COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

January 24, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 8, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

Appropriation Transfer Request for Grant Funding Award for Fire Protection Services

RECOMMENDATION:

Authorize a resolution to approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to transfer $249,606 received in grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security from the Structural Fire Protection Fund unanticipated revenue to the Fire Protection Services budget to purchase safety equipment.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensuring basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: To maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The transfer of the grant funding contributes to this commitment and goal by providing resources to update essential emergency equipment for the Fire Protection Services Department.

BACKGROUND:

The United States Department of Homeland Security has set up an Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program that will ultimately grant a total $750 million to fire departments nation wide. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF)/San Mateo County Fire Department applied for a grant under this program, and on November 5, 2004 the Department’s application was approved for a total project cost of $277,340.

DISCUSSION:

The terms of this grant require that the CDF/San Mateo County Fire Department use the funding to purchase the following items: (1) high-pressure breathing apparatus to allow firefighters to remain for longer periods in a hazardous breathing environment; (2) better radios to improve communications and firefighter safety during incidents; (3) new CPR devises called AutoPhase Resuscitation Systems that automatically pump patients’ chests to circulate blood to the heart, brain and other vital organs during cardiac arrest treatment; (4) one thermal imaging camera so that fires can be detected and suppressed more readily; and (5) forty sets of turnouts for the personal protection of San Mateo County firefighters. Updating the Fire Department’s equipment will help to provide the best possible protection for residents and emergency personnel of San Mateo County.

Under the terms of the grant, all claims for equipment purchased must be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security by October 1, 2005.

The ATR will set up an appropriation of $249,606, the Federal share of the total approved amount, in the Fire Protection Services budget from which to make the purchases itemized in the grant award.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total amount of the approved project costs is $277,340, of which 90%, or $249,606, will be provided by the Federal government. The remaining 10%, or $27,734 will be funded from the Fire Prevention Services budget. There is no fiscal impact to the County.