Subcommittee approves DPSST retroactive application for 2024 Assistance to Firefighters grant

The Public Safety Subcommittee on Feb. 6 approved retroactive permission for the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) to apply for the 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to buy mobile fire-training props.

DPSST legislative coordinator Jennifer Howald told the committee the agency regularly applies for the federal grant to expand training props across the state and requested retroactive approval for the 2024 application. "DPSST applies for this grant regularly and uses the grant award to expand the number of fire training props that the agency has available to deliver training across the state," Howald said.

The request, which Legislative Fiscal Office staff recommended for approval, seeks funding for a set of frequently requested mobile props so DPSST can establish regional complements of training equipment and reduce travel and prop transfer time. Howald described the agency's 7 regional training areas and said the 2024 application requested two vehicle-fire props that simulate passenger-vehicle fires, one flammable-liquids and gas prop (a "flag" prop) for propane-fueled live fire exercises, and one forcible-entry prop to practice gaining access to locked or secured structures. She noted the agency's props use propane for live burns, identified as a Class B fuel.

A representative from the Department of Administrative Services' Chief Financial Office and Legislative Fiscal Office both recommended approval. The subcommittee moved to approve the Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation; the motion passed with no recorded objections and the chair carried the motion.

The approval grants DPSST retroactive permission to apply for the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The subcommittee did not record a roll-call vote tally in the transcript. The request did not ask for state general-fund money; it was a permissions matter to apply retroactively.

DPSST officials said regional placement of mobile props reduces wear-and-tear, staff time spent transferring equipment and helps departments that cannot travel to Salem for centralized training. The agency said entry-level hands-on training on these props can be applied to portions of NFPA Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications.

The committee closed the work session on the item after approval.