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Fire chief details COVID-19 impacts on staffing and secures board authority to seek reimbursements
Summary
Drexel Heights Fire Chief Douglas Chappell told the board the district has scrambled to source PPE, reported three operations staff quarantines and recommended — and the board adopted — a resolution authorizing COVID-19 reimbursement applications that names the chief as the applicant agent.
Drexel Heights Fire Chief Douglas Chappell told the Board on April 24 that the district has improvised to maintain protective equipment and has had three operations employees meet quarantine criteria during the pandemic. "We are all experiencing very unusual times," Chappell said, and described steps including sourcing sprayer systems and ordering disposable 'rain coats' to substitute for gowns when none were available.
Chappell said two of the quarantined employees were exposed during a call and have workers' compensation claims; one of those employees remains in quarantine while others have returned to duty. He also noted some staff with reduced on-site duties are working remotely and that the timing of the move to the new administration facility has allowed final move preparations to proceed.
The Board voted to adopt Resolution 2020-05, which authorizes submission of applications for grant funds and COVID-19 expense reimbursement programs and designates the Fire Chief as the District's Applicant Agent for those submissions. Chief Chappell told the Board the District is eligible to apply for reimbursement under the Presidential Declarations for the COVID-19 crisis. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
Why it matters: the resolution gives the district a formal mechanism to seek federal or other reimbursements for pandemic-related costs and centralizes authority to submit applications with the Fire Chief. The board also received operational updates that affect near-term staffing and response capacity.
Looking ahead: Chief Chappell said budget discussion will continue in May and staff will monitor grant opportunities and reimbursement programs as they develop.
