DEPARTMENT:SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED:City Wide
SUBJECT:
2016 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 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). This ordinance approves a total personnel complement of five (5) positions and partially funds one (1) Special Projects Manager position authorized under 2016 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). This ordinance also authorizes one (1) Senior Management Analyst position thru additional funds awarded in the 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $73,520.
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 State Administrative Agency (SAA) administers this grant program on the behalf of FEMA. The City has received $53,371,900 in HSGP grant funding to date (2003-2015). In FY15, the City received $922,196,000 in State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). 2015 SHSP funded $396,219 for five (5) SAOEM positions and partially funded (1) position authorized under EMPG to support homeland security projects; $259,994 for specialized equipment for the San Antonio Police Department and Southwest Texas Fusion Center; $122,215 for specialized equipment for San Antonio Fire Department special operations teams; and $143,768 to upgrade WebEOC servers and monitors at the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
The 2016 HSGP grant guidance is expected to be released by FEMA in early 2016.
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. These positions are essential for complying with the federal and state grant management requirements and for increasing regional response capabilities against a terrorist attack.
Karnes County was unable to utilize funds for a project so the City of San Antonio was awarded additional funds in the amount of $73,520 to fund a SeniorManagement Analyst position. This position will create a strategic plan and create mutual aid agreements.
ISSUE:
The Office of Emergency Management must submit a 2016 HSGP grant application to be eligible for 2016 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 2016 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. Not funding the personnel complement would make us non-compliant 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 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). This ordinance also authorizes a total personnel complement of five (5) positions, including one (1) new Senior Management Analyst position initially funded thru additional funds awarded in the 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $73,520. This award will also partially fund one (1) Special Projects Manager position authorized under 2016 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to apply for and accept grant funds from the 2016 HSGP grant programs, appropriate funds upon award, and authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, or the City Emergency Manager to execute any and all necessary documents to effectuate 2016 HSGP grants. Staff also recommends approval of the personnel complement of five (5) positions and partially fund one (1) Special Projects Manager position authorized under 2016 Emergency Management Performance Grant.
This ordinance also authorizes one (1) SeniorManagement Analyst position thru additional funds awarded in the 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $73,520.