For City Council Meeting [October 22, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Rod Foster, City Administrator
FROM: Brian Park, Acting Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to Accept the Fiscal Year 2020 California Fire Foundation Grant Funds in the Amount of $15,000.
Body
BACKGROUND
The Fire Department is eligible for the wildfire prevention grant funds that are distributed through the California Fire Foundation. These funds can be used in a variety of specified categories that contribute to the City’s ability to develop new and expand existing public fire safety education programs and distribute and publicize emergency preparedness materials to increase public awareness. The amount of funds allocated by California Fire Foundation and other funding partners across the state is to support wildfire relief and prevention through grant programs. The amount allocated to the Rialto Fire Department is $15,000. There is not a matching component associated with this grant. Based on an analysis of the amount available and department needs, staff recommends that the funds are used to assist the Fire Prevention Division with developing new fire safety materials to educate the public and provide community outreach programs.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation’s mandate includes an array of survivor and victim assistance projects and community initiatives: California Firefighters Memorial, Firefighters and Their Families, Victim Assistance and lastly, Community Improvement: The Foundation supplies public safety resources, and conducts outreach and education about fire safety issues through its Firefighters on Your Side program. Additionally, the Foundation contributes to other organizations that aim to enhance and improve the communities of California.
With over 1.8 million acres burned, California’s 2018 fire season was the deadliest and most destructive year on record. Now, the California Fire Foundation has teamed up with funding partners across the state to support wildfire relief and prevention through grant programs.
Funding areas include:
Mitigation: Fuel reduction, creation of fuel breaks, and community defensible spaces
Habitat Restoration
Fire Prevention Education and Planning
First Responder Training
Community Outreach and Disaster Preparedness
It is the intent to utilize these funds to assist the Fire Prevention Division with developing new fire safety materials to educate the public and provide community outreach programs. This grant request fits into the mission of Rialto Fire Department and the City to increase public safety awareness by developing and implementing new fire prevention programs to educate the public about the importance of the wildfire safety and to prepare in the event of a conflagration in the city.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a Project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. By definition, a Project does not include: The creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment according to Section 15378 (b)(4) of CEQA.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business. This action is also consistent with the following policy:
5-3.5: Develop new and expand existing public fire safety education programs, including teaching fire and life safety information in Rialto schools, the Rialto Senior Center, civic organizations, and businesses.
5-7.4: Distribute and/or publicize established emergency preparedness plans to increase public awareness.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The California Fire Foundation grant award to Rialto Fire Department is $15,000. During the quarterly budget process, staff will recommend increasing revenues in the amount of $15,000 to the California Fire Foundation Grant Account No. 205-400-5184-7560 and appropriate $15,000 in Grant Expenditure Account No. 205-500-5184-2021 for the cost associated with assisting the Fire Prevention Division with developing new fire safety materials to educate the public and provide community outreach programs. There is not a matching component associated with this grant.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
No impact to the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the Grant award for FY2020 from California Fire Foundation in the amount of $15,000.