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Home My WebLink About12/01/2009 08 SAFER Grant Application - Fire Department Financial Assistance BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. yr For Meeting Of December 1, 2009 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of motion authorizing submission of a "SAFER" Grant Application for Federal Assistance to add three firefighters to the Yakima Fire Department. SUBMITTED BY: Charlie Hines, Fire Chief CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Charlie Hines, 576-6079 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The Yakima Fire Department is requesting the opportunity to apply for the funding of three firefighting positions from the Department of Homeland Security. "SAFER" grants provide financial assistance to help fire departments increase their cadre of frontline firefighters. This would allow us to convert the two-person "rescue unir to a much needed three-person "engine company". The grant would cover 100% of the salary, benefits and required equipment for the first two years of the three firefighter's careers. • Projected Fiscal Impact July 2010 — December 2010 ....... $0 January 2011 — December 2011 $0 January 2012 — July 2012...... .......... $0 August 2012 — December 2012 $115,000 January 2013 — December 2013 $231,000 • Total Savings $491,500 Options for continued funding after the grant expires include: General funds from an improvement in the local economy, the EMS Levy (even if it is renewed at only twenty-five cents we will see a gain due to recalculation of the formula as a result of the increased population and re-adjustment). In addition, in a In addition, in a worst case scenario, we would position ourselves to absorb the three positions through anticipated retirements and/or attrition. We may also be able to contain or limit overtime costs for additional savings. The deadline for application is December 17, 2010. The City has past experience with administering this type of grant and the financing requirements necessary. Four rears ago the City was awarded a similar grant. Resolution Ordinance Other (Specify) Contract , Mail to (name and address): Phone: Funding Source / APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL' L Id14 Cit Mana•er STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: • O VIA1 4 " ippression Aid tyestigation '%/•■•• & Education I t - 4 • 401 North Front Street, Yakima, WA 98901 4.4\ (509) 575-6060 Training Fax (509) 576-6356 Communications www.yakimafire.com • • Fact Sheet Department of Homeland Security • Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program ("SAFER") . • "SAFER" grants provide financial assistance to help fire departments increase their cadre of frontline fire fighters , . • Application period ends December 17, 2009 • Fully funded for two years (salary, benefits & turnout gear) • Anticipate hiring in July 2010 • No prescribed cost sharing • No annual salary limits We are requesting the opportunity to apply for three firefighter positions. This would allow Us to convert the two-person "rescue unit" to a much needed three-person engine • company. Projected Fiscal Impact: July 2010 — December 2010 ....... .... $0 , January 2011 — December 2011 $0 January 2012 — July 2012 $0 August 2012 December 2012 $115,000 January 2013 — December $231,000 Total Savings ...... „....... $491,500 Li Organizational Analysis `!2 of the Yakima jj Fire Department ry {, rr Submitted Tit by .1. :f. b7 Burkett Associates ( 1996\ r .l i�,.. °rr2fx r. s.i„'�i. r. '#� v: +k .. z:`'} �:.'!�':stic�� 'srh¢.�ty�'Ssr'•"��..,� , ��m�,. �w<?`�..I �,.vx,,. S.: ,� m ±tw; .rz„! r'v.;r�. r..tzi �i Sri. BURKELL & ASSOCIATES Executive Summary • "The consultant found an extremely lean, if not understaffed organization" f: consultant feConirnends to the city that the mirinnuni Page 2-1 "Executive Summary" 1990 Population 49,000 YFD Emergency Responses 3,487 2008 Population _85,000 Current minimum staffing 19 YFD Emergency Responses.. • 9,400 The demand for service has long ago outpaced our resources and ability to serve the citizens of this community. YFD is still unable to meet the response time goals ("Standard of Coverage") established by the city council. . 25 = . . . • 15 '. 10 5 0 — -- I NFPA/FEMA STANDARD 1 YAKIMA Firefighters per / 1 population 1.8 IA 11 _ 4 4 Add 43 ' . 1.6 -� _ - is . Add 1.81k s 1.4; '1.7 25 Add 17 Add 8.5 1.2 1.5�._ • , II In , 0.8 t'Y IP ...... o 0.6 ` " 41 0.4 ,, . k ,�- ir" .� i 1 iiiii. 0.2 ; , + 0 _ -- .1 r: : ' 1 0 = ;0" . Ctp Yakima Fire Department Budget and Operational Realities 2009 YFD remains unable to achieve the "STANDARDS FOR RESPONSE TIME" goals adopted by the city council in 2006. Result: Patients are waiting longer for emergency medical care to arrive & fires are increasing in size, causing more damage & endangering citizen's lives. e \ , lin.m. Yakima has the poorest Washington Survey & Rating Bureau (WSRB) Grade of any full time paid professional Fire Department in the state of Washington. Result: Citizens & business owners are paying higher fire insurance premiums. / o The gap between the YPD & YFD budget in 1987 was 29%. In 2008, that gap has swollen to 60%. o Approximately 14% of the city budget is dedicated to the YFD. The state average is 22%. r Result: The demand for service has long ago outpaced our resources and ability to serve the citizens of this community. • YFD has the fewest Firefighters per capita than any city its size-in the state. Result: Increased reliance on surrounding volunteerfire districts to respond into Yakima due to unavailability of YFD. Consequences are-slower response times (if and when they have enough people to show up & respond), Quality of service is decreased. • • Yakima has a lower cost per capita for a professional fire department among the following Eastern Washington cities: Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Walla Walla, and Wenatchee. "Organizational Analysis of the Yakima Fire Department", submitted by Burkell & Associates, 1990 states: - "The consultant found an extremely lean, if not understaffed organization" - "The consultant recommends to the city that the minimum staffing standard be increased to 21' Page 2-1 "Executive Summary" 1990 Population 49,000 YFD Emergency Responses 3,487 2008 . Population... . ...... ........ ........85,000 • YFD Emergency Responses........,. 9,400 Current Staffing ' 19 • „ . . • p . , = 14, °---44' .4 ir -,... 4111 t ,. d -4;!., 4 t _0. ...., , .... a "s ir =ki COOP t le := s i 11.41-.1h L 11.6 LA— W .0 4.111 I S ' 116 • sr AS' VIP I 1 - INII• r - '," :,,,,,.. : ',.. ,•., - 1 i - • tf.' ''',": ' . ,,,', ',; • ' `i I : _;.' '. , , ,: ,; ,: , , , .. ' .': •, --.„`, ' ' ' • . .. . torrr - ,.„ ... , . :_. . , ,.. .. , • . , • il l ,, . ;"..„'' ' ... . ' , . 1 , . .. . . . , Ar . , ''. \ I C%111 411 ak i rill., 1, A: ', 'ow ,'?,i,;{.■:' • J 1 ...._. ................=7" 1 . IIIIIII 1, 41 . 7.• - ■•■••••-•„ 1 1......... ' • •