City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 7, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THRUOGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: COREY SMEDLEY, FIRE CHIEF
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the 2022 State Homeland Security Program Grant through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for FOAM Equipment Training.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant from the 2022 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to fund advanced flammable liquid firefighting training.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the execution of a grant award for $42,100; 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 administered 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. The Fire Department was awarded this grant in December of 2022. The period of performance ends in June 2024.
DISCUSSION: The Department plans to send up to 10 members of the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team to advanced flammable liquid firefighting training at nationally recognized training institution in Texas where hands-on, live-fire training can be delivered by experts in the field. The Department will also purchase training foam to allow all members of the department to conduct hands-on foam application techniques in an environmentally safe manner.
The training will allow the Department to meet standards established for State (Regional) Hazardous Material Teams as well as enhance response capabilities.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Fire Department is requesting to expend the awarded grant funds up to the amount of $42,100 to obtain training and increase the Department’s proficiency at flammable liquid firefighting. The grant is a 100% state funded project which requires no cash match from the City of Alexandria. 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.
The City has applied for, been awarded and effectively utilized SHSP grants annually since 2017.
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager