Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Department Grant Application Authorization - Authorize staff to submit a grant application for the 2023 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) in the amount of $86,542.75 to replace seven (7) base station radios and purchase seven (7) vehicular repeaters.
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Deadline for Action: 2/20/2024
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Dan Griswold, x4220; Tom Van Grouw, x4265; Crissy Balderama, x4513
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council authorize staff to apply for the 2023 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) to replace seven (7) base station radios and purchase seven (7) vehicular repeaters for the total amount of $86,542.75. Staff also recommends Council accepts the grant and appropriate the matching funds if awarded. If awarded, the AFG would cover $77,888.48 and the City's match portion (10%) would be $8,654.27.
Background Discussion:
The Assistance to Firefighter Grant is a competitive annual grant that is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supports fire agencies across the country. The AFG Grant is a 90/10 grant, meaning the AFG covers 90%, and recipients cover 10% of the project cost. Currently, this project costs $86,842.75 If awarded, the City's cost share responsibility would be $8,654.27, and the AFG would cover $77,888.48, at current pricing. Both projects proposed for this application are designated as "high priority" projects for the AFG.
The first project proposed is to replace the department's seven current base station radios that are 20 years old and are no longer supported by the manufacturer. The current base station radios reached their manufacture's end-of-service life in 2018. End-of-service life means that the equipment is discontinued and no longer supported by the manufacturer, making parts/service unavailable. One base station radio is located at each of Visalia's six fire stations with a second radio located at Fire S...
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