Funding for these expenditures has been budgeted under CSA EM-1 (Measure H). There is no General Fund impact. This funding will supplement a 2011-2012 grant award of $132,000 from Homeland Security funds approved by the Contra Costa State Homeland Security Approval Authority G5 committee.

The August 2006, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) Capability Assessment and Strategic Plan identified the lack of USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) capability as a critical gap in Contra Costa County and reported the following. “There are limited resources in the surrounding areas to provide the needed technical search and rescue assistance for an isolated event. The potential for CBRNE terrorist attack, natural disaster and /or industrial accident is significant in Contra Costa County.”   
  
In response, several Fire agencies are collaborating to train and prepare fire first responders to safely and effectively provide technical search and rescue services to the public and emergency response personnel throughout the region. The development of a technical search and rescue team would provide a resource deployable to any part of the County when fully developed. The training includes paramedic personnel who would be able to provide emergency medical services to victims during a USAR deployment. The training is designed to include a “train the trainer” component to support a sustainable and cost-effective program for the future.   
  
USAR classes include Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO), Confined Space Rescue, Rescue Systems I, Trench Rescue, Water Rescue, Rope Rescue I and II and Rescue Systems II. Funding for instruction is being provided by Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Due to the unique and synchronized work schedule of participating firefighters, along with the localized training plan, firefighters will be trained while on-duty reducing the need for a significant backfill expense. Requested funding reflects the least expensive method to provide adequate service levels while the USAR training is being conducted. Funding for this effort is on a one-time basis and USAR qualifies as a significant enhancement to emergency response capabilities of the Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services System under Measure H (CSA EM-1).  

Without this supplemental funding the USAR training would not be completed. Homeland Security Grant funds committed for this use may be lost. The opportunity to develop a sustainable, cost-effective Fire USAR program would be lost. An important strategic asset to the operational area would not be created.

Not applicable.