Title
State Homeland Security Grant Program Sub-recipient Agreement (NB)
This item requests that the City Commission authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services, to support equipment maintenance and training for Gainesville Fire Rescue's Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue Teams.
Explanation
Gainesville Fire Rescue's (GFR) Hazardous Materials Team has regional responsibilities for eleven counties and is classified as a State Type II Team providing a response capability with personnel and testing equipment for hazardous materials incidents within one hour. Through prior agreement, GFR was designated as one of 29 teams providing a statewide response network to hazardous materials emergencies. GFR also maintains training and equipment to staff an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team which is available for deployment at the state and federal levels. Funding for maintenance of equipment and responder training to support these capabilities is supplemented through a variety of homeland security and emergency services grants; one of these is the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) offered through the Department of Financial Services. Reimbursement funding offered by the State of Florida for the 2011 program just recently approved includes up to $22,841 for equipment capability retention of USAR and Hazmat equipment and up to $15,543 for training in approved courses for hazmat and USAR operations. Equipment capability and training for this cycle of the grant program will be focused on hazardous materials detection.
Fiscal Note
The City will receive up to $38,384. There is no match required.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a contract with the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality.