DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $1,000,000.00 from the 2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
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 Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) region which encompasses the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and 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 2018 SHSP awards.
SECTION 2:
The City is requesting $1 million to sustain and enhance the following homeland security projects:
1) Regional Strategic Planning (1 position, planning, training, and exercises);
2) Regional Planning and Analysis CI/KR team (3 positions);
3) Bomb Squad equipment and training;
4) SAFD Hazmat equipment;
5) SAPD helicopter mapping system;
6) SAPD SWAT equipment and training; and
7) SAPD Tactical Medical Training Program
8) Management &Administration cost (1 position)
ISSUE:
The Office of Emergency Management must submit a 2018 SHSP grant application to be eligible for 2018 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 2018 SHSP 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 SHSP grant funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply for, accept, and appropriate, upon award, up to $1,000,000.00 from the 2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). Award of this grant would require neither a cash matching or in-kind contribution. This ordinance also approves a total personnel complement of five (5) positions.
In the event of loss or misuse of the SHSP funds, the City assures that the funds will be returned to the HSGD in full.
The 5 positions will only be funded 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 2018 SHSP 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 2018 SHSP grants. Staff also recommends approval of the personnel complement of 5 positions.