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Public Safety committee advances grants and studies for fire, EMS and diversion programs
Summary
Public Safety advanced several grant acceptances and contracts: FEMA fire‑prevention and AFG ladder‑truck applications, an EMS/fire operations study, a law‑enforcement‑diversion quick‑response team pilot, Cleveland Clinic wellness screenings for firefighters, and a SAFER application seeking 24 firefighter/paramedic positions.
Public Safety on July 1 advanced multiple grant‑funding requests and procurement items intended to strengthen fire and emergency medical services and expand diversion and prevention programs.
Chief Henderson and colleagues outlined a competitive FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety grant (FPNS) seeking roughly $311,000 to replace a 30‑year public‑safety trailer, purchase an inflatable safety house and buy extinguisher‑training equipment for school and community outreach. Committee members approved suspension of rules to allow timely acceptance if the grant is awarded.
The department also recommended hiring an external consultant (Fitch & Associates) to conduct a comprehensive study of fire and EMS operations—the first deep review in more than 40 years—to create a strategic plan for resilience and service delivery. The committee approved moving the contract forward.
Chief Rey described an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application to replace a 1995 ladder truck; the department noted historically long lead times for apparatus and estimated a city match of about $151,000 if awarded. Separately, the department negotiated a competitive contract with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation to provide multi‑year comprehensive health and wellness screenings for Akron firefighters (cardiac, cancer, sleep apnea and other tests), with Cleveland Clinic selected for its scheduling and coordination capabilities.
Public Safety also advanced an attorney‑general law‑enforcement‑diversion grant to fund a Quick Response Team (QRT) that would pair a paramedic and county mental‑health staff for post‑overdose and high‑risk follow‑up (project cost roughly $50,000). Finally, the department applied for a SAFER staffing grant seeking funding for 24 firefighter/paramedics across three years; Chief Henderson noted the grant now requires a growing municipal match and a staffing‑maintenance commitment if awarded, and finance staff will analyze fiscal implications.
All items were advanced for council consideration, typically under suspension of the rules due to application timelines and procurement urgency.
