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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FOR THE 2020 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant in the amount of $4,810,101.03.
2. Authorize the City Manager to appropriate grant revenues and expenditures in the amount of $4,810,101.03.
3. Authorize the allocation of nine grant funded firefighter positions increasing the total authorized full-time positions.
4. Authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
Council approval is required to accept grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant for the period of February 27, 2022, through February 26, 2025. The 2020 SAFER Grant will provide funds for the annual salary and benefit costs of nine (9) new Firefighters for a period of three (3) years.
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant in the amount of $4,810,101.03 from FEMA to hire nine (9) Firefighters.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Stockton Fire Department (SFD) submitted an application for grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FEMA on March 11, 2021, to hire nine (9) Firefighters. The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer Firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained “front line” Firefighters available in their communities.
The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA 1710.
In July 2011, the City of Stockton closed Fire Station 1, located at South Fresno Avenue and La Vita Drive, which has resulted in delayed emergency response times to this area. Utilizing grant funding will allow the City to hire nine (9) Firefighters, as a component of a larger plan, to assist in the re-staffing of Engine 1, which serves an area of critical infrastructure and high life-hazards within the City. This will allow SFD to meet the staffing standards as dictated under NFPA 1710.
Present Situation
On September 10, 2021, SFD was notified by FEMA that the City of Stockton was awarded $4,810,101.03 under the 2020 SAFER Grant to provide funds for salary and benefits costs of nine new (9) Firefighter positions for three (3) years (Attachment A). The SAFER grant does not require any matching funds and will pay the full cost, including FLSA Pay and benefits of Firefighters hired under the grant for three (3) years. The terms of the grant require hiring all positions awarded. The nine (9) Firefighters will be hired utilizing a certified hiring list. Awarded recipients have no obligation to retain the SAFER-funded positions after the conclusion of the period of performance for FY 2020 SAFER Awards; however, a future proposal will outline a plan to retain these positions as a component of re-opening Fire Station 1. Grant deadlines did not allow sufficient time to fully develop the proposal and cost estimates for inclusion in this staff report.
A default 180-day recruitment period began when the application was approved for award on September 10, 2021. The 36-month period of performance automatically begins after the 180-day recruitment period, regardless of whether the grant recipient has successfully hired the requested Firefighters. Recipients that do not fulfill their obligations under the SAFER grant will be considered in default and may be required to return the federal funds disbursed under the grant award. Based on these time constraints, the recommendation includes authorizing an increase in total full-time positions allowing recruitment tasks to begin upon acceptance of the grant funding.
SFD seeks Council approval to accept grant funding from FEMA for the 2020 SAFER Grant, for the period of February 27, 2022, through February 26, 2025. If approved, SFD accept the grant and will begin the hiring process for nine (9) Firefighters.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant in the amount of $4,810,101.03 from FEMA.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020 SAFER Grant will provide funds for the payroll costs of nine (9) new Firefighters for a period of three years for a total amount of $4,810,101.03. The SAFER Grant does not require any matching funds and will pay full cost, including base salary, FLSA pay, benefits and COLA increases at the Firefighter level for these positions for the three-year grant period. There are additional costs associated with staffing an engine company and/or re-opening Fire Station 1. These costs are being analyzed and will be brought back to Council with a full funding proposal.
It is recommended that the City Manager be authorized to appropriate grant revenues and expenditures in the amount of $4,810,101.03 in Fire Department Special Grant Account No. 4020-000-XXXXXX-280-281-20-40-000-000. Grant funding breakdown as follows:
|
Object Class |
First Year |
Second Year |
Third Year |
Total |
|
Personnel |
$657,090.99 |
$749,434.77 |
$827,449.02 |
$2,233,974.78 |
|
Fringe benefits |
$732,645.00 |
$840,010.05 |
$1,003,471.20 |
$2,576,126.25 |
|
Federal |
$1,389,735.99 |
$1,589,444.82 |
$1,830,920.22 |
$4,810,101.03 |
|
Non-federal |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$1,389,735.99 |
$1,589,444.82 |
$1,830,920.22 |
$4,810,101.03 |
Attachment A - Award Package