Agenda Item # 5
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
April 12, 2016
Agenda Report #107
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program - GSAR
INITIATED BY: Columbus Fire and EMS Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to accept a grant of $117,320 or as
otherwise awarded, from the 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program the
maintenance of equipment received as part of the West Central Georgia Search
and Rescue (GSAR) Team and to amend Multi-Governmental Fund by like amount
with no matching funds required.
Background: Funds have been allocated to the 2016 Homeland Security Grant
Program for the maintenance of equipment received as part of the West Central
Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) Team. This team was formed to improve
responses to heavy rescue emergencies to the citizens of Columbus and
surrounding counties. Heavy search-and-rescue involves the location, rescue
(extrication), and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined
spaces. Structural collapse is most often the cause of victims being trapped,
but victims may also be trapped in transportation accidents, mines and
collapsed trenches.
Currently in the state of Georgia, there are 5 GSAR Teams. They are located at:
? Georgia SAR Coastal - Glynn County and City of Savannah
? Georgia SAR Central - Macon/Bibb County and Houston County
? Georgia SAR Metro - Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Clayton Counties, and
City of Atlanta
? Tifton SAR South
? Columbus SAR West Central Georgia
The GSAR teams will be able to respond to incidents across the state under
mutual aid, but the local jurisdictions will own the vehicles and equipment.
The goal of the GSAR teams is to have a four-hour response capability anywhere
in the state.
Analysis: The state is providing the funds for new equipment and the
maintenance of equipment already received from the state.
Financial Considerations: The grant is for equipment maintenance amounting to
$117,320, with no matching funds required.
Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to
receive these funds.
Recommendation/Action: Approval is requested to accept a grant of $117,320 or
as otherwise awarded, from the 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program the
maintenance of equipment received as part of the West Central Georgia Search
and Rescue (GSAR) Team and to amend Multi-Governmental Fund by like amount
with no matching funds required.
A RESOLUTION
No. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A GRANT OF
$117,320.00 OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED, FROM THE 2016 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
PROGRAM AND IF NEEDED, AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY LIKE AMOUNT. THESE
FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED FOR MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT RECEIVED AS PART OF THE
WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA SEARCH AND RESCUE (GSAR) TEAM. THIS TEAM WAS FORMED TO
IMPROVE RESPONSES TO HEAVY RESCUE EMERGENCIES TO THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBUS AND
SURROUNDING COUNTIES. HEAVY SEARCH-AND-RESCUE INVOLVES THE LOCATION, RESCUE
(EXTRICATION) , AND INITIAL MEDICAL STABILIZATION OF VICTIMS TRAPPED IN
CONFINED SPACES. STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE IS MOST OFTEN THE CAUSE OF VICTIMS BEING
TRAPPED, BUT VICTIMS MAY ALSO BE TRAPPED IN TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS, MINES AND
COLLAPSED TRENCHES.
WHEREAS, the Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services has been
approved by the Governors office to fund the GSAR team; and,
WHEREAS, the maintenance of equipment requested in the grant proposal
will greatly enhance the current emergency response program; and,
WHEREAS, the funds have been allocated through the 2016 Homeland
Security Grant Program; and,
WHEREAS, the equipment will be utilized to respond to heavy rescue
emergencies to Columbus and the surrounding counties; and,
WHEREAS, this grant proposal requires no matching funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
1) That the City Manager is hereby authorized to accept a Homeland Security
Grant of $117,320.00 from the 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program.
2) Amend the budget if needed through increasing the Multi-Governmental Fund by
$117,320.00 or the actual amount funded.
___________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
____ day of _________ 2016 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of ____ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting ____________.
Councilor Baker voting ____________.
Councilor Barnes voting ____________.
Councilor Buck voting ____________.
Councilor Davis voting ____________.
Councilor Henderson voting ____________.
Councilor Huff voting ____________.
Councilor Turner-Pugh voting ____________.
Councilor Thomas voting ____________.
Councilor Woodson voting ____________.
_____________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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