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Bowling Green adds 12 firefighter recruits, accepts grant for department cancer screenings
Summary
The commission approved probationary appointments for 12 firefighters and accepted a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant of roughly $188,615 to fund a department‑wide cancer‑screening program and PPE; related turnout gear purchases were also approved.
The Board of Commissioners approved appointments of 12 probationary firefighter recruits and accepted a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to fund a department‑wide cancer‑screening program and personal protective equipment.
Staff described the recruitment process for the 12 recruits (189 applicants initially; 25 finalists), noted a 16‑week training academy starting the following Monday and outlined varied candidate backgrounds including EMT certifications and higher education. The commission held roll calls to confirm the appointments.
Separately, the commission authorized acceptance of a Homeland Security/FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant of $188,615.49 with a required local match of about 10% (~$18,008.61). Deputy Chief Smith described an early‑detection screening program including full abdominal ultrasound and CT scans for heart and lungs, intended to screen all 170 firefighters rather than only long‑tenured personnel. Staff said the grant will also help purchase PPE and that the city plans to use the grant to cover 14 turnout‑gear sets with the remainder paid from fire improvement funds; the commission approved a related $100,800 procurement for turnout gear and equipment.
Commissioners commended the department and asked about program cadence and whether the screening would be repeated in future years; staff said they will pursue the grant when available and work to fund the program in future budgets as needed.
