COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

AREA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

DATE:

February 1, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 1, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley, Office of Emergency Services Area Coordinator

SUBJECT:

Approval of FY05 Homeland Security Grant Program for the San Mateo Operational Area.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the Office of Emergency Services (OES) Area Coordinator or his designee to:

1.

Submit a grant application to the state Office of Homeland Security through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for administration of grant awards to enhance the ability to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from threats and incidents of terrorism, in the total amount of $1,835,625; and

2.

Execute any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance provided by the federal Department of Homeland Security and subgranted through the State of California.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

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

This grant enhances the ability to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from threats and incidents of terrorism as well as natural disasters.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2003-04
Actual

FY 2004-05
Projected

Number of incidents responded to by OES staff

38

40

Number of “high-threat” Bomb Squad calls for service

110

120

BACKGROUND:

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Area Office of Emergency Services (OES) has served as the local administrator for the State Domestic Preparedness Grant, State Homeland Security Grant Program, and Emergency Management Performance Grant.

In order to receive funding the OES is required to submit a complete application that, in part, includes a resolution from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors authorizing the OES Area Coordinator to execute any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance provided by the federal Department of Homeland Security and subgranted through the State of California.

DISCUSSION:

The State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP), through the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), has consolidated the administration of six programs, including the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), and the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). These programs have been integrated into the FY05 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to better facilitate the coordination and management of preparedness funding, and will be guided by the State and Urban Area Homeland Security Strategies. This funding and consolidation of programs reflects the intent to enhance security and overall preparedness to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.

This grant will continue to provide funding for planning, equipment, training, exercises, and program management and administration for emergency prevention, preparedness, and response while expanding the scope and reach of the program. It will allow jurisdictions the opportunity to utilize their recently completed homeland security strategies to more effectively address the gaps between needs and existing capabilities.

The OES will serve as the administrator for the distribution to County cities and special districts.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This grant is 100% funded, requiring no matching funds. There is no impact on the County, OES, or Sheriffs Office net County cost.