City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 16, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JAMES SCHWARTZ, INTERIM CHIEF, ALEXANDRIA FIRE AND EMS
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the Federal 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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ISSUE: Should the City submit a grant application to the federal 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the competitive SAFER grant application submission for $5,096,171 over a three-year period to mobilize an expansion of services through two additional emergency medical services transport units operated by 15 firefighters funded by the FY 2023 SAFER grant award; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: On March 11, 2024, FEMA opened the competitive grant application period for the 2023 SAFER grant program. SAFER grants provide financial assistance to help fire departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. The goal of SAFER is to help communities better meet industry minimum standards, obtain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection, and improve staffing and deployment capabilities.
Medical transport capabilities within the Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) expanded in 2015 with the opening of Station 210. In the past five years, AFD annual medical calls increased 42.3% (5,527 more annual calls than 2019).
DISCUSSION: To address the increased call volume, AFD intends to staff two additional 24/7 emergency medical services transport units operated daily by two positions per transport unit. These transport ...
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