is an integrated 911 call handling system for enhanced 911 call dispatch. The PowerPhone system works at the start of the call-taking process to centralize information, provide structured emergency medical questioning, and offer objective dispatch recommendations. This system results in greater call taking consistency, enhanced victim and responder safety, better evidence preservation and risk mitigation.
Although this software will be installed and utilized The Department of Emergency Communication (DEC) DEC, the Fire Department, as the licensed EMS agency for the City, is taking the lead role as the grant applicant.
BACKGROUND: On August 1, 2013, the Virginia Department of Health opened the grant application period for the 2013 RSAF (Rescue Squad Assistance Fund) Grant Program. The RSAF is a multi-million dollar matching grant program for Virginia governmental and non-profit Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies and organizations to provide financial assistance based on demonstrated need. The primary goal of this program is to financially assist governmental and non-profit EMS agencies to purchase EMS equipment and vehicles and provide needed EMS programs and projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total cost of the PowerPhone system is $104,500. If this RSAF grant is awarded, it will pay $52,250 (50%) of the total project amount. The City will have an obligation to pay the remaining 50% as a cash match, which will be paid out of the CAD project budget. City staff will administer the grant. The City is 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 applied for and was awarded this grant in 2010 and 2012.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
STAFF:
Michele Evans, Deputy City Manager
Adam K. Thiel, Fire Chief
Jerome Fletcher, Special Assistant to the City Manager