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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 8-f - Letter in Support of the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s Grant Application to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 20, 2018 Action Agenda Item No. 8-f SUBJECT: Letter in Support of the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s Grant Application to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program DEPARTMENT: County Manager’s Office ATTACHMENT(S): Draft Letter of Support INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, 919-245-2308 PURPOSE: To authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program supporting the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s grant request. BACKGROUND: On March 8, 2018, representatives from the White Cross Fire Department requested a letter from the Board of Orange County Commissioners supporting the Department’s grant request to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The Department is requesting $300,000 in federal grant support to purchase a mobile live fire training simulator that would be available to all Orange County Fire and Rescue departments. The grant requires a ten percent (10%) match of approximately $30,000 that would be funded through existing funds in the Sheriff’s Office budget and a partnership of the local fire districts. The training equipment could be located on property currently owned or controlled by one of the Fire Districts. Any site development or moving costs would also be divided among the Fire Districts. A user fee may also be charged to fire agencies outside of Orange County to generate revenue and support any ongoing maintenance costs. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial impact is associated with authorizing the Chair to sign the Letter of Support. Funds are available in the Sheriff’s Office Budget to support the local match. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. • ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Chair to sign a Letter of Support (attached) to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program supporting the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s grant request for a mobile, live fire training simulator. 1 www.orangecountync.gov Protecting and preserving – People, Resources, Quality of Life Orange County, North Carolina – You Count! (919) 245-2130 • FAX (919) 644-0246 Orange County Board of Commissioners Post Office Box 8181 200 South Cameron Street Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 March 20, 2018 DHS-FEMA-GPD Attention: Assistant Administrator Brian Kamole 400 C Street S.W., 3N Washington, D.C. 20472-3635 Dear Mr. Kamole: On behalf of the Board of Orange County Commissioners, please accept this letter in support of the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s request for funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, specifically Grant EMW 2017-FR00050. The Board of Orange County Commissioners understands that White Cross is requesting $300,000 in federal grant support to purchase a mobile live fire training simulator that would be available to all Orange County Fire and Rescue departments. The County’s Sheriff’s Office and local fire districts are partnering to provide the local matching funds for this project, and we are proud to support this creative and collaborative approach to improving the quality and availability of training for fire personnel throughout the County. The Board of Commissioners recognizes that training is a critical need for both volunteer and career professionals engaged in the fire service. This grant will help provide the physical and mental preparation required to safely and effectively respond to a variety of potential threats to our residents’ wellbeing and property. It is also consistent with a larger vision of developing a joint public safety training facility in Orange County for all emergency response disciplines. Training is an investment and a tool that supports the effectiveness and retention individuals in the fire service. We hope that the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will help to advance our shared goals of community safety, protection, and preservation. Sincerely, Mark Dorosin, Chair Board of Orange County Commissioners CC: Phillip Nasseri, Chief White Cross Volunteer Fire Department Members of the Orange County Fire Chiefs’ Council Mark Dorosin, Chair Penny Rich, Vice Chair Mia Burroughs Barry Jacobs Mark Marcoplos Earl McKee Renee Price 2