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To:	Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors
From:	Jeff Carman, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Date:	October 25, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

FY 2016 Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grant

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/25/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, Director
Candace Andersen, Director
Karen Mitchoff, Director
Federal D. Glover, Director

ABSENT:

Mary N. Piepho, Director

Contact:

Aaron McAlister, Asst Chief (925) 941-35013

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: October 25, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to apply for and accept grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program in an amount not to exceed $700,000 for the purchase of two three water tenders.

FISCAL IMPACT:

90% Federal funds. There is a 10% local agency cost sharing requirement. The grant award(s) may be lower than the amount requested and will be for a period of one year from the effective date of award(s).

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program is to enhance, through direct financial assistance, the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel and to provide a continuum of support for emergency responders regarding fire, medical, and all-hazard events. FY 2015 AFG Programs play an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government.

This grant will request funding to replace two aging water tenders. Water tenders are used for vegetation fire responses and other fire incidents where fire hydrants are limited or non-existent. They carry 1500-2500 gallons of water depending on their configuration, as compared to 500 gallons of water carried on the typical fire engine. The District, at one time, had a fleet of six water tenders, but has been reduced to three due to the age and reliability of these units. Of the three water tenders owned by the District, only one is reliable enough to place in daily service. Two of these water tenders are 33 years old and one is 23 years old. This grant would provide two “tactical” water tenders, each carrying 1950 gallons of water and 20-50 gallons of foam. The cost of each water tender, including sales tax, is approximately $350,000. The total grant budget is $700,000 There is a 10% local agency match requirement. If the District's application is approved at the amount requested, the local agency match would be $70,000.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Contra Costa County is home to major industry, railroads, local and state roadways, and dense population and commercial centers built on four major earthquake faults. It is imperative that the Distict has state-of-the-art firefighting and rescue equipment available at all times and our personnel are trained to the highest standards in order to provide the best possible emergency response to its customers. Failure to approve this grant request would cause the District to forego the purchase of the much needed equipment and provide the specialized training until additional fiscal resources are available.