TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Fire |
Chief Adrian Sheppard |
425-556-2201 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Fire |
Rich Gieseke |
Fire Marshal |
|
Fire |
Gary Smith |
Assistant Fire Marshal |
TITLE:
title
Acceptance of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Fire Department is seeking Council’s approval to accept funding from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant to provide enhanced security for the Fire Department emergency key access systems. The Bellevue and Redmond Fire Departments have coordinated efforts in securing this grant to improve the security and accountability of the existing emergency key access system used on our commercial, mixed-use and multifamily buildings. The total grant award is $707,423.39 with $298,871.99 being allocated to the City of Redmond, and $408,551.40 allocated to the City of Bellevue. This grant has a required 5% matching requirement that can be fulfilled through existing staff time and associated labor costs in lieu of a cash match.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Fire Department Strategic Plan 2022-2027
• Required:
2021 Redmond Fire Code, Section 506.1
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The Redmond and Bellevue Fire Departments share a jurisdictional border of 9.5 miles and responded to a combined 2,126 mutual aid calls in 2023. Bellevue provided aid to Redmond 563 times in 2023 in buildings equipped with fire department key box safes as required in the 2021 International Fire Code, Section 506 (Knox box). Redmond provided similar support into Bellevue 948 times. Of those: 50 were cardiac arrest calls, 8 were strokes, and 22 were confirmed structure fires, including 14 of in multi-family buildings. In at least 80 of these calls, any time delays would have significantly impacted patient outcomes and extent of structure damage. Implementing “eLock Knox” systems in tandem will allow both departments to share electronic key access to each other’s Knox boxes while adding security features.
The Redmond and Bellevue Fire Departments partnered to apply for a regional grant through FEMA’s Fire Prevention & Safety grant, which has been tentatively awarded for $707,423.39. This grant requires completion within a 24-month performance period as well as a 5% matching in either cash or staff time/labor equivalent. The allocation is $298,871.99 in equipment for the City of Redmond and $408,871.40 in equipment to the City of Bellevue.
Both fire departments currently use an older version of the Knox Box key security system, which still uses traditional key lock cores. The inventory of Knox Box systems in Redmond is over 1,400 and growing each year. This award will cover transition costs for both municipalities to install electronic key lock hardware in the apparatus and a majority of key box cores. Historically, this cost would have been passed on to local property owners, but this grant allows the transition to occur while minimizing the cost to local property owners.
Accepting this Fire Prevention & Safety Grant award will improve community safety and emergency response, and greatly enhance key security in both the Bellevue and Redmond Fire Departments’ service areas while minimizing the economic impact on property owners within our service areas.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Award letter received with an effective date beginning on 7/16/24, if the grant is formally accepted by both cities. If accepted, the departments have 24 months from this date to utilize funds and install the equipment purchased through grant funds
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
Installation of hardware in department apparatus $2,250
Exchange of current hardware in response apparatus by fire mechanic shop $1,282
Installation of 808 e-cores with current fire department staff est. $44,225 (light duty and prevention staff time)
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
N/A
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
The grant has a 5% matching requirement of $14,944 that can be satisfied with staff time used to install cores and equipment in department apparatus. No cash payment is necessary.
Funding source(s):
Fire Department General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
Grant acceptance by October 1, 2024
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
9/17/2024 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
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Time Constraints:
Bellevue is the lead agency for this grant and will purchase all equipment and complete all grant documentation and reporting. To move forward with purchasing, Bellevue requests Redmond approve receiving the grant by October 1, 2024.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If the grant award is not accepted the full expense of updating the fire department key box system will be required to be covered by the Fire Department General fund and individual property owners.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Bellevue Fire and Redmond Fire Department Joint Application FY23 FP&S Grant MOU
Attachment B: 2023 Fiscal Year Fire Prevention and Safety FEMA Grant Award Letter
Attachment C: 2023 Fiscal Year Fire Prevention and Safety FEMA Grant Application
Attachment D: Interlocal agreement