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HASTINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT
MARK J. HOLMES, CHIEF
115 West 5th Street
Hastings, Minnesota 55033-1815
Business Office (651) 480-6150
Fax (651) 480-6170
TO: Mayor Hicks and City Council Members
FROM: Mark J. Holmes, Fire Chief
DATE: February 5, 2007
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Assistance to Firefighters Act Grant and Approval for
Budget Transfer to Meet Required Match
As agreed to the City of Hastings will be joining all other municipalities within Dakota
County in migration to the State of Minnesota's Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency
Response (ARMER). This system has been recognized as a solution for interoperable
communications and enhanced technology. For several years city staff has been planning
and preparing for this use. One major consideration through this process has been the
need to replace all radio communications equipment used by the fire department.
Grant opportunities for 2007 to assist in offsetting the cost within Dakota County have
been exhausted by other collective projects. Hastings sponsored and received one such
grant for emergency medical dispatch within the newly created Dakota Communications
Center.
In an attempt to find other grant opportunities outside of Dakota County, the fire
department participated in a regional Assistance to Firefighters Act Grant through the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. This collaborative request originated out of
Washington County and is being hosted by the City of Lake Elmo. We have recently
been advised of the success of our grant request and ask to reaffirm our decision to meet
the required grant match. The City of Hastings will receive $77,000.00 in grant funds.
To comply with our grant requirements, the City of Hastings would be required to match
the federal contribution with $19,617.65 and combined with the $77,000.00 grant amount
purchase $96,617.65 worth of communications equipment through the City of Lake
Elmo. This equipment will be delivered to the City of Hastings as owners and used by
the fire department. It is anticipated that the total cost for communications equipment for
the fire department will be approximately $135,000.00. Accepting this grant will
significantly reduce the costs to the City of Hastings.
FIRE SUPPRESSION - FIRE EDUCATION - FIRE PREVENTION - AMBULANCE SERVICE
Page 2
Mayor Hicks and City Council Members
February 5, 2007
If you should have any questions regarding this request, please feel free to contact me at
any time. My cellular phone is the best way to reach me at 651-775-5545. I will be
attending the February 5, 2007, council meeting, if you should have any questions at that
time.
Requested Actiou: Accept the Assistance to Firefighters Act Grant in the amount of $77,000.00
and approve the City of Hastings' match in the amount of $I~s,~#60:t70. The cities match to be
paid by the fire department's ERF and transferred to the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
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