Agenda Item # 6
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
May 13, 2014
Agenda Report # 117
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2013 Homeland Security Grant Program
INITIATED BY: Columbus Fire and EMS Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to accept a grant for equipment totaling
$18,456, or as otherwise awarded, from the 2013 Homeland Security Grant Program.
Background: Funds have been allocated to the 2013 Homeland Security Grant
Program for the purchase of equipment to be utilized by 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 the equipment and will purchase
the equipment for the city.
Financial Considerations: The grant is for equipment amounting to $18,456,
with no matching funds required.
Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to
receive these funds.
Recommendation/Action: Authorize to submit an application, and if approved,
accept a grant for equipment totaling $18,456 from the 2013 Homeland Security
Grant Program.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A GRANT FOR EQUIPMENT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $18,456 OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED, FROM THE 2013 HOMELAND SECURITY
GRANT PROGRAM. THE EQUIPMENT RECEIVED WILL BE UTILIZED BY 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 equipment requested in the grant proposal will greatly enhance the
current emergency response program; and,
WHEREAS, the funds have been allocated through the 2013 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; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to accept submit an application and,
if approved, accept a Homeland Security Grant for equipment totaling $18,456
from the 2013 Homeland Security Grant Program.
__________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held the
_______ day of ___________, 2014 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of _______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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