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Council approves grant-funded health screenings for Norristown firefighters
Summary
Council approved Resolution 26-31 to accept federal grant money for in-station health screenings and to cover a required 10% local match, expanding medical and mental-health evaluations for 37 fire personnel and setting aside remaining grant funds for fitness equipment purchases.
Norristown Municipal Council approved Resolution 26-31 on April 21 to provide professional health screenings for members of the fire department under a federally funded grant.
Financials and scope: The grant totals $61,500; planning staff asked council to appropriate $35,661 to pay for medical testing (roughly $1,050 per exam) for 37 personnel (29 full-time staff and eight volunteers). There is a required local match (reported as $5,590) already budgeted in the operating budget. Remaining grant funds are earmarked for physical-fitness equipment; staff said they are awaiting a third equipment quote before final procurement.
Services provided: The screenings will include in-depth tests such as cancer screenings, EKGs, stress tests, chest and abdominal imaging, immunizations and mental-health components. The chosen vendor (PHS) will bring mobile testing services to the fire station and perform the exams on-duty over two days; firefighters will receive individual HIPAA-protected results.
Council discussion: Council asked whether the grant funds would be used only for firefighters (yes), whether equipment will be purchased with leftover funds (yes, once quotes are complete), and whether screenings are already performed annually for some staff (staff said only about half of personnel receive annual contractual physicals). Council approved the resolution by roll call.
Quote: "Each exam runs a little over $1,000...the remaining of the grant is for physical fitness equipment," staff told council.
Next steps: Staff will execute the contract with the selected vendor, schedule on-site screening days, and present equipment procurement quotes for the remaining grant funds.
