Discussion and possible action to: (a) authorize the Fire-Medical Department to accept two grant awards in the total amount of $58,950 from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to be used to strengthen chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive detection, response and decontamination capabilities; and sustain and enhance the Terrorism Liaison Officer program through the 2023 Urban Areas Security Initiative Sustainment project; and (b) approve a budget amendment in the amount of $58,950 from the Proposed Grants Contingency account to various Homeland Security Grant Fund accounts.

The Peoria Fire-Medical Department has been working collaboratively over the past several years to develop various emergency response programs. To further integrate Peoria as part of the statewide disaster response program, the Peoria Fire-Medical Department applied for and received 2023 Homeland Security Grant funds from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security (AZDOHS). The two awards total $58,950 to (1) sustain and enhance the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) weapon detection, response, and decontamination program; and (2) sustain and enhance the Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) program through the 2023 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Sustainment project.

The Fire-Medical Department received an award for $45,000 to purchase supplies and provide training to support, enhance and maintain CBRNE operations.

The Fire-Medical Department also received an award for $13,950 for training to support TLO operations through the UASI Sustainment project. The TLO program functions as a Field Intelligence Unit in support of police tactical operations, hazardous material operations, explosive special operations, and uncommon event types.

The grant performance period is October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

The City Council has previously accepted grants from AZDOHS for the CBRNE and UASI  programs. This will be the seventeenth consecutive year the City of Peoria has received grant funding from this organization.

Staff recommends authorization to accept two grant awards in the total amount of $58,950 from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to be used to strengthen chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive detection, response and decontamination capabilities; and sustain and enhance the Terrorism Liaison Officer program through the Urban Area Security Initiative Sustainment project; and approve a budget amendment in the amount of $58,950 from the Proposed Grants Contingency account to various Homeland Security Grant Fund accounts.

The City Council has previously accepted grants from AZDOHS for the CBRNE and UASI programs. This will be the seventeenth consecutive year the City of Peoria has received grant funding from this organization.

Once the grant is approved by City Council the grant funds will be available for use for the program.