Title
Resolution Authorizing Staff to Apply to the SAFER Grant Program for Six(6) Additional Front Line Shift Firefighters and Accept the SAFER Grant if it is so Awarded, and to Implement the Additional Staffing for Ladder Companies as Proposed
Body
Department: Fire
Council District: All
Public Hearing: NA
Advertising Date/By: NA
Contact 1 and Phone: Chief Greg Grayson, 373-2297
Contact 2 and Phone: Wesley Reid, 373-2002
PURPOSE:
Council is requested to consider adopting the attached resolution supporting the City's application of the United States Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and the implementation of the additional staffing for ladder companies as proposed by staff.
BACKGROUND:
At the September 11th work session, Council expressed the desire to accelerate the plans for four- person ladder staffing at the Greensboro Fire Department. After deliberation and consultation between the City Manager's Office, Fire Department, and Budget Staff, below are recommendations to advance the plan per council discussion.
· Move forward with funding for Station 11 and Station 5 which would be a total of 6 firefighters effective January 1, 2015. For the 14/15 budget this will be an impact of $177,500. This amount is inclusive of required equipments costs.
· During the upcoming budget season staff will review the service enhancement of adding staffing for Station 10 and Station 52 which would be a total of 6 firefighters. This would mean an additional annualized amount of $315,000 (inclusive of equipment) will have to be considered as part of the fiscal 15-16 budget process.
· The focus of these four (4) stations is because they are the high volume stations and Greensboro Fire has documentation that these are the priority stations at this time.
· The remaining four-person ladder station additions of Station 14, Station 20, Station 43, and Station 21 will be reviewed as part of future budgets.
The Greensboro Fire Department is seeking City Council approval to apply for the United States Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. This is a national competitive grant program specifically for local firefighter staffing enhancement. The SAFER grant program is provided to assist local governments throughout the country with firefighter staffing where there is demonstrated need during this difficult economic period. This funding would be used to assist in the staffing needs of the high volume ladder companies- Station 10 and Station 52.
BUDGET IMPACT:
It is recommended that City Council use appropriated fund balance to help fund these new staff additions to the Fire Department for FY 14-15 in the amount of $177,500. This includes $137,500 for Salaries and Wages and $40,000 for Contracted Uniform Services. Funding for Station 10 and Station 52 will be included as part of the FY 15-16 budget development and will require an additional $315,000 to implement the additional personnel resources. The total annualized cost impact on the 15-16 budget for all four stations is $590,000. Staff will submit an application for the SAFER Grant to fund Stations 10 and Station 52 in FY 15-16, however if the grant is not approved, the City will need to use General Fund dollars to implement four person ladder staffing for the upcoming 15-16 fiscal year.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
City Council is requested to consider adoption of the attached resolution authorizing staff to apply to the SAFER grant program for six (6) additional front line shift firefighters and accept the SAFER grant if it is so awarded and the implementation of the additional staffing for ladder companies as proposed by staff.