Agenda Item Wording:
title
Consideration of state grant - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the State Homeland Security Grant Program for up to $500,000 towards the purchase of a replacement vehicle for the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad.
body
Deadline for Action: 12/4/2023
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the State Homeland Security Grant (SHLSG) for up to $500,000 towards the purchase of a replacement vehicle for the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad as a sub-recipient through Tulare County and submit the application by December 8, 2023. The Grant is effective from September 2024 through August 2026.
Summary:
The vehicle used by the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad is in need of replacement due to the age of the vehicle, demands of the team, and recurring mechanical issues. A new vehicle specifically designed for the needs of a modern bomb squad costs an average of $400,000 to $700,000. Staff have researched numerous methods to fund the purchase of a bomb squad vehicle and discovered that those options are limited although the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) could provide funding for up to $500,000. This type of purchase meets the requirements of the SHSGP focus areas and serves as a truly regional project.
Background Discussion:
The Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad is an FBI certified Level 3 bomb squad. To meet the certification requirements of a Level 3 bomb squad, the team must be capable of handling small to moderate incidents. The team must also consist of at minimum two fully certified bomb technicians who have successfully completed a six-week Hazardous Devices school, six-week Weapons of Mass Destruction school, and 40 hours continuous training annually. The team is comprised of three members from the Visalia Police Department, three from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, and one from the Kings County Sheriff's Office. The Bomb Squad provides coverage for both Tulare County and Kings County, which is a total of 6,254 square miles and encompasses state and federal land. Although the Visalia Police Department is the primary agency, purchases for equipment are made and shared by each participating agency.
The Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad is the only FBI certified bomb squad operating in Tulare and Kings County. Fresno County currently has three separate FBI certified bomb squads and Kern County currently has two FBI certified bomb squads. In total, there are 48 FBI certified bomb squads operated by state and local law enforcement agencies in California. The presence of the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad in Tulare & Kings Counties provides a valuable resource for incidents that occur locally by significantly reducing the response time, containment time, and impacts on patrol responders that would be greatly increased if we were reliant on a response team from either Fresno or Kern Counties.
The Bomb Squad is called upon to assess improvised explosive devices and explosive ordinances for local, state, and federal agencies. As of November 2023, there have been 25 call-outs for 2023 year-to-date where the Bomb Squad has been called out 25 times to investigate and safely dispose of explosive devices/materials. The Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad provides reliable coverage to the many residents and visitors of both counties.
|
Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Call Outs |
|
Jurisdiction |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
|
Tulare |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Hanford |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Lemoore |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Visalia |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Porterville |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Avenal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dinuba |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kern County |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kings County |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kingsburg |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tulare County |
10 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Total |
25 |
10 |
5 |
11 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
The current vehicle used by the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad is a 1993 GMC Top Kick. It is a two-wheel drive CAT diesel powered recreational vehicle with a two-person front cab and has 97,000 miles driven on it. Prior to being purchased by the Visalia Police Department, this vehicle was originally used to tow and service stock race cars. The Top Kick was then modified by the Bomb Squad to hold the various tools used by the team. The vehicle includes a large camper type enclosure on the rear with storage cabinets, a small desk, two bucket seats, and an on-board gas-powered generator. Though the vehicle has worked well for many years, it is showing significant indicators of use. Due to its age and mileage, the Top Kick is regularly serviced by the City of Visalia Fleet Division.
The Top Kick serves as a mobile office where images of an improvised explosive device are studied, and information is discussed as a team. Each team member has unique experiences, training, and knowledge that is shared to formulate the safest plan of action. Currently, team members must rotate through the Top Kick to see the images captured via an onboard x-ray machine and information developed during the diagnosis process due to lack of sufficient space.
A new vehicle specifically designed for the needs of a modern bomb squad costs an average of $400,000 to $700,000 and comes with many beneficial upgrades. A dual-cab chassis truck would allow members of the team to ride together to callouts and training functions, rather than taking multiple vehicles to one scene. Riding together in one vehicle is ideal because it allows members to discuss the specifics of the call out together and develop a plan. Furthermore, it reduces the numbers of vehicles entering a hazardous area. Currently, the team’s robots and necessary equipment are housed in a tow behind trailer that also carries the bomb containment vessel. The bomb containment vessel is only used on a case-by-case basis to safely transport explosive material that cannot be rendered safe at a scene. A new vehicle comes standard with a large interior camper that can be customized to accommodate the needs of the team. This would equip the team with the ability to house the robots and necessary equipment, permanently inside the vehicle; reducing the need to bring the containment trailer unless the situation warranted it Modern diesel engines are also held to increasingly stringent emissions standards, new diesel engines significantly reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Even with the purchase of a new bomb truck, the bomb containment vessel trailer is a vital piece of equipment that the bomb squad would need to maintain.
Fiscal Impact:
The Grant budget can consist of equipment, staff overtime, and supplies. If awarded, Visalia Police Department staff will return to Council for authorization to accept the grant and a comprehensive plan for expenditure of the funds. The Department is also working with our partner agencies to secure additional grant funding or other funding sources to cover the total cost of the project should it exceed what is awarded through the Tulare County SHSGP. There is no cost share or match requirement, and grant funds must be used to supplement existing funds, not replace (supplant) funds that have been appropriated.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Do not authorize the Visalia Police Department to submit the grant application.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) for up to $500,000 as a sub-recipient through Tulare County and submit the application by December 8, 2023.
end
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: None.