Committee forwards FEMA grants and $1 million state allocation for specialized fire equipment

The Budget and Finance Committee on Jan. 29 moved three Fire Department funding items to the Board with positive recommendations: a Fiscal Year 2018 Assistance to Firefighters grant of $612,129.09 to replace gas rescue tools with battery-powered tools and purchase ventilation equipment (with a ~ $61,000 city match), a Fiscal Year 2019 Port Security Grant of $341,625 to refurbish the rescue boat and purchase two personal watercraft (with ~ $114,000 match), and a $1,000,000 allocation from the California Office of Emergency Services to purchase a specialized host tender vehicle for water-supply support.

Fire Department representative Mark Corso described the procurement priorities, matched amounts incorporated in the department budget, and explained the host tender—s role supplementing firefighting water supply in areas where the municipal system does not fully reach. Chair Sandra Lee Feuer publicly thanked Assemblymember Phil Ting for securing the state allocation.

Ending: The items were forwarded to the Board for final approval; purchasing will proceed consistent with grant terms and departmental procurement policies.