Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in 2015 Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG) from the US Department of Homeland Security ($884,238.00), and Appropriate Share of Matching Grant Funds ($13,572.00) (Mobile Tablet Equip) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The attached resolution approves the Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) agency participation in the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department application for a 2015 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.
The Assistance to Firefighters grant program (AFGP) would fund mobile computer tablet packages that will include mobile tablets, vehicle mounting equipment, and Wi-Fi communication equipment and software.
Part of the city’s commitment is to provide its firefighting personnel a safer response and to better manage operations on scene.
The grant will allow personnel to collect, update and organize pertinent information in advance in order to be accessible to personnel on scene; assist personnel to respond and operate more effectively and safely on scene with better knowledge of known hazards and data to decrease property loss, injuries, or loss of lives; and provide a step towards the elimination of report writing duplication.
The grant will enhance the ability for personnel to collect hazardous material site information to become compliant with State and Federal laws on Emergency Hazard Sites and Firefighter Right to Know Data.
The approval of continuing the application and accepting this regional AFG grant will provide the means for the City's movement towards regional effort to share valuable information between agencies on building and occupancy data while responding and on scene during mutual aid incidents.
Taking a regional approach in supplying standardized computer equipment among twelve regional Fire Departments within Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor Township, City of Ann Arbor, Augusta Township, City of Belleville, City of Chelsea, Northfield Township, Salem Township, Scio Township, Sumpter Township, Superior Township, Van Buren Township, and Ypsilanti Township) will improve team work and expectations among mutual aid departments on fire scenes.
These grant purchased mobile tablets will be replacing personnel’s existing computer equipment. Current Fire Department pass through general funds to IT for the maintenance and replacement of this more efficient and effective equipment will have to be increased to cover the higher technology price difference; this increase is estimated to be $20,679.00 annually.
The anticipated grant amount is $884,238.00. Twelve Washtenaw County Fire Departments have agreed to participate and are responsible for a share of the 10% match to the grant ($80,385.27) defined by the number of each department’s number of mobile computer packages. The Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) will be responsible for funding their portion of the 10% of grant monies, at $13,572.00. 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.
Staff
Prepared by: Asst. Chief Ellen Taylor, AAFD
Reviewed by: Larry E. Collins, Fire Services Area Administrator / Fire Chief
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Fire Department is seeking to continue their participation as a partner on a regional AFG grant application hosted by Ypsilanti Township Fire Department, for Mobile Computer Packages that will include mobile tablets, vehicle mounting equipment, and Wi-Fi communication equipment and software;
Whereas, If the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department is awarded the grant in the amount of $884,238.00, the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) will be required to match their share ($13,572.00) of the 10% matching grant terms of $80,385.27;
Whereas, Part of the city’s commitment is to provide its fire fighting personnel a safer response and better manage operations on scene;
Whereas, The approval of continuing the application and accepting this regional AFG grant will provide the means for the City's movement towards regional effort to share valuable information between agencies during mutual aid incidents;
Whereas, The grant will allow personnel to collect, update and organize pertinent information in advance in order to be accessible to personnel on scene, such as hazardous material locations, building structure data, occupancy information and fire loads to decrease property loss, injuries, or loss of lives; and
Whereas, The grant will enhance the ability for personnel to collect hazardous material site information to become compliant with State and Federal laws on Emergency Hazard Sites and Firefighter Right to Know Data;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve AAFD continuation as a regional partner participator with Ypsilanti Township Fire Department for Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG), and subject to grant award to Ypsilanti Township, accept partnership requirements from the US Department of Homeland Security for mobile computer packages, including required AAFD’s share of grant local funding,
RESOLVED, That on receipt of award notice from Ypsilanti Township, City Council appropriate the necessary ten percent (10%) matching funds of $13,572.00 from General Fund Balance to the Fire Unit budget to be available for expenditure by AAFD for this Project without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That on receipt of award notice from Ypsilanti Township, 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 Ypsilanti Township 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.