Submitted By
Fire Chief Tom Ebsen
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Application with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant for Three New Firefighters/Paramedics
End
Overview
Overview
Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants are available from the Federal government (FEMA). The intent of the grants is to assist municipalities facing challenges of increasing emergency services demands. If awarded, the grant is provides three years of federally-subsidized funds for new firefighters of 75% in year one, 75% in year two, and 35% in year three of the salaries.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approval.
Fiscal Impact
If awarded, the General Fund budget for fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020 would include a total of $524,114 in grant funds to offset salary and benefit costs to hire three additional Firefighter/Paramedics and the Village would need to appropriate local matching funds of $346,241 over the three fiscal years. During the grant period no alterations to staffing is allowed, but after the period ends there are no staffing obligations.
Background
The Fire Department responds to a wide variety of emergencies, including emergency medical services (EMS) which in 2016 accounted for 63% of the total calls for service. EMS demands are up from 58% of total in 2010, and each year has shown incremental demand. The Department currently runs two ambulances which are now averaging 12 calls per day. In 2016, it is also noted that on average, eleven times per month, emergency medical service was provided by an out-of-town ambulance because Oak Park’s two ambulances were committed to another response during the eleven times. Causal factors for the increases include an aging demographic of the “boomer” generation, and the fact that Oak Park has an extensive offering of senior housing options, including three assisted living facilities, three senior independent-living facilities, and two skilled nursing care facilities. Adding three firefight/paramedics will allow a third ambulance to be placed in service when we are at full staffing, and a majority of the time with normally reduced staffing due to sickness and injuries.
As a result of the consistent trend year over year of increases in calls to 911 for emergency medical services (EMS), staff is anticipating that the FY2018 budget will include a staffing discussion. With the availability of federal grant dollars at this time, staff would like to proceed with an application. The goal of the SAFER grant is to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to all emergencies, and assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
The application for the grant was announced on January 9, 2017 and will close on February 10, 2017. This year, a total of 345 million in federal funding for SAFER will be available. Approximately 300 grants will be awarded. All awards will be announced by September 30, 2017.
Alternatives
The Village Board could seek more information; however the grant deadline is February 10, 2017. Therefore, approval of support is being requested as a part of this meeting.
Previous Board Action
N/A.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
A governance priority for the Fire Department is Emergency Medical Response and is measured by a combination of turn-out and travel times to EMS calls for service. When responses are provided by another community, response times can be longer, subject to a number of factors include the location of the call.