The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is a vital funding stream managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered in Texas by the Office of the Governor (OOG), Public Safety Office. 

For the City of Schertz, this grant is particularly relevant as it supports the "Response" mission area - specifically under Emergency Management, Emergency Support Function (ESF) 5 to address regional gaps in area command capabilities. 

While a standard patrol vehicle or Battalion Chief vehicle has a service life of 5 - 10 years. A Mobile Area Command unit is a 15 to 20 year asset. By securing this through the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant now, we are providing  the City two decades of disaster management infrastructure without a massive hit to the Capital Improvement Plan. 

Decentralized Continuity of Government. A mobile areas command unit ensures secure, climate-controlled and technologically equipped space to maintain operations and make critical decisions from anywhere in the city. 

Integration of Technology (The Common Operating Picture). This provides the emergency leaders with real-time data. by expanding this initiative, we are bringing drone feeds, weather tracking, and interoperable radio channels into one room. Instead of relying on second-hand radio reports, this unit allows us to see the front lines in real-time, leading to faster, more accurate life-safety decisions. 

Inter-Jurisdictional Leadership. During a regional crisis, the agency that provides the command infrastructure usually directs the scene. By expanding this capability, Schertz cements its role as a regional leader. 

Faster Recovery for Residents and Businesses

In a major storm or disaster, the speed of recovery is tied to the speed of coordination. 

• By having a mobile command hub on-scene, city staff can coordinate utility restoration, debris removal, and road openings in real-time. 
• This unit allows us to move from reactive recovery to rapid recovery. Every hour we save in coordination is an hour sooner that a local business can reopen or a resident can safely return to their home. 

Public Safety at Community Events

Schertz is known for high-attendance community events. 

• This unit would serve as a visible, high-tech headquarters for event safety. It allows Police, and EMS to monitor crowds via cameras and drones, coordinate lost-person searches, and manage traffic flow. 
• When 10,000 + people gather for the Jubilee, this unit serves as our guardian in the park. It provides a central, recognizable location for residents to find help and ensures our pubic safety team has the birds-eye view needed to keep the event safe. 

Continuity of Essential Services

If a primary city facility loses power or is damaged, city services could be interrupted. 

• This unit would be a self-contained backup office. It ensures that even if the lights go out, the city's leadership can continue to process emergency calls, manage crews, and communicate with the public. 
• This is our ultimate insurance policy. It guarantees that the City of Schertz remains open for business and capable of protecting its citizens, no matter the conditions of our physical buildings. 

Consider and act upon a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for, accept, and execute a sub-recipient agreement for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant through the Office of the Governor (OOG), in an amount not to exceed $65,100.00, for the purpose of enhancing rapid response capacity and mobile area command initiative. 

If this application is unsuccessful, an immediate application to the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) is recommended which falls under the same funding conditions as SHSP. 

100% Reimbursable Grant Program
The most important point is that the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is a no match grant. 

• We are acquiring $65,100.00 worth of Emergency Management assets for $0 in local capital outlay. 
• This preserves the City’s general fund for other infrastructure needs while still upgrading emergency management capability. 

Schertz will be required to pay the vendors upfront and then submit documentation to the Texas Office of the Governor (OOG) for reimbursement. 
 

Consider and act upon a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for, accept, and execute a sub-recipient agreement for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant through the Office of the Governor (OOG), in an amount not to exceed $65,100.00, for the purpose of enhancing rapid response capacity and mobile area command initiative

If this application is unsuccessful, an immediate application to the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) is recommended which falls under the same funding conditions as SHSP.