HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 18154-07-2008Ordinance No. 18154-07-2008
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,000
SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY/FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY'S
FY 2007 FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM; PROVIDING
FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF
PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2007-
2008 and in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and
appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of $53,000 subject to receipt of a grant from the
Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency's FY 2007 Fire
Prevention and Safety Grant Program.
SECTION 2.
That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid,
inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion or
judgment shall in no way impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this
ordinance, which said remaining provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3.
That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance No. 17749 and all other ordinances and
appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance
are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said
conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Assistant City Attorney
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: July 8, 2008
Cif ®f ~®r# l~i~rth, 1"exas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 7/8/2008 -Ord. No. 18154-07-2008
DATE: Tuesday, July 08, 2008
LOG NAME: 36FIRE P&S REFERENCE NO.: ~*G-16191
SUBJECT:
Ratify the City Manager's Application for and Acceptance of $42,400 in Grant Funds from the United
States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Fiscal
Year 2007 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant, Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Authorize the Transfer of $10,600 as Required for the
City's Twenty Percent Match from the General Fund to the Grants Fund and Adopt Appropriation
Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Ratify the City Manager's Application for, and acceptance of, a one-year grant from the United States
Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency Fiscal Year 2007 Fire
Prevention and Safety Grant Program in the amount of $42,400;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
3. Authorize the transfer of $10,600 as required for the City's twenty percent match from the General Fund
to the Grants Fund; and
4. Adopt the attached appropriations ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the
Grants Fund by $53,000 subject to receipt of the funds.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
annually provides funding for local fire departments to purchase materials to support their fire safety and
prevention programs. The goal of this program is the reduction of fires and fire injuries, especially among
certain targeted high-risk groups such as children and the elderly.
The Fort Worth Fire Department's (FWFD) Public Education Division has a full time staff of seven
individuals who direct the efforts of firefighters and volunteers and work alongside them in the Division's
public education efforts. Collectively, the FWFD has over 20 years experience in providing fire safety
education. The Public Education Division currently conducts two on-going programs: Learn Not To Burn,
and Fire Safety Clowns. The Department will use $45,000 to purchase a fire safety house. The
Department's current fire safety house is over 20 years old and is deficient in several ways, as described
below. The new fire safety house will be a long term investment for the Department and may be visited by
up to 225,000 elementary and intermediate school children during the next 20 years, which averages
$2,250 per year, or $.20 per child, to provide hands-on experience with fire and severe weather safety
lessons.
Logname: 36FIRE PS Page 1 of 2
The Department's current fire safety house was originally built by Department firefighters and constructed
with similar materials as a real house. As a result it is very heavy. When it is being towed, it requires lead
and follow vehicles, which along with the personnel time needed to actually set up the house on site, results
in a substantial dedication of the Public Education Division's staff time. The house is often unavailable for
use because it is not climate controlled, which limits its use to only a few months in the spring and fall, it is
unsafe to be pulled in wet weather and many of the house's educational features are inoperative, including
the heated doorknobs. The new house will be a larger but lightweight and durable building that can be
transported and operated with one person, that can be towed by more than one Department vehicle, that is
handicapped accessible, that has features such as heated doorknobs, a smoke machine, working escape
windows, and video equipment that will allow the showing of educational safety films, plus additional
equipment and information to prepare children for surviving Texas' severe weather.
Along with the fire safety house, the Department will use $8,000 to purchase a fire safety robot. This robot
will be used for school programs, public events, and community relations. The robot will be an additional
learning tool for the Learn Not To Burn program, the Safety Clown program and the Fire Safety House. The
Department is limited in its ability to provide children and adults with interesting educational tools. Without
the safety robot, the Fire Department is missing an opportunity to utilize a unique, fun, mobile method of
teaching children and communicating with the public. Ultimately, the kind of immersion in a learning
environment made possible by the fire safety house and the fire safety robot will provide a valuable
complement to the classroom teaching.
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Finance Director certifies that upon award and receipt of the grant, approval of the above
recommendations, and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the
current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grants Fund.
TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/AccountlCenters
GR76 472001 036446283000 $10.600.00 GG01 538070 0362050 $10.600.00
GR76 488022 036446283000
$42.400.00 GG01 522030 0362050
$10.600.00
GR76 5(VARIOUS) 036446283XXX
$53.000.00
Submitted for City Manager's Office b~ Joe Paniagua (6575)
Originating Department Head: Rudy Jackson (6801)
Additional Information Contact: Dana Alden (6817)
Logname: 36FIRE PS Page 2 of 2