STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: January 8, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Emergency Management
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
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SUBJECT
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Authorize (1) the first amendment to the grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency passed through the Texas Office of the Governor-Homeland Security Grants Division for the FY 2017 Homeland Security Grant, which includes the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and the State Homeland Security Program (Federal/State Award ID No. EMW-2017-SS-00005/State Grant No. 2980503, CFDA No. 97.067) to accept additional grant funds in the amount of $139,509.95, from $5,634,605.25 to $5,774,115.20 to provide funding for activities related to enhancing preparedness and building capacity to prepare for, prevent and respond to complex coordinated terrorist attacks for the period September 1, 2017 through February 29, 2020; (2) an increase in appropriations in an amount not to exceed $139,509.95 in the DHS-FY2017 Homeland Security Grant-UASI 17-20 Fund; (3) the receipt and deposit of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $139,509.95 in the DHS-FY2017 Homeland Security Grant-UASI 17-20 Fund; and (4) execution of the grant agreement and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Not to exceed $139,509.95, from $5,634,605.25 to $5,774,115.20 - Financing: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Funds
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BACKGROUND
The DHS was created in 2002 and began releasing funds to state and local governments through grant programs. Since 2003, the City of Dallas has received over $100 million in grant funds under the initiatives that make up the Homeland Security Grant Program. In 2017, the City of Dallas was awarded funds under the UASI. In order to facilitate the distribution of these federal funds, each State is required to establish a State Administrative Agency (SAA) to administer and distribute the grant funding to local governments. In Texas, the SAA has been established within the Texas Office of the Governor.
These initiatives provide funding for equipment acquisition, and planning and training activities to increase the ability of the City of Dallas to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made disasters all linked to a terrorism nexus. Some of the activities that these funds support include planning and training for first responders and departmental staff, as well as for citizens participating in the Citizen Emergency Response Team and a public awareness campaign. Additionally, these funds are also used to assist departments with meeting national, state and regional preparedness goals through the procurement of equipment for various initiatives such as increasing interoperability during incidents.
Each initiative focuses on a component of the overall needs of Dallas to respond in conjunction with state and federal agencies during times of natural and man-made disasters. UASI focuses on the unique planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas, with specific carve outs for Law Enforcement activities and Management and Administration of the grant.
Previous funding from the Homeland Security Grant Program has been used for equipment and programs to support public safety and homeland security initiatives.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On November 8, 2017, City Council authorized the acceptance of the 2017 Homeland Security Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency passed through the Texas Office of the Governor-Homeland Security Grants Division, which includes the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Program to provide funding for activities related to enhancing preparedness and building capacity to prepare for, prevent and respond to complex coordinated terrorist attacks for the period September 1, 2017 through February 29, 2020, by Resolution No. 17-1737.
The Public Safety Committee will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on January 3, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Funds - $139,509.95