Title
Resolution to Accept and Appropriate the 2016 Four-for-Life Aid to Localities Funds in the Amount of $116,103.52 from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Office of Emergency Medical Services to the City of Hampton Fire and Rescue Division
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
§ 46.2-694 of the Code of Virginia: The purpose of the Four-for-Life Aid to Localities Funds is to provide funding for training of volunteer or career emergency medical service (EMS) personnel of licensed nonprofit emergency medical services agencies and for the purchase of necessary equipment and supplies for use in such locality by licensed nonprofit emergency medical services agencies. Such funds shall be in addition to any local appropriations and local governing bodies shall not use these funds to supplant local funds.
The Four-For-Life program, as amended in 2002, stipulates that four dollars be charged and collected at the time of registration of each passenger vehicle, pickup and panel truck. The funds collected pursuant to Section 46.2-694, Code of Virginia, shall be used only for emergency medical services. The law further states that the Department of Health shall return 26% of the registration fees collected to the locality wherein such vehicle is registered to provide funding for training of volunteer or salaried emergency medical service personnel of licensed, nonprofit emergency medical services agencies; or for the purchase of necessary equipment and supplies for licensed, nonprofit emergency medical service agencies.
Discussion:
The aid to localities funds are not a grant. No Grant Overview is needed. The funds are assigned a G-number by Finance for tracking and reporting. Annual reports are generated by Finance with guidance from the department. The funds are not required to be used within an allotted time period and may be rolled over from year to year if necessary. Also, no Contract Memo needs to be processed as there is no agreement for the City Manager to sign. Linda Hunt, in Finance, is processing the annual report. The annual report must be turned in before the aid to localities funds are released to the City.
The benefit to the community is that ems training is paid from these funds so the Division of Fire & Rescue does not have to ask the City for training funds therefore leaving funds in the City’s budget for other projects that will benefit the citizens of Hampton. The training that ems personnel partake in makes them better medics with more up-to-date methods and knowledge to carry forth to the citizens.
Impact:
The Four-for-Life Aid to Localities Funds help the Division of Fire & Rescue serve all of the citizens of the City of Hampton and visitors to the City. It also benefits those in other jurisdictions that we have mutual aid contracts with. The City of Hampton supports having the best Public Safety Department and the aid to locality funds help the Division of Fire & Rescue be the best they can be.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, Section 46.2-694 of the Code of Virginia establishes a Four-for-Life Fund; and
WHEREAS, cities, counties and towns providing emergency medical services to their citizens receive allocations from the aid to locality funds;
WHEREAS, the funds will be used for training of volunteer and career EMS personnel and for purchasing necessary EMS equipment and medical supplies for our licensed, nonprofit EMS agency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMPTON, VIRGINIA: that the 2016 Four-for-Life Aid to Localities funds in the amount of $116,103.52, and any supplemental funding, be approved and appropriated for the City of Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager or her designee to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.