WINNING NARRATIVE 2006


The  XXX Volunteer Fire Department is located in XXX County in central Minnesota, approximately 90 miles north of Minneapolis/St.Paul. We have the required 5% match of this $79,700 project. We also have an additional 5% to add to the match.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BUDGET:
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After a comprehensive risk assessment of our department needs, two serious problems became readily apparent. Therefore, the XXX Fire Department is requesting funding from the Operations and Firefighter Safety program in the amount of $79,700.

Respiratory protection is the most critical component of a firefighters protective ensemble. Currently, our department is outfitted with old, non-compliant models of self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) dating back to 1984.

We have 4 SCBA¿s on each of our two pumpers and 5 in our transport vehicle, and only 4 are equipped with PASS devices.

Our department has three different makes of SCBA¿s. Our firefighter¿s can be easily confused and waste critical time trying to apply and operate these units in a safe manner.

Our monthly training sessions are very difficult and inconsistent, and during these sessions, we spend valuable time exchanging, and replacing parts on these unreliable SCBA¿s.

The department needs to purchase 13 new SCBA¿s, with SUPER I-PASS, aluminum tanks and LED tank level indicators. These units would meet OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134, NFPA 1500,1981,1982 and MN state law 182.653.

The cost of this SCBA, to help ensure the safety and survivability of our firefighters and to protect critical infrastructure is $52,000.

The other condition that has created a negative affect on our ability to provide mission critical services to the public, are our Hurst vehicle rescue tools. Our current tools, which consist only of a cutter and spreader, were purchased in 1989. These tools can only be used one at a time, wasting valuable time at an emergency scene. The size and weight of these old tools make them very heavy and dangerous to operate. They don¿t have the strength to be very effective on today¿s newer vehicles. The department has never been equipped with rescue air bags, rams or struts, the basic tools needed to expand our functional capabilities.

The cost of the extrication tools, 56 ton set of air bags, ram, strut kit and training is $28,600. This figure includes $600 for training through Pine City Technical Institute.

The above mentioned safety and rescue equipment will greatly increase the basic response needs of our volunteer department. This application is consistent with grant priorities.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:

$52,000.......(13) SCBA¿s (LED tank level, Aluminum tank,(PASS), spare tank.)
$4,600........Centaur Simo Pump(runs 2 tools at once).
$10,500.......Spreader, cutter
$12,600.......Ram, hoses, cribbing, strut kit, 56 ton set of air bags, training.
$79,700....TOTAL PROJECT COST INCLUDING TRAINING

$4,000...........Extra Additional Match
$75,700.........Requesting Funds
$3,785...........Required 5% Match
$71,915..........Federal Share


FINANCIAL NEED:
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The XXX Fire Department is located in rural Minnesota, with a small percentage of industries (5%) and a large percentage (30%) of people over the age of 62, our local tax base and community can not support a project of this size.

The inadequate small annual budget we receive from the City of XXX and surrounding townships is used to pay for fuel, repairs, utilities, training, insurance and debt service on our pumper, transport vehicle and fire station. It does not include money for large equipment expenditures. Our steps taken to seek alternative funding were unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, every year our local services such as police and fire protection are challenged with providing more services and support with less assistance from our state and local government. With these financial obstacles, it is even more critical to provide, maintain and expand fire protection through this grant.

Our department does have 2 fundraisers each year, but due to our rural location and elderly population, these events raise small amounts of money. The Average median household income in our area is $37,000, $10,000 below the state average. 10% of our population is living below the poverty level. Making it very difficult to raise tax levies.

Below is information on the fire dept. budget from the City of XXX, averaged out over the past three years:

AVERAGE INCOME PER YEAR:
$84,380... Fire Contract townships & insurance payments
$1,500..... Fundraising
$1,000.......Donations
$86,880.....Total

AVERAGE EXPENSES PER YEAR:
$24,000... Repairs, operating supplies, maintenance.
$10,965... Utilities, insurance, professional services
$2,612.... Fire communications and repairs
$28,767... Debt Service on pumper, rescue vehicle
$32,820... Wages, work comp
$2,516.... Training, Fire Prevention
$101,680.....Total

$14,800 over budget

City Of XXX Budget
AVERAGE EXPENSES PER YEAR:
$106,729....General Budget
$159,000...Police Service
$101,730....Fire Protection
$208,105...Public Works, water & sewer
$13,930....park
$74,855....Misc., Airport, FICA, Prof. services
$664,349....Total



COST/BENEFIT:
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Because we have additional match dollars, this application is a great cost benefit.

Our Primary service area covers 408 square miles, with 4776 permanent residents. The city of XXX and the surrounding townships are a large tourist area, as a result, our population of people under the age of 14 and older than 65, increases dramatically during the summer months. There are over 50 resorts, a K-12 school (550 students), elderly apartment complex, Indian Reservation, State Park and numerous campgrounds to protect in our primary service area, along with a portion of the second largest lake (Mille Lacs) in Minnesota. We have 3 major state highways crossing our district and a granite quarry, with explosives being transported in. Grand Casino Mille Lacs is located only 17 minutes away, with over 7,000 people a day visiting.

The benefits of having new, OSHA and NFPA compliant SCBA in our community are numerous. These units will dramatically improve the safety of our firefighters. With our call volume increasing over 20% in 2005, the need for reliable equipment to replace our obsolete equipment is essential. In the fall of 2005, we had a close call when a firefighter ran out of air in a structure fire because the bell did not work on his old SCBA. With this grant, 100% of our entry team firefighters would be OSHA/NFPA/EPA compliant. This equipment will also bring us into compliance with our state law MN 182.653.

In the last several years, our department has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents we respond to in our primary area. In June and July of 2005, we responded to 3 accidents that needed rapid extrication and life flight. Our most frequent requested mutual aid call is for extrication. To have current and never before owned rescue tools, would promote interoperability with neighboring communities, and fill a resource gap that exists. On today¿s newer vehicles, we need to be equipped with the proper tools to execute a safe and efficient rescue. Due to our rural location, a fast extrication is critical to make sure the injured receive emergency care in the golden hour.

The need to improve and update our equipment is a tremendous concern, and without support from organizations like FEMA, we feel small rural departments are constantly loosing ground on having safe equipment. If we do not receive this grant, our firefighters and community are still at risk and we will continue to have a gap in our mission critical services.

STATEMENT OF EFFECT:
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This grant is needed to enhance the day to day operations of the XXX Fire Department. The department will be able to respond to all hazards with compliant and very effective equipment. This new equipment will directly protect the firefighters and public on every call we respond to.

Our philosophy at the XXX Fire Department is that the firefighter is the most precious resource the fire service possesses. This grant will equip our department with the modern equipment needed to protect life and property.

We are committed to continuing this project and/or benefits of the project beyond the grant year.

The XXX Fire Department is a highly respected and dedicated group of volunteers in the community. The department takes great pride in protecting lives and property. When we show the community that we are striving to improve, it makes future support from the community, easier to receive.

Thank you for considering our grant application, we hope to hear from you soon.