City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 21, 2021
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 2021 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Equipment.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the 2021 State Homeland Security Program SHSP grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management VDEM to fund specialized hazardous material equipment and training to meet standards established for State (Regional) Hazardous Material Teams as well as enhance response capabilities.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the submission of a grant application for $66,500; 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.
DISCUSSION: These funds will assist the City Hazardous Materials Team meet recently revised 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. The equipment requested in with this grant will replace existing PPE that is nearing its end of service life as well as fund a portion of the personnel attendance in Flammable Liquids Foam Firefighting Course.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Fire Department is requesting grant funds up to the amount of $66,500 to enhance the preparedness abilities of our hazardous materials team members to effectively respond to and mitigate Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) threats. This grant will fund replacement of specialized PPE such as fully encapsulated level A chemical suits, CBRNE filter canisters, and Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) decontamination wipes. This grant will also provide an opportunity for members of the team to attend specialized training related to flammable liquid fuel firefighting. 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. 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, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief