5.4. SR 04-09-2001MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Bruce a. West, Fire Chief ~/~//
Monday, April 9, 2001
FIRE Act Grant Resolution
Item 5.4.
On behalf of the Elk River Fire Department I am requesting Council approval to enter into a
grant agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the
enhancement of our fire department's training and public education program. At this time I
would like to review the history of the new Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program through
FEMA. The fire service during 1999 and 2000 has put forth an effort at the federal level to
have money authorized and appropriated for grants in various categories for fire departments
to make grant applications. Six categories have been identified as areas in which f~re
departments may apply for funding from FEMA. The following is a list of categories
authorized for the grant applications: fzrefightmg equipment, training, fire prevention, physical
fitness and wellness, vehicles and personal protective equipment. A f~re department may
apply and submit grant applications for no more than two of the six categories as identified by
FEMA.
There is a city requirement in reference to the grant application for the amount that must be
matched within the local community. For cities of 50,000 population and above the local
match is 30% of the grant application. For communities of less than 50,000, the community
match is 10% of the grant application. The community match cannot be an "in-kind" match
and must be a cash match. The total amount of FEMA funding in all slx categories for
distribution throughout the United States is $100 million. The grant application period is
April 2 - May 2, 2001 with grant approvals and money appropriation to be awarded by
September 30, 2001. The communities 10% match is a one-time amount and no further grant
application match will be required.
The Elk River Fire Department will be applying for two categories and submitting grant
applications in the following: training and public f~re education. In the training category the
Elk River Fire Department, to enhance its current training program, will be submitting
a grant application for the amount of $20,000 of which will include the purchase of training
material, computers, videos, interactive cd-roms, and other items.
In the area of public f~re education, the Elk River Fire Department grant application request
will be for $100,000. A portion of the funds will be used for the development of a smoke
detector giveaway program which will identify the needs of the citizens of Elk River in order
to ensure that every household within our community has a properly installed and working
smoke detector. The grant application funds will also be used to purchase smoke detectors
for the giveaway program. Secondly, the fzre prevention grant application will be used for the
purchase of a safe escape house and a tow vehicle to be used throughout our school district
area to promote fnce safety within the home and focus our efforts at the elementary 14 and
under age category.
The total grant request between the training and f~te prevention categories will equal $120,000.
At this time I am asking for Council approval to pass a resolution supporting the Elk River
Fire Department's grant request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its
support of the 10% match of local funding. A possible funding source for our local match
may be the Council Contingency Fund.
This is an excellent opportunity for the Elk River Fire Department to expand its training
program and public education program within our community and take advantage of a federal
program through the grant application with a minimum amount of local funding required.
This is a national program for which funding is available to all f~re departments throughout
the entire United States. I believe the Elk River Fire Department will have "a good as chance
as any" to receive funding through the f~re grant program for the betterment of our fzre
department and our community.
If you have any questions in reference to the FIRE Grant Program, please feel free to call me
at the Elk River Fire Department at 763-441-4919. I will be in attendance at the
April 9, 2001 Council Meeting to seek approval of the Mayor and City Council in reference to
the FIRE Act Grant Program.
RESOLUTION 0l-
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF GRANT AGREEMENT
WHEREAS,
the city is entering into a grant agreement with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) for the enhancement of the fire department's
training and public education program; and
WHEREAS, the city of Elk River will match the grant amount by 10% payable in cash;
and
WHEREAS, the Elk River Fire Department is applying for a grant in the categories of
training and public fire education; and
WHEREAS,
the city will be submitting a grant application in the amount of $20,000 for
training which will include the purchase of training material, computers,
videos, interactive cd-roms and other items; and
WHEREAS,
the city will be submitting a grant application in the amount of $100,000 for
public fire education which will include the development of a smoke detector
give-a-way program and for the purchase of a safe escape house and a tow
vehicle to promote fire safety.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota, that the total grant request between the training and fire
prevention categories will equal $120,000 of which the city of Elk River will
pay 10%.
Passed and adopted this
day of April, 2001.
ATTEST:
Stephanie A. Klinzing, Mayor
Sandra A. Peine, City Clerk