Agenda No. 9.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | February 17, 2026 |
| Department: | Fire Department |
| Subject: | Resolution 26-R-027 - Authorizing the City Manager to apply for and accept funds for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP) - Regional Hazardous Materials Response & Resilience Initiative (S.Williams/G.Rodgers/B.High) |
BACKGROUND
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 Oil and Hazardous Materials Operations, Emergency Support Function (ESF) 10 to address regional gaps in hazardous materials response capabilities.
For the City of Schertz, this grant is particularly relevant as it supports the “Response” mission area – specifically under Oil and Hazardous Materials Operations, Emergency Support Function (ESF) 10 to address regional gaps in hazardous materials response capabilities.
GOAL
The goal of this project is to upgrade the City's hazardous materials response capability through the acquisition of state-of-the-art 6 gas multi-sensor detection meters. By leveraging State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funds, we will provide our first responders with the ability to simultaneously detect and quantify oxygen levels, combustible gases, and four additional toxic chemical threats in real-time. This project ensures that Schertz responders can identify invisible killers protecting both the lives of our citizens and the safety of our emergency personnel during industrial accidents, gas leaks, and transportation incidents.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Schertz is a city on the move, but that movement includes thousands of tons of hazardous materials passing through our borders every day on rail, highways, and air. By securing these 6-gas meters through State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant funds, we are giving our firefighters the eyes they need to see invisible threats. We are choosing to be a city that is scientifically prepared rather than one that is caught off guard.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
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 $33,600.00, 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.
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.
FISCAL IMPACT
100% Reimbursable Grant Program
The most important point is that the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is a no match grant.
We are acquiring $33,600.00 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.
The most important point is that the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is a no match grant.
We are acquiring $33,600.00 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.
RECOMMENDATION
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 $33,600.00, 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.
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.