City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 25, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JIM SCHWARTZ, INTERIM FIRE CHIEF
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the 2024 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)
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ISSUE: Should the City apply for a 2024 State Homeland Security Program Grant?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1) Approve the competitive SHSP grant application for funding up to $250,000. The projected period of performance will last from September 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. Awarded grant funds will be used by the Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) to procure, install, and implement an incident command training simulator; and
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: On May 17, 2024, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) opened the application cycle for the FY 2024 SHSP grant. This competitive grant provides funding to support local efforts to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. The City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) identifies terrorism as a hazard. Furthermore, AFD incorporates the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the standard incident command system (ICS) for emergency response operations, including terrorism.
DISCUSSION: To address the terrorism hazard identified in the EOP and to fortify NIMS command and control proficiency among its staff, AFD intends to implement immersive training through an incident command and control training simulator to be housed in available space set aside for this purpose at Fire Station 210. Access to the training simulator may be extended to agencies within the City, neighboring localities, and regional partners.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost share or match requirement for the FY24...
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