REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  October  2, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Other Departments-21.

SUBJECT:

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Volunteer Fire Assistance Program Grant Agreement and Resolution.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Julia Hayen, Staff Services Analyst, (530) 225-2516

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Mike Hebrard, Fire Chief

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in an amount not to exceed $19,919 (including dollar for dollar County matching funds for a total of $39,838) for the purchase of wildland fire and structural fire personal protective equipment for the period from the date of signing through June 30, 2019.

SUMMARY

The Shasta County Fire Department (SCFD) provides fire protection to the unincorporated areas of Shasta County. SCFD has successfully competed for a grant for the purchase of structural and wildland fire protective clothing.

DISCUSSION

A grant request was submitted to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA). The purpose of this grant program through the VFA is to increase volunteer firefighter safety and enhance the fire protection capabilities of volunteer fire departments.

In 2017, SCFD/ CAL FIRE dispatched approximately 13,585 calls for service which included medical, structure fire and wildland fire responses. Many parts of California have experienced exceptional drought conditions for several years, and Shasta County has recently experienced exceptional wildland fire destruction, along with many other parts of California.

This VFA grant will be used to purchase several types of protective clothing. Volunteer firefighters use different types of protective equipment for different types of calls. Heavy, padded turnouts are used to protect firefighters from heat and injury during structure fires and traffic accidents. Lighter weight protective pants and jackets made from fire resistant Nomex fabric are used while fighting fires on wildland incidents. This grant will provide 24 sets of wildland fire protective pants and jackets as well as 10 sets of heavy padded structure fire turnouts. It will also purchase over 20 fire shelters for wildland firefighting and 8 sets of protective chainsaw chaps.

All of the wildland fire protective clothing funded by the grant will meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1977, current edition for 2011. NFPA is the trade association that maintains internationally recognized publications and standards to minimize the effects of fire and other hazards. The NFPA process to create and update standards is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The coats and pants are created from the new Nomex IIIA to better resist heat and fire, and have additional modifications to improve firefighter safety including a single layer sleeve to reduce heat related illnesses, and improved shaping for a better fit allowing more ergonomic movement during wear. The gloves also meet the newest NFPA standards.

Acceptance of the VFA grant requires a 50% County match, a resolution of the Board of Supervisors, and signature of a grant agreement with the term of the grant from date of signing through June 30, 2019.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could decline acceptance of the grant revenue. The Board could request additional information on the grant or proposed use of the revenue.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation. The grant agreement was reviewed by Risk Management and approved as to form by County Counsel.

FINANCING

County Fire anticipated $10,000 in revenue for this VFA grant and included it, with corresponding expenditures, in the FY 2018/19 Adopted Budget. The VFA Grant is awarded at a 50% match of SCFD funds for a total purchase cost of $39,838.00. Though more than anticipated, the total matching funds of $19,919 needed for the grant are available in the department’s 2018/2019 Adopted Budget. There is no net change to the County Fire FY 2018/2019 budget. There is no additional General Fund impact.