DEPARTMENT: Fire
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2014 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (COSA OEM) to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $1,500,000.00 from the 2014 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). This grant program is designed to enhance the City's ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of international terrorism and "all hazards" disasters impacting the San Antonio Urban Area (SAUA). The SAUA encompasses the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the surrounding 12 counties and suburban cities within these counties. This ordinance approves a total personnel complement of 5 positions. These positions are essential for complying with the federal and state grant management requirements and for increasing regional response capabilities against a terrorist attack. These positions will be funded upon receipt of the 2014 HSGP awards.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2003, the Federal Government established a suite of Homeland Security grants including the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), and Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS). The grants are administered at the federal level by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Homeland Security and at the state level by the Texas State Administrative Agency and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The City has received $48 million in HSGP grant funding over the past 10 grant years (2003-2013). In 2013, the City did not receive an UASI award; however, the City did receive $763,293 in other grant funding.
The 2014 HSGP grant guidance was released on Tuesday March 18, 2014 in which the City was notified that it would be receiving $1M in UASI funding. The UASI applications are due to the state by May 14, 2014. The City is also requesting to apply for SHSP grant funds in the amount of up to $500,000 to support fusion center and regional response capabilities. The MMRS grant program has been consolidated into the SHSP grant program and is no longer be available to local jurisdictions.
The FY 2014 HSGP will maintain funding for a total personnel complement of 5 positions. No additional positions are being added in FY14. These positions are essential for complying with the Federal and State grant management requirements and for increasing regional response capabilities against a terrorist attack.
ISSUE:
The Office of Emergency Management must submit a 2014 HSGP grant application to be eligible for grant funding and to sustain current homeland security operational capabilities. Staffing and equipment are necessary to support public safety and compliance with federal and state regulations.
ALTERNATIVES:
Non-acceptance of 2014 HSGP grant funds would prevent the Office of Emergency Management from performing critical staffing, planning, training, exercises, and purchase of equipment to address intelligence and warning, protecting critical infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the COSA OEM to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $1,500,000.00 from the 2014 HSGP. This ordinance also approves to maintain a total personnel complement of 5 positions. There is no grant match requirement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to apply for and accept grant funds from the 2014 HSGP grant programs, appropriate funds upon award, and authorizing the City Manager and City Emergency Manager or their designee to execute any and all necessary documents to effectuate 2014 HSGP grants. Staff also recommends approval to maintain a personnel complement of 5 positions.