HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 - Firefighters Grant AwardCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 7
January 9, 2007
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Fire Department
Steve Lewis, Fire Chief, 644 -3101
slewisOcity. newport- beach.ca. u s
SUBJECT: Accept Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award
RECOMMENDATION:
1. City Council accepts Department of Homeland Security Fire Administration
Assistance to Firefighters Grant for $221,904 in funding for Fire Operations and
Firefighter Safety.
2. City Council approve a Budget Amendment BA _ increasing revenue estimates
by $221,904 in 2320 -48941 and increasing expenditure appropriations in 2320-
9032 by $277,380 which includes $55,476 from the General Fund unappropriated
fund balance for the required 25% matching funds.
DISCUSSION:
In FY 2006, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Grants and
Training announced the availability of grants for fire agencies to enhance their abilities
with respect to fire and fire- related hazards.
In analyzing the Fire Department's needs for operational equipment, it was determined
the Department is in need of replacing its antiquated SCBA (Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus) system. Currently, the NBFD is using SCBA units that are almost twenty
(20) years old, having been purchased as far back as the mid- 1980s. As a result, the
existing SCBA units are out of compliance with NFPA 1981 (2002 edition) standards.
One of the requirements of these standards is the use of the Rapid Intervention Crew
(RIC) universal adapter couplings (for rescue "buddy breathing "), and the "heads up"
air pressure display that enables firefighters to continuously monitor their available air
supply. RICs provide breathing air to a downed firefighter in case of entrapment or
during a rescue. This is an essential tool in ensuring the safety and survivability of
rescue personnel as they perform the most critical of tasks in the search for victims of
a fire. This is also important because of a proposal by the Orange County Fire
Training Officers' Association for all county fire agencies to have "buddy breather'
compatibility to provide supplemental air. Our current air packs lack this ability.
Agenda Item No.
January 9, 2007
Page 2
In responding to a fire, hazardous material, or chemical, biological, radiological,
nuclear, or explosive ( CBRNE) event, the use of these new NFPA 1981 - compliant
air packs will increase our firefighters' margin of safety and effectiveness during a
rescue. As the new air bottles contain 45 minutes of air (our existing bottles contain
only 30 minutes of air), the increase of 15 minutes of available air will provide
firefighters more valuable time during crucial search and rescue operations.
Additionally, the CBRNE regulator is the latest in particulate protection for the
wearer. The SCBA with CBRNE regulator, new air bottle, and pack alert combined
will provide a system -wide improvement providing greater total air supply with
continuous monitoring capability, improved protection from particulate penetration at
the regulator, and a fail -safe supplemental method of breathing air support for the
firefighters during a rescue. This new system will improve the survivability, safety,
reliability, and confidence of our firefighters during the search phase of emergency
operations.
This grant will provide firefighters, RICs, and hazardous materials technician crews
with SCBAs that conform to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981
standards. The purchase of new SCBAs allows for safe sharing of air, also known
as "buddy breathing," for rapid intervention company personnel via a universal
adapter coupling, as well as easier recognition of low air pressure situations as
firefighters work inside the margins of safety during rescue operations.
The acquisition of the new SCBA units will also directly benefit an area well beyond
the borders of Newport Beach. The City maintains automatic aid response
agreements with all surrounding cities and communities, including Costa Mesa,
Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and the Orange County Fire Authority.
In November of 2006, the Department's grant application was approved by
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with council policy, the Fire
Department requests Council to accept this grant funding, appropriate the 25%
matching funds, and deposit all funds into the Fire Department Operation Division
account. 2320-48941.
Prepared by:
Rbrfie Freeman
Emergency Services Coordinator
Attachments: Budget Amendment
Submitted by:
lz�2
Steve Lewis
Fire Chief
City of Newport Beach
BUDGET AMENDMENT
2006 -07
EFFECT ON BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE:
Increase Revenue Estimates
X Increase Expenditure Appropriations AND
Transfer Budget Appropriations
SOURCE:
from existing budget appropriations
X from additional estimated revenues
X I from unappropriated fund balance
EXPLANATION:
NO. BA- 076A -037
AMOUNT:1 $277,380.00
Increase in Budgetary Fund Balance
X Decrease in Budgetary Fund Balance
No effect on Budgetary Fund Balance
This budget amendment is requested to provide for the following:
To increase expenditure appropriations and revenue estimates to accept and utilize Assistance to Firefighters Grant
Award and 25% matching funds from the City to purchase SCBA equipment.
ACCOUNTING ENTRY:
BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE
Amount
Fund Account
Description
Debit Credit
010 3605
General Fund - Fund Balance
$55,476.00
REVENUE ESTIMATES (3601)
Fund/Division Account
Description
2320 48941
Fire: Ops - FEMA Assist Firefighters Grant
$221,904.00
EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATIONS (3603)
Description
Division Number 2320
Fire: Operations
Account Number 9032
Assistance to Firefighters - SCBA EQUIP
$277,380.00
Division Number
Account Number
Division Number
Account Number
Division Number
Account Number
Division Number
Account Number
. AUt0M6* 5ys(em'Entiy.......
Signed:
Financial Approval: Administrative Services Director Data
Signed:
City Manager
3=°
Date .
City Council Approval: City Clerk Date