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Council unanimously approves emergency ordinance to apply for FEMA grant to replace turnout-gear washers and dryers
Summary
Shaker Heights City Council approved an emergency ordinance June 8 to apply for a $75,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to replace two commercial washers and two dryers used to launder turnout gear, requiring a 10% match (~$7,500). The vote was unanimous; council members said they expect to seek appropriation if the grant is awarded.
Shaker Heights City Council on June 8 approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the city to apply for and accept a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant to replace turnout-gear washers and dryers at both fire stations.
Chief Sweeney told council the department’s current commercial extractors and dryers are about 30 years old and that replacing them is critical to remove carcinogenic contaminants from turnout gear. “The equipment that we have now, it’s 30 years old,” he said, adding, “To replace this equipment, it’s about $75,000 for 2 washers, 2 dryers.” The grant requires a 10% local match, approximately $7,500, which the department said it could likely cover from its budget if awarded.
Councilmembers voiced unanimous support for pursuing the federal funds and agreed to suspend the rules so the application could meet the June 22 deadline. The clerk called the roll on the suspension and on enactment; all members present voted in the affirmative. Chief Sweeney said that, if awarded, he would return to council to seek formal acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds.
The application timeline and the emergency declaration were the primary drivers for the expedited action; no fiscal appropriation was made at the meeting pending the grant award.
