HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2017-020 SAFER Grant Application (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response)A RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. R-2017-020
authorizing the Fire Chief to execute all necessary documents to
complete and submit an application for a "Staffing for Adequate Fire
and Emergency Response" (SAFER) grant from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima recognizes that emergency response personnel are
important to all residents and businesses of the community; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima is exploring alternate funding methods in order to hire
3 additional firefighters to maintain adequate staffing levels; and,
WHEREAS, FEMA awards grant funds to fire departments and volunteer firefighter
interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line"
firefighters available in the community; and,
WHEREAS, the goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' ability to
comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
That the City Council of the City of Yakima hereby authorizes the Fire Chief to
submit a SAFER grant application with FEMA.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 7th day of February, 2017
ATTEST:
6))
Carmen Mendez, MayoriPro
Tem
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 15.
For Meeting of: February 7, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Resolution authorizing the Fire Chief to submit an application for a
SAFER Grant
SUBMITTED BY: Bob Stewart, Fire Chief
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
During the 2017 budget process, there was discussion with Council about the Fire Department
applying for the SAFER Grant. Staff reported that, at the time the budget was adopted, the
guidelines for the next round of SAFER funds had not been published. Previously SAFER funds
covered 100% of a firefighter's salary for a two or three year period. The new requirement is for
the jurisdiction receiving funds to cover 25% of the salaries for the first two years, 65% in
year three and thereafter at 100%. As we continue to study staffing capacity in the Fire
Department, we wanted to be sure Council was aware of this option as grant funds could be a
helpful infusion to the department's budget. With this item, we are respectfully requesting that
Council approve a resolution allowing staff to apply for the grant. If successful, we would again
come before Council seeking approval to accept funds.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
No
Public Safety
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
Forward to the City Council for authorization to apply for the SAFER grant
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
D Resolution for SAFER grant Applicaton Authorization 2/2/2017
D Memo to Public Safety tee on SAFER Grant 1/30/2017
Type
Resolution
Backup Material
Administration
Fire Suppression
Fire Investigation
& Education
Training
Communications
401 North Front Street, Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575-6060
Fax (509) 576-6356
r.yakimafire.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 17, 2017
TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: Bob Stewart, Fire Chief
RE: SAFER Grant update
The purpose of this memo is to:
1. Provide the Public Safety Committee with an update on the SAFER (Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant application period.
2. Provide a brief explanation of award changes that have been made for this grant cycle.
3. Propose funding options.
4. Obtain direction on how to proceed.
The FY 2016 SAFER grant application period is now open, and will remain open through
February 10, 2017. This 3 -year grant cycle differs from previous years in that it includes the
requirement for cost sharing. Please recall that previous grant awards funded salary and benefits
at 100% for either 2 or 3 years. By comparison, FY 2016 SAFER has a cost share of 25%, 25%
and 65% respectively over the 3 -year grant period. The following is an example of the City's
monetary contribution for 3 firefighters using current salary and benefits numbers. (Note that
these numbers are approximate and future COLA is not factored in)
Year 1 $65,000
Year 2 $65,000
Year 3 $162,000
Year 4 and beyond $260,000 (current approximate numbers without future COLA)
Administration
Fire Suppression
Fire Investigation
& Education
Training
Communications
401 North Front Street, Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575-6060
Fax (509) 576-6356
r.yakimafire.com
Directly associated with our current staffing challenges is the Fire Services Agreement with
Union Gap. When this initial 3 -year agreement was drafted, it included funding for 9 personnel,
whereas deployment of a 24/7 fire apparatus actually requires 12 personnel. Staff members from
Yakima and Union Gap are currently meeting to renegotiate the Fire Services Agreement for
2018 and beyond. Both sides agree that personnel funding must be increased, and it is the goal of
these negotiations that Union Gap will contribute additional funding for 1 firefighter per year
over the 3 -year period to include 2018, 2019 and 2020. Conceivably, this would provide funding
for the City's portion of the SAFER grant — if awarded, without being burdensome to the general
fund.
Given the change in the FY 2016 SAFER grant, staff is requesting guidance from the Public
Safety Committee on how to proceed.