Item 07 Approval for Fire Department to Accept Dickey Foundation Grant
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: January 17, 2023
Item #: 7
Contact Name: CJ VanCamp Department Director: Tom Smothers
Contact Number: Ext. 2006 City Manager: Robert Frank
Subject: Approval for Fire Department to Accept Dickey Foundation Grant. (Deputy Fire Chief
Van Camp)
Background Summary:
The Ocoee Fire Department is seeking approval to accept a 100% funded grant awarded by The Dickey
Foundation. The grant is to acquire one (1) Lion SmartDummy Rescue training dummy and three (3) Lion
SmartDummy Rescue replacement coveralls.
On October 10, 2022, the department applied for a 100% funded grant for training equipment through The
Dickey Foundation. In its grant application proposal, the department requested the purchase of one (1) Lion
SmartDummy Rescue training dummy and three (3) additional replacement coveralls (to prevent wear and
tear/damage) for a total cost of $4,258. This equipment will provide the fire department with the ability to
conduct critical advanced search and rescue as well as extrication training.
On November 1, 2022, the department was notified that its grant application has been approved for funding
through The Dickey Foundation.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners approve a grant award for the purchase of a training
dummy and replacement coveralls from The Dickey Foundation?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends that the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners approve the acceptance of the grant
award to the Ocoee Fire Department from The Dickey Foundation.
Attachments:
1. Dickey Foundation Grant Application
Financial Impacts:
The purchase of a Lion SmartDummy Rescue training dummy and replacement coveralls will be 100%
covered by The Dickey Foundation Grant with no cost to the City of Ocoee.
Type of Item: Consent
Page 75 of 656
TDF Grant Guidelines
1. The Dickey Foundation provides grants to help protect first responders.
2. The Dickey Foundation reviews grant submissions on a quarterly basis.
3. The Dickey Foundation does not sponsor events – luncheons, dinners, galas, auctions, races, tournaments,
festivals, school events, etc.
4. The Dickey Foundation does not make grants to individuals.
5. The Dickey Foundation does not provide food donations. If you would like to request a donation from Dickey’s
Barbecue, please contact your nearest restaurant, which can be found here:
https://www.dickeys.com/location/search-by-state
6. If your request is not related to our mission of protecting first responders, we will be unable to respond to your
request.
The Dickey Foundation Grant Application
Name and Title: Charles Van Camp, Acting Division Chief
Organization Name: Ocoee Fire Department
Chief’s Name: Thomas Smothers, Fire Chief
Project name: Training Program Improvement Opportunities
Address: 563 S. Bluford Ave
Phone: (407) 905 - 3140
Email: cvancamp@ocoee.org
Organization History:
The Ocoee Fire Department is a City fire department which provides emergency services and hazard
mitigation in the form of fire suppression, advanced life support, operation and technical-level rescue,
and awareness level hazardous materials response. In addition to traditional emergency response
services the Ocoee Fire Department also provides fire prevention, public education, di saster
preparedness, and emergency management. The Ocoee Fire Department strives to maintain the high
level of professionalism and be recognized as a premier organization. Providing high quality training to
its firefighters is paramount to achieving this goal.
What type of organization - 501(c)3, government, school, private, etc:
Government
Organizational Structure (Staff, Board, Volunteers):
Sixty-eight (68) Duel Certified Firefighter Paramedics or Firefighter EMTs, two (2) Civilian fire inspectors, and
three (3) Administrative Support Staff
Page 76 of 656
Organization’s Programs & Services (please include brief descriptions of each):
Fire Suppression & Rescue
As recognized by obtaining a Public Protection Class (PPC) 1 rating by the Insurance Service Office (ISO) in June
2017, the Organization has developed a delivery methodology that strives to align with NFPA 1710 standard,
blended with goals to obtain and maintain the ISO PPC 1 rating, and recognizing specific community-based
expectations. The current distribution of the Organizations resources are spread throughout (4) community Fire
Stations.
Since becoming established as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider in 2008, all primary response apparatus
maintains the personnel and resources to provide ALS interventions. The Organization’s deployment model
includes (4) ALS Engines, (2) ALS transport capable ambulance, and (1) EMS Officer. Resources are strategically
located throughout the City to provide the fastest response.
Hazardous Materials
All Organization personnel are trained to the hazardous materials awareness level. The Organization maintains
an automatic aid agreement with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) to provide hazardous-
materials response. In the event of an incident, the Organization’s personnel are dispatched, arrive and assess
the situation. If the incident can be mitigated with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Organization’s
personnel, then action is taken. If the event requires technician level skills, then the OCFRD is requested and the
Organization personnel move into a supportive role.
Fire Prevention & Public Education
In addition to emergency services the Ocoee Fire Department provides American Heart Association (AHA) CPR
courses, a twelve week citizen's public safety academy, smoke detector installation, a youth fire explorer
program, along with various other public education requests. Additionally, the Organization has a citizen’s
advisory board. The advisory board consists of 6-15 citizen volunteers to provide guidance and insight to the fire
chief on the needs and wishes of the community.
Emergency Management
The Fire Chief maintains overall responsibility for Organizational Emergency Management. The assignment of
Emergency Manager has been delegated to a support officer who is responsible to the Emergency Operations
Center (EOC), training, and preparation for all emergency management functions in the city. The Emergency
Manager serves as a liaison to external partners including County and State emergency management offices.
The EOC is located at Ocoee Fire Station Headquarters. The Emergency Manager is responsible for providing
situational updates to the fire chief, city administration, and all city departments when needed.
Type of Request – Equipment, Training Repairs, Other:
Equipment
Organization Budget – Please submit an organizational budget including basic income and expense information:
Personnel Services: $6,222,243
Operating Expenses: $$1,896,405
Capital: $48,916
Project Budget – Please submit a Project/Program Budget for this Request:
The budget for this proposal will be $4,258. The breakdown for the costs associated with this proposal are the
following:
Page 77 of 656
One (1) LION SmartDummy Recue: $3,168.00
Three (3) LION SmartDummy Replacement Coveralls: $885.00
Freight: $205.00
Amount Requested:
The total amount requested for this proposal will be $4,258.00
Please note any matching funds that may be available for this project:
Currently, there are no matching funds available for this proposal.
Description of Program/Project that you are requesting funding for:
The department is requesting funding for the purchase of one (1) LION SmartDummy Rescue and three
replaceable overalls. The mannequin will be used to conduct advanced search and rescue and extrication
training. It will also be used to assist firefighters with developing their physical fitness by allowing firefighters to
drag, lift, and manipulate a heavy and life-like victim as part of their physical fitness regime.
Description of Need:
The Ocoee Fire Department is in need of a specially designed training mannequin to conduct high-quality and
realistic training. The importance of top-notch training cannot be emphasized enough. Firefighters conduct high
risk activities, such as searching and rescuing a victim during fires, or using the jaws of life to cut out and
extricate a victim involved in a car crash. Firefighters need to constantly practice and improve on the skills and
techniques that will be used during these types of incidents. Firefighters train constantly in order to provide the
highest levels of service to their community.
Conducting training for firefighters require specialized equipment and facilities. Firefighters need to be able to
simulate the heavy weight of a victim that needs to be dragged from a smoke or heavy heat environment. They
need to be able to practice on extricating a victim from a car and lifting them out and onto a backboard.
Historically, fire departments used either training mannequins that were famous for pinching or injuring
firefighters due to bad design or even worse, other firefighters who could get dropped or injured while being
dragged or extricated.
If this proposal is funded, the department would like to purchase one (1) LION SmartDummy Rescue mannequin
and three replaceable overalls. Due to the physical nature of training, the overalls will protect and extend the
useful life of the mannequin.
Specific Activities & Timeline:
1-2 months after award of grant – select vendor for the purchase of the equipment
2-4 months after award of the grant – upon receipt and any required inventory of the equipment, the training
department will immediately integrate the equipment into its training program.
Page 78 of 656
4-6 months after award of grant – an evaluation of the impact/benefits of the equipment will be conducted by
the training department.
6 months after award of grant – the department will ensure all closeout reports associated with the grant are
completed and submitted.
Objective or Goals for this Request (How will this grant help to protect first responders):
The goal of this funding proposal is to purchase a training mannequin, which will be used during training
evolutions. This mannequin will enhance the training the firefighters receive by providing a realistic and durable
“victim” that can be used in search and rescue and auto extrication scenarios. This will provide our firefighters
with a more life-like victim that can be dragged, carried, and back boarded. Firefighters can hone their skills with
this crush-resistant and rugged mannequin that offers a full range of motion without dangerous pinch points
that some mannequins have.
Name of Community/Communities Served by the Request:
The residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ocoee will be served by this grant proposal.
How does this project align with the mission of the Dickey Foundation?
The mission of the Dickey’s Foundation is to protect first responders. Funding of this project would directly
increase the health and safety of the Ocoee firefighters by providing them with a much needed lifelike
mannequin to train with. This mannequin has been specially designed to be lifelike, yet rugged, while increasing
firefighter safety due to its design and construction material. The only other way to achieve the realistic feel of a
victim for search and rescue and extrication training is to use firefighters, which can be dangerous.
What recognition will The Dickey Foundation receive?
The organization will share the award of the grant on its social media account. It will also be willing to host a
press release/social media recognition event with The Dickey Foundation.
Other (Use this space to provide any additional information that you feel would be relevant to this grant request that is
not covered in the section above or respond to any other questions an individual grant maker may have)
Page 79 of 656