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
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Consideration of a Grant Application for the 2023 State Homeland Security Program Grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for Swift Water and Flood Rescue Teams.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application for the 2023 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to fund water rescue equipment to meet minimum equipment capabilities established for State (Regional) Swift Water and Flood Rescue Teams and to increase the training levels of team members.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the application of a grant for up to $39,000; 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 run by VDEM. The State Homeland Security Program is one of the six grant programs in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant system. This year's State Homeland Security Program may allot additional funding for regional swift water and flood rescue teams, under their competitive grant process. The Alexandria Fire Department is part of the statewide and regional water rescue response program. The Alexandria Fire Department Team works side by side with the water rescue programs from the City of Fairfax and Arlington County to provide a statewide response Team. Funds for the program are provided by the National Preparedness Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Grant Program.
This grant has a two-year window for utilization beginning in October of 2023, ending in June of 2025. The monies are preliminarily set to fu...
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