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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,172 FROM THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO BE USED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR OPERATION OF A SWIFT WATER BOAT, APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-1516-96, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
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BACKGROUND: The City of Norman purchased two water rescue boats for the Fire Department in September 2015. Since then Fire Department personnel have begun a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) boat operator training program to bring those responsible for operating the boats to a nationally recognized training level. Personnel attended the first part of this class in October/November and will be attending the second portion of the class in March/April.
DISCUSSION: The Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security (ODHS) has awarded a grant to pay for a majority of our training for the second portion of this course. The remaining portion will be funded through another anticipated grant. ODHS recognizes the value in having a department in Oklahoma that is trained to a national standard to respond to events created by a common hazard. Accepting this grant will allow us to bring 22 boat crew members to the SWIFTWATER BOAT OPERATOR level, which is the nationally recognized NIMS-compliant rescue standard.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council accept the grant in the amount of $14,172 under the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Homeland Security Grant Program; receipt into Other Revenue: Homeland Security Grant (account 022-0000-331.13-52) and appropriate funds into Special Revenue Fund: Emergency Management Grant, Workshops and Seminars (account 022-9508-422.46-04; project GF0074).