Bill Type and Number: Ordinance 2007 - 97

Sponsor: Council President at the request of the Mayor

Date of Introduction: January 23, 2007

Committee(s) of Reference: R, F, TEUS, A

Date of Analysis: January 26, 2007

Type of Action: Appropriation

Bill Summary: The bill appropriates $232,330 of continuation grant money from the US Department of Homeland Security and $23,781 from Reserves for Federal Programs to support the operations of the county's Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Background Information: The funds will be used to pay the salary and benefits of an Emergency Preparedness manager for the year, computer equipment and software, and travel costs. The MMRS group is trained and equipped to respond to all-hazards mass casualty incidents, including mass terrorist attacks, epidemic disease outbreaks, natural hazards, and large-scale hazardous materials incidents. Grants are made to 124 cities nationwide through each state's Emergency Management office. Jacksonville is one of five cities in the state that benefit from MMRS-support grants. The total grant award to the city was $1,626,310.

Use of funds per grant documentation is:

Capability Focus Area (numerous uses such as

medical supplies, training and management $130,000

Planning 50,000

Staff/consultant costs 35,000

Travel 9,330

Computers 7,000

Recurring charges/fees 1,000

Note: Emergency approval is requested as the grant period began July 1, 2006; contract received from FDEM Dec. 20, 2006. The contract was received late due to issues with FEMA, which have now been resolved by FDEM.

Policy Impact Area: Fire & Rescue

Fiscal Impact: The bill appropriates $256,111, of which $232,330 is federal grant money.

Analyst: Weiss