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Agenda No. 7.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
City Council Meeting:
April 7, 2026
Department:
Fire Department
Subject:
Resolution
26-R-047
- Authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept funds from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) to purchase a tethered unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in order to improve and enhance department and city UAS capabilities (S.Williams/G.Rodgers)
BACKGROUND
This project is a strategic initiative by the City of Schertz Office of Emergency Management to secure federal funding through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). The goal is to procure a Tethered Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that will be operated by the Schertz Fire Department to serve both local and regional safety needs.
Core Objectives
Persistent Oversight:
Unlike traditional drones that are limited by battery life, this system uses a physical tether for continuous power and data transmission.
Enhanced Situational Awareness:
The drone provides a high-altitude, uninterrupted "eye in the sky" to help incident commanders maintain a common operating picture during long-duration events.
Regional Collaboration:
The equipment is intended for regional deployment, benefiting the San Antonio UASI and the GUADACOMA Emergency Response Group, covering Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties.
Strategic Necessity
Addressing Capability Gaps:
Current assets suffer from signal vulnerabilities and short flight times, which create "blind spots" during complex responses.
Terrorism Prevention:
The system is designed to monitor "soft targets" (crowded places) and critical infrastructure to prevent and respond to coordinated attacks.
THIRA/SPR Alignment:
The project directly addresses deficiencies identified in the regional Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the State Preparedness Report (SPR) regarding intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
Sustained Operations
Financial Commitment:
The City of Schertz plans to transition recurring maintenance and life-cycle costs into the Fire Department’s annual budget once the grant period ends.
Professional Standards:
The project leverages existing Part 107 certified personnel and ensures compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
GOAL
The primary goal of this application is to secure
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
funding to procure a
Tethered Unmanned Aerial System (UA
S) for the City of Schertz. This system is designed to provide persistent,
high-altitude situational awareness
and secure communications during extended emergency incidents or large-scale special events.
The project aims to achieve the following specific objectives:
Close Capability Gaps:
It addresses the limitations of standard drones, such as short battery life and signal vulnerabilities, which currently hinder long-term overwatch and real-time intelligence sharing.
Enhance Regional Coordination:
The system will be a regional asset housed at the Schertz Fire Department, deployed to assist partners in the
San Antonio UASI
and
GUADACOMA Emergency Response Group
across Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties.
Support Terrorism Prevention:
The drone will provide uninterrupted surveillance of soft targets, crowded places, and critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities to coordinated attacks.
Establish a Common Operating Picture:
By delivering a continuous, live video feed, the system ensures that all responding agencies maintain a unified and stable operational structure during complex responses.
Align with Strategic Goals:
The project directly fulfills priorities within the
Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan
and addresses deficiencies noted in the regional
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)
.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
The acquisition of a tethered drone system provides several layers of protection and operational enhancement for the Schertz community, focusing on public safety and regional resilience.
Enhanced Public Safety for Local Events
The system provides persistent, high-altitude situational awareness during large-scale emergency incidents and special events within the city. Unlike standard drones that must land frequently to change batteries, this system remains airborne for the entire duration of an event, ensuring there are no "blind spots" during critical times. This is particularly beneficial for:
Crowded Places:
Providing superior overwatch for festivals, parks, and shopping centers to prevent and respond to threats.
Search and Rescue:
Supporting local search operations with an uninterrupted view of the area.
Protection of Critical Infrastructure
Schertz sits along vital transportation and utility corridors that are essential to the community's daily life. This project allows for:
Continuous Monitoring:
Uninterrupted surveillance of critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities to attacks or accidents.
Rapid Threat Detection:
Delivering a real-time common operating picture that allows city leadership and emergency responders to detect and mitigate hazards quickly.
Regional Leadership and Resource Access
By housing this equipment at the Schertz Fire Department, the city establishes itself as a key player in regional emergency management.
Mutual Aid Benefits:
Schertz residents benefit from the city's enhanced ability to coordinate with regional partners like the San Antonio UASI and GUADACOMA groups.
Improved Coordination:
The system ensures all responding agencies—whether local, county, or state—are looking at the same live data, leading to a more efficient and unified response during a crisis.
Fiscal Responsibility
The project is designed to be a sustainable investment that does not rely indefinitely on outside funding.
Grant Funded Procurement:
The initial high cost of the specialized hardware is covered by federal UASI funds rather than local tax dollars.
Long-Term Planning:
The city has already committed to integrating recurring maintenance into the Fire Department's budget, ensuring the equipment remains operational and ready for the community's needs for years to come.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the Grant Application Submission:
Formally approve the submission of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant application for the project titled "Enhancing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capabilities".
Designate the Schertz Fire Department as the Host Agency:
Confirm that the tethered drone system will be housed, maintained, and deployed by the Schertz Fire Department for both local and regional operations.
Approve Long-Term Budgetary Integration:
Commit to transitioning the recurring maintenance and equipment life-cycle replacement costs into the Fire Department’s annual operating budget once the federal grant funding period ends.
Ensure Continued Compliance with State Requirements:
Direct the Office of Emergency Management to maintain the city's eligibility by fulfilling annual cybersecurity training, criminal history reporting standards, and the maintenance of an "Intermediate Level" Emergency Management Plan.
Adopt the Regional Response Framework:
Support the use of this equipment as a regional asset to be shared with partners in the San Antonio UASI and the GUADACOMA Emergency Response Group.
FISCAL IMPACT
100% REIMBURSABLE GRANT PROGRAM
UASI Cost Share: $43,000.00
Local Cost Share: $0.00
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of Resolution 26-R-000.
Attachments
Resolution 26-R-047
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