DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2019 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply and accept upon award up to $2,730,000 from the 2019 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program and authorizes a personnel complement of 4 positions. This action also authorizes the City of San Antonio to execute any and all documents related to the application and acceptance of this grant
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This grant program is designed to enhance the region’s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of international terrorism impacting the San Antonio Urban Area (SAUA). The SAUA encompasses the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the surrounding 13 counties and suburban cities within these counties. The City first received UASI grant funding in 2004 and has since received more than $37 million. In 2018 the City received $1.05 million in UASI grant funding. The City utilizes these funds to strengthen preventative measures against a terrorist attack and to enhance the City’s first responder’s regional response capabilities.
The City $2,730,000 award will sustain and enhance the following homeland security projects:
• Regional Planning and Analysis Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CI/KR) team of 3 positions for the period of October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. These positions maintain and update required critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) data collected from various partners including private, local, state, and federal agencies to identify assets, set security goals, assess risks and develop protective programs for critical infrastructure systems such as transportation, energy, IT, communications, agricultural, food and water systems.
• Homeland Security Strategic Planning exercises, and community outreach and preparedness.
• SAPD Southwest Texas Regional Fusion Center - software and information gathering tools for collecting law enforcement intelligence.
• SAPD Regional Response Teams - This project will sustain and enhance the City’s capability to respond and recover from a terrorist attack by providing additional equipment to SAPD.
• SAFD Regional Response Teams - This project sustains and enhances the City’s capability to respond and recover from a terrorist attack by providing additional equipment for the San Antonio Fire Department.
• ITSD - Cyber Security - This project will continue to expand a recent FEMA pilot project to implement a secured Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) access control and cyber security prevention system for city facilities.
• Management and Administration Cost - This project funds 1 position for October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020). This position provides financial support and grant management.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply and accept upon award up to $2,730,000 from the 2019 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program and approves a total personnel complement of 4 positions which are essential for complying with the federal and state grant management requirements. These positions will be funded upon receipt of the 2019 UASI award.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may elect not to approve the request to apply for the 2019 UASI Grant. This would adversely affect 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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes submission, acceptance, and appropriation of a 2019 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant in an amount of up to $2,730,000.
There is no required cash match nor in-kind contribution.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to apply for and accept grant funds from the 2019 UASI grant programs.