DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: 2020 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 $1,300,000.00 from the 2020 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and authorizes a personnel complement of 1 position. 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:
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 grant funds are awarded to the State of Texas and the Office of the Governor (OOG) administers this grant program on the behalf of FEMA. Utilizing a risk assessment process, OOG awards each of the 24 Regional Council of Governments (COGs) a portion of this award less management and administration cost (5%) and requires that each COG uses an advisory committee to recommend how the funding is awarded to jurisdictions in their region. The Alamo Area Council of Governments (ACCOG) serves as San Antonio’s regional COG.
The Alamo Area Council of Governments Regional Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee (REPAC) is tasked with this responsibility for the Alamo area and awards projects based off a regional scoring matrix. In FY 2019, REPAC was awarded $1.6M and the City was awarded $854,455 in State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant funding. In anticipation of receiving the same amount of SHPS funding as in FY 2019, REPAC required all jurisdictions to submit a list of homeland security needs (applications) that were due to ACCOG on January 10, 2020. After initial review by ACCOG staff, the applications were reviewed by subject matter experts in whom applicants had a chance to justify their request and make any necessary changes. Subcommittee recommendations were then submitted to REPAC for final consideration. REPAC met on February 12, 2020 and prioritized and scored all applications. During this meeting, REPAC recommended to the state, that the City should be awarded $753,644. Over the next few months, the state will review all grant requests and make final awards in late September, The City has received more than $16 million in SHSP grant funding since 2003.
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 AACOG region which encompasses the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the surrounding 13 counties and suburban cities within these counties. This ordinance approves a total personnel complement of two positions. These existing positions are essential for complying with the federal and state grant management requirements and for increasing regional response capabilities against a terrorist attack.
The City is requesting up to $1.3 million to sustain and enhance the following homeland security projects: Law Enforcement Regional Response Capabilities, Fire Services Regional Response Capabilities, Homeland Security Strategic Planning, Southwest Texas Regional Fusion Center and the City’s Cyber Security Prevention initiative.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management (SAOEM) to apply and accept upon award up to $1,300,000.00 from the 2020 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). This ordinance also authorizes a personnel complement of 1 position.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may elect not to approve the request to apply for the 2020 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grant. This would adversely impact the Office of Emergency Management from performing planning, training, exercises, and purchase of equipment to address intelligence and warning, protecting critical infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
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 $1,300,000.00 from the 2020 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and authorizes a personnel complement of 1 position.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to apply for and accept grant funds from the 2020 SHSP grant programs.