City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2022 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: 2021 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT AWARD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000, WITH 10% CITY MATCH OF $12,000, FOR A TOTAL OF $132,000 TO PURCHASE SOURCE CAPTURE EXHAUST SYSTEMS – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Acceptance of grant funding in an amount up to $120,000 from the 2021 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant, with 10% mandated City match of $12,000, for a total up to $132,000 to purchase source capture exhaust systems for the Fire Department and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the amount of the grant award.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the acceptance of grant funds in an amount up to $120,000, or the actual awarded amount, from the Department of Homeland Security 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG); With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate expenditures in an equal amount up to $120,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Assistance to Firefighters Grant FY 2021 program; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary grant documents necessary to complete the transaction including make minor non-substantive changes as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
Offered through the Department of Homeland Security, the AFG Program provides awards to fire departments that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The funds provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. As the leading grant funding source for the fire service, AFG awards are highly competitive, with applications receiving a detailed, multi-level review and evaluated for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, technical feasibility and anticipated effectiveness of the proposed project. Only the highest scoring applications result in an award.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside Fire Department is in critical need to purchase and install Source Capture Exhaust Systems (SCES) to reduce the health and safety element of the exposure of diesel fuel emissions, or exhaust. This exhaust transfer occurs from fire apparatus to firefighters, which has been proven to disburse toxic occupational carcinogens. Firefighters exposed to diesel exhaust face the risk of health effects ranging from irritation of the eyes and nose, headaches and nausea, to respiratory disease, and lung cancer.
One major way to protect firefighters is found in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Building Code (IBC) guidelines which is to install exhaust systems in firehouses. NFPA Standard 1500, chapter 9, advocates, “the need for the elimination and containment of all vehicle exhaust emissions to a level of no less than 100% effective capture.” This complies with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirement to reduce emissions to the lowest feasible level to limit impact on human life.
The objective is to utilize AFG funding to install source capture exhaust systems in three fire stations (Stations 6, 13, and 14), that will assist in the reduction of exposure to diesel fuel emissions from fire apparatus to firefighters.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.3 – Strengthen neighborhood identifies and improve community health and the physical environment through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide.
This item aligns with Each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The installation of the diesel exhaust source capture system will minimize the amount of air that needs to be removed and helps establish clean, safe, and breathable air for fire personnel and the surrounding community.
Equity – The Riverside Fire Department strives to serve the community and personnel by preserving the environment through reduction and prevention of diesel fuel emissions throughout the stations and surrounding areas.
Fiscal Responsibility – To Assistance to Firefighters Grant will provide funding to install exhaust systems that capture deadly fumes and eliminate risk to personnel to protect their health and reduce any potential risk in the future.
Innovation – Automatic source capture exhaust systems offer state of the art removal of harmful exhaust gases from the apparatus bays and will provide a safer working environment for fire personnel. Diesel exhaust systems are the most efficient and effective way for a healthier work environment. The goal is to protect firefighters from hazards, whether visible or invisible.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Virtually every firefighter in the department receives hazardous chemicals and fumes training as a part of their normal training agenda. The diesel exhaust source capture system will provide the community with a sense a well-being by reducing toxic fumes in the air, while protecting the health of employees and the public.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is up to $132,000. There is a 10% matching funds requirement in the amount of $12,000, available in General Fund, Assistance to Firefighters Grant FY 2021, City Funds, account 9176510-440301. Upon grant award and City Council approval, the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, will record an increase in an amount up to $120,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Assistance to Firefighters Grant FY 2021 revenue account 9176500-331100 and expenditure account 9176500-440110.
Prepared by: LaWayne Hearn, Interim Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
2021 Assistance to Firefighter Grant ● Page 2