City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2021
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 FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Funding for Firefighter Wellness and Fitness Training and Safety Training Classes.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding for wellness and fitness training and firefighter training.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of a grant application to FEMA for $450,000 in federal funding for which a $50,000 local match will be required; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
DISCUSSION: The AFG is an annual, competitive grant awarded by FEMA for Fire Departments. The AFG this year has several high priority categories that it will fund for career fire departments. The Fire Department has identified two areas of high priority training that is both beneficial/necessary for the department and likely to be awarded.
1. The Department is seeking health screenings for employees in several wellness and fitness high priorities categories addressed in the grant, including increased medical testing during annual physicals, annual medical and fitness evaluations, additional cancer screening, as well as formal fitness and injury prevention training for new recruits.
2. Training classes as required by the Occupational Safety Health Administration for both forklift operation, and hazardous materials recertifications.
BACKGROUND: The FY 2020 AFG application period opened on January 4, 2021 and will close on February 12, 2021. The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the health and safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments for critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. Unlike previous years, this year the AFG grant has a two-year performance period. Each year the AFG sets different priorities of how it will consider funding proposals. AFD has applied for this grant in the past and was awarded funds in the FY 2015 and 2017, 2018, and 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed grant application would request a total award of $500,000 ($450,000 of federal funds). $408,000 would be to fund the entire department to take the health and fitness screenings, $67,000 would fund fitness and wellness classes for 50 recruits, and $25,000 for the training classes for both forklift operations and hazardous materials recertification.
The grant requires a 10% local cash match, meaning that a total of $50,000 would be required from the Department’s budget. If awarded, funding for the paramedic training match would come from the City’s annual Aid to Localities allocation from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. The cost match is not a new cost to the Department.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief