Consideration and Approval of Grant Agreement: Approval the Grant Agreement between the City of Flagstaff and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for six (6) new Firefighters.

Currently both Fire Administration and Council have given support to increase staffing through the grant application process to help meet both the National Fire Protection Administration 1710 deployment standards and the significant increase in call volume for our community. This Grant will help the department by increasing staffing levels by two members per shift, while adding an additional two-person rescue unit. By adding six (6) new FTE's and increasing our minimum staffing, it will move us toward improving our 1710 standard response for fire scenes, increase safety to our members.

The grant application was submitted on March 11,2021, in the amount of $1,436,864.10. This covered current personnel costs plus current benefits costs over the next three (3) years. The City's share amount is $0 and FEMA's share amount is $1,436,864.10.

Per the grant rules, the cost for employees and benefits had to match the current amounts being paid (as of March 2021) and could not be for expected or known increases in the new fiscal year. The Grant pays 100% for 3 years. In Year Four, the City is 100% responsible for all costs associated with the six (6) new firefighters.

This grant is budgeted in FY 2021-22 in the amount of $483,201 in account number 001-03-052-6046-2 which will cover the first year of expenses.  The General Fund 5-year plan has reserved funds for the remaining years of the grant plus the ongoing expense for year four.  

In addition, the adopted budget includes the costs for adding three paramedic slots and promoting three fire captains to support the grant and expansion of services in the amount of $86,000.  

No policy impact. 

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Provide public safety with the resources, staff, and training to respond to community needs

Regional Plan
Goal PF.2. Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.

None

• Approval and accept the SAFER Grant Agreement which will provide funding to hire six (6) firefighters.
• Do not approve and accept the Grant Agreement and the funds will be returned and no additional firefighters will be hired.

The City had two separate needs assessments performed in 2003 and 2007 to determine the adequate staffing levels of the fire department for our community when the alarm load was 8200 calls a year. The recommendation of the assessments were both conclusive that we needed two additional units and 18 new members to be in the best position to meet NFPA 1710 based on call volume at that time.

In 2008 we were successfully awarded a SAFER grant for six (6) new firefighters, but due to the onset of the great recession we turned these awarded positions down. Since that time, we have lost nine (9) firefighter positions from 2008-2012 while seeing a 50% increase in call volume (15,700) during that same time. In 2015, the City entered into an IGA with Summit Fire Department to share resources and the IGA was extended in 2017.  A SAFER grant in 2016 had provided 6 personnel to assist in retuning to 2008 levels. In the FY 2021-2022 budget funding is allocated for three new firefighter EMTs to support an alternate response model.  

Currently both Fire Administration and Council have given support to increase staffing through grant application processes to help meet both the 1710 standards and the significant increase in call volume for our community. This grant will help the department by increasing staffing levels by two members per shift, while adding an additional two-person rescue unit. 

This project will regain much needed personnel that was lost through the great recession. While we are increasing the number per shift by two (2) through the acceptance of this grant. Currently we are fully staffed at twenty-seven (27) members per shift and have a minimum staffing level of twenty-one (21). With the addition of a Rescue unit to each shift our minimum staffing will be 23, and the total number of shift personnel would be twenty-nine (29).

This is a 100% federal grant for 3 years. The following is the breakdown of yearly cost FEMA is providing:  Year 1, $466,139.66, Year 2, $478,826.88, Year 3, $491,884.86 for a total of $1,436,864.10 during the grant period. The numbers include PSPRS contributions, market pay adjustments, and ERE for each of the 6 personnel for 3 years.

In addition, the City is funding the ongoing cost for these positions beyond year three and the cost of adding 3 paramedics slots and promoting 3 fire captains to add to the success of the grant. 

The benefits are largely two-fold; We will have the ability to put up an additional Rescue unit therefore, reducing the workload on the other 6 units. Also, uses a lighter and more agile vehicle for the bulk of EMS alarm in its district.