Subject:
Title
Resolution to improve the Emergency Medical Services Water Rescue grant program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Emergency Medical Services Authority (Authority), approve the resolution to continue maintaining and improving the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Water Rescue grant program.
• Fire Rescue agencies respond to various waterborne emergency incidents and are all signatories to the Pinellas County Automatic Aid Agreement and respond without regard to jurisdictional boundaries when emergency calls are received.
• The Authority wishes to continue the collaborative efforts with Fire Rescue agencies within Pinellas County to sustain the countywide Water Rescue Grant Program that will provide for the provision of funding to support enhanced operations, maintenance, equipment and training and provide for an effective date.
• The EMS Water Rescue grant has supported the original goals to establish and maintain a countywide approach to radio communications; equipment to improve search capability such as sonar and thermal imaging; rapid rescue diver equipment and training; search pattern training; rescue boat operator training; medical and safety equipment.
• The EMS Water Rescue grant has always been intended to supplement and not replace local funding by Cities and Fire Districts, utilizing many different funding sources, to support their ability to respond to waterborne emergencies and have preparedness for evacuations due to hurricanes or flooding.
• Grant amount has not been increased since Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-2017, the recommendation is to adjust the funding amount for FY25-26 and for future fiscal years. Up to fifty percent of the program expenditures may be expended on operating and maintenance.
• This resolution repeals and supersedes Resolution 17-47. This program will remain in place until vacated by the Authority.
• Funding in the amount of $400,000.00 is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget for Safety and Emergency Services Department within the EMS. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2. Enhance community safety.
Smart Service Delivery
2. Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4. Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
Summary
Approve the proposed Resolution to maintain and improve the EMS Water Rescue Grant Program, providing for its purpose, providing for the provision of funding to support operations, maintenance, equipment and training for water rescue preparedness and response on a countywide basis; providing for an effective date.
The County, acting as the Emergency Medical Services Authority, wishes to continue the collaborative efforts with Fire Rescue agencies within Pinellas County to sustain a countywide Water Rescue Grant Program that will support enhanced operations, maintenance equipment and training.
This Resolution repeals and supersedes Resolution 17-47. This program will remain in place until vacated by the Authority. Payments will be made in lump sum each fiscal year for the duration of this program.
Expenditures for this program shall not exceed $400,000.00 in any fiscal year.
All assets purchased by the Authority shall remain the property of the Authority.
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Background Information:
On August 15, 2017, the EMS Authority approved Resolution 17-47 to sustain the EMS Water Rescue Grant Program to fund continuing water rescue improvements.
The EMS Water Rescue Grant has supported the original goals to establish and maintain a countywide approach to radio communications; equipment to improve search capability such as sonar and thermal imaging; rapid rescue diver equipment and training; search pattern training; rescue boat operator training; medical and safety equipment.
The EMS Water Rescue Grant has always been intended to supplement and not replace local funding by Cities and Fire Districts, utilizing many different funding sources, to support their ability to respond to waterborne emergencies and have preparedness for evacuations due to hurricanes or flooding.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant amount has not been increased since Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-2017, the recommendation is to increase the funding amount for FY2025-26 and for future fiscal years by $100,000, or 33.3%, from $300,000 to $400,000. The updated amount of $400,000 was included within the FY26 Adopted Budget within the EMS Fund.
Up to fifty percent (50%) of the program expenditures may be expended on operating and maintenance. In any fiscal year, if the reimbursement for operating and maintenance will exceed fifty percent (50%), the standardized reimbursement amounts will be adjusted proportionally. Each apparatus in the same category will receive the same standardized reimbursement amount.
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE FUNDING
Apparatus Type Standardized Reimbursement
Dive Team $ 7,500.00
Multi-Engine Fire Boat or Marine Unit $10,000.00
Single-Engine Fire Boat or Marine Unit $ 5,000.00
Light Marine Unit $ 1,000.00
EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING (examples include but are not limited to)
Equipment
Communications equipment including mobile radios and tablet computers
Rapid Diver System Equipment
Medical equipment and supplies including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
Personal floatation devices and other personal protective equipment (PPE)
Rescue Boards and other equipment
Technology
Automatic Identification System (AIS) Equipment
Fixed and Handheld Thermal Imaging Cameras and Sonar Equipment
Drone First Responder
Thermal Imaging Night Vision Systems
Training
Search and Rescue Planner’s Course
Rapid Diver and Marine Rescue Training
Rescue Boat Operations Course
Search and Rescue Operations Course
Surface Water Rescue (SWR) Course
Staff Member Responsible:
James G. Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Fire Chiefs’ Association
All Municipal Fire Rescue Agencies and Independent Fire Districts
Attachments:
2025 Proposed Resolution EMS Water Rescue Grant Program - CLEAN
2025 Proposed Resolution EMS Water Rescue Grant Program - MARKUP
Water Rescue Program Accomplishments
Water Rescue Assets Map
Pinellas County Fire Chiefs’ Association Letter of Support
Resolution 17-47 Water Rescue Grant Program