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 Station 54 in the battalion chief’s quarters. The base station radio is the means through which both emergency and non-emergency radio traffic is broadcast throughout the fire stations.
The second project proposed is for seven vehicular repeaters. Radio communications work when personnel speak into their portable radios and that signal reaches one of the repeaters located around the city. The signal is then sent out from the repeater and received by any device within range and on the same channel as the transmitting radio. The current issue, and the issue vehicular repeaters would improve, is there are certain locations and buildings in the city that are either out of range or too dense for radio signals to reach the necessary repeater. Operations at these sites leave personnel with spotty or no radio communications. Vehicular repeaters are repeaters designed to be mounted in emergency vehicles. Having repeaters mounted in vehicles on scene significantly reduces the distance the portable radio signal is required to travel to reach a repeater and in turn, enhances radio communications in those buildings and areas where there previously was not coverage.
Fiscal Impact:
Based on a recent quote from Motorola Solutions, the total cost to replace seven (7) base station radios and purchase seven (7) vehicular repeaters is $86,542.75, including tax.
If the grant is awarded to the City, $86,542.75 will need to be appropriated from the General Fund to purchase the equipment. The grant will then reimburse the general fund $77,888.48 (90%) and the remaining $8,654.27 (10%) will be funded by the General Fund to cover the City’s match portion. This project will only be appropriated if the grant is awarded.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny the request to apply for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant and consider this project during a future capital improvement program.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize staff to apply for the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) to replace seven (7) base station radios and purchase seven (7) vehicular repeaters in the amount of $86,542.75, and accept the grant and appropriate funds from the general fund if the grant is awarded to the City.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments:
1. QUOTE-2005263 - VHF Base Stations
2. QUOTE-2519651 - Vehicle Repeater