HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 Approval to Apply for the FEMA FP&S Grant
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: June 2, 2026
Item #: 3
Contact Name: Charles Van Camp Department Director: Thomas Smothers
Contact Number: Ext. 2006 City Manager: Craig Shadrix
Subject: Approval to Apply for the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program for
a Fire Safety Educational Robot. (Deputy Fire Chief Van Camp)
Background Summary:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S)
Grant Program to support projects that enhance community risk reduction, fire prevention, and public fire and
life safety education initiatives. The Ocoee Fire Department is requesting authorization to apply for funding
through the FP&S Grant Program for the purchase of an interactive fire safety educational robot known as
“Freddie the Fire Truck.”
The proposed educational robot would be utilized as part of the department’s expanding Community Risk
Reduction (CRR) and public education initiatives. Freddie the Fire Truck is a fully interactive educational
platform capable of moving, speaking, listening, and engaging directly with children and participants during
educational programs, school visits, community events, Fire Prevention Week activities, disaster
preparedness outreach, and other public safety initiatives.
Through the department’s Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover process, the department
identified the need for enhanced and more interactive educational tools capable of improving engagement and
retention among school-aged children, younger audiences, and special needs populations. Traditional lecture-
based educational methods have proven less effective in maintaining engagement among these
demographics. The proposed robot would allow the department to deliver fire and life safety education in a
more engaging, interactive, and accessible format.
The City of Ocoee contains approximately eleven (11) public schools and numerous daycare and childcare
facilities serving thousands of children annually. A significant portion of the student population includes
economically disadvantaged students, minority populations, and special needs individuals. The department
believes the proposed robot would significantly enhance the effectiveness and reach of the department’s
public education programming.
The robot would also be utilized during city events, festivals, open houses, and other outreach opportunities
throughout the year. In addition, the equipment would support the department’s ongoing Community Risk
Reduction efforts and help further FEMA’s mission of reducing fire-related injuries and deaths through
prevention and education.
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commission authorize the Ocoee Fire Department to apply for the
FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program for the purchase of the Freddie the Fire Truck Fire
Safety Educational Robot and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents necessary
for the application process?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends that the Honorable Mayor and City Commission authorize the Ocoee Fire Department to
apply for the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program for the purchase of the Freddie the Fire
Truck Fire Safety Educational Robot and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents
necessary for the application process.
Attachments:
None
Financial Impacts:
The estimated total project cost is approximately $12,236 and includes the purchase of the Fire Safety
Educational Robot and associated accessories, including upgraded motors, rechargeable battery systems,
charging equipment, transportation accessories, protective covers, voice modification equipment, and related
operational components.
Under the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program, the City of Ocoee would be responsible for a
required cost share of approximately five percent (5%) of the total project cost.
Estimated City Match Requirement:
• Total Project Cost: $12,236
• Estimated Federal Share, 95%: $11,624
• Estimated City Match, 5%: $612.
If awarded, the required City match of $611.80 and any ongoing maintenance costs would be incorporated into
the Fire Department’s operating budget (001-522-00-5202 Operating Supplies).
Type of Item: Consent