City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 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 Urban Area Security Initiative for Funding to Pay for a Rail Operations Control Center Program Manager.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Urban Area Security Initiative for funding to pay for a Rail Operations Control Center Program Manager.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the submission of a grant application for $217,050 to fund payment of salary and benefits for an Alexandria Fire Department Captain; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
DISCUSSION: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has established a Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) which utilizes the resources of surrounding jurisdiction fire departments to assist with emergency incidents and oversight. Funding for a regional grant through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) that pays for the cost of the program. The ROCC program manager is responsible for overseeing 31 ROCC Fire Liaisons who support response efforts to over 3,000 events each year within the WMATA rail system, providing critical information to first responders.
BACKGROUND: The Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) Fire Liaison Program was established in 2016 after the L’Enfant Plaza incident which resulted in a fatality. At that time, eight jurisdictions were to provide personnel to fill a 24/7 shift position at the ROCC to assist with oversight and a fire department officer employee to assist with any issues in the Metro system. The four main jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, Fairfax, Montgomery, and Prince Georges County were to provide a full-time person for the position. The other four jurisdictions, Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun, and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, were to provide back-up personnel in the event of sick or annual leave taken by the full-time personnel along with providing a person after the first four years. Alexandria is now eligible to send an FTE for 2021. Continued participation in the program continues to strengthen Alexandria’s awareness of Metro issues and develops personnel in the Fire Department. This grant and Alexandria’s full participation is for at least a one-year period as this grant and the City’s full-time participation may be extended.
FISCAL IMPACT: Through coordination with other jurisdictions, WMATA and UASI, this grant would fully fund the salary and benefit costs of a Fire Captain position from Alexandria to serve as the program coordinator at ROCC. This position’s salary would be paid for by the grant, with the savings to the City then paying for the additional overtime costs. The full cost of salary and benefits for one year of the position is $217,050.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief