Consideration of Ratifying Grant Agreement: Between FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the City of Flagstaff for the Regional Training Grant.

Title: FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for Regional training, grant award #EMW-2015-FO-02646

This grant will assist with the increase in collaborative response efforts and scene efficiency for the Greater Flagstaff Region (GFR) by providing common training of all Command staff, Company Officers and Police dispatchers assigned to operate the Fire/EMS channels when working All-Risk incidents in the region.

Expenditures of this grant are budgeted within the Fire Grants Section. There is a 10% match being split between all participating GFR agencies (Flagstaff Fire, Summit Fire District, Highlands Fire District and Ponderosa Fire District).  The 10% match is based on the number of members each department will provide the training to (Flagstaff Fire match amount is $9,727.00 - this also includes the dispatchers training component).

COUNCIL GOALS:
  4) Develop and implement guiding principles that address public safety service levels through appropriate staff levels
11) Ensure that we are as prepared as possible for extreme weather events

REGIONAL PLAN:
Preparedness and Emergency Response (PF.1)
Public Safety (PF.3)

No

Approve the ratification of the FEMA (AFG) Grant Award Agreement with a10% GFR match. Reject the ratification of the FEMA (AFG) Grant Award with 10% GFR match.

The Grant Offer was accepted in July by the City because per FEMA, the period of performance had already begun.  The Grant Offer is for 12 months and was initiated on June 30, 2016 by AFG and will close on June 29, 2017. 

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The GFR Greater Flagstaff Region would benefit greatly though the grant funding by certifying senior instructors as train-the-trainers (T-t-T) to educate and certify command staff and operations personnel (94) in a recognized all-hazard incident ICS program. Funding also provides for purchasing the equipment for a comprehensive portable incident simulator training center. This training would meet the requirements of NIMS as directed by HSPD-5: Management of Domestic Incidents, NFPA 1500 standard on fire department occupational safety, health program and NFPA 1561: Standard on Emergency Incident Management System and Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) 29CFR1910.120(q)(3)(i) Procedures for handling emergency response. Certification in ICS and the simulator will enhance day to day operations, accountability, and safety of firefighters.

To meet the goal outlined in this grant application/award, we would first send 8 instructor qualified personnel (Inst./Eval. NFPA 1041) to be certified by the third party vendor. Qualified instructors would then utilize the Blue Card Program to deliver the command training and certification programs to our organization; after which, we would deliver the program to the partnering organizations. The T-t-T course includes 50 hours of on-line training and 64 hours of classroom to teach instructors how to deliver the command simulation training and evaluate students. Instructors then receive the resources to deliver the program customized with local and regional building, hazards, maps and critical infrastructure to develop realistic and relevant incident simulations using ICS. Travel and lodging to attend the courses at the command training center are included.

Next, is the request for operational and communications personnel to complete the 50 hour on-line training and 24 hour instructor-led ICS simulation, training and Blue Card certification. Students in this course will be certified by the instructors outlined above as NIMS local type-4 and 5 incident commanders. The course consists of students running all-hazard incident simulations in various ICS positions from division/group supervisor to command and general staff as they would as part of their daily response duties.

The final component of the grant application/award is for a portable incident command training simulator that will provide the required system and tools instructors need to certify trainees. The kit includes 9 iPads with incident simulation software, a communications component, carrying cases, and accessories to present realistic scenarios. This comprehensive ICS training certification and incident simulator will provide GFR personnel the required basic level of training and realistic simulation experience that will give them skills to effectively implement ICS on daily responses, elevated alarms, as well as local and regional manmade and natural disasters. This training is a necessary adjunct to Federal Emergency Management Agency NIMS ICS 100-400 courses.

The total grant is for $186,395 of which 90% is Federal funding ($169,450) and the additional 10% ($16,945) is split up between GFR departments with the City of Flagstaff's total commitment being $9,727.  This includes all training for Fire and PD dispatchers, equipment, TLM for train the trainers and OT for backfill purposes to attend the regional classroom trainings.

We are continuously faced with “All Risk Hazards” to which we must respond and mitigate daily; the proposed certified ICS training program and simulator will better prepare all personnel to safely manage incidents on a daily basis - from the most minor and simple to the significant complex incidents. The request will produce an improved local and regional coordinated response and improve safety and communication when operating in the hazard zone. ICS certified personnel will have the training and simulator experience to make better decisions to potentially eliminate lethal or costly mistakes that could result in injury or death of firefighters, civilians, and unnecessary property loss.

One of the areas we continually see challenges is revolves around the utilization of common terms and uniform operating procedures on emergency incidents. Creating a platform to enhance this type of operation will only improve our efficiency and effectiveness during emergency operations.

The Greater Flagstaff Region (GFR) is very active in the wildland arena, technical rescue disciplines, and structure fire related responses. Creating the foundation for a proven system for effective operation at emergency incidents will be utilized daily and would be an investment in future fire service leaders as we would have a uniform procedure and expectation for incident mitigation. Operating at incidents utilizing an effective Incident Command System will set the stage for a template for proper terminology, uniformity with size-ups, and fireground communications for decades to come.

Inform the Council, Fire Boards and general public of the ratification and acceptance of this grant and the intended use of the funds.

1. Approve and accept the ratification of the grant award.  2. Reject the ratification of the grant award and make the monies available for other departments seeking federal funding opportunities.