Fire department awarded FEMA grant to buy carbon-monoxide detectors for residents

Akron fire officials told a public safety committee they had been awarded about $59,000 from a FEMA Fire Protection and Safety grant to purchase carbon-monoxide alarms for distribution to residents, and the committee voted to suspend rules to allow procurement to proceed.

Chief Lash and Captain Pazernick said the department averages about 100 to 150 carbon-monoxide related calls annually and that Akron experienced carbon-monoxide fatalities in 2022. With city funds the department previously purchased about 100 alarms; the FEMA grant will allow substantially wider distribution.

Chief Lash and Captain Pazernick said they will solicit competitive bids; at an estimated unit price of roughly $33 per alarm in prior purchases, $59,000 would allow for just under 1,800 units, though pricing will depend on the awarded bid. Officials said distribution will be prioritized through community outreach, ward meetings, social media and calls to residents; firefighters responding to incidents will also identify households in need. Housing managers for rental properties remain responsible for safety devices in rental units, department officials said.

Committee members asked about trends and distribution; officials said calls tend to increase in winter when gas heating systems run and that staff would track demographic indicators for distribution but would make alarms available to all resident households that request them. The committee voted to suspend rules and give a favorable report so staff can move forward with procurement and distribution this fiscal year; officials said they expect to purchase at least half of the grant-funded units in the current fiscal year and the remainder in the next year as needed.

The grant acceptance and procurement will be subject to bid results and any required city contracting processes.