Firefighters Grant Program AssiMEMORANDUM
April 2, 2003
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Assistance for Firafighters Grant Program
Fire Chief Dan Brown is recommending that the City apply for $208,000 from the
Federal Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program to replace the Fire Department's
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. The grant requires a local match of 30%, or
$62,400. Should we receive the grant, Fire Chief Brown is recommending deferring
exterior improvements to Station #2 that are now budgeted in Fiscal Year 2004 Capital
Improvement Program Budget to provide the match.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
E. Daniel Brown, Fire Chief
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 24, 2003
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: E. Daniel Brown, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Assistance for Fimfighters Grant Program
I am requesting permission to apply for a grant from the Federal Assistance for
Firefighters Grant Program for replacing the Fire Department's Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus for the amount of $208,000. This will replace the units that are worn by the
Firefighters that are currently ten years old with new units that are higher pressure and
are up to the new NFPA Safety Standards which include Heads Up Display in the face
mask for indicating the amount of air remaining, Buddy Breathing System which allows
units to be connected together to transfer air in an emergency and Integrated Personal
Alert System. The higher pressure provides for lighter weight and smaller profile air
bottles, which enhances Firefighter performance and safety.
The grant requires that the local recipient for cities over 50,000 people provide a 30%
match. This would be $62,400 and I would recommend deferring exterior improvements
to Station #2 in FY2004 Capitol Improvement budget to cover the match if the grant is
awarded.
These grants are distributed on a competitive basis. Last year the Fire Department
received $31,640 for the pumhase of treadmills and a physical training program. In the
nation, there were 19,500 applications for a total of $2.2 billion requested by the Fire
Service in the United States. There were 5,316 grants awarded for $334 million. This
year the total grant application will be for $750 million.
The grant application must be submitted by April 11, 2003 to be eligible.
EDB/jl