City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 6, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Federal FY 2015 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) Through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Funding for Firefighter Training Classes.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Federal FY 2015 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding for firefighter training classes.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of a grant application for $249,137 in federal funding for firefighter training classes; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: Last year, the Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) began implementation of a plan to move from single-role medics to a dual-role Firefighter/Medic capability. Dual-role providers have both Medic and Firefighter competencies, and will be able to staff any unit in the City. This staffing model is used by other surrounding metropolitan region Fire Departments. In the first year of transition, 10 medics have begun training or converted from single to dual-role.
The dual-role cross-training process will occur incrementally over the next several years, and requires additional funds for training interested personnel to become dual-role providers. Two of the base certifications required for medics looking to become cross-trained are the Virginia Firefighter I & Firefighter II certifications. Training relevant personnel to the Firefighter I and Firefighter II standards is a high funding priority for this year's AFG. Thus, AFD is requesting funds to conduct both Firefighter I and Firefighter II tr...
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