Finance committee recommends AARP wayfinding grant, approves fire gear appropriation and FEMA grant application

The Lynchburg Finance Committee on June 24 recommended that the full City Council accept a $15,000 AARP Community Challenge grant to install wayfinding signs at the Dunbar Community School yard, approved acceptance of a $12,269 Virginia Department of Fire Programs grant to purchase personal protective equipment for firefighters, and authorized staff to submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a $61,500 FY2024 Fire Prevention and Safety grant.

The AARP award would fund wayfinding signs at each of the five entrances to the Dunbar Community School yard, identifying features such as the Dunbar Plaza, the Dunbar Memorial Wall and athletic fields. "This grant would allow the installation of the way finding sign systems at each of the 5 entrances to the Dunbar Community School Yard," the presenter said, noting no local match is required and that some improvements were recommended in the Diamond Hill neighborhood plan and will also be supported by CDBG funding.

Fire Chief Greg Wormser told the committee the city received $12,269 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to outfit firefighters with seasonal protective ensembles. "We were successful, in receiving money, through that grant, in the amount of $12,269, for the purpose of, outfitting our firefighters with personal protective equipment," Wormser said. He described the items as lightweight summer ensembles — a jacket and pants (plus suspenders if needed) — that cost about $1,000 per ensemble, cover roughly 12 outfits with this award, and have an average service life of about 10 years. Wormser said the gear is intended for hot-weather operations and nonstructural responses, not for structural firefighting.

Wormser also outlined a planned FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant application to fund personnel and resources for the fire marshal's office. The committee was told the total project request is $61,500, with FEMA expected to provide $58,571 and the city providing a $2,929 match (a 95/5 federal/local share). The application would support inspections, investigations, code enforcement, life-safety inspections, public education and community risk-reduction projects; award notifications were expected later in the summer.

All three items were moved, seconded and approved by the committee. The AARP appropriation was forwarded as a recommendation to the full City Council for final action; the Virginia PPE award acceptance and the FEMA grant application were approved at the committee level for submission and acceptance if awarded.

Committee members and staff thanked grant-seeking efforts and noted the importance of outside funding for essential and costly public-safety items. One council member emphasized that protective equipment and related supplies are expensive and that grant revenue helps reduce pressure on the city budget.

Votes at a glance - Resolution recommending acceptance of $15,000 AARP Community Challenge grant for a wayfinding system at Dunbar Community School Yard — recommended to full City Council (approved by committee). - Resolution accepting $12,269 Virginia Department of Fire Programs grant for personal protective ensembles — approved by committee. - Authorization to submit FEMA FY2024 Fire Prevention and Safety grant application ($61,500 total; FEMA $58,571; city match $2,929) — approved by committee.

The items will appear on the full council agenda or be implemented if and when grant awards are finalized.