City of San Antonio - File #: 17-4243

• File #: 17-4243
• Type: Misc - Interlocal Agreement
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 8/31/2017
• Posting Language: An Ordinance ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Homeland Security, acting through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the San Antonio Fire Department to establish terms and understanding for participation in the FEMA Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable Smart Card Beta Test. [Erik Walsh, Deputy City Manager; Charles Hood, Fire Chief]
• Indexes: Fire, FIre Department

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/31/2017	1	City Council A Session	adopted	Pass

DEPARTMENT: SAFD


DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood

COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: N/A


SUBJECT:

Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and City of San Antonio Fire Department.


SUMMARY:

This ordinance ratifies a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acting through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the City of San Antonio Fire Department to establish terms and understanding for participation in the FEMA Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable (PIV-I) Smart Card Beta Test.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In an effort to improve security of state and local access to FEMA systems, FEMA has invited San Antonio to participate in its FEMA Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable (PIV-I) Smart Card Beta Test. The Beta Test involves the deployment of secure, interoperable smart card credentials to San Antonio emergency managers and the use of those credentials to securely access FEMA online systems. The Beta Test includes limited deployment of the credentials to over a dozen state, territorial, local and tribal agencies before the end of September 2017 with a view to deploying in every state and territory over the next several years. In time, if the Beta Test is successful, FEMA is expected to require these credentials for access to its secure on-line systems.



ISSUE:

The Council is being requested to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between FEMA and the San Antonio Fire Department. Ratification will allow the Fire Department to proceed to participate in the FEMA Beta Test, including receiving smart card credentials funded by FEMA before the end of September.
San Antonio does not currently have a policy regarding use of smart cards to access federal systems. The Beta Test is a FEMA initiative in which, under the Memorandum of Understanding, San Antonio would become a voluntary participant. An additional benefit is the prospect of card recipien...