City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2023 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF A DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 2022 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT AWARD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $181,818.18 FOR SOURCE CAPTURE EXHAUST SYSTEMS – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Approve the acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $181,818.18 from the Department of Homeland Security 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for source capture exhaust systems for the Fire Department and authorize a supplemental appropriation in an amount equal to the grant award.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $181,818.18 from the Department of Homeland Security 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG); Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept the amount awarded, including amounts lesser or greater than the initial amount awarded, and to execute all grant documents necessary to complete the transaction including the ability to make minor non-substantive changes; and With at least five affirmative votes, and upon grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate an equal amount in expenditures in the amount of $181,818.18, or the actual award amount, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Assistance to Firefighters Grant FY 2022 revenue and expenditure accounts.
BACKGROUND:
Through the Department of Homeland Security, the AFG program provides awards to fire departments to 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 transfer is 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 this funding to install the source capture exhaust systems in the remaining two fire stations (Stations 13 and 14), to 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 $200,000, which includes a City match of 10% or $18,181.82. Upon Council approval and grant award, an increase in revenue of $181,818.18 and an equal appropriation of expenditures will be recorded in the Grants & Restricted Programs Fund, Assistance to Firefighters Grant revenue account number 9179700-331100 and expenditure account number 9179700-462050. Funding for the City match in the amount of $18,181.82 is available in the General Fund, Fire Operations, Maintenance budget. A budget adjustment will be entered to move the City match to General Fund, Assistance to Firefighters Grant, Building Improvements account number 9179710-462050.
Prepared by: Michael Moore, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director / Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Award Notification
2022 Assistance to Firefighter Grant ● Page 3