REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 25, 2024
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Subaward Application to California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Earthquake Early Warning Implementation Program for Fire Stations
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a legally binding grant subaward application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Earthquake Early Warning Implementation Program for Fire Stations, in the amount of $166,000, to equip selected fire stations within the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s jurisdiction with Earthquake Early Warning technology, with a performance period of June 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025.
2. Designate the Fire Chief/Fire Warden as the Grant Subaward Director in the grant subaward application identified in Recommendation No. 1 and the grant subaward agreement if funds are awarded to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
3. Designate the Deputy Fire Chief as the Financial Officer in the grant subaward application identified in Recommendation No. 1 and the grant subaward agreement if funds are awarded to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
4. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, or Deputy Fire Chief to proceed with the following actions, on behalf of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, related to the Earthquake Early Warning Implementation Program for Fire Stations for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance, as required by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services:
a. Accept related assurances and certifications for the grant subaward application.
b. Execute and file all grant subaward application documents and certifications with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for submittal of the grant subaward application.
c. Act as signatories for grant reimbursement claims, performance reports, and other documents required to administer the grant.
d. Execute any non-substantive project modifications and grant amendments that extend the performance period of the grant, subject to review by County Counsel.
5. Direct the Fire Chief/Fire Warden to transmit the grant application and any non-substantive amendments to the Secretary of the Board of Directors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended actions will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) is seeking an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) Implementation Program for Fire Stations grant in the amount of $166,000 to install seismic detection receivers equipped with EEW technology at five fire stations within the SBCFPD jurisdiction in areas prone to the most damage due to catastrophic disasters such as a large earthquake. The expected cost per station will be approximately $33,200 which includes $22,200 for the EEW device and installation, and the first year of operation and maintenance which is estimated at $11,000 per fire station. The proposed grant amount will allow five fire stations to be equipped with EEW technology. In addition, SBCFPD must fund ongoing operation and maintenance costs for a minimum of five years after the end of the performance period. The total estimated five-year cost of $275,000 for operation and maintenance of the EEW device will be funded with existing revenue.
If awarded, the grant subaward application shall serve as the grant award agreement. SBCFPD will return to the Board of Directors (Board) to accept the grant in accordance with County Policy 05-13 and request budget adjustments, if necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The purpose of the EEW Implementation Program for Fire Stations grant is to create a safer California by implementing and integrating the California Earthquake Early Warning System (CEEWS) statewide in key industries and critical sectors to enhance and strengthen community resiliency through the adoption of automated actions and responses. SBCFPD’s grant subaward application proposes to integrate the CEEWS into five fire stations as determined via the Center for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (CDC SVI) in areas prone to the most damage due to catastrophic disasters such as a large earthquake.
The grant subaward application proposes to provide the designated fire stations with equipment to automatically open the fire station apparatus bay doors when seismic activity is detected. An apparatus bay is the area of a fire station where apparatus such as fire engines, ambulances, and other fire equipment are cleaned, maintained, and stored. The apparatus bay door is the door that is opened to allow the equipment to exit the fire station. SBCFPD’s policy requires apparatus bay doors to be opened and equipment such as fire engines and ambulances to be moved out of the fire station when there is an earthquake in case of building collapse or damage to the building that would potentially prevent the emergency equipment from exiting the fire station. Each fire station has an average of two bays with a front and back door on each bay for a total of four doors at each fire station. The proposed plan will have a seismic detection receiver box trigger an automated bay door opening system which will be activated when seismic activity is detected. The early detection of seismic activity can occur approximately two minutes before an actual earthquake is felt. The EEW Implementation Program will provide firefighters approximately two minutes to move the equipment outside the building before an earthquake is felt and any possible damage to the building occurs.
Pursuant to County Policy 05-13, Board approval is required because the grant subaward application requires the acceptance of Standard Assurances, Certifications, and other grant subaward agreement documents that are binding upon SBCFPD and are a required component of the application process. These documents will also serve as the grant subaward agreement if funds are awarded to SBCFPD. In addition, the grant subaward application requires SBCFPD to designate a Grant Subaward Director and a Financial Officer under the grant subaward application and grant subaward agreement if funds are awarded to SBCFPD.
Approval of this grant subaward application will provide for the safety, health, and social service needs of SBCFPD and county residents by enhancing the emergency response capabilities of SBCFPD.
The performance period for this grant began on June 1, 2024. Board approval of this item is retroactive to that date. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services grant subaward application deadline for the EEW Implementation Program was April 29, 2024, but was extended through June 25, 2024, since additional time was needed to obtain Board approval to submit this legally binding grant subaward application.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 31, 2024; Finance (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on June 4, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 4, 2024.