TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: L. Keith Tomey III, Fire Chief
THROUGH: George Gretsas, City Manager
DATE: May 5, 2020
Title
APPROVAL TO ACCEPT THE FY 2018 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) # EMW-2018-FH-00601 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,639,040.80 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the approval to accept grant funding from the FY 2018 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response.
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Background:
The City of Delray Beach (Delray Beach) Fire Rescue Department has been awarded a Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) in the amount of $1,639,040.80 to hire eight (8) additional firefighters for 24-hour operations.
The benefits that the community and department would realize from this increase in staffing are myriad, but begin with these areas as a minimum: more single-unit responses in critical areas of the City leaving more suppression units available for secondary calls within the zone (this has several implications in itself, such as maintaining coverage in adjacent zones by not pulling those units to adjacent zones when secondary calls come in); suppression units more available for fire calls as opposed to being tied-up on medical calls strictly because of a lack of personnel; an increased number of firefighters on scene more quickly in zones that are more difficult to access, and across the City as the average number of firefighters per unit would be increased; the opportunity to move toward additional supervisor positions that would reduce the risks to both the community and the Department; and faster hospital turnaround times, meaning that an Advanced Life Support transport unit is available more often in the zone.
With the hiring of these eight (8) firefighters, the average number of firefighters on the first arriving apparatus to an emergency scene will be increased from 2.88 to 3 and will, thereby, more closely follow the National Fire Protection Association recommendations. Additionally, having units in service more and more often means that the response times to fires will be drastically reduced. The simple change of personnel from two firefighter/paramedics to three firefighter/paramedics can significantly impact the overall safety of the residents of Delray Beach. This is particularly the case because of the significant elderly populations in zones that are currently being identified as being inadequately staffed.
Attachments:
1. SAFER Award Letter/Package
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
This is a cost sharing grant agreement of federally awarded funds from the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA.
|
Year |
City Cost |
FEMA Cost |
Total |
|
First Year |
$221,492.00 |
$664,476.00 |
$885,968.00 |
|
Second Year |
$221,492.00 |
$664,476.00 |
$885,968.00 |
|
Third Year |
$575,879.20 |
$310.088.80 |
$885,968.00 |
|
Total |
$1,018,863.20 |
$1,639,040.80 |
$2,657,904.00 |
A mid-year budget amendment in FY2020 is needed to record the grant revenue and cost sharing for the City.
Timing of Request:
Approval to accept funding will allow the hiring of eight (8) additional firefighters, which will provide three (3) person staffing on all Rescue Trucks.