TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jason Martin, Deputy County Fire Chief
REPORT BY: Stacie McCambridge, Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution for Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant for Cellular Signal Boosters
RECOMMENDATION
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Deputy County Fire Chief requests adoption of a Resolution to apply for and participate in the 2023 Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant Program of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 for a maximum of $8,486 for the term of November 28, 2023, through June 30, 2024, to provide partial funding for cellular signal boosters to be used for the Napa County Volunteer’s apparatus.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As an approved agent of the 2023 Volunteer Capacity Program (VFC) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (Program), the State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) provides local and rural fire departments with funding for minor firefighting, training, communications, and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters through grants. Napa County Fire has been selected to receive an award under this program.
These funds will be granted specifically for the purchase of cellular signal boosters for the Napa County Volunteers’ apparatus. This will provide funding for projects otherwise funded by the Napa County Fire Department budget.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
The FIRE budget currently funds all costs associated with equipment and operational needs to operate the volunteer fire program. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
If not approved, County Fire will still be required to fund the needs of the volunteer program. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Any equipment purchased with the FIRE budget or grant money will need routine maintenance. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, County Fire will still be required to fund the needs of the volunteer program. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by California Code of Regulations title 14, section 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and, therefore, CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has been approved as an agent of the United States Department of Agriculture for the purpose of administering the Volunteer Fire Capacity Program of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (Program). The program is a Federally funded grant program that allows CAL FIRE to provide local and rural fire departments with funding for minor firefighting, training, communications, and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. This grant is being administered by CAL FIRE and provides direct assistance to eligible organizations. This grant will provide funding for projects otherwise funded by the Napa County Fire Department Budget.
The Napa County Fire Department has been selected to receive an award under this Program. The award authorizes accepting the allocation of CAL FIRE matching funds through the Program with a 50/50 Department match in funds. The $8,486 in grant funds will be used specifically toward the purchase of $16,970 worth of cellular signal boosters for Volunteer apparatus. A majority of the County volunteer fire stations are located in remote areas with complex terrain and where cellular signal is weak. The cell boosters will improve volunteer firefighters’ ability to respond to emergencies throughout the County.