|
Item 1.I.
|
| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 10/24/2022 |
| Title: | 2022 Federal Homeland Security Grant for Bomb Squad |
| Presented by: | Rich St. John, Police Chief |
| Department: | Police |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review | Not Applicable |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council approve and accept two Federal FY 2022 Homeland Security Grants in the amount of $80,000 and $365,000.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The State of Montana has two grants available through the Federal FY 2022 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Program. A subgrant in the amount of $80,000 has been offered 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 bomb suit.
An additional subgrant in the amount of $365,000 has been offered to the City of Billings Bomb Squad to purchase a EOD Armored Transport Vehicle. This vehicle is a smaller, more versatile armored truck that will be shared between the Bomb Squad and the SWAT Team.
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 bomb suit.
An additional subgrant in the amount of $365,000 has been offered to the City of Billings Bomb Squad to purchase a EOD Armored Transport Vehicle. This vehicle is a smaller, more versatile armored truck that will be shared between the Bomb Squad and the SWAT Team.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve the Federal FY22 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grants for the Bomb Squad in the amount of $80,000 and $365,000; or,
- Not Approve the Federal FY22 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grants for the Bomb Squad in the amount of $80,000 and $365,000; which would result in the General Fund absorbing cost related to Bomb Squad related expenses.
FISCAL EFFECTS
There is no financial impact to the City as there is no City match required for this grant.