City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: COREY SMEDLEY, CHIEF, ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Funding for Firefighter Wellness, Fitness Training, Paramedic Training, Procure Specialty Equipment for Regional Response and Vehicle Mounted Exhaust Systems.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding for firefighter wellness and training, paramedic training and to procure equipment.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of a grant application to FEMA for $1,463,296 in federal funding for which a $146,330 local match will be required; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The FY 2022 AFG application period was January 9, 2023 through February 10, 2023. 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. 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 (most recently in February 2021) and was awarded funds in FY 2015 and FY 2017, FY 2018, and FY 2019.
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 several areas of high priority that are both beneficial and necessary for the Department and likely to be awarded. These include:
1. The Department is seeking funding for employee health screenings 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. Install Vehicle Mounted Exhaust systems on department’s diesel-powered vehicles.
3. Provide training classes as required to operate as a nationally registered emergency medical paramedic.
4. Purchase extrication equipment to enable all three of the AFD’s Ladder Trucks to perform basic vehicle extrication operations. This is a regional benefit as the AFD has standing and well exercised mutual-aid agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed grant application would request a total award of $1,609,626 ($1,463,296 of federal funds and $146,330 of required match). Of this amount: $228,000 would be to fund health and fitness screenings, $84,000 would fund fitness and wellness classes for two recruit schools (up to 60 recruits), $345,000 for vehicle mounted exhaust systems, $716,296 for the paramedic training classes (cost of 10 students with overtime backfill), and $90,000 for extrication equipment.
The grant requires a 10% local cash match, meaning that a total of $146,330 would be required from the Department’s budget. If awarded, the grant would provide additional budgetary relief from the overtime and backfill costs currently incurred for paramedic training. The cost match is not a new cost to the Department.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief