TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager to prepare an application for the 2020 SAFER Grant for submission by the March 12, 2021 deadline. For this funding cycle, the grant will provide $4.8 million to cover the cost of 12 FTE entry level firefighters for Engine 17 over three years to fall within an estimated timeframe of mid-FY 22 through mid-FY 25. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The annual cost of a paramedic assessment fire engine is approximately $3.2 million, meaning the $4.8 million grant would cover approximately 50 percent of the total cost if the engine is staffed with budgeted positions. The 2020 SAFER Grant is more flexible with fewer requirements than the 2018 grant including: (1) no cost share requirement - the grant pays the full cost of SAFER-funded positions (in the rank of Firefighter only) for up to three years; (2) elimination of the supplanting requirement, which means that the SAFER-funded positions can be in addition to current staff positions at the time of the grant award rather than budgeted staff positions; and, (3) optional extensions to the performance period, which would allow more time to hire/increase staffing levels to meet grant requirements.
BACKGROUND
Located just east of Stearns Park, Station 17 opened on April 21, 1951. For 60 years, Engine 17 served as a critically important component of our City’s fire service. With a response area spanning from the 405 Frwy & Redondo in the N/W to 7th & Bellflower in the S/E, E17’s removal in 2011 left a huge hole in the system. The restoration of E17 in 2019 cut citywide response times by a minute. Within Station 17’s area, response times were cut by a minute and a half.
EQUITY LENS
Engine 17’s response area includes the 90804 and 90815 zip codes. 90804 is the most densely populated zip code in Long Beach. E17’s response area also abuts that of Engine 10, one of the busiest engines in the City. E17 provides coverage for 10’s area when Station 10 (located in CD6) is responding to other emergencies. Equally critical is the fact that without E17 in service, E10 is taken out of its own busy area to provide coverage in Station 17’s area.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council direction on March 9, 2021 is needed as the deadline for the grant application is March 12, 2021. Final awards are expected around September 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT
Due to the urgency of this item, a fiscal impact assessment has not yet been completed.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DARYL SUPERNAW,
COUNCILMAN, FOURTH DISTRICT
CINDY ALLEN,
COUNCILWOAMN, SECOND DISTRICT
SUZIE PRICE
COUNCILWOAMN, THIRD DISTRICT
SUELY SARO,
COUNCILWOMAN, SIXTH DISTRICT