Title
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Firefighter Grant Program (NB)
This item requests that the City Commission authorize an application for the 2009 Federal SAFER Grant Program for firefighter staffing funds.
Explanation
On November 16, 2009, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Preparedness Directorate - Office of Grants and Training, began accepting applications for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Firefighter Grant Program. The application is due to DHS by December 18, 2009. The purpose of the program is to assist fire departments with increasing the number of firefighters available to respond to calls for service in order to meet staffing guidelines as established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in NFPA 1710. In part, the NFPA response guidelines describe a deployment goal for 90% of building fire dispatches of having four (4) fire suppression personnel on scene with one suppression apparatus within four (4) minutes from the time units begin responding. Gainesville Fire Rescue's staffing does not currently support four (4) personnel on engine companies and the department's minimum staffing requirement for an engine company is three (3) personnel. To achieve the NFPA 1710 goal, Gainesville Fire Rescue must frequently have more than one unit on scene within four (4) minutes; this requires the dispatch of units from multiple stations.
The City recently responded to an identified gap in the fire service area in Northwest Gainesville by committing funds to support development of Fire Station 8. Gainesville Fire Rescue currently staffs seven full-time stations with 132 combat personnel. An increment request for thirteen firefighting positions was submitted by the Fire Department for FY07 in anticipation of the need to hire and train personnel for Station 8 in FY09. Funding for the 13 positions was removed from the FY10 budget to meet a 5% decrement request. This will result in the need for the City to staff the new station with existing staff. This could require engine company staff from an existing downtown station to be relocated to the new fire station resulting in a reduction in service to the downtown area. A tower-ladder and two person squad will remain in service in the downtown station. Since SAFER program funds for hiring must be used for salaries and associated benefits for new, full-time firefighter positions only, application of these funds would support staffing of Fire Station 8.
For FY09 and FY10, SAFER grants are being awarded differently due to the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 2009. For FY09 and FY10 only, no cost-share match is required and no salary limits are in place.
Awards for hiring new firefighters will cover the actual salary and benefit costs for two years and the grantee is required to retain SAFER-funded firefighters for one full year after the end of the period of performance. The maximum annual Federal share of funds for 13 firefighters is estimated at: FY10 - $724,785 and FY11 - $773,849 assuming a 5.5% annual inflator.
Fiscal Note
The cost to the City for the third year, FY12, is estimated at $819,406 assuming a 5.5% annual inflator.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager to: 1) apply to the US Department of Homeland Security for the SAFER Grant Program; and, if awarded: 2) accept the award; 3) approve the required payment process for expending the grant funds; and 4) allocate the required cash match.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City not apply for the SAFER Grant Program. The fiscal impact would be that the City meet the full financial burden of any firefighter positions required for Station 8.