CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: April 22, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Approval of 2007-2010 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Subrecipient Agreement for Expenditure of Local Government Unit Funding For Florida (Mutual Aid Radio Communications Unit Sustainment and Maintenance)
TARGET ISSUE:
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
A State Homeland Security Program Grant is available for the Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD) in the amount of $18,157.88. This grant is for the maintenance of the Mutual Aid Radio Communications (MARC) system in direct support of the national priority of strengthening interoperable communications capabilities. The Tallahassee Fire Department has housed the system since 2005 and has received sustainment dollars, periodically, through prior grant disbursements. The primary elements contained in TFD’s MARC unit include caches of UHF, VHF, and 700/800 MHz radio repeaters, and a 100 ft. collapsible radio tower; all mounted on a trailer for ready deployment by TFD’s Technical Response Teams.
The City Attorney’s Office and the Office of Budget and Policy have reviewed and concur with this item.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Option 1. Authorize the City Manager to sign the Contractual Agreement by and between the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services and the City of Tallahassee.
FISCAL IMPACT
No expenditures are required on behalf of the City, no matching funds are necessary. Existing staff will be required to dedicate time to the management and oversight of the grant.
Cindy Dick, Fire Chief, Tallahassee Fire Department
Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager
For information, please contact: Bill Cowdrey, Capital Projects, Grants and Finance Coordinator, TFD at 891-6611
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
Following the events of September 11, 2001, in an effort to ensure the State and local communities were prepared for terrorist activity and other hazardous incidents, Federal monies were appropriated through the Department of Homeland Security and Office of Domestic Preparedness. These monies were distributed to state agencies for programs to improve response, detection and mitigation capabilities. The State Fire Marshall’s Office manages these grants and has requested the City of Tallahassee to enter into a contract agreement that provides $18,157.88 for the maintenance of TFD’s Mutual Aid Radio Communications (MARC) system.
This funding for maintenance of TFD’s MARC unit is in direct support of the national priority of strengthening interoperable communication capabilities. Eight MARC units are strategically placed throughout Florida, operated by local jurisdictions. The primary elements contained in the MARC units include a trailer on which are mounted caches of UHF, VHF, and 700/800 MHz portable radios, VHF, UHF, 700 MHz repeaters, and a 100-ft. collapsible radio tower. MARC units provide a distribution mechanism for portable radios programmed in common to allow first responders the ability to have interoperable communications and communicate directly at the scene of an incident or event. The repeaters and tower system can also provide single channel communications systems where an existing system is rendered inoperable, or where radio coverage problems exist. MARC units are considered mission critical resources that are integral to achieving interoperable communications for public safety responders handling large-scale events or mutual aid incidents. Proper maintenance of these MARC units ensures that they remain in operationally ready condition for deployment by TFD’s Weapons of Mass Destruction/Technical Response Team (WMD/TRT).
The Tallahassee Fire Department is a designated Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team and a member of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force.
Charitable Contributions
Charitable contributions are not applicable for this item.
OPTIONS
1. Authorize the City Manager to sign the Contractual Agreement by and between the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services and the City of Tallahassee.
Pros
• Provides SHSGP funds to maintain equipment to maintain mission critical equipment.
Cons
• Existing staff will be required to dedicate time to the management and oversight of the grant.
2. Take no action and provide alternative direction to staff.
Pros
• No additional staff time will be dedicated to the project.
Cons
• Forego maintenance and risk malfunctioning of mission critical equipment.
ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES