PURPOSE:

To request City Council approval of a proposed resolution that authorizes the City Manager to accept $55,254.07 in FY 02 State Domestic Preparedness Grant funds for the Fire and Police Departments, and amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2003-04 budget by appropriating funds.

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the FY 02 State Domestic Preparedness Grant is to provide financial assistance to jurisdictions to purchase equipment, support planning efforts, conduct training, and develop exercises to enhance local fire, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, urban search and rescue, law enforcement, and public health terrorism first responder capabilities. 

This grant provides funding for terrorism equipment to improve the Operational Area�s capability to respond to terrorist incidents.  On July 15, 2003, an application was approved by the State of California�s Office of Homeland Security for FY 02 State Domestic Preparedness Grant funding. 

Prior to receiving funds, the City must meet two requirements.  First, we must have an Equal Opportunity Employment Plan (EEOP), which has been revised within the past two years, on file for review by the Office for Civil Rights upon request.  Second, a certification form must also be completed.  Both requirements have been met.   

DISCUSSION:

Grant funding will aid in enhancing the ability of the Fire and Police Department�s first responder role to perform critical life safety missions in contaminated environments caused by Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and attacks using Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive (CBRNE) devices. 

We received priority for funding due to the fact that we already have a certified Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.  The strategy of the Operational Area grant is to enhance the capability of local agencies to respond to terrorism incidents and is consistent with Fire and Police Department goals.  The Operational Area�s priorities are to provide:  personal protective equipment, explosive ordinance disposal, bomb suits, Haz Mat equipment, and USAR equipment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This is a reimbursement grant.  At this time, Staff is requesting that City Council accept the grant and appropriate from general fund balance to the following:  $50,804.94 to Fire Department account number 001-FD03A-70011 and $4,449.13 to Police Department account number 001-PD01A-70011 to facilitate grant expenditures. 

This grant will not require matching funds however, the City will be required to provide the cost of local sales tax (1%), which will be a maximum of $508 for the Fire Department and $45 for the Police Department.  Funding for local sales tax for the Police Department was approved as part of the fiscal year 2003-04 budget. The Fire Department will use funds carried over for this purpose from fiscal year 2002-03, located in account 001-FD02A-62300-1004. 

The grant provides for one-time funding for first responder equipment.  There will be no recurring costs for the Police Department.  Personal protective equipment bags will only need to be replaced if used, and we will look to future grant funding if replacements are necessary.  The total recurring costs for the Fire Department are a maximum of $25,000 over 20 years, which would start in fiscal year 2004-2005.  These are estimated at:

• Multi-gas meter which measures Oxygen (O2), Lower Explosive Level (LEL), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)-$800 per year for maintenance, 5-8 life years (FY 2004/2005 to possibly FY 2011/2012)

• 60 dosimeters for response personnel on a radiological or unknown hazardous materials incident require annual calibration-approximately $600 per year ($10 each), 10-20 life years (FY 2004/2005 to possibly FY 2023/2024)

• Colorimetric Tube/Chip Kit specific for WMD applications-use of up to 20 chips per year ($75 each) $1,500, 2 life years (FY 2004/2005 to FY 2005/2006)

• 4 Air-Line Systems with 15 minute escape Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (S.C.B.A.)-$300 per year ($75 each) for maintenance, 10 life years (FY 2004/2005 to FY 2013/2014)

• 100 liquid splash resistant chemical clothing suits-$600 to replace the use of approximately 20 suits per year.  These do not have a life.  They are a single-use item and are disposed of, if contaminated.

It will take approximately thirty days for the State to send the check for reimbursement to Los Angeles County.  It will then take approximately thirty days for the County to send the check for reimbursement to the City.  We will maximize the grant funds to ensure that the Fire and Police Departments are better prepared to respond to a terrorism event.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends City Council adoption of a proposed resolution entitled: 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A $55,254.07 FY 02 STATE DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS GRANT AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2003-04 BUDGET, BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS.

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