City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 5, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the 2019 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for Emergency Response Equipment.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the 2019 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to fund specialized hazardous material equipment and training to meet minimum equipment capabilities and training standards established for State (Regional) Hazardous Material Teams.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the submission of a grant application for $80,000; 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. Grant applications are submitted to support Homeland Security efforts in local jurisdictions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Funds for the program are provided by the National Preparedness Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Grant Program. Allowable expenditures include equipment, exercises and training. Current information from the granting agency has indicated a June 15, 2019 application due date.
DISCUSSION: These funds will assist the City Hazardous Materials Team to meet recently revised VDEM inventory and training standards. This grant will enhance the preparedness abilities of the hazardous materials team members to effectively respond to and mitigate Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) threats. This grant will fund specialized formal training classes, in the disciplines of HazMat IQ, DECON, Air Monitoring, and RAD detection, to the hazardous materials team members, to be conducted locally. This will help ensure the team has adequate equipment and training to meet the minimum capabilities to meet State and Federal standards.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Fire Department is requesting grant funds up to the amount of $80,000. The $80,000 will cover the costs of the tuition for the courses described above along with paying overtime backfill to cover those firefighters who attend the training on duty. City staff will administer the grant. The City is also 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. There is no cash match requirement.
The City has applied for and has been awarded this grant in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Robert C. Dubé, Fire Chief