6.9 App Assist Firefight Grant
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION
DATE
04/07/03
TIME
4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION
NO:
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
APPROVED FOR
AGENDA:
6
Fire Department
ITEM
NO.
Page 1
9
BY: Darrell Eastin
BY:~
ITEM:
Authorize the City Manager to submit an application as a participant in the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration 2003 Assistance to Firefighter's Grant Program.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the program is to award one-year grants directly to fire departments of a state to
enhance their abilities to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of firefighting
personnel, with respect to fire and fire related hazards. The program is broken into 4 functional
areas:
1. Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety
2. Fire Prevention and Education
3. Emergency Medical Services
4. Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition
Each applicant is limited to one application in one functional area per program year. The deadline for
application is April 11, 2003 with grants being awarded between September of 2003 to June of 2004.
Fire departments serving areas with a population of 50,000 or less are required a 10% non-Federal
cost-share match of the total project.
The Fire Department application is targeting Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety through use of
advanced audio/video conferencing. If successful in the grant process, this equipment will be placed
in each fire station allowing remote or distance learning. Courses, which normally require relocation
of personnel and equipment, could now be accomplished through the conferencing system. The
system will greatly reduce staff time in giving classes, increase continuity in the material presented,
and help maintain adequate deployment and staffing of equipment. This type of project is in our
department goals for improved productivity and efficiency. Less frequent fire unit relocation for
training also enhances public safety.
We anticipate our grant request will not exceed $110,000.00 which our matching contribution would
not exceed 10% or $11,000.00, which would be available from budgeted vehicle and equipment
funds. Ongoing costs would be minimal, and handled through the Department's normal operating
budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's U.S. Fire Administration under the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter's Grant Program.