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 Mass Search and Rescue Operations, Emergency Support Function (ESF) 9 to address regional gaps in special operations response capabilities. 

The goal of this project is to establish a comprehensive technical rescue capability within the Schertz Fire Department. By utlizing State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funds for high-angle, trench, structual collapse, and specialized vehicle rescue, we will eliminate our reliance on distant outside agencies and provide our citizens with an immediate, all-hazards rescue capability for our most complex inudstrial, construction, and transit environments.

Protecting the Building Blocks of Schertz

Schertz is currently seeing a massive boom in residential and commercial construction. 

• Trench and structural collapse rescue capabilities provide a direct safety net for the hundreds of laborers working on city infrastructure and new housing developments every day. 
• We are ensuring that the people building our city's future are protected by the highest standards of rescue technology. If a trench collapses during a utility project, we don't want to tell a family we were waiting for a team to arrive from another city. 

Supporting the Industrial / Logistics Economic Engine

With the massive distribution centers and manufacturing hubs like Amazon and FedEx in the Schertz area, the city has unique vertical and machinery risks. 

• High-angle and specialized vehicle rescue capabilities make Schertz a safer place for major employers to operate. 
• Our industrial partners bring jobs and tax revenue. In return, we provide the specialized high-angle and heavy extrication services required to protect their employees in complex warehouse environments. 

Immediate Response to Natural Disasters

Texas weather is unpredictable. High winds or tornadoes can lead to structural failures or trapped residents. 

• A team trained in structural collapse can begin breaching and shoring which stabilizes buildings immediately after a storm hits. 
• In the event of a catastrophic storm, the first 60 minutes are the most critical. By having these tools in-house, we aren't waiting for a regional task force; we are starting the rescue the moment the wind stops blowing. 

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 $121,246.00 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 $121,246.00 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 $121,246.00, 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.