Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in 2016 Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG) from the US Department of Homeland Security ($2,007,592.00), and Appropriate if Necessary Share of Matching Grant Funds ($13,835.09) (Fund Extrication Equipment Replacement) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The attached resolution approves the Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) agency participation in the Saline Area Fire Department application for a 2016 Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG) from the US Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security requires a resolution documenting City Council’s authorization of the administrative and budget actions necessary to implement the grant if received.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The anticipated grant amount is $2,007,592.00. Nineteen Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association Fire Departments have agreed to participate in the grant and are responsible for a share of the 10% match to the grant ($182,508.36) defined by each department’s number of selected tools to be replaced. The Ann Arbor Fire Department will be responsible for $13,835.09 of grant match as a participating fire department. The City’s portion will be covered from the Fire Service Area General Fund budget if grant is awarded and equipment can be received by the end of fiscal 2017 period. If the grant is awarded but is not received to accommodate the City’s 2017 fiscal period procurement requirements, the City’s portion will be appropriated from General Fund balance to the Fire Service Unit without regard to fiscal year, if the grant is received.
The AFG would fund Extrication equipment for nineteen fire departments within Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association. Extrication equipment is imperative for the fire service to respond adequately with powerful but safe equipment to release trapped victims and secure unsafe environments. The new equipment will be deployed for everyday use, and provide firefighters the tools necessary to save lives and protect property.
The Ann Arbor Fire Department responds to all fire, medical first response, technical rescue, water rescue, hazardous materials, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive, and environmental calls. In addition to covering Ann Arbor’s community, the Fire Department is a partner of the Washtenaw County Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), registered through the State of Michigan, and responsible for responding to local and state mutual aid calls when needed.
The Department’s current extrication tools vary and are at various ages of life. Some of this equipment is over thirty years old. There is a need to replace the department’s extrication tools due to age, but also to upgrade to better technology to withstand today’s better materials such as automotive high-strength steel.
Taking a regional approach in purchasing extrication equipment to nineteen Fire Departments within Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor Township, Augusta Township, City of Ann Arbor, City of Belleville, City of Milan, City of Ypsilanti, Dexter Area, Green Oak Township, Manchester Township, Northfield Township, Northville Township, Pittsfield Township, Plymouth Township, Salem Township, Saline Area, Scio Township, Superior Township, Van Buren Township, and Ypsilanti Township) will improve universal equipment among mutual aid departments on fire scenes.
This grant is an important part of the US Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public they serve and will fund the Department’s purchase of new equipment to outfit firefighters enabling them to respond to emergency scenes.
There will be no additional future costs incurred for this grant funded extrication equipment replacement equipment. There are currently no replacement or maintenance programs for this extrication equipment within the Fire Department.
Staff
Prepared by: Asst. Chief Ellen Taylor, AAFD
Reviewed by: Chief Larry E. Collins, Fire Services Area Administrator / Fire Chief
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Fire Department is seeking to continue its participation as a partner on a regional AFG grant application hosted by Saline Area Fire Department, for extrication equipment;
Whereas, If the Saline Area Fire Department is awarded the grant in the amount of $2,007,592.00, the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) will be required to match their share ($13,835.09) of the 10% matching grant terms of $182,508.36;
Whereas, Part of the city’s commitment is to provide its firefighting personnel safer, and better equipment to perform their work;
Whereas, Extrication equipment is imperative for the fire service to respond adequately with today’s higher technological needed equipment to work efficiently at emergency incidents such as vehicle pin-ins;
Whereas, The regional AFG grant would fund extrication equipment for nineteen Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association fire department, equipment that is imperative for the fire service to respond with adequate equipment to respond to life threatening emergency incidents;
Whereas, The new equipment will be deployed for everyday use, and allow firefighters to quickly and confidently use the most current tools needed to protect and save lives and property; and
Whereas, The grant will provide funding for extrication equipment for each participating Fire Department;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve AAFD as a regional partner participator with Saline Area Fire Department for Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG), and subject to grant award to Saline Area Fire Department, accept partnership requirements from the US Department of Homeland Security for RIC training and equipment, including required AAFD’s share of grant local funding;
RESOLVED, That on receipt of award notice from Saline Area Fire Department, the necessary ten percent (10%) matching funds of $13,835.09 from Fiscal 2017 Fire Service Area General Funds be available for expenditure by AAFD for this Project;
RESOLVED, That if the grant is awarded but not in time to accommodate the City’s 2017 fiscal period procurement requirements, City Council appropriate the necessary ten percent (10%) matching funds of $13,835.09 from General Fund balance to the Fire Service Unit budget to be available for expenditure by AAFD for their Project without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That on receipt of award notice from Saline Area Fire Department, the City Administrator is directed to establish a Major Grant Fund for this Project and transfer all matching funding to the major grant fund for grant management and expenditure of the funds by AAFD for the life of the Project without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That if Saline Area Fire Department is awarded the grant, the Mayor. City Clerk, and Fire Chief are authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the City as an agency participant any required supporting grant documentation after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and after approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this Resolution.