HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 24-1845INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1845
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
May 7, 2024
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: REPORT ON FEMA GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRE
PREVENTION AND ELIGIBLE USES
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers funding
opportunities to support fire protection activities in local jurisdictions through the Staffing for Adequate Fire
and Emergency Response (SAFER), Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), and Fire Prevention and Safety
(FP&S) grant programs. These are competitive grants with performance periods that range from one to three-
year terms.
FEMA awards SAFER grants to improve local fire departments' staffing and deployment capabilities so they
may more effectively respond to emergencies. Allowable costs consist of salary and associated benefits
(payroll expenses) for the requested firefighter positions during the entire 36 months of the performance
period based on the typical costs for a first -year firefighter at the time of the application. Due to budget
constraints facing municipalities during the COVID response, local matching funds were not required for this
grant and they have not been reinstated for subsequent awards. The Fort Worth Fire Department was last
awarded a SAFER grant for the three-year term beginning March 10, 2021 (M&C 20- 0889). This award funded
the hiring of 40 new firefighters and provided reimbursement of up to $9,556,320 over the three-year period.
The funding period for this award ended earlier this fiscal year and will be closed out and all eligible
reimbursement received prior to fiscal year 2025.
FEMA provides Fire Operations and Safety Grants as part of the AFG Program. These grants are intended to
support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. Typically,
this grant funds critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other
resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. Local
matching funds of 10 percent of the grant award are required for jurisdictions having a population less than
one million and 15 percent for jurisdictions with a population greater than one million. The most recent AFG
award received by the Fort Worth Fire Department was received in September 2023 for the purchase of a
Mobile Command vehicle designed and equipped to align with FEMA's resource requirements for a Type 2
Mobile Communications Center (M&C 24-0060). This award was for a total of $1,380,570.43 in federal funds.
This project is currently in procurement with a scheduled completion in early fiscal year 2026.
The FP&S Grants are part of the AFG program and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and
firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to reduce injury and prevent death among high -
risk populations. These grants typically require a local match of five percent. The Fort Worth Fire Department
most recently received an FP&S grant in May 2023 for $204,761.90 (M&C 23-0851). This grant is being used to
procure a fire burn lab facility and fund arson investigation training. This project is currently in procurement
with a scheduled completion in fiscal year 2025.
Any questions regarding the projects outlined above or the Fort Worth Fire Department's use of FEMA grants
may be directed to Fire Chief Jim Davis, at 817-392-6801 or Jim. Davis@ FortWorthTexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS