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R2009-194 - 2009-12-14 RESOLUTION NO. R2009 -194 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR THE STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE "SAFER GRANT THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS: Section 1. That the City approves the submission of a grant application for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response "SAFER Grant to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be used for the hiring of firefighters. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this the 14 day of De ber, A.D., 2009. TOM REID MAYOR ATTEST: \C'O\ ;-f2L. -ia2f)i)--- ..,Q ''p,RLq SONIA WEBB ce' i•, '43 DEPUTY CITY SECRETARY `t, APPROVED AS TO FORM: s DARRIN M. COKER CITY ATTORNEY Preparer Information Page 1 of 1 Overview * Are you a member, or are you currently involved in the management of the fire department or organization applying for this grant with this application? Yes, I am a member/officer of this applicant If you answered No, please complete the information below and press the Save and Continue button. If you answered Yes, please do not complete the information requested below and press the Save and Continue button. Note: If you answered No to the above question, the fields marked with an *are required. Preparer Information * Preparer's Name *Address 1 Address 2 *City *State *Zip * Is there a grant-writing fee associated with the preparation of this request? If you answered yes above,‘Aft t { i https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/jsp/safer2009/application/new overvie... 12/4/2009 Contact Information Page 1 of 1 Contact Information Alternate Contact Information Number 1 *Title City Manager Prefix Mr. *First Name Bill Middle Initial *Last Name Eisen *Business Phone 281-652-1663 Ext. *Home Phone 281-652-1660 Ext. Mobile Phone/Pager Fax *E-mail beisen@ci.pearland.tx.us Alternate Contact Information Number 2 *Title Budget Analyst Prefix Ms. *First Name Paulette Middle Initial *Last Name Englund *Business Phone 281-652-1785 Ext. *Home Phone 281-652-1774 Ext. Mobile Phone/Pager Fax *E-mail penglund@ci.pearlamd.tx.us https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/jsp/safer2009/application/contact info.... 12/4/2009 Applicant Information Page 1 of 2 Applicant Information *Organization Name Pearland Fire Department *What kind of organization do you represent? Combination (Majority Volunteer) If you answered combination, above, what is the 35 percentage of career members in your organization? *Type of Jurisdiction Served City If other, please enter the type of Jurisdiction * In what county/parish is your organization physically located? If you have more than one station, in what Brazoria county/parish is your main station located? * Employer Identification Number 74-6028909 *Are you sharing an EIN with another organization? No If yes, please enter the name of the entity with whom you share an EIN *What is your organization's DUNS Number? 020796397 Headquarters Physical Address *Physical Address 1 3519 Liberty Dr Physical Address 2 *City Pearland *State Texas *Zip 77581 -5416 Need help for ZIP+4? Mailing Address *Mailing Address 1 3519 Liberty Dr Mailing Address 2 *City Pearland *State Texas 77581 -5416 *Zip Need help for Z1P+4? Account Information *Type of bank account Checking *Bank routing number-9 digit number on the bottom 111900659 left hand corner of your check *your account number 2010419505 Additional Information *For this fiscal year(Federal) is your jurisdiction receiving Federal funding from any other grant No program that may duplicate the purpose and/or scope of this grant request? *If awarded this grant, will your jurisdiction expend greater than $500,000 in Federal share funds during Yes the Federal fiscal year in which the grant was awarded? *Is the applicant delinquent on any federal debt? No https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/applicant_inf... 12/4/2009 Applicant Information Page 2 of 2 If you answered yes to any of the additional questions above, please provide an explanation in the space provided below: This grant will exceed $2,000,000. In addition, the City has been awarded $345,000 from the Dept. of Energy and $457,050 from the Criminal Justice Dept. https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/frregrant/j sp/safer2009/application/applicant_inf... 12/4/2009 Fire Department Characteristics (Part I) Page 1 of 3 Applicant Characteristics (Part I) *Are you a member of a Fire Department or authorized Yes representative of a fire department? *Are you a member of a Federal Fire Department or contracted by the Federal government and solely No responsible for suppression of fires on Federal property? *Please indicate the type of community your organization serves. Urban *What is the square mileage of your first-due response 77 area? *What percentage of your response area is protected 85 by hydrants? *Does your organization protect critical infrastructure of Yes the state? Percentages in three answers below must sum up to 100%: *How much of your jurisdiction's land use is for agriculture, wild land, open space, or undeveloped 10 % properties? *What percentage of your jurisdiction's land use is for 30 commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes? *What percentage of your jurisdiction's land is used for 60 residential purposes? *How many occupied structures (commercial, industrial, residential, or institutional) in your jurisdiction are more than four stories tall? Do not includes 2 structures which are not regularly occupied such as silos, towers, steeples, etc. *What is the permanent resident population of your Primary/First-Due Response Area or jurisdiction 126000 served? * How many stations are in your organization? 4 *Please indicate if your department has a formal automatic/mutual aid agreement with another community or fire department and the type of Both automatic and mutual aid agreement that exists. Structural Fire Suppression Medical First Response *What services does your organization provide? Hazmat Operational Level Rescue Operational Level Active Firefighting Staff, use these definitions to answer the questions about"firefighter" positions. https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/gen_ques.jsp... 12/4/2009 Fire Department Characteristics (Part I) Page 2 of 3 Active Firefighter An individual having the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; Position being employed by a fire department of a municipality, county, or fire district; being engaged in the prevention, control, and extinguishing of fires; and/or responding to emergency situations in which life, property, or the environment is at risk. This individual must be trained in fire suppression, but may also be trained in emergency medical care, hazardous materials awareness, rescue techniques, and any other related duties provided by the fire department. Full-time Paid Full-time positions are those that are funded for at least 2,080 hours per year(i.e., 40 Firefighter Position hours per week, 52 weeks per year.) The program office will also consider funding the sharing of a full-time position with sufficient justification. A job-share position is a full- time position that is occupied by more than one person. Positions funded via SAFER may be shared, but DHS limits the number of individuals to no more than four(4) per position. Part-time Paid Part-time paid firefighters receive pay for being on duty at the fire station, whether or Firefighter Position not they respond to any alarms. They may or may not receive benefits. Volunteer Firefighter Volunteer firefighters receive no financial compensation for their services other than Position life/health insurance, workers compensation insurance, and/or stipend per call. The goal for SAFER is to assure that SAFER grantees's communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. The following questions are designed to help us understand the changes that will occur in departments receiving grants. Use the following definitions when completing the table below. Total#Career Personnel—the number of authorized and funded active, full-time uniformed career positions employed by your department on the date indicated. #Officers—Of the career positions indicated in the "Total" field above, how many of those serve in officer-level (both command and company) positions? # NFPA Support—Of those career positions indicated in the first field above (total number of authorized and funded positions), how many are assigned to field or response apparatus positions that directly support NFPA 1710 (Section 5.2.4.2— Initial Full Alarm Assignment Capability) or NFPA 1720 (Section 4.3—Staffing and Deployment) compliance? Note: The number of career positions in any of these fields should include positions which are job-shared. For more information regarding these standards please see the program guidance or go to www.nfpa.orq/saferactgrant Total#Career # #NFPA Personnel Officers Support *Staffing levels as of January 1, 2008 25 8 18 *Staffing levels as of June 30, 2009 25 8 18 *Staffing levels at the time of application 25 8 18 •At the time of application, how many positions in your department are filled with part-time paid firefighters? Note: If you utilize part-time firefighters, please explain, in your narrative, the number of part-time firefighters, 0 the number of positions that these part-time firefighters occupy, and how they are scheduled to meet your staffing needs. •At the time of application, how many active volunteer https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/jsp/safer2009/application/gen_ques jsp... 12/4/2009 Fire Depai tuient Characteristics (Part I) Page 3 of 3 firefighters are in your department? 45 *If awarded this grant, how many authorized and funded active, full-time firefighter positions will be in 46 your department? *If awarded this grant, how many active volunteer 45 firefighters will be in your department? *Do you currently report to the National Fire Incident Yes Reporting System (NFIRS)? https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/gen_ques.jsp... 12/4/2009 Applicant Characteristics (Part II) Page 1 of 2 Applicant Characteristics (Part II) 2008 2007 2006 *What is the total number of fire-related civilian fatalities in your 1 0 0 jurisdiction over the last three years? *What is the total number of fire-related civilian injuries in your 1 1 0 jurisdiction over the last three years? *What is the total number of line of duty member fatalities in your 0 0 0 jurisdiction over the last three years? *What is the total number of line of duty member injuries in your 1 0 0 jurisdiction over the last three years? *What is your department's operating budget(including personnel 3086948 costs) for your current fiscal year and what was your budget for the 2454368 last three fiscal years? 709083 483932 *What percentage of your annual operating budget is derived from: Enter numbers only, percentages must sum up to 100% • Taxes? 100 Grants? 0 % Donations? 0 % Fund drives? 0 % Fee for Service? 0 % Other? 0 % If you entered a value into Other field (other than 0), please explain * How many vehicles does your organization have in each of the types or classs of vehicle listed below? You must include vehicles that are leased or on long-term loan as well as any vehicles that have been ordered or otherwise currently under contract for purchase or lease by your organization but not yet in your possession. (Enter numbers only and enter 0 if you do not have any of the vehicles below.) Total Number of Type or Class of Vehicle Total Number Riding Positions Engines (or Pumpers): (pumping capacity of 750 gpm or greater and water capacity of 300 gallons or more): 9 45 Pumper,Pumper Tanker,Rescue/Pumper,Foam Pumper,CAFS Pumper,Quint (Aerial device of less than 76 feet),Type I engine,Type II engine Tankers: (pumping capacity of less than 750 gpm and water capacity of 1,000 gallons or more): 1 4 Tanker,Tender,Foam Tanker/Tender(greater than 1,250 gallon tank capacity) Aerial Apparatus: Aerial Ladder Truck,Telescoping,Articulating, Ladder Towers,Platform,Tiller 0 0 Ladder Truck,Quint(Aerial device of 76 feet or greater) Brush/Quick attack : (pumping capacity of less than 750 gpm and water capacity of at least 300 gallons): Brush Truck,Patrol Unit(Pick up w/Skid Unit),Quick Attack Unit,Mini-Pumper, 3 6 Type III Wildland/Urban Interface Engine,Type IV Engine,Type V Engine,Type VI Engine,Type VII Engine https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/org_char.j sp... 12/4/2009 Department Call Volume Page 1 of 1 Department Call Volume How many responses per year by category? Do not include responses/calls where your department 2008 2007 2006 was dispatched to provide mutual/automatic aid. (Enter whole numbers only;if you have no calls for any of the categories,enter 0.) Structural Fires 90 52 79 Vehicle Fires 40 44 26 Vegetation Fires 63 23 27 EMS 430 50 10 Rescue 51 91 148 Hazardous Condition/Materials Calls 252 144 137 Service Calls 131 52 49 Good Intent Calls 556 400 98 False Alarms 479 572 467 Other Calls and Incidents 11 2 177 In an average year, how many times does your 22 organization receive mutual/automatic aid? In an average year, how many times does your organization provide mutual/automatic aid? (Do not 11 include first-due responses claimed above.) https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/jsp/safer2009/application/response jsp?... 12/4/2009 Request Details Page 1 of 1 Request Details The activities for your organization are listed in the table below. Activity Number of Entries Action Hiring or Rehiring Firefighters 3 View Details https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/s afer2009/application/requestdetail... 12/4/2009 Hiring or Rehiring Firefighters: Request Details Page 1 of 2 View Hiring or Rehiring Firefighters Activity Hiring or Rehiring Firefighters * 1. Grants awarded to hire new firefighters require the grantees to maintain their staffing and incur no lay-offs during the two-year period of performance. Grants awarded to hire new firefighters also require the grantees to commit to retaining the SAFER-funded firefighters for one full year after the end of the period of Yes performance. Have you, as the applicant, discussed this application and its long-term obligations with your governing body and is your governing body willing to accept this long term commitment? *2. Grants awarded to re-hire laid-off firefighters require the grantees to maintain their staffing and incur no further lay-offs during the two-year period of performance. Have you, as the N/A—application is for hiring new applicant, discussed this application and its obligations with your firefighters governing body and is your governing body willing to accept this long-term commitment? *3. If awarded a hiring grant, will the newly added firefighters be trained to at least Firefighter I or equivalent within 12 months of Yes employment? *4. If awarded a hiring grant, will the newly added firefighters be . trained to at least Firefighter II or equivalent within 24 months of Yes employment? *5. If awarded a hiring grant, will the newly added firefighters be trained within 24 months of employment to at least the minimum Yes level of EMS certification as established by the local fire department? *6. Select which line-item below best describes your organization and the NFPA standard you are attempting to meet. NFPA Requirements NFPA Standard (see the Program Check Department Assembly Response Frequency of One Guidance for more Characteristics Demographic Staffing Time Time detail regarding these standards) 1710 Career With Aerial 15 8 min 90% 1710 Career Without Aerial 14 8 min 90% X 1720—Urban Urban ComboNol > 1,000 15 9 min 90% pop/square mile 1720—Suburban Suburban 500- 1,000 10 10 min 80% ComboNol pop/square mile < 500 pop/square ° 1720—Rural Rural ComboNol mile 6 14 min 80/° 1720— Remote Remote Travel > 8 mi 4 n/a 90% ComboNol *7a. In your best estimate, with your current staffing levels, how often did your organization meet the assembly requirements Sometimes (21 to 40%) Help detailed in the table above for structure fires claimed in this application? *7b. With the additional or restored staffing requested in this https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/requestdetail... 12/4/2009 Hiring or Rehiring Firefighters: Request Details Page 2 of 2 application, what percentage of time do you anticipate that your organization will meet the NFPA requirements detailed in the table Rarely (1 to 20%) Help above? *8a. Given your current staffing levels and the number of structure fires indicated in the"Call Volume" box of your application, what is the average actual staffing level on your first arriving engine 3 company or vehicle capable of initiating suppression activities? (Up to one decimal e.g., 2.5) *8b. With the additional or restored staffing requested in this application and given the number of structure fires indicated in the "Call Volume" box of your application,what would be the average 3.5 actual staffing level on your first arriving engine company or vehicle capable of initiating suppression activities? (Up to one decimal e.g., 2.5) *9. Is your request for hiring firefighters based on a risk analysis Yes and/or a staffing needs analysis? We have developed a 5 year staffing plan,and in the plan we took into account If Yes, briefly describe how the analysis was conducted. If more growth of the City, current fire station space is needed, continue to discuss the analysis in the narrative. location and future fire station locations. The plan also included the addition of 24 hour staffing as well as volunteer staffing needs for the next five years. * 10. If awarded a grant for hiring /rehiring firefighters, will you provide them with an entry-level physical in accordance with NFPA Yes, NFPA 1582 compliant 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments 2003 Edition, Chapter 6? * 11. Does your organization currently seek, recruit, and hire members of racial and ethnic minority groups and women to increase their ranks within your department? If so, explain in your narrative what efforts your organization has Yes instituted and how successful those efforts have been. If not, explain in your narrative what policies and procedures you will implement to assure that, to the extent possible, you will seek, recruit, and hire minorities and women. * 12. Does your organization currently have a policy ensuring that firefighters in positions filled under the SAFER grants are not discriminated against for, or prohibited from, engaging in volunteer firefighting activities in another jurisdiction during off-duty hours. If so, explain in your narrative what efforts your organization has No instituted and how successful those efforts have been. If not, explain in your narrative what policies and procedures you will implement to assure that, to the extent possible, this requirement will be met. https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/requestdetail... 12/4/2009 •Budget Item Page 1 of 1 View Budget Item * How many full-time firefighter positions, including job- shares, are you requesting? Note: Applicants requesting to re-hire laid-off 15 firefighters can request up to the number of positions that have been laid-off between January 1, 2008-June 30, 2009, less the number of firefighters hired since June 30, 2009. If you are requesting assistance to fund a position that would be"shared" by more than one individual, i.e., for job-share, please indicate how many individuals would fill that position and provide an explanation as to why the position is shared. *What is the anticipated annual starting salary for $34800 firefighters in your department? *What is the anticipated average fringe-benefit rate for firefighters in your department (as calculated as a 38.4% percentage of the annual salary)? * If awarded, what is your estimate of the average annual increase in salary for these firefighting positions as a result of step increases, cost-of-living adjustments, 2% incentive pay, promotional pay, etc.? Show this figure as a percentage of the annual salary. Close Window https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/requestdetail... 12/4/2009 Budget Item Page 1 of 1 View Budget Item * How many full-time firefighter positions, including job- shares, are you requesting? Note: Applicants requesting to re-hire laid-off 1 firefighters can request up to the number of positions that have been laid-off between January 1, 2008 -June 30, 2009, less the number of firefighters hired since June 30, 2009. If you are requesting assistance to fund a position that would be"shared" by more than one individual, i.e., for job-share, please indicate how many individuals would fill that position and provide an explanation as to why the position is shared. *What is the anticipated annual starting salary for $62000 firefighters in your department? *What is the anticipated average fringe-benefit rate for firefighters in your department(as calculated as a 30.7% percentage of the annual salary)? *If awarded, what is your estimate of the average annual increase in salary for these firefighting positions as a result of step increases, cost-of-living adjustments, 2% incentive pay, promotional pay, etc.? Show this figure as a percentage of the annual salary. Close Window https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrantlfiregrant/j sp/safer2009/application/requestdetail... 12/4/2009 •Budget Item Page 1 of 1 View Budget Item * How many full-time firefighter positions, including job- shares, are you requesting? Note: Applicants requesting to re-hire laid-off 5 firefighters can request up to the number of positions that have been laid-off between January 1, 2008 -June 30, 2009, less the number of firefighters hired since June 30, 2009. If you are requesting assistance to fund a position that would be"shared" by more than one individual, i.e., for job-share, please indicate how many individuals would fill that position and provide an explanation as to why the position is shared. *What is the anticipated annual starting salary for $ 54000 firefighters in your department? *What is the anticipated average fringe-benefit rate for firefighters in your department(as calculated as a 32.1% percentage of the annual salary)? * If awarded, what is your estimate of the average annual increase in salary for these firefighting positions as a result of step increases, cost-of-living adjustments, 2% incentive pay, promotional pay, etc.? Show this figure as a percentage of the annual salary. IClose Window https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/requestdetail... 12/4/2009 •Budget Page 1 of 1 Budget Hiring or Rehiring of Firefighters: There is a two-year period of performance for grants awarded under both the hiring of new firefighters and the rehiring of laid-off firefighters activities. There is an additional requirement for grantees awarded under the hiring of new firefighters activity that they commit to retaining the SAFER-funded firefighters for one full year after the end of the period of performance with 100 percent local funding. In previous program years, the grantee was required to provide a cost-share that was equal or greater than 10 percent in the first year, 20 percent in the second year, 50 percent in the third year, 70 percent in the fourth year, and 100 percent in the fifth year. For this program year, there is no prescribed cost share, and per-position salary limits have been eliminated. Grantees are free to draw any amount of Federal funds to cover actual salary and benefit costs—up to their budgeted and awarded funding limit—as long as there is Federal funding available. Should the actual salary and benefits costs requested for reimbursement exceed awarded Federal funds, the grantee would be obligated to pay 100 percent of those costs. Regardless of the actual costs incurred, the annual costs will be limited to the actual costs or the budgeted amount, which ever is less. Budget Matrix First Second Total 12-Month Period 12-Month Period Personnel 854,000 871,080 1,725,080 Benefits 306,152 312,275 618,427 Total: 1,160,152 1,183,355 2,343,507 Total Federal Share 1,160,152 1,183,355 2,343,507 https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/budget_total.... 12/4/2009 Narrative Statement Page 1 of 4 Narrative Statement for Hiring or Rehiring of FireFighters In addition to the elements described below, the Narrative Statement(project description) should clearly explain how all budgeted funds are to be used. Because the application will time out after a period of inactivity, it is recommended that applicants type their narrative offline using any word processing software. Once the narrative is complete, copy-and-paste it from the word processing document into the Narrative Statement block in the application. Also, as space for the narrative is limited to six pages, you are cautioned to confirm that the full content of your narrative has been copied into the application. After saving the copied narrative, exit the narrative section of the application, then reopen it and scroll to the bottom to ensure all text is present. If the narrative has been truncated, you will need to reduce the length of your narrative until if fits in the allotted space. The Narrative Statement(project description)for the Hiring or Rehiring Firefighters Activity must include the following: • A statement that describes what the applicant needs the grant funds for, i.e., how the newly hired or rehired firefighters will be used within the department and a description of the specific benefit these firefighters will provide for the fire department and community.Your description should include whether you are seeking to comply with the applicable sections of NFPA 1710 (Section 5.2.4.2) or 1720 (Section 4.3) as identified in the current SAFER Program Guidance. Volunteer and mostly-volunteer combination departments should also discuss any additional roles the SAFER-funded firefighters will be expected to perform, such as chief officer, training officer, fire marshal, fire inspector, health/safety officer, or fire prevention/public education officer. • A statement regarding the impact of current staffing levels and proposed staffing levels on the department's daily operations. This statement should explain how the community and current firefighters are at risk without the needed firefighters, and to what extent that risk will be reduced if the applicant is awarded. • An explanation of the applicant's financial need and their inability to address the need without Federal financial assistance. • A statement relating to how the applicant will ensure, to the extent possible, that they will seek, recruit, and hire members of racial and ethnic minority groups and women to increase their ranks within their department. This should include an explanation of the efforts your organization has instituted and how successful those efforts have been. • A statement describing any long-term plans to retain the new or rehired firefighter positions. • A statement regarding how the applicant plans to meet the requirement to ensure that firefighters in positions filled under the SAFER grants are not discriminated against for, or prohibited from, engaging in volunteer firefighting activities in another jurisdiction during off-duty hours. Note: Fields marked with an •are required. Project Description * Please enter your narrative statement using no more than six single-spaced pages in the space provided.. General Overview The City of Pearland (Texas) is located in the Gulf coast region, within the Houston-Sugarland-Baytown metropolitan area, in Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris Counties. Pearland is ranked as the 34th fastest growing suburb in the nation and the fastest growing suburb in the Greater Houston area. The Pearland Fire Department(PFD) serves a geographic area of nearly 77 square miles, with a current population estimated at 126,100. The jurisdiction of the PFD includes the City of Pearland corporate limits and extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) areas. Critical infrastructure within the PFD jurisdiction includes two airports, a Burlington Northern rail line, two State of Texas highways, and petroleum pipelines that feed one of the world's largest refineries that is located along the nearby Houston-Galveston ship channel. The transportation routes carry passenger and cargo traffic, which includes great amounts of hazardous materials from nearby refineries and chemical plants. Several high-hazard chemical storage facilities are located within the city limits. At present, approximately sixty percent of PFD jurisdiction is residential and includes 75 residential developments and 18 apartment complexes. The jurisdiction also includes 23 schools, multiple commercial developments that include strip malls, a 937,000 square-foot outside retail center, self-storage facilities, eight https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2 009/application/narrativej sp... 12/4/2009 Narrative Statement Page 2 of 4 hotels, and 17 government buildings. Pearland is located approximately 40 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Emergency preparedness and response during a major weather event (i.e. hurricane) is a chief concern of the fire department. Fire Department The fire department in Pearland was organized in 1946 as the Pearland Volunteer Fire Department, a non-profit organization that provided fire protection under contract with the City of Pearland. In October 2007, to address growth and the increasing demand for service, the City of Pearland instituted changes to provide a higher level of fire suppression and rescue services, medical first response, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention programs to the fire department's jurisdiction. At present, the PFD is a combination career-volunteer department. The PFD is managed by an administrative staff consisting of a full-time fire chief, a volunteer assistant chief, a full-time fire marshal/emergency management coordinator, and a volunteer district chief. The Fire Marshal's Office includes two deputy fire marshals and 3 inspector/investigators. There are 18 full-time personnel and 45 volunteer personnel assigned to fire suppression. The PFD has formal automatic aid agreements with the neighboring Friendswood, Manvel, Iowa Colony, Brookside, Southeast, and County Road 143 Volunteer Fire Departments. Mutual aid agreements are in effect with the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department and the Missouri City and Houston Fire Departments. The PFD is a participant in the Harris County Mutual Aid Agreement. The PFD operates from four fire stations. The city is in the process of planning for the construction of an additional station on the city's west side, an area that has seen the greatest growth and development during the past five years. Construction is expected to begin in early 2010. Planning has also begun for an additional station, to be constructed by a private developer in an unincorporated area southwest of Pearland, an area that is serviced by the PFD. Presently, the existing fire stations are staffed by a combination of 18 career and 45 volunteer firefighters. Two of the four stations are each staffed with four career personnel from 0600 to 1800 seven days-a-week. This daytime staffing consists of two lieutenants and six firefighters on each of two 12-hour shifts. Each shift is supervised by a fire captain. The remaining two stations are covered by volunteer personnel who respond from home. During the evening hours, one fire station is staffed by a crew of three or four volunteers, and the remaining three stations are covered by volunteers who respond from home. During the past two years the volunteer force has decreased from approximately 60 members to the current 45. Grant Fund Needs Pearland has experienced an extreme growth in population since 2004, increasing from 52,129 to 94,414 residents. When taking into account the extra-territorial jurisdiction, the fire department covers an area of 77 square miles with a total population in excess of 126,100. During the same period, Pearland has experienced construction of 7,835,050 square feet of commercial property and 30,867,685 square feet of residential property. In 2004 the PFD received 955 calls for service and in 2008 there were 2103 calls for service, a 120% increase. In 2008 there were 384 overlapping incidents. During the past five years the western one-half of Pearland has experienced the greatest growth in residential and commercial development. It is currently served by a single fire station. Due to call volume and the area of coverage, the department is able to meet NFPA 1710 response time guidelines of the first unit on scene within 5 minutes 90% of the time, for only 24.5% of fire incidents. City-wide, the PFD currently meets this NFPA 1710 guideline for only 33.27% of fire incidents. As an outcome of this grant, the PFD desires to hire additional full-time employees so as to come into compliance with the applicable sections of the NFPA 1710 Standard, Section 5.2.4.2,the assembly of 15 people within 9 minutes, 90% of the time. Presently, the PFD meets the NFPA response standard for only 41.66% of incidents. The PFD has incorporated the requirements of OSHA 1910.134, most notably the OSHA two-in/two-out requirements, into its respiratory protection program. The OSHA rules are referenced in the department's policies and guidelines for fireground and hazardous materials operations. Impact of a Grant Award This grant request, in the amount of$2,343,507, is being submitted to increase PFD staffing by 21 personnel, bringing the number of line firefighting personnel to 39. Specifically, the funds would be used to implement a three-platoon 24-hour shift schedule common to the fire service, staffing three fire stations on a 24/7 basis. This would be accomplished by adding one fire captain (shift supervisor), five lieutenants, and 15 firefighters to the ranks of the department. Funding from the grant will be utilized to provide the salaries and the estimated employee benefits provided by the City of Pearland: 1 Fire Captain -$62,000 salary -$19,034 benefits-2% estimated annual increase 5 Fire Lieutenants-$54,000 salary-$17,334 benefits—2% estimated annual increase https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/s afer2 0 0 9/app li c ation/narrative.j sp... 12/4/20 0 9 Narrative Statement Page 3 of 4 15 Firefighters-$34,800 salary— 13,363 benefits—2% estimated annual increase Analysis of the most recent response time data will determine which three fire stations will be staffed by the 24- hour employees, so as to best meet the NFPA 1710 response time guideline. The staffing of the three fire stations will be supplemented by volunteer personnel. In addition, the volunteer firefighters will continue to cover the unstaffed fire stations. A SAFER grant award will have the greatest impact on the department's ability to quickly assemble the number of firefighters required to safely perform the functions of command, ventilation, fire attack, backup, search and rescue, and the necessary support operations at a fire scene regardless of time of day. It is estimated, that with a grant award, the department will be closer to meeting the NFPA 1710 response time goals, nearing the 90% mark once the third station is completed and staffed. The grant award will place the department in compliance with the four firefighters standard for the first-arriving engine and will also ensure the two-in/two-out requirements of OSHA 1910.134 are being met by the first-arriving fire companies. The ability to respond quickly with an adequate number of personnel will be improved significantly during evening hours. Impact to the community will be realized daily and will be long-term. Without the additional full-time positions requested in this grant application, Pearland residents and businesses face an increasing risk of injury, death, and property loss from fire due to the increasing length of response time and the inability of the PFD to assemble an adequate number of firefighters for a fire attack. Without the personnel requested in this grant, firefighters will experience an increased risk of injury or death parallel to the increase in call volume and expansion of the populated area. Presently, the department does not have the ability to consistently place the required number of firefighters at the scene in a timely manner in order to control fires, as described in the NFPA 1710 Standard, even when those fires are discovered early. A grant award will have a dramatic effect on the department's ability to begin a fire attack and to confine fires in the early stages, when life is most salvageable and loss to property can be minimized. Financial Need The rapid development experienced by the City of Pearland has placed a burden on its finances as it strives to meet the needs resulting from both actual and anticipated growth in the community. The amount of bond debt, incurred in the financing of public safety facilities and the infrastructure for residential and commercial development, has increased along with with the rate of growth. The city has met the fire department capital needs, which include fire station construction and renovation and apparatus and equipment purchases. At the same time the city experiences growth, the nation's economic woes have affected Pearland in the form of a lack of sales tax revenue increases, decreased property tax evaluations, and a leveling off of new construction permits. This combination of growth in the community and lack of increase in revenue is a double setback for city finances, making it extremely complicated to secure funding for additional city employees. The City of Pearland is not in a financial position to implement a hiring plan without the federal assistance outlined in this grant application. Financial commitments to existing city programs, the cost of building city infrastructure to meet growth, and debt service make it very difficult to add employees. The increasing demand for services has already affected the number of active volunteer firefighters available, leaving an increase in paid staff as the best option to meet the community's emergency response needs. Recruitment The recruitment and hiring process is conducted by the City of Pearland Human Resources Department to ensure compliance with all federal and state employment practices. The City of Pearland is an Equal Opportunity Employer under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Formal hiring policies and personnel practices are in place for all city departments and are available for review upon request. Pearland and the surrounding area is rich in racial and ethnic diversity, which is well-reflected in the city's workforce. The fire department leadership is committed to continuing the endeavor for a workforce that represents the diverse makeup of the Pearland community, with special emphasis on the recruitment of women and minority firefighters. Retention If a grant is awarded for hiring personnel, those firefighters will be maintained in accordance with the requirements of this grant. The employees hired with the grant award would become part of the staffing described in the PFD's five-year staffing needs assessment. Estimates of continued growth in the community indicate that these grant-funded positions will be maintained, and that additional staff will be required in the future. Non-Discrimination for Volunteers At present, approximately one-third of PFD career firefighters and members of the Fire Marshal's Office are volunteers in the fire departments near their homes. The City of Pearland and the Pearland Fire Department do not have any policies or guidelines in place that would prohibit members to engage in volunteer activities and/or part-time employment with other jurisdictions during off-duty hours. As a combination fire department, Pearland realizes the value of the volunteer fire service in our community, and the adoption of any such policy is not anticipated. Training https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/narrative.j sp... 12/4/2009 Narrative Statement Page 4 of 4 Personnel funded through this grant will achieve certification to NFPA 1001 Firefighter II level, under the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Guidelines, and will achieve EMT-Basic certification prior to the end of the two-year performance period. The TCFP certification process requires that an individual completes and passes the emergency medical certification requirements of the Texas Department of Health. The City of Pearland will provide continuing education, from both internal and external sources, to ensure that newly-hired personnel have the opportunity to maintain and increase their skills and knowledge in emergency response and life safety education. Firefighter Health Measures PFD candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment physical (medical) examination consistent with the requirements of NFPA 1582 Standard. Immunization records will be evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider and the employee will be offered any required immunizations that are missing from their medical record. * Please describe any grants that your department has received from DHS including the AFG. For example: 2002 AFG Fire Engine, 2003 UASI Equipment... (Enter"N/A" if Not Applicable). N/A https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/narrative.j sp... 12/4/2009 -Assurances and Certifications Page 1 of 7 Assurances and Certifications Form 20-16A You must read and sign these assurances. These documents contain the Federal requirements attached to all Federal grants including the right of the Federal government to review the grant activity. You should read over the documents to become aware of the requirements. The Assurances and Certifications must be read, signed, and submitted as a part of the application. Note: Fields marked with an * are required. Assurances Non-Construction Programs Note: Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your project or program. If you have any questions, please contact the awarding agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may require applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is the case, you will be notified. As the duly authorized representative of the applicant I certify that the applicant: 1. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project costs) to ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project described in this application. 2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United States, and if appropriate, the State, through any authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives. 3. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of personal gain. 4. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency. 5. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. Section 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for merit systems for programs funded under one of the nineteen statutes or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM's Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F). 6. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352)which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. Sections 1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicaps; (d)the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sections 6101- 6107), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; (e)the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g) Sections 523 and 527 of the Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. 290-dd-3 and 290-ee-3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records; (h)Title VIII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1968 (42 U.S.C. Section 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statute(s) under which application for Federal assistance is being made; and (j)the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s)which may apply to the application. https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/assurances_f... 12/4/2009 Assurances and Certifications Page 2 of 7 7. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of Title II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is acquired as a result of Federal or Federally assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interest in real property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases. 8. Will comply with provisions of the Hatch Act(5 U.S.C. Sections 1501-1508 and 7324-7328), which limit the political activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds. 9. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. Sections 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act(40 U.S.C. Section 276c and 18 U.S.C. Sections 874), and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act(40 U.S.C. Sections 327-333), regarding labor standards for Federally assisted construction sub agreements. 10. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234)which requires recipients in a special flood hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is$10,000 or more. 11. Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order(EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in flood plains in accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. Section 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of Federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, (P.L. 93- 523); and (h) protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (P.L. 93-205). 12. Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C. Section 1271 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. 13. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 et seq.). 14. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human subjects involved in research, development, and related activities supported by this award of assistance. 15. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of assistance. 16. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act(42 U.S.C. Section 4801 et seq.)which prohibits the use of lead based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence structures. 17. Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act of 1984. 18. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing this program. 19. It will comply with the minimum wage and maximum hours provisions of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act(29 U.S.C. 201), as they apply to employees of institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/assurances_f... 12/4/2009 • Assurances and Certifications Page 3 of 7 Signed by Jack Colbath on 12/02/2009 https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/assurances_f... 12/4/2009 • 'Assurances and Certifications Page 4 of 7 Form 20-16C You must read and sign these assurances. Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. Note: Fields marked with an *are required. Applicants should refer to the regulations cited below to determine the certification to which they are required to attest. Applicants should also review the instructions for certification included in the regulations before completing this form. Signature on this form provides for compliance with certification requirements under 44 CFR Part 18, "New Restrictions on Lobbying" and 44 CFR Part 17, "Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)."The certifications shall be treated as a material representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines to award the covered transaction, grant, or cooperative agreement. 1. Lobbying A. As required by the section 1352, Title 31 of the US Code, and implemented at 44 CFR Part 18 for persons (entering) into a grant or cooperative agreement over$100,000, as defined at 44 CFR Part 18, the applicant certifies that: (a) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid by or on behalf of the undersigned to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the making of any Federal grant, the entering into of any cooperative agreement and extension, continuation, renewal amendment or modification of any Federal grant or cooperative agreement. (b) If any other funds than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal grant or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities", in accordance with its instructions. (c)The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all the sub awards at all tiers (including sub grants, contracts under grants and cooperative agreements and sub contract(s)) and that all sub recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly. 2. Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters (Direct Recipient) A. As required by Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, and implemented at 44 CFR Part 67, for prospective participants in primary covered transactions, as defined at 44 CFR Part 17, Section 17.510-A, the applicant certifies that it and its principals: (a)Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, sentenced to a denial of Federal benefits by a State or Federal court, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency. (b) Have not within a three-year period preceding this application been convicted of or had a civilian judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain or perform a public (Federal, State, or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property. (c)Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity (Federal, State, or local)with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (1)(b) of https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrantlfiregrant/jsp/safer2009/application/assurances f... 12/4/2009 Assurances and Certifications Page 5 of 7 this certification; and (d) Have not within a three-year period preceding this application had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated for cause or default; and B. Where the applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, he or she shall attach an explanation to this application. 3. Drug-Free Workplace (Grantees other than individuals) As required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and implemented at 44 CFR Part 17, Subpart F, for grantees, as defined at 44 CFR part 17, Sections 17.615 and 17.620: (A) The applicant certifies that it will continue to provide a drug-free workplace by: (a) Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the grantee's workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violation of such prohibition; (b) Establishing an on-going drug free awareness program to inform employees about: (1) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace; (2)The grantee's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace; • (3)Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs; and (4)The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace; (c) Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of the grant to be given a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a); (d) Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as a condition of employment under the grant, the employee will: (1)Abide by the terms of the statement; and (2) Notify the employee in writing of his or her conviction for a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction. (e) Notifying the agency, in writing within 10 calendar days after receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2) from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. Employers of convicted employees must provide notice, including position title, to the applicable awarding office. (f) Taking one of the following actions, against such an employee, within 30 calendar days of receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2), with respect to any employee who is so convicted: (1)Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and including termination, consistent with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or (2) Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency. (g) Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug free workplace through implementation of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f). https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/assurances_f... 12/4/2009 Assurances and Certifications Page 6 of 7 (B)The grantee may insert in the space provided below the site(s) for the performance of work done in connection with the specific grant: Place of Performance Street City State Zip Action If your place of performance is different from the physical address provided by you in the Applicant Information, press Add Place of Performance button above to ensure that the correct place of performance has been specified. You can add multiple addresses by repeating this process multiple times. Section 17.630 of the regulations provide that a grantee that is a State may elect to make one certification in each Federal fiscal year. A copy of which should be included with each application for DHS funding. States and State agencies may elect to use a Statewide certification. Signed by Jack Colbath on 12/02/2009 https://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer20 0 9/application/as surances f... 12/4/2009 Assurances and Certifications Page 7 of 7 FEMA Standard Form LLL Complete only if applying for a grant for more than $100,000 and have lobbying activities using Non- Federal funds. If this lobbying form is not applicable, check"This form is not Applicable." and include this page with your application submission This form is not applicable httos://eservices.fema.gov/FemaFireGrant/firegrant/j sp/safer2009/application/assurances_f... 12/4/2009