City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 3, 2020
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 for the 2020 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for Swift Water and Flood Rescue Teams.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application for the 2020 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to fund water rescue equipment and training to meet minimum equipment capabilities and training standards established for State (Regional) Swift Water and Flood Rescue Teams.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the acceptance of a Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Teams grant for $30,000; 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 (SHSP) is one of the six grant programs in the FEMA grant system. This year’s State Homeland Security Program may allot additional funding for regional swift water and flood rescue teams. The Alexandria Fire Department is part of a regional state team. The NOVA Team is made up of the water rescue programs from the City of Fairfax, Arlington County, and Alexandria Fire Departments. 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 2020, ending in June 2022. The monies are preliminarily set to fund personal protective equipment, a swift water rescue boat trailer, and team training, to meet a minimum equipment and training standard to be established by VDEM.
The Fire Department would be using these funds to purchase water rescue dry suits, a trailer, and to fund a swift/flood water rescue training certification course. All of which assist the department in meeting the required tools and equipment inventory set by the commonwealth.
DISCUSSION: These funds will assist the City Inland Water Rescue Team in meeting the initial VDEM inventory and training standards. 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 acceptance of grant funds up to the amount of $30,000 to enhance the preparedness abilities of our inland water rescue team members to effectively respond to and mitigate water rescue related threats. This grant will fund specialized equipment to assist with flood rescue as it relates to our urban setting. 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.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief