DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2015 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 2015 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 2015 HSGP awards. There is no in-kind or cash match required for this grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2003, the Federal Government established a suite of Homeland Security grants that are now administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The SAA administers this grant program on the behalf of FEMA. The City has received $52,250,167 in HSGP grant funding to date (2003-2014). In FY14, the City received $800,000 in Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant and $437,278 in State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). The 2014 UASI program funded $400,000 for specialized equipment for the San Antonio Police Department and Fire Department special operations teams; $300,000 for improvements to the San Antonio Emergency Operation Center Audio/Visual (AV) system; $50,000 for software for the South Texas Regional Fusion Center; and $50,000 for administrative support. SHSP funds were used for salaries for a regional GIS/Planning and Analysis team and additional equipment for the City's special response teams that responds regionally.
The 2015 HSGP grant guidance is expected to be released by FEMA in early 2015; however, the City was notified by Texas State Administrative Agency (SAA) that applications for the 2015 SHSP grant program will be released on January 5, 2015, with applications being due March 31, 2015.
ISSUE:
The Office of Emergency Management must submit a 2015 HSGP grant application to be eligible for 2015 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 2015 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. Alternatives to not funding the personnel complement would make us not in compliance with grant mandates and eligibility requirements and unable to accept any future HSGP grant funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (COSA OEM) to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, funds up to $1,500,000 from the 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). This ordinance also approves a total personnel complement of 5 positions. The 5 positions will only be funding if awarded sufficient grant funds to sustain employment for an additional year.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to apply for and accept grant funds from the 2015 HSGP grant programs, appropriate funds upon award, and authorizing the Director of Emergency Management, Mayor, or his designee, or the City Emergency Manager to execute any and all necessary documents to effectuate 2015 HSGP grants. Staff also recommends approval of the personnel complement of 5 positions.