DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2017 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $1,500,000.00 from the 2017 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 2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG).
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 Office of the Governor administers this grant program on the behalf of FEMA. The City has received more than $54 million in HSGP grant funding since 2003. In FY16, the City received $1,395,705 in State Homeland Security Program (SHSP).
Congress is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution until April 28, 2017 at which time the City expects to be notified of the 2017 HSGP grant guidance to be released by FEMA. However, the Office of the Governor has already requested local jurisdictions in Texas to submit applications for this funding. In coordination with SAFD and SAPD leadership, SAOEM submitted a request for $1,219,831 for the following projects: 1) Regional Strategic Planning (1 position and exercise - $128,000); 2) Regional Planning and Analysis CI/KR team (5 positions - $358,934); 3) EOC security improvements (cameras - $73,849); 4) SAFD Hazmat equipment and training ($359,050); 5) SAPD helicopter mapping system ($123,000); 6) SAPD SWAT and Bomb Squad equipment and training ($133,000); and 7) SAPD Tactical Medical Training Program ($43,998).
ISSUE:
The Office of Emergency Management must submit a 2017 HSGP grant application to be eligible for 2017 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 2017 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 San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, funds up to $1,500,000 from the 2017 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 2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The 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 2017 HSGP grant programs, appropriate funds upon award, and authorizing the Director of Emergency Management, Mayor, or designee, or the City Emergency Manager to execute any and all necessary documents to effectuate 2017 HSGP grants. Staff also recommends approval of the personnel complement of five (5) positions.
ATTACHMENTS(S):
File Description File Name
Personnel Description 2017 HSGP Staffing
DEPARTMENT HEAD AUTHORIZATION:
Noel Horan, Assistant to the Director, SAFD