Title
Resolution to Approve Participation in 2016 Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG) from the US Department of Homeland Security ($669,955.00), and Appropriate Share of Matching Grant Funds ($10,984.55) (Fund Thermal Cameras Purchase) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The attached resolution approves the Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) agency participation in the Ann Arbor Township 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 $669,955.00. Fifteen Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association Fire Departments have agreed to participate in the grant and, if the grant is awarded, are responsible for a share of the 10% match to the grant ($60,905.00) defined by each department’s number of thermal imaging cameras needed. The City’s portion ($10,984.55) 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 thermal imaging equipment for fifteen fire departments within Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association. Thermal imaging equipment is imperative for the fire service to respond adequately with sight-seeing equipment to enter life threatening emergency environments. The new equipment will be deployed for everyday use, and allow firefighters to quickly and confidently enter and search for victims and heat sources during emergency situations in protecting property and saving lives.
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.
These new technology individual mask thermal imaging devices will allow each firefighter the advantage of seeing better in immediate dangerous smoke and toxic environments.
Taking a regional approach in purchasing thermal imaging equipment to all fifteen Fire Departments within Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor Township, Augusta Township, City of Ann Arbor, City of Belleville, City of Ypsilanti, Dexter Area, Green Oak Township, Manchester Township, Northfield Township, Northville Township, Salem Township, Saline Area, 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 individually thermal imaging cameras to outfit firefighters, enabling them to respond to dangerous emergency environment in saving lives along with finding and extinguishing fire much quicker.
There will be maintenance future costs incurred for this grant funded thermal imaging camera equipment. There are currently no replacement programs for this thermal imaging 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 their participation as a partner on a regional AFG grant application hosted by Ann Arbor Township Fire Department, for thermal imaging mask cameras;
Whereas, If the Ann Arbor Township Fire Department is awarded the grant in the amount of $669,955.00 the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD), as one of the fifteen participating fire department, will be required to contribute its share ($10,984.55) of the 10% matching grant terms of $60,905.00;
Whereas, Part of the city’s commitment is to provide its firefighting personnel a safer and more efficient work environment;
Whereas, Thermal imaging equipment will assist the fire service to respond adequately with sight-seeing equipment. These new individual mask thermal imaging devices will allow each firefighter the advantage of seeing better in immediate dangerous smoke and toxic environments;
Whereas, The new equipment will be deployed for everyday use, and allow firefighters to quickly and confidently enter and search for victims and heat sources during emergency situations in saving lives and protecting property;
Whereas, The approval of continuing the application and accepting this regional AFG grant would fund thermal imaging equipment for fifteen Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association fire departments; and
Whereas, The grant will provide funding for thermal imaging camera equipment for each participating Fire Department;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve AAFD as a regional partner participator with Ann Arbor Township Fire Department for Assistance to Firefighters Regional Grant (AFG), and subject to grant award to Ann Arbor Township, accept partnership requirements from the US Department of Homeland Security for thermal imaging camera equipment, including required AAFD’s share of grant local funding;
RESOLVED, That on receipt of award notice from Ann Arbor Township, City Council appropriate the necessary ten percent (10%) matching funds of $10,984.55 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor Township Fire Department be awarded the grant, the Mayor, City Clerk, and Fire Chief be 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.