Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application for the Houston Urban Area Security Initiative (Chief of Police)
Background:
If approved, the Police Department will move forward in the submission process for the grant. The items being requested are two (2) complete bomb suits and two (2) complete portable X-Ray devices for use by the agency’s bomb technicians. The Police Department has two (2) officers assigned to the Texas City Regional Bomb Squad, and those officers need this first line equipment to be operationally safe and effective. If the grant is funded, the City will purchase the requested items and be reimbursed once proof of purchase is submitted to UASI.
In 2016 and 2017, the Texas City Regional Bomb Squad had two (2) openings on their team, and they sought applicants from police departments throughout the region and ended up with ten (10) applicants. The applicants went through a thorough selection process, and two (2) of our officers were selected. Officer Greg Thomas joined the team in June of 2017, and Officer Jennafer Woitena joined the team in July 2017. Officer Thomas completed FBI Hazardous Device School in September 2018 and is now a fully certified bomb tech, and Officer Woitena will complete her training in April 2019. The Texas City Regional Bomb Squad’s primary areas of responsibility are Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. Since June 2017, the team has had sixteen (16) activations, and they served as the primary team on the shooting at the Santa Fe High School.
The items to be purchased are:
(2) Med-Eng EOD 10 Bomb suits complete with Communications ($41,500 each) - Total $83,000
(1) Nexray Nano X-Ray Kit with Golden XR150 Generator - $46,000
(1) Smartray SRV Extreme 14x17 System with Golden XRS3 Generator - $69,600
The recommended grant managers are:
Authorized Official - Michael Kramm
Financial Officer - Teresa McKenzie
Project Director - Kristin Clark
Grant Wr...
Click here for full text