REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL January 12, 2016 FROM: KERRI L. DONIS, Fire Chief Fire Department SUBJECT .. 1. Accept Cal OES Type II Hazardous Materials Apparatus. 2. Accept FY 2017 Cal OES training award for $669,570 through the Haz Mat by Rail (HMBR) Grant Program. 3. RESOLUTION: Authorize the application for and acceptance of CAL OES HMBR Grant Program. This grant provides reimbursement funding for backfill costs incurred by the Fresno Fire Department while attendees are away for training. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended Council adopt the resolution to accept the FY 2017 Cal OES HMBR training award for $669,570 through the Haz Mat by Rail Grant program to the FY 2017 Fire Department budget. Actual proceeds may vary based on actual payroll results, but will not exceed this specified amount. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Fire Department participated in a solicitation for Type II Hazardous Material Apparatus as part of the Cal OES Haz Mat by Rail program. Fresno Fire was awarded one of the apparatus and the commensurate training for staff for said equipment. Cal OES will host and coordinate all training associated with the apparatus and fund backfill necessary to staff vacancies caused by personnel attending requisite training. The training contract with Cal OES will reimburse up to $669,570 in related training costs. BACKGROUND The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Fire, Rescue and Haz Mat Program is currently in the process of developing a Regional Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) Program that will be similar to the Cal OES Fire Engine Program. The program is intended to provide additional response capability and fill in the gaps across the state where there is limited or no response capability for Hazardous Materials by Rail. Cal OES will be distributing twelve (12) Type 2 Haz Mat Emergency Responsible Vehicles (Vehicles). Each of the Vehicles will have all required FIRESCOPE Type 2 standardized equipment. In addition, Cal OES will coordinate all of the required training for personnel who are not trained to the Specialist level for a FIRESCOPE Type 2 Haz Mat Response. As part of the training, Cal OES will cover the costs for the necessary backfill for those staff who are taking this required training. This program will mirror the Cal OES Engine program for response and maintenance. Cal OES is solicited California local government fire agencies who are interested in being assigned one of these Vehicles. Agencies seeking an assignment of these Vehicles must meet specific criteria in order to be considered. Cal OES will use specific criteria to determine eligibility. The proposed training will provide valuable hazardous materials training to FFD personnel that has not taken place in close to ten years. FFD is seeing members with Hazardous Materials training slowly retiring without a cogent replacement plan for those individuals. The influx of training to our personnel, 17 FFD members, will provide ample succession of experience to ensure that Fresno Fire can continue to provide hazardous materials response to its citizens. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund as all incremental costs resulting from this training will be reimbursed. The period of performance for the FY 2017 Cal OES Haz Mat by Rail grant program is December 7th through June 30th 2017. The grant reimburses the cost of vacancies caused by Fresno Fire Department personnel attending training, for both salaries and travel reimbursements. Cal OES will reimburse overtime costs associated with backfill up to $587,864 plus an additional $81,706 for travel costs. Fiscal impact to City of Fresno budget will consist of "up front" payment to employees for overtime costs associated with backfill. Cal OES has requested, through the reimbursement contract, that all reimbursement requests are made monthly. Attachment: Resolution - Authorizing Acceptance of Grant