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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #04 Approval of the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Application for the Purchase of Two Bunker Gear DryersContact Name: Contact Number: florlda O AGENDA ITEM Meeting Date: February 2, 2021 Item # Fire Chief John Miller 407-905-3140 Reviewed By: Department Director City Manager: Robert Frank John Miller I Subject: Approval of the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Application For the Purchase Of Two (2) Bunker Gear Dryers Background Summary: The Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Program was created within the Division of the State Fire Marshal to help protect the health and safety of firefighters in the State of Florida. The program will provide financial assistance to help fire departments procure equipment, supplies, and educational training designed to mitigate exposure to hazardous, cancer-causing chemicals. The objective of this program is to award matching grants to eligible fire departments on a financial - need basis, for the purchase of the equipment, supplies, and training designed to mitigate exposure to those chemicals. This grant program will only be implemented when funds have been allocated by the legislature to the Division for the grant period. The current grant period (FY 20/21) has been funded at $250,000. The fire department would like to submit a matching (75%/25%) application through the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant. The grant request is for the purchase of two bunker gear dryers. Firefighters wear specialized bunker gear when fighting fire or responding to potentially hazardous incidents. Industry standard s require that this gear is washed after exposure to smoke, fire, and contaminants in order to reduce exposure to carcinogens. The gear must be dried in specialized industrial dryers in order to not damage the gear: The department's current dryer is over 15 years old and takes multiple cycles to dry three sets of gear at a time. It takes the department several hours to wash and dry several sets of gear after a significant fire or exposure. Purchasing two dryers would allow the department to wash and dry bunker gear in a more efficient and effective manner. These dryers would be able to launder six sets of gear, which would dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to clean the gear. This would have a positive impact on the department's health and safety initiatives by ensuring that firefighters have access to their primary set of bunker gear. Issue: Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commission approve submittal of the grant application to acquire two new bunker gear dryers? Recommendations: Staff recommends approval to submit the grant application. Attachments: None. Financial Impact: The total cost of the bunker gear dryers is $18,124.50. The Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Matching Grant would provide 75% ($13,593.38) of the total cost. If successful, the financial impact on the city would be the remaining 25% ($4,531.12). The grant funding process would allow for the Fire Department the budget the full cost in Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Type of Item: (please mark with an "x') Public Hearing Ordinance First Reading Ordinance Second Reading Resolution X Commission Approval Discussion & Direction Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution Reviewed by City Attorney Reviewed by Finance Dept Reviewed by 0) For Clerk's Dept Use: Consent Agenda Public Hearing Regular Agenda N/A N/A