Discussion and possible action to authorize the Economic Development Department to develop a Fiscal Year 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and authorizing the County Judge to act as the County's Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining to the County's request for funding. The purpose of the application is to supplement the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department with a minimum of Nine (9) frontline firefighters. This proposed action will have no impact on the County General Fund for the duration of the grant. [Requested by Chief Ricardo Rangel, Webb County Fire Department and James Flores, Economic Development Department]
Issue:As the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department expands to ensure the safety of Webb County residents, so does the demand for paid frontline firefighters too.
Solution:The acquisition of funds for personnel expenses for the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department.
Result:The request for funding from the Department of Homeland Security's SAFER program for personnel expenses for the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department.
Background:
SAFER funding will be sought from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to supplement the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department with a minimum of nine (9) frontline firefighters. This is a three-year program period and will have no impact on the County General Fund for the duration of the grant.