DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Fire Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
FY 2016 STRAC MIH Grant Award Acceptance & Budget Appropriation
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of a grant from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $391,863 ($152,745 for personnel costs and $239,118 for equipment and vehicles) and approves a program budget. Grant funds will be used by the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department to work with Pediatric Asthma Patients. Grant will be used for salary and benefits, eligible expenses including supplies, operational expenses, education and training, equipment, vehicles, and communication equipment.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) was established to facilitate the development, implementation, and operation of a regional comprehensive trauma and emergency healthcare system based on accepted standards of care to decrease morbidity and mortality. Funds are awarded to assist in improving the functionality of EMS agencies in the State of Texas. STRAC has created an MIH consortium for municipalities engaged in programs and can act as a clearing house for HIPPA compliant information as well as a central hub for grants for participating jurisdictions within the consortium. Currently the City of Schertz and the City of San Antonio are the founding members of the consortium. STRAC has received grant funding from The University Health System to help improve the health and daily activities of pediatric asthma patients by providing skilled patient care in the home setting, educating parents and caregivers, coordinating with the patient’s primary care physician and reducing admission to emergency rooms throughout the city. These funds will be disbursed between the City of Schertz and the City of San Antonio, with the City of San Antonio receiving funds totaling up to $391,863.
This will be the first grant awarded to the Fire Department for the MIH program and work is under way to seek renewal of grant funds for next fiscal year. Eligible expenses for the STRAC grant include salary and benefits, supplies, operational expenses, education and training, equipment, vehicles and communication equipment. The MIH program will utilize two Ford Escapes that will be used by MIH medics to respond to and visit patients enrolled in the program.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a grant from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $391,863 and approves a program budget. Grant funds will be used by the MIH unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department for eligible expenses including salary and benefits, supplies, operational expenses, education and training, equipment, travel, and communication equipment.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the City did not receive grant funds, the expenses would be charged to the General Fund and/or requested through the budget process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a grant from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $391,863 and approves a program budget. There is no grant match requirement. There is no change to personnel compliment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to accept the grant award up to $391,863 from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC).