Staff recommends City Council approve and accept the Federal FY 2024 Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $130,000.

The State of Montana has $130,000 available through the Federal FY 2024 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program and has offered a subgrant to the City of Billings Bomb Squad for training and equipment.  This will be the City's twelfth year receiving Homeland Security Grant funds, which have been used for equipment and training.  

The bomb squad has six members that require 40 hours of training per year.  Funds will be used for costs associated with this training.  The Billings Police bomb squad is planning to send the six members of the department's bomb squad to a 40-hour training course.  Information obtained at this training will be used and shared with Federal, State and Local members within the bomb disposal community.  The field of ordinance disposal is constantly changing and evolving.  Continued education and training is necessary to maintain competence in this field.  The primary function of the Billings Bomb Squad is to detect, disrupt and defeat any improvised explosive device.  The training requested will enable the Billings Bomb Squad to learn and share the latest information regarding current threats and trends. The Billings Bomb Squad also plans to purchase a new digital x-ray system, protective equipment, and a remote initiating system.  

City Council may:

• Approve the Federal FY24 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant for the Bomb Squad in the amount of $130,000; or,
• Not Approve the Federal FY24 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant for the Bomb Squad in the amount of $130,000; which would result in the General Fund absorbing cost related to Bomb Squad training and equipment purchases.  

There is no financial impact to the City as there is no City match required for this grant.