City Council
October 20, 2026
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Elizabeth Lake FROM: Damon Covington
Interim City Administrator Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Acceptance of FEMA Assistance to
Firefighters Grant
DATE: September 30, 2026
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To: (1) Enter Into An Agreement With The U.S. Department Of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) To Accept Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance To Firefighters Grant (AFG) Funds In The Amount Of Eight Hundred Seventy Five Thousand ($875,000) Dollars; (2) Appropriate And Administer Said Funds For The Installation Of Vehicle Diesel Exhaust Capturing Systems In 25 Fire Stations; (3) Expend Assistance To Firefighter Funds In Accordance With The City Of Oakland’s Purchasing Requirements And Programs/Policies; And (4) Allocating Matching Funds In The Amount Of Eighty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($87,500)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed legislation is a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to accept a grant from FEMA in an amount to not exceed $875,000 with a 10% match by the city of Oakland. Funding from AFG will be used exclusively to install vehicle diesel exhaust capturing systems in 25 Oakland fire stations. The City Council’s action would facilitate the timely use of the grant to supplement the city of Oakland’s adopted budget. As a result, the system installed in all 25 fire stations will limit fire service personnel and visitors from unnecessary exposure to contaminants from emissions released from fire apparatus.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
Elizabeth Lake (Oct 8, 2026 15:53:48 PDT)
Elizabeth Lake Oct 8, 2026
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: Acceptance of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Date: September 30, 2026 Page 2
City Council
October 20, 2026
The AFG Program provides financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTAs). Since its inception, the AFP program has awarded over $9 billion to help equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, improve operational efficiency, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. The program has provided fire apparatuses, personal protective equipment, facility modifications, wellness and fitness activities, and other fire equipment to more than 8,000 unique recipients.
The AFG Program represents part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). By increasing the number of trained firefighters, the AFG Program improves deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and provides adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
Over the past 25 years, the Oakland Fire Department (OFD) has been awarded AFG funds across several application periods. In 2021, OFD received $361,000 in AFG funds for a health & wellness initiative.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Across the country, Fire departments are investing in the installation of exhaust fans and source-capture ventilation systems in apparatus bays to remove toxic diesel exhaust fumes and protect firefighters from severe health hazards.
Health and Safety Protection
• Removes Carcinogens: Diesel exhaust is classified as a known Group 1 carcinogen linked to lung cancer, skin cancer, and lymphoma.
• Prevents Contamination Migration: Unfiltered fumes easily drift from the industrial garage bays into living quarters, kitchens, and sleeping bunks where crews spend their 24-hour shifts. • Lowers Chronic Illness Risks: Active ventilation reduces airborne particulates and gases like carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) that trigger asthma, allergies, and respiratory issues.
Operational and Building Benefits
• Maintains Air Quality Standards: Standards from organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1500) mandate proper vehicle exhaust capture to maintain safe occupational air limits.
• Reduces Heat and Stagnant Air: Large fans and ventilation setups clear out heat buildup rapidly after engines run, keeping the workspace comfortable and mission-ready.
Failure to accept this grant funding will prevent Oakland Fire Department from making critical safety advances that prioritize the short and long term health of our personnel.
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: Acceptance of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Date: September 30, 2026 Page 3
City Council
October 20, 2026
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
This item does not relate to any Oakland strategic planning efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $875,000 grant requires a 10% ($87,500) match by the City. The fire department is committed to expending these funds in accordance with FEMA guidelines.
The proposed resolution authorizes the City Administrator to accept grant funds in a total amount not to exceed $875,000, for expenditure through 30 September 2029, and appropriate them into the Oakland Fire Department FEMA Grant Fund 2124, Support Services Org 20186, Program PS.26 Support Services, Account 54919 – Miscellaneous Contract Services. The 10% local match in the amount of $87,500 will come from existing Oakland Fire Department Support Services Budget in Oakland Fire Department General Purpose Fund 1010, Support Services Org 20186, Program PS.26 Support Services, Account 54919 – Miscellaneous Contract Services.
New Project Codes will be created for both the AFG Grant Award and the 10% local match for final appropriation and to track project expenses. There are no personnel costs associated with this grant.
Fund Source Organization Account Project Program Amount (Fund # and
Name)
(Org # and
Name)
(Account # and
Name)
(Project # and
Name)
(Program #
and Name)
$
FEMA Fund
2124
20816 – Support
Services
54919 – Services:
Miscellaneous
Contract
2025 AFG Grant
(Project Number
TBD)
PS 26 –
Support
Services
$875,000
General
Purpose Fund
1010
20816 – Support
Services
54919 – Services:
Miscellaneous
Contract
2025 AFG Grant
(Project Number
TBD)
PS 26 –
Support
Services
$87,500
Elizabeth Lake, Interim City Administrator
Subject: Acceptance of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Date: September 30, 2026 Page 4
City Council
October 20, 2026
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No outreach was deemed necessary from the proposed policy action beyond the standard City Council agenda notice because it is a routine item.
COORDINATION
This report and legislation have been reviewed by the Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau.
RACE AND EQUITY
Firefighter cancer risk and related heathy hazards is a major equity issue because firefighters face disproportionate exposure to carcinogens without equal access to protective gear, decontamination infrastructure, and presumptive disability benefits.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To: (1) Enter Into An Agreement With The U.S. Department Of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) To Accept Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance To Firefighters Grant (AFG) Funds In The Amount Of Eight Hundred Seventy Five Thousand ($875,000) Dollars; (2) Appropriate And Administer Said Funds For The Installation Of Vehicle Diesel Exhaust Capturing Systems In 25 Fire Stations; (3) Expend Assistance To Firefighter Funds In Accordance With The City Of Oakland’s Purchasing Requirements And Programs/Policies; And (4) Allocating Matching Funds In The Amount Of Eighty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($87,500)
For questions regarding this report, please contact Deputy Chief Demond Simmons at [email protected]
Respectfully submitted,
_Damon Covington
Fire Chief