Title
Request to Apply for and Accept Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Funds (Ordinance S-51592) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to retroactively apply for, and accept, if awarded, up to $90,903 from Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to fund wearable biometric devices and Peer Fitness Trainer Certifications. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. If not approved, the grant, if awarded, would be turned down.
Report
Summary
The AFG Program, administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is intended to help the nation's fire service by providing vital funds to local fire departments across the country. The primary goal of the program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and State Fire Training Academies. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
Wearable Biometric Device Project
This Project will implement a program that would provide biometric technology for firefighters who face high-risk, physically intensive tasks in extremely hot conditions. The devices are designed to offer feedback on key health indicators directly related to heat stress, including pulse rate, core body temperature, and levels of physical exertion. Immediate access to critical health data will enable more effective monitoring and management of the risks associated with heat-related illnesses and injuries among firefighters. The total investment for this initiative is estimated at $75,903.
Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) Program Certification
The PFT Certification Training Project will train and certify Fire Department members as Peer Fitness Trainers. The goal of this Project will be to certify PFTs who can then deliver health and wellness training within the Department. The funds will be utilized to train and certify 10 members as PFTs through the International Association of Fire Fighters F2T 101 course and 10 PFTs as Certified Nutrition Specialists. The total cost for this project is $15,000.
Since 2008, the Fire Department has received more than $7 million in AFG funding. These grants were used to purchase portable radios, thermal imaging cameras, Incident Safety Officer System Training, Automatic Chest Compression Devices, Peer Support Team Training and Physical Therapy Equipment Upgrades, Peer Fitness Instructor Training, and Fire Ground Survival Training and Equipment.
Contract Term
The Grant's Period of Performance is for two years and projected to begin on or around September 1, 2025.
Financial Impact
The Grant is anticipated to have a 15 percent required cost match of approximately $11,856.91. Funds are available in the Fire Department's operating budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department.