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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1k - Purchase of Urban Search and Rescue Equipmenta \pity of�i STAFF REPORT Fire Department DATE: May 20, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Kurt Norwood, Fire Chief By: Yvonne Yeung, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: APPROVE AN UNANTICIPATED EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $22,000 FOR THE UPFRONT COST OF PURCHASING URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT, WITH REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAMS Recommended Action: Approve SUMMARY It is recommended that the City Council approve an unexpected expenditure in an amount not to exceed $22,000 and authorize the purchase of urban search and rescue equipment. The funds utilized for this purchase will be reimbursed through the 2011 and 2012 State Homeland Security Grant Programs. No local match is required for these grants. BACKGROUND Since the terrorist attacks of 9 -11, Los Angeles County fire agencies have been proactive in procuring the most up -to -date urban search and rescue equipment for emergency preparedness. The goal is that in the event of a natural or human - caused disaster, first responders will be in the best position to facilitate search and rescue efforts with the latest equipment and technologies. DISCUSSION Arcadia Fire Department maintains a State of California recognized Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Vehicle and associated equipment. Fire Department personnel respond to mountain rescues, collapsed buildings, trench rescues, and confined space rescues both at the local and State levels. Therefore, it is imperative that the equipment stored and utilized for urban search and rescue efforts is upgraded periodically and that antiquated equipment be replaced. Purchase of Urban Search and Rescue Equipment May 20, 2014 Page 2 of 2 The Fire Department recently learned that the fund allocation of the 2011 and 2012 State Homeland Security Grant Programs has been modified and that agencies could utilize those monies to purchase needed urban search and rescue equipment. Accordingly, the Fire Department requested $22,000 in grant funding for the procurement and replacement of expired life safety rope and associated hardware as well as personal protective equipment specific to urban search and rescue. In late April 2014, the Fire Department learned that the modification was approved. A stipulation of the grant award is that the project must be completed by June 15, 2014. Since this unanticipated grant opportunity became available after the City Council adoption of the Fiscal Year 2013 -14 budget, the upfront cost of the urban search and rescue equipment was unplanned in the Fire Department's budget as adopted. To minimize the impact on the adopted budget, unused and remaining funds from various existing equipment replacement accounts will be transferred to an established equipment replacement fund that was approved for Fiscal Year 2013 -14 specifically for the purchase of urban search and rescue equipment. No additional fund appropriation is requested at this time. FISCAL IMPACT The upfront cost of this purchase is not to exceed $22,000. Once the acquisition is completed, the City will be reimbursed through the 2011 and 2012 State Homeland Security Grant Programs for the cost of the equipment, not to exceed $22,000. No local match is required for these grants. No additional fund appropriation is requested at this time; remaining funds from various equipment replacement accounts in the FY 2013 -14 Budget will be transferred to cover the upfront cost of this purchase. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve an unanticipated expenditure not to exceed $22,000 for the upfront cost of purchasing urban search and rescue equipment, with reimbursement through State Homeland Security Grant Programs. Approved: Dominic Lazzare City Manager