Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oxnard committee recommends City Council ratify FEMA grant applications to fund breathing apparatuses and detector distribution
Summary
The committee voted 3-0 to recommend City Council ratify FEMA grant applications for the fire department to acquire self-contained breathing apparatuses and fund smoke/carbon-monoxide detector distribution and training; Chief Alex Hamilton described equipment life cycles and testing.
The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing and Economic Development Committee on July 14 recommended the City Council ratify submission of FEMA grant applications from the Fire Department for fiscal year 2025, including Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) requests and a Prevention & Safety grant.
Chair McArthur introduced the item which staff described as three grant applications to FEMA: AFG requests to acquire 21 self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and to support paramedic and urban search-and-rescue training, and a Prevention & Safety grant to purchase roughly 2,500 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors plus additional detectors for people with hearing impairment. The staff report listed grant funding and a local-match requirement in the report's financial section.
Fire Chief Alex Hamilton answered committee questions on equipment longevity and testing procedures. "Those self-contained breathing apparatus, when a new addition comes out, that's generally good for 10 years," Hamilton said, adding that the department's recent models and maintenance regimen aim to remain within NFPA compliance. Hamilton described annual testing and fit testing for masks and hydrostatic testing of air bottles every five years.
Councilmember Perillo asked who would act as the chief financial officer's designee for grant reporting if the CFO were unavailable; Chief Hamilton said it would likely be the assistant chief financial officer or the business manager, and noted the department maintains records for all expenses and grant claims.
A committee member moved to recommend the city council adopt a resolution ratifying the grant submissions and to authorize the city manager or designee to execute agreements if funds are awarded; the motion was seconded and carried 3-0.
If awarded, the grants would fund replacement equipment and community detector distribution; staff said grant award management and reporting would be handled by the fire department and city finance per usual grant processes. The recommendation will go to the City Council for final action.
