Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: adam loeser, fire chief
PREPARED BY: andrew yang, administrative analyst ii
SUBJECT: FISCAL YEAR 2024 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT AWARD ACCEPTANCE
SUMMARY
The Fire Department received $305,227.27 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Staff requests City Council accept and appropriate funding for a comprehensive Firefighter health and wellness program consistent with National Fire Protection Association 1582 standards.
PROPOSED MOTION
Accept and appropriate receipt and use of $305,227.27 Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Grants Fund (Fund 32).
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer documents related to the grant agreement and program implementation as the City of Fullerton Authorized Organization Representative, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Do not approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability
Public Safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
The AFG award provides $305,227.27 in federal funds over three fiscal years with a required 10% City cost share equaling $30,522.73 for a $335,750.00 total project budget. The grant performance period runs September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2027. The City would receive funds on a reimbursement basis as it incurs costs. The following table summarizes estimated project costs by fiscal year:
FY 2024 AFG Program
FY 25-26
FY 26-27
FY 27-28
Grand Total
Grant Award Funding
$140,045.45
$82,590.91
$82,590.91
$305,227.27
City Cost Share
$14,004.55
$8,259.09
$8,259.09
$30,522.73
Total Project Cost
$154,050.00
$90,850.00
$90,850.00
$335,750.00
The existing Fire Department budget would absorb the City cost share amount for FY 2025-26. Staff would incorporate future cost share amounts in the annual budget process.
The AFG award would providing screenings for 79 Fire Suppression personnel. The potential hiring of 12 additional firefighters, contingent on City Council acceptance of the FY 2024 SAFER Grant, would increase the number of personnel eligible for the program. These new hires would join the program from the second and third screening cycles for an estimated $3,100 per Firefighter or $37,200 total. The FEMA award would not cover this cost. Staff would request additional funding as part of the annual budget development process if the City hires the additional personnel.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides direct financial assistance to fire departments to protect the public and firefighting personnel health and safety from fire and fire-related hazards. This highly competitive national program offered approximately $291.6 million in funding distributed across 2,000 awards for the FY 2024 grant.
The $305,227.27 AFG award would provide foundational funding to implement a comprehensive firefighter health and wellness program to address long-term occupational health risks associated with firefighting. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states firefighters have a 9% higher likelihood of cancer diagnosis and a 14% higher risk of cancer-related mortality compared to the general population along with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, respiratory issues and behavioral health challenges such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.
The Fire Department has limited wellness initiatives providing employees with access to confidential, short-term counseling services. This grant would enable the City to establish a sustainable wellness program including annual National Fire Protection Association 1582-compliant medical evaluations with advanced multi-cancer screenings, cardiovascular assessments and other preventive testing tailored to the firefighter occupation. The program would generate individualized health profiles and aggregate wellness metrics to guide future prevention and early-intervention strategies.
The AFG award would fund three annual health screening cycles for 79 Fire Suppression personnel over a 24-month performance period. Should City Council accept the grant funds, the Fire Department would collaborate with the Human Resources Department and the Fullerton Firefighters Association to initiate a formal procurement process, consistent with federal and City procurement policies, to identify the most qualified and cost-effective healthcare provider. Staff would return to City Council to request authorization to award a contract to the selected vendor and issue a purchase order.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – FY 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award Letter cc: Interim City Manager Eddie Manfro
Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award Acceptance October 21, 2025 - Page 2