HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution (41)Temp. Reso. #9681
February 6, 2002
Page 1
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
RESOLUTION NO. R-2002-41
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SEEK GRANT FUNDING FROM THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PREPAREDNESS AND
ASSISTANCE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM IN THE
AMOUNT OF $200,000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER; PROVIDING FOR A
CITY MATCH IN CASH AND IN KIND; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac wishes to improve
emergency management capabilities within the City in the fundamental areas of response
and recovery; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tamarac Emergency Preparedness Plan (1997) provides a
guideline for the preparation, recovery and mitigation of disasters including the provision of
an Emergency Operations Center; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tamarac does not currently have adequate facilities to serve
it's residents and citizens as an Emergency Operations Center; and
WHEREAS, as a result the City is unable to guarantee the survivability of
emergency response capabilities and ensure continuity of vital lifeline services in response
to natural, technological and/or man-made emergencies or catastrophes; and
1
Temp. Reso. #9681
February 6, 2002
Page 2
WHEREAS, the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs has grant funds
available under the Emergency Management Competitive Grant Program for local
governments to implement projects that will further state and local emergency
management objectives; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac via Resolution #2002-027
authorized the City Manager to seek grant funding from the Emergency Management
Competitive Grant Program for the Emergency Operations Center; and
WHEREAS, the granting agency requires that the applicant show evidence of a firm
commitment to provide matching funds; and
WHEREAS, upon notification of award by the Florida Department of Community
Affairs, subsequent legislative action by the City Commission will be required to accept the
grant funding and to amend the grants fund budget; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac is committed to provide the
resources needed to continue and maintain the project should funds be awarded; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager and the Fire Chief recommend the submission of the
grant application hereto attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac deems it to be in the best
interest of the citizens and residents of the City of Tamarac to authorize the City Manager
to submit the application and further wishes to express its firm commitment to provide
matching funds as outlined in the application hereto attached as Exhibit A.
Temp. Reso. #9681
February 6, 2002
Page 3
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1: That the foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are HEREBY ratified and
confirmed as being true and correct and are HEREBY made a specific part of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2: The City Manager is HEREBY authorized to seek grant funding from
the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs Emergency Management
Competitive Grant Program in the amount of $200,000 for the construction of an
Emergency Operations Center.
SECTION 3 The City match in excess of 2:1 in cash and in kind as outlined in the
proposal, a copy of which is hereto attached as Exhibit A is HEREBY authorized.
SECTION 4: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are HEREBY
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 5: If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is
held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or
application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this
Resolution.
1
Temp. Reso. #9681
February 6, 2002
Page 4
SECTION 6: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and adoption.
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED this 13th day of February, 2002.
ATTEST:
MARION SWENSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I
have approved this
RESQLUTION as to form.
MITCHELL S.
CITY ATTO
JOE SCHREIBER
MAYOR
RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE:
MAYOR SCHREIBER A ei
DIST 1: COMM. PORTNER Ayel
DIST 2: COMM. MISHKIN_Ayel
DIST 3: V/M SULTANOF AingLit
DIST 4: COMM. ROBERTS Aye,
fl
E
City of Tamarac
Jeffrey L. Miller
City Manager
Department of Community Affairs
Division of Emergency Management
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
"Committed to Excellence... Always"
Letter of Transmittal
Re; City of Tamarac Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This letter of transmittal is provided to express the interest of the City of Tamarac in improving disaster
preparedness within the City, Broward County and the State of Florida as a whole. Tamarac follows the State
of Florida and Broward County framework for disaster preparedness by pursuing a bottom up approach to
Emergency Management. The City acknowledges its primary responsibility to reduce threats to the residents,
limit losses, assess damages and provide remediation in the event of a disaster.
Funding is being respectfully requested through this grant process in the amount of $200,000 towards
the construction costs of an EOC, as provided for in the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan. The City
Commission supports this proposal and commits to a cash contribution of $2,502,200 and an in -kind
contribution of $44,000. This facility is considered essential to the City's ability to provide continuity of
government in the event of a disaster.
This project will further state and local emergency management objectives designated as priorities by
the State of Florida in the Notice of Funding Availability. The project has been included in the Local
Mitigation Strategy Priority List as evidenced by the enclosed letter from the Chair of the task force and
excerpt from the list.
The City is committed to the construction of a facility to serve as an Emergency Operations Center
(EOC). The City is in the process of designing a new fire station and the EOC will be located on the second
floor of this facility. The City has contracted with Mathews Consulting for the preliminary design and
engineering of the facility and upon approval of the proposal, will utilize a design build process for construction
of the project.
Only those entities identified in the application are involved in the proposed project. The application is
made without collusion with any other entity submitting an application. The application is, in all respects fair
and in good faith, without fraud or collusion and the signer of the application has full authority to bind the
applicant and all other involved parties.
If further information is needed, please do not hesitate to contact Diane Phillips, who will serve as the
City's representative for this proposal. She can be reached at (954) 724-1230.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing further from you once you have had an
opportunity to review our proposal.
Sincerely,
Je ey L. Miller
City Manager
7525 N.W. 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida 33321-2401 • (954) 724-1230 • Fax (954) 724-2454 • jeffm@tamarac.org I
Equal Opportunity Employer
City of Tamarac EOC
EMPA COMPETITIVE GRANT APPLICATION
ATTACHMENT 1
TITLE PAGE
TITLE OF PROJECT City of Tamarac Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
AMOUNT REQUESTED FROM STATE $ 200,000
AMOUNT MATCHING FUNDS COMMITTED $ 2,546,200
This is an application for a competitive grant under (indicate ONLY one):
X 1) Emergency Management Competitive Grant Program, or
2) Municipal Competitive Grant Program
The application is submitted for consideration in the following category (select ONLY one):
1) A project that will promote public education on disaster preparedness and recovery issues.
2) A project that will enhance coordination of relief efforts of statewide private sector
organizations, including public -private business partnerships.
3) A project that will improve the training and operations capabilities of agencies assigned
lead or support responsibilities in the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
X 4) A project that will otherwise further state and local emergency management priorities
identified in the Notice of Fund Availability.
APPLICANT INFORMATION:
Name of Organization: City of Tamarac
Address of Organization: 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida 33321
E-mail address: dianep(a),tamarac.org
Name of Chief Elected Official: Joseph Schreiber, Mayor
Name of Chief Administrative Officer: Jeffrey L. Miller, City Manager
Name of Applicant Contact: Diane Phillips
Title of Applicant Contact: Assistant to the City Manager
Telephone Number of Applicant Contact: (954) 724-1230
Federal Employee Identification (FEID) Number: 59-1039552
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE Must comply with 9G-19.008(7), F.A.C., or application will not be
scored] : (A copy of the resolution authorizing the application will be provided on request)
Signature: G
Title: City Manager
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letterof Transmittal................................................................... 1
TitlePage................................................................................. 2
Tableof Contents........................................................................ 3
ProposedProject Presentation........................................................ 4-15
Project Budget/Justification........................................................... 12-14
MatchingFunds........................................................................... 15
STATEMENT OF NEED
Florida Statute 252.38 states, "Safeguarding the life and property of its citizens is an innate
responsibility of the governing body of each political subdivision of the State of Florida."
Florida is vulnerable to a variety of hazards that threaten our citizens, our property, and our
environment. The State's Comprehensive Emergency Plan (CEMP) establishes the framework
to ensure that the State of Florida will be adequately prepared to deal with these hazards. The
CEMP outlines the roles and responsibilities of the State agencies, special districts, and local
government during times of disaster. It also mandates that local governments utilize all locally
available resources before requesting State assistance.
In order to fulfill its role and obligation in emergency management and preparedness and
effectively and efficiently prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate emergencies
caused by natural and man-made disasters, the City of Tamarac will acquire necessary
Emergency Operations Communications Equipment. This project addresses emergency
management Priority B: Citizen Warning, Continuity of Operations Plans, Community
Neighborhood Outreach, and Continuity of Government Plans identified in the Notice of Fund
Availability.
The City of Tamarac is an urban community of 12 square miles on the west side of Broward
County. The City is vulnerable to major natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and brush
fires. The City is also vulnerable to man-made disasters such as hazardous materials leaks; it is
bordered by the Sawgrass Expressway on the west end and is transected by the Florida Turnpike.
Both of these major highways carry heavy traffic loads, often times vehicles transporting
hazardous materials. The City is also built above a natural gas pipeline that runs parallel to the
Florida Turnpike and transects the City.
The City also faces the additional threat posed by terrorist acts. Section 2A, Hazard Analysis,
Basic, Plan, page 4 of the State's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan states:
Terrorism constitutes a violent or dangerous act done to intimidate or coerce any
segment of the general population for political or social objectives. While there have not
been any successful acts of terrorism committed in Florida, the potential is high because
of the number of facilities within the State associated with tourism, the military, and State
and federal government activities.
With the terrorist acts of September l lth, 2001 the City partially activated its interim EOC. The
City is located approximately 10 miles east of Port Everglades, which is a major U.S. seaport,
and recognized by the State as a potential terrorist target. The City is also in the flight path of
the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport landing strip and is also approximately 10 miles west of
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.
The City is home to a particularly vulnerable segment of the State's population as a majority of
the citizens are age 65 and older. These elderly citizens live predominately alone and in multi-
family housing units contained in multi -level buildings. In the event of a high category disaster,
much of this population would likely be immobilized, as experience showed in the October 2000
floods. Many of these residents are considered frail elderly and have medical conditions that
make them dependent on electricity to run apparatus such as oxygen machines and air
conditioners. They are more susceptible to health hazards that result from loss of utilities, such
as heatstroke, dehydration, and breathing difficulties. Many of these residents also have no
rd
access to transportation other than City public transportation, service that would be interrupted in
the event of a disaster.
The City of Tamarac EOC currently does not have the necessary communications equipment to
meet the City's emergency needs and to further local and state emergency management
preparedness goals. As experience showed in Hurricane Andrew of 1992, the City cannot depend
on land -based telecommunications systems. During this disaster, Dade County's recovery
efforts were stymied by a lack of necessary communications equipment. Hurricane Andrew
destroyed fixed communications towers, cell towers, and repeaters. As a result, all affected areas
lost the ability to communicate over distances larger than approximately two miles. The County
was forced to rely on cellular telephones, which proved unreliable because the system exceeded
its carrying capacity and cell phone companies could not provide priority service to government
agencies working in the relief efforts.
In an effort to ensure the City of Tamarac is properly prepared for effective and orderly
government control and coordination of emergency operations as encouraged by Section 2 of
Florida Statute 252.38, which encourages municipalities to establish emergency management
programs and to coordinate those programs with the county emergency management agency, the
City will provide for an EOC during the construction of a new fire station and equip the station
with dedicated emergency operations communications technology. This communications
equipment is essential for government coordination in disaster management and prepared efforts.
It will allow the City to communicate with Broward County's EOC as it will be compatible with
that which is used at the County level. Without this communications equipment, the City will
not be able to provide necessary documentation required by FEMA and other government
entities for recovery efforts. The emergency operations communications equipment is also
essential for record keeping and to aid in disaster assessment for recovery efforts. This
equipment will allow emergency staff to communicate during a disaster, making it possible to
coordinate resources and communicate with citizens. It will also makes it possible for the City
to prepare in advance for emergencies by providing equipment for the regular dissemination of
information to homeowner's associations.
Tamarac utilizes the State of Florida and Broward County framework for disaster preparedness
by pursuing a bottom -up approach to Emergency Management. The City acknowledges it has
the primary responsibility to reduce threats to the residents, limit losses of life and property, and
assess damages and provide remediation in the event of a disaster. The City's Emergency
Preparedness Plan (1997) stipulates that Tamarac's emergency response activities will be
coordinated from the City's EOC. The plan identifies the Utilities Building as the primary EOC
and City Hall as the back up facility. In times of disaster, the plan dictates the primary EOC will
be activated and delineates various staff responsibilities in the activation and staffing of the
EOC.
The City's interim EOC, the Utilities Building, is an impaired facility with inadequate
communications equipment to conduct efficient emergency operations. EOC operations are
conducted in the Engineers' Conference Room of the Utilities building, which is located in a
low-lying area prone to flooding from rainwater. This conference room is approximately 13 by
16 feet and provides usable working space for only 10 to 15 emergency management staff. The
room contains only a conference table and chairs. It does not have any dedicated emergency
operations communications equipment. Activation of the interim EOC is a cumbersome
process that involves the disconnection and removal of equipment (computers, fax machines,
telephones, and copy machines) from the Utilities administrative offices and transport and
5
installation in the interim EOC. This process takes 4 to 6 hours, disrupts Utilities administration,
and is a major hindrance to the efficient setup of the command center to manage an event, thus
delaying direction and control functions of emergency operation and information coordination
with Broward County as well as dissemination of information to concerned citizens.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
The City Commission of Tamarac is committed to providing necessary emergency operations
communications equipment in order to prepare for emergencies and to operate efficiently and
effectively in response and recovery operations during and after disasters. The City is committed
to constructing a new fire station and locating the City's EOC on the second floor of this
building. The new building will meet or exceed all construction requirements for use as an
Emergency Operations Center. The City is in need of emergency operations communications
equipment for this facility.
The City of Tamarac proposes to purchase communications and computer equipment necessary
to operate an efficient Emergency Operations Center in order to carry out immediate and future
emergency management needs of the City. This equipment is critical in order to maintain
communications, command, coordination and decision -making functions of the EOC during pre -
disaster, response and recovery operations. A list of equipment needs is included in the Budget
Section of this proposal. Included in this list are: a UHF base station radio; amateur radios; a
weather satellite, computers, printers; audio visual equipment (televisions, VCRs, LCD
projector); generator; satellite based telephone; desk top telephones; fax machine; copier; and
local area network connections.
This project will address the State's identified need by:
1. Providing direction, control and coordination of an emergency operation through an
Emergency Operations Center
2. Encouraging emergency management programs at the municipal level of government and
implements the state's "bottom -up approach" to emergency operations;
3. Providing continuity of government; and
4. Efficient and improved communication capability with Broward County's EOC.
The EOC will be equipped with high -quality communications equipment that will enable the
City to provide citizens with quick, adequate and up-to-date information about pending disasters
as well as communicate with Broward County emergency management personnel during
response and recovery operations. The equipment will also allow for the regular dissemination of
information to homeowner's associations. During a disaster, emergency operations staff will
produce a one -page newsletter to be posted at each of the 80 clubhouses in the City. This
newsletter will inform citizens on disaster management activities and inform them on methods
for obtaining assistance when normal communications channels are disrupted.
The new EOC will also be furnished with communications equipment such as televisions,
computers and other electronic equipment that will aid in training. It will be used to conduct
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training classes to teach citizens to be proactive
in disaster response and recovery and to develop a core of dedicated citizens to supplement City
staff for disaster operations. CERT and City employees will be trained in damage assessment,
disaster response and recovery, and shelter management and staffing.
G9
Without centralized coordination through the EOC, emergency operations in the City will
continue to be inefficient and fragmented, a situation which delays the safeguarding of the lives
and property of Tamarac's citizens. Implementation of this project will eliminate the shortfalls
of the City's current EOC activation procedures and will provide for an effective means of
emergency operations coordination. The City will be self-sufficient and rely less on County
resources; therefore, maintaining effective direction and control of emergency situations by
utilizing municipal resources before those of the State.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BENEFITS
This project addresses emergency management Priority B: Citizen Warning, Continuity of
Operations Plans, Community Neighborhood Outreach, and Continuity of Government Plans
identified in the Notice of Fund Availability. This is a short-term project with both short and
long term benefits. The project is expected to take 12 months to complete. The proposed
equipment can be ordered and delivered within 120 days after the grant is awarded. In the short
term, the immediate tangible emergency management benefit to the City of Tamarac is a fully —
equipped EOC with adequate space and equipment that will enhance the City's operability in the
event of an emergency. The EOC will have dedicated equipment in a central location that will
enable emergency management personnel to have readily available resources to quickly receive
and disseminate information pertaining to an emergency situation. The proposed project will
improve coordination with and reduce the amount of resources needed from Broward County for
response and recovery operations. It will also enhance the training capabilities of the City. The
equipment can be used to train City emergency employees in damage assessment and in response
and recovery operations; CERT members can be trained to be proactive in disaster situations.
The EOC will provide a facility where CERT members can answer citizen non -emergency calls.
The State and local emergency management objectives that will be furthered by this project are:
1. Effective and orderly government control and coordination of emergency operations;
2. Direction, control and coordination of emergency operations through an EOC;
3. Continuity of government;
4. The utilization of local resources to respond to and recover from a disaster (bottom -up
approach);
5. The continuous flow of information to incident command from a disaster scene to
improve decision making; and
6. Enhanced communication capability with Broward County's EOC.
The long-term benefit of this project is the capability of the City of Tamarac to safeguard the
lives and property of its citizens in emergency situations. The City will have a fully equipped
EOC that will improve emergency field operations and information dissemination. The building
will have an expected life of 30 or more years and the equipment will help to enhance the City's
existing long-term emergency management plan.
The new EOC will be furnished with communications equipment such s televisions, computers
and other electronic equipment that is conducive to training. It will be used to conduct CERT
training classes to teach citizens to be proactive in disaster response and recovery and not rely
totally on the City's emergency services that may be taxed to the limit after a disaster. City
employees will be trained in damage assessment, disaster response and recovery, and shelter
management and staffing. The EOC can also be utilized as a training facility for the State's
emergency management classes.
7
Without centralized coordination through the EOC, emergency operations (activation) in the City
will continue to be slow and inefficient, which delays the safeguarding of the lives and property
of Cape Coral's citizens. Implementation of this project will eliminate the inefficiencies of the
EOC activation procedure currently in place.
Project Milestones
EOC Construction starts
EOC equipment ordered, delivered, and stored
EOC construction completed
EOC equipment installed
Target Population
within 120 days of NOA
within 120 days of NOA
within 12 months of NOA
within 12 months of NOA
The project will impact 100% of the City of Tamarac's population 56,047 residents (U.S. Census
Bureau). The City's population has increased tenfold from 5,078 residents in 1970. In 1997 the
City adopted an Emergency Preparedness Plan that calls for an integrated approach to emergency
management. This approach involves City staff as well as members in the community in disaster
preparedness activities.
The benefits of the purchase and installation of the emergency operations communications
equipment is the provision of a system for primary communications during times of disaster, as
well as equipment that can be used in training activities for disaster preparedness and response.
This communications system will benefit the City's emergency personnel, operation department
work crews and supervisors, department heads and other Emergency Operations Center staff
making critical decisions, and, ultimately, all City residents.
The City has signed the Local Mutual Aid agreement for Broward County. The County has a
current population of 1.4 million. On a mutual aid basis, benefits will extend to any entity
requesting a mutual aid response from the City of Tamarac, the requesting entity's emergency
personnel, and their residents.
CONSISTENCY WITH STATE AND LOCAL PLANS
Consistency with State Plan
The following describes the projects consistency with the State's Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan:
I.A. Purpose, Basic Plan, Page 1:
The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan establishes a framework for an
effective system of comprehensive emergency management, the purpose of which is to:
1. Reduce the vulnerability of people and communities of this State to loss of life, injury,
or damage and loss of property resulting from natural, technological, or man-made
emergencies, catastrophes, or hostile military or paramilitary action;
N.
2. Prepare for prompt and efficient response and recovery activities to protect lives and
property affected by emergencies;
3. Respond to emergencies using all systems, plans and resources necessary to preserve
the health, safety and welfare of persons affected by the emergency;
4. Recover from emergencies by providing for the rapid and orderly implementation of
restoration and rehabilitation programs for persons and property affected by
emergencies;
A fully equipped EOC in the City of Tamarac addresses all of the basic purposes of the State's
CEMP. As a municipality, Tamarac will have available resources to ensure a quick, orderly and
efficient response and recovery operation. The EOC and the equipment proposed in this project
will provide a centralized location where decision -making and dissemination of information can
be achieved, thereby reducing citizen vulnerability to loss of life and property.
II.C. Planning Assumptions:
Local governments will utilize available resources fully before requesting state or federal
assistance.
4. Initially, local emergency management agencies will focus on lifesaving activities. Local
government officials will work toward reestablishing order and control in the disaster
area.
An EOC with the necessary communications equipment is an effective tool for the City of
Tamarac to accomplish overall emergency preparedness, to improve response and recovery
operations, and create better coordination with County EOC operations. It enables the City to
safeguard the lives and property of its citizens through an efficient, centralized citizen warning
operation while utilizing municipal resources first.
III. Responsibilities —State Government, Section C1, Basic Plan, Page 1:
The government of the State of Florida is responsible for developing an emergency
management organization at the state level involving all governments, private and
volunteer organizations that have responsibilities in comprehensive emergency
management within Florida.
The City of Tamarac is a municipal government within the State of Florida and this project will
directly support the State's responsibility for developing an emergency management organization
that involves all governments. This project will enable the City to coordinate emergency
response and recovery operations through Broward County government.
VI. Continuity of Government, Basic Plan, Page 30
Continuity of Government is an essential function of emergency management and
is vital during an emergency/disaster situation. All levels of government (federal,
state, and local) share a constitutional responsibility to preserve the life and
property of its citizenry.
7
An adequately equipped EOC will allow Tamarac to help preserve the life and property of its
citizens by minimizing disruptions in the continuity of government in times of emergency.
Consistency with County Plan
The Broward County Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan mirrors the state method of
operations. The following excerpts County plan illustrates the consistency of the proposed
project with the goals of the County:
Section 4.8 Other Operational Centers states:
In support of direction, control, and coordination activities under other operational
centers may be constituted to assist in managing the many different activities associated
with emergency support function operations.
Section 4.9 Municipal Emergency Operations states:
Each Municipality may activate an emergency operations center or a command post,
from which al municipal emergency response efforts and activities will be coordinated.
A letter from the Chair of the Broward County Mitigation Task Force evidences support for this
project on a County level. The Task Force is charged with the development of the County's
overall Mitigation Plan and with evaluating all proposed projects relative to the County Plan.
(Please see enclosed documentation)
Consistency with City Plan
The City of Tamarac's Emergency Preparedness Plan echoes the goals and approaches of the
State and County plans. The City Plan recognizes the responsibility of the municipality to
"provide continuity of government, direction, and control of emergency operations." The City's
plan delineates Tamarac's responsibility to provide for the needs of its residents through a
coordinated effort with emergency preparedness staff at the County EOC and further recognizes
the County will, in turn, coordinate with the State Division of Disaster Preparedness.
Section IV. B Vulnerability Analysis
This section acknowledges the special needs of the community:
Tamarac a City with an elderly population, could experience the loss of life an property
in catastrophic proportions.. fifty percent of the City's total population is 65 years of age
and over.
In order to ensure the special needs of the population are met through well -coordinated
emergency preparedness activities, the Plan provides for the establishment of Section Emergency
Coordinators in each of the City's 72 Homeowner Associations.
Appendix G of the City Plan tasks each of the presidents of City's Homeowner Associations
with designating a Section Emergency Coordinator, whose function shall be to work closely with
the Tamarac Emergency Coordinator in relaying warning signals to residents within their section
and to be a liaison officer between City Hall and their respective sections.
10
As a means to facilitate this process, the City Plan provides for the establishment and activation
of the Tamarac Emergency Operations Center.
Section VI (E) 3 Preparedness:
c. Activation:
The EOC shall be opened at any time the City Manager or the disaster coordinator
declares a local emergency (when more than one City department is affected) or a
region -wide emergency is declared.
METHOD AND APPROACH
Natural disasters that threaten South Florida are primarily wind and flood related emergencies
such as tornadoes and hurricanes. With recent terrorist events of 2001, the City also faces the
potential threat of terrorist related disasters. While the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan calls
for essential staff to operate from a City EOC during times of disaster, the City does not
presently have the necessary communications equipment with which to set up base operations
from an EOC.
The City's currently uses the Utilities Building as its interim EOC. Like all existing City
facilities, this building was constructed prior to the building code changes instituted following
Hurricane Andrew and is not constructed to withstand category five disasters. The facility is
located in a low-lying area prone to flooding and is not built above the 100-year flood plain.
City engineers, accompanied by American Red Cross staff, determined that it is neither
physically, nor financially feasible to retrofit any existing City facilities to make them suitable
for use as a City Emergency Operations Center, capable of withstanding category five
occurrences.
The City is committed to building a new fire station and will harden this facility to meet all
current building codes and equip the EOC with all essential communications equipment. The
City determined it would realize substantial cost savings if all necessary communications wiring
and installation were implemented during the construction process for the building, rather than
retroactively equipping the building post -construction. The new building will contain an EOC
that will serve as the central location for information gathering, disaster analysis, response and
coordination. The EOC will contain all of the communications technology necessary for use in
disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation, thus alleviating staff of the need to
move equipment from the Utilities administrative offices to an interim EOC and providing for a
backup communications system should usual methods of communication be disrupted in the
event of a disaster.
After evaluating all options, the City determined the best course of action would involve
equipping the EOC during the construction of the new fire station. Funding is being respectfully
sought through this grant process to aid in the purchase and installation of essential technology
for emergency operations communications.
11
EMPA COMPETITIVE GRANT APPLICATION
EMPA COMPETITIVE GRANT APPLICATION
Date: February 12, 2002
Proposed Budget
EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES
Cash
Match
A
In -kind
Services
Match
B
Total
Grantee
Cost
A+B=C
EMPA
Award
D
Total
Project
Cost
C+D=E
1. SALARY AND BENEFITS
0
0
0
0
0
2. OTHER PERSONAL / CONTRACTUAL SERVICES
0
0
0
0
0
3. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
0
$5517
$5517
0
$5517
4.EXPENSES
0
0
0
0
0
5. OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
$30,000
$102,000
$132,000
$50,000
$182,000
6. FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$30,000
$107,517
$137,517
$50,000
$187,517
PERCENTAGES
16%
57%
73%
27%
100%
NARRATIVE EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF LINE ITEMS:
1. Salary and Benefits:
None.
2. Other personal/contractual services:
None.
3. Administrative expenses:
This amount represents the projected cost of salary and benefits for those City of Tamarac employees
who will be directly involved in the project and was calculated based on the percentage of time each
individual is projected to spend during the period covered by the grant. The employees and the
percentages of time projected are as follows: Jim Budzinski (2% of $94,897), Levent Sucuoglu (2%
of $83,705), and Raj Verma (2% of 97,277). While we have made every effort to accurately forecast
12
the amount of time each will spend, in all probability the time spent will exceed the projection. In that
event, the City of Tamarac will absorb the additional costs.
4. Expenses:
None.
5. Operating_ capital outlay
This category includes all communications equipment necessary for this project. Please see the
equipment list and justification on the following page.
6. Fixed capital outlay:
None.
13
Proposed Equipment List for Tamarac Emergency Operations Center
UHF Base Station Radio (1 unit) — Under emergency situations can be used to communicate with
other City facilities and City vehicles, similarly equipped. Also can be used to communicate
directly with local hospitals in the event of a MEDCOM (system with repeaters, that the rescue
units communicate with the hospitals) failure.
COST WITH INSTALLATION & ANTENNA — $5,000.00
Amateur Radio (6 units) — Under emergency situations can be used to communicate with
amateur radio operators, who can provide information from the public, in the event of a
telephone network failure.
COST WITH INSTALLATION & ANTENNA — $600.00 x 6 units= $3600
Weather Satellite (lunit)— Can be used to track approaching storms. Would be helpful in
determining the amount of resources to be needed, as well as real time updates as to a storms
progress and track. Required equipment includes a stand-alone desktop PC and a minimum 1-
year service subscription.
COST — $5000.00
Personal Computers (4 units)— A vital link to information exchange. Would be used to connect
the City's LAN, which would provide E-mail capabilities via the City's Intranet as well as the
Internet. It can also be used to generate forms, diagrams and memos, to be sent by E-mail or
Fax. To be provided for all workstations at the EOC.
COST - $2,000.00 x 4 units = $8,0000
Scanner/Fax Machine (1 unit) — In emergency situations, can be used to send or receive fax
transmissions, or to send documents via E-mail, to or from other emergency agencies,
governmental agencies, or other City facilities.
COST - $350.00
25" Television Sets (2 units) — In an emergency situation, the local news agencies as well as the
networks can provide useful information. These can also be used to verify that the information
that we provide to them is being properly broadcast.
COST - $300.00 x 2 units= $600
Video Cassette Recorder (1 unit) — Will be used to record news and other important broadcasts
for review at a later time. Also will be used as a training aid to review procedures that have been
pre-recorded as well as training videos.
COST - $150.00
100' Radio Antenna / Communications Tower 0 unit) — To be used to mount antennas for all
communications equipment.
COST - $8,000.00
Photo Cop, Machine (1 unit) — To make copies of necessary and relevant documents.
COST - $1,000.00
Telephone Network and Telephones (12 units) - A vital part of a communications network. The
system will allow for line sharing and conference calling. The cost includes the central control
unit & telephone sets.
COST - $500 x 12= $6,000.00
800Mhz Base Station Radio (1 unit) — To be used to communicate with fire apparatus and with
other City or County facilities (EOC's or FOC's) during emergency situations.
COST WITH INSTALLATION AND ANTENNAS - $12,300.00
PROJECT MATCH
Through an approved resolution, the City of Tamarac Commission supports this proposal and
commits $30,000 to the project in the form of a cash match to purchase a 125KW emergency
power generator that will be used to provide electrical power for all communications equipment
in the event of a power outage. The City's in -kind contribution derives from administrative costs
for personnel to oversee and administer the project as well as from a recent purchase of twelve
800Mhz mobile radios and thirty 800Mhz portable radios. This match is 73% of the total
project cost. The amount being sought under this grant application is $50,000.
EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY
The City of Tamarac Public Works Department has lead responsibility in the organization for
implementing this project. Additional support will be received from the City Manager and the
following other City departments: Fire, Building and Utilities.
The individuals involved in this project will include:
City Manager Jeff Miller has overall responsibility for implementation of the City's
Emergency Preparedness Plan. H has been employed by the City of Tamarac since 1994 serving
as Director of Community Development prior to being appointed City Manager in July 1999.
Mr. Miller has served on the Broward County Mitigation Task Force. He has the full authority
of the City Commission in implementation of the project described in this application and will be
reporting back to them regularly as to its progress.
Raj Verma, Director of Public Works, has been employed with the City of Tamarac since 1994.
He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. Mr.
Ver-na is a Registered Professional Engineer and is Certified General Contractor. He has
designed and supervised the construction of at least 20 commercial projects including site
planning, structural design and all phases of construction management.
Jim Budzinski, Chief of Tamarac Fire Rescue Department since 1991, has been employed with
Tamarac since 1979. Chief Budzinski serves as the City's Emergency Manager. Under the
direction of Chief Budzinski, Tamarac was the first non -coastal community in Broward County
to implement the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program as well as the
Business Emergency Preparedness network.
Levent Sucuoglu, Director of Information Technology, has been employed with the City of
Tamarac since 1995. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from
Bosphorus University. He has developed and managed a number of large scale, successful IT
projects with private and public organizations and currently manages all IT and
telecommunications related functions of the City.
If grant funds are awarded, the City will provide full resumes of key personnel
TIEBREAKER
The City of Tamarac has not been impacted by an environmental clean-up initiative and the City
is not located in a Front Porch Community.
15