The Finance Committee and staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the request to submit a grant application under the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to seek federal funding to purchase and install extractors and dryers for turnout gear for select fire and rescue stations.

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) FFY 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program provides financial assistance to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters regarding fire and fire-related hazards.  Applications can be submitted under three program areas to include: Operations and Safety, Vehicle Acquisition, and Regional Projects.  Grants will be awarded on the basis of need through a competitive, peer-reviewed process.  Awarded grants will have a 12 month period of performance.  Grant funds cannot be used to supplant, but must instead supplement local funds.  The deadline for submission of grant applications is October 26, 2018.

If approved by the Board of Supervisors, Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management (FREM) will submit a grant application seeking federal funds in the amount of $158,956 to purchase and install two extractors for Fire and Rescue Stations 7 and 9 and eleven dryers for all eleven fire and rescue stations. If funded, this project will provide the necessary resources to clean and dry turnout gear in all fire and rescue stations.  This will reduce the risk of contamination by moving gear to other stations for cleaning.  Additionally, this will lead to operational efficiency by reducing the need to transport gear to other stations for cleaning purposes and will return the employees’ gear to a useable status in a timelier manner.  AFG considers extractors and dryers as high priority items for funding. 

If the application is awarded and accepted by the Board of Supervisors, the County would then be required to provide a ten percent (10%) local match of the amount awarded or $15,896 for a total project cost of $174,851.  This cost also includes utility installation at Fire and Rescue Stations 7 and 9.    The local match would come from FREM’s Aid to Locality funding.

There is no immediate financial impact at this time as this is a request to submit a grant application.  If the application is approved, the award would need to be reviewed and approved by County Administration, the County Attorney’s Office, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Supervisors before being accepted and appropriated.

Chief Jay Cullinan, FREM

Deputy Chief of Support Services Jason Irby, FREM

Annette D’Alessandro, Grants Manager

If this request is denied, the County will forego the ability to potentially obtain federal funds to purchase and install washer/extractor/dryers for turnout gear at select fire and rescue stations.