Franklin authorizes submission of regional and local firefighter grant applications to replace SCBA cylinders

The Franklin City Council on Nov. 5 authorized the city manager to submit both a regional and a local application to the 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for the Fire & EMS Division to replace self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders.

Fire Chief Jonathan Westendorf told council the regional application would include Franklin Township and the Village of Carlisle as partners and would fund replacement of the three jurisdictions’ SCBA cylinders. The total estimated cost for the regional application was $597,793; the required 10 percent local share would total $59,779.30. Chief Westendorf said Franklin Township’s share would be $23,975.90, Carlisle’s $10,341.70 and the City of Franklin’s portion would be $25,461.70. Westendorf also recommended submitting a separate local application for cylinders and extrication equipment with an estimated cost of $106,932 and a local share of $5,346.60, with the understanding that if both grants were awarded the city would decline the local award.

Councilors asked whether Carlisle and Franklin Township had passed authorizing legislation for the regional application; Westendorf said he did not know if legislation had been passed but that both jurisdictions had agreed to participate. City Manager Sonny Lewis said the administration will monitor the process and required paperwork. Brent Centers moved to adopt Resolution 2018-58; Matt Wilcher seconded. The resolution was approved on a recorded unanimous vote.

The transcript records the council authorization to submit the applications; it does not record subsequent grant decisions, award dates, or how the local share would be budgeted if the grant is awarded.