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Melbourne council pledges match for volunteer LOSAP; fire department awarded $90,428 FEMA grant
Summary
The Melbourne City Council agreed to contribute $167 per qualifying volunteer to a Length of Service Award Program matching grant and received $90,428.60 in FEMA funding for new air tanks; the vendor offered 2026-standard gear at 2017 pricing if ordered by Dec. 1.
The Melbourne City Council on Nov. 10 agreed to participate in a state Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) by committing $167 per qualifying volunteer toward a matching grant intended as a tax‑deferred benefit for volunteer firefighters and first responders.
"The State will match funds 3 to 1 up to $500 for qualifying volunteers," Fire Chief David Gibbs told the council as members discussed the program’s financial mechanics. Council members instructed staff to draft a resolution once program specifics are released. City Clerk Mary Pothast said she will attend an IEDA webinar on Nov. 19 to gather details for the council.
The decision followed Chief Gibbs’ report that a separate joint FEMA grant application by nine county departments to replace self‑contained breathing apparatus air tanks had been approved. "Melbourne Fire’s portion is $90,428.60 with a city/department match of $4,306.12," Gibbs said, adding that the vendor agreed to provide 2026‑standard equipment at 2017 pricing if the order is placed by Dec. 1.
Council members congratulated the department on securing the grant and scheduled a Fire/Township/City budget meeting for Nov. 18 to integrate the purchase and match into the upcoming budget process.
Next steps: staff will pursue the LOSAP webinar and prepare a resolution when the state publishes the formal program rules; the fire department must place the tank order by Dec. 1 to receive the pricing offered.
