Title
Florida Strategy documents (NB)
Authorize the City Manager to Execute Existing and Future Contracts with the State of Florida for Grant Funding to Support Fire Rescue Specialty Team Response and Training Associated with the Florida Strategy for Homeland Security.
Explanation
The U.S. Department of Justice approved the State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) preparation and participation in the State and Local Domestic Preparedness Program funded by Congress. The goal of the funding is to provide sufficient training and response equipment to make the local community self-sufficient until outside help arrives. Additionally, this initiative also provides assurance that a cadre of trained and equipped personnel to assist other parts of the State until a large-scale response at the State and Federal level can be mobilized exists. Training and equipment are being provided specifically for chemical, biological, and nuclear threats. As reported previously to the City Commission, the Gainesville Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Team fulfills its role as one of the State's 28 Hazmat/WMD Response Teams and regionally, is the core of the North Central Florida Regional Hazardous Materials Team. As such, the team is often the recipient of the grant funds for equipment and training. The DCA requires the recipient to: 1) replace and potentially be reimbursed through local, state or federal reimbursement processes or agreements, all goods and supplies expended for emergency response, training or exercises conducted in accordance with the Florida Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; 2) respond to any and all incidents within its regional response area; 3) participate in at least three regional training events per year and at least one regional exercise or terrorist event simulation, as directed by the DCA; and 4) submit reports on that training.
On May 15, 2002, the City Commission adopted a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of the Sta...
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