| * Please indicate which of these Target Capabilities your request outlined in this application will satisfy. Check all that apply: | |
| Responder Safety and Health Firefighting Operations/Support Hazardous Materials Response Search and Rescue |
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| * Please provide your narrative statement in the space provided below. Include in your narrative, details regarding (1) your project’s description and budget, (2) your organization’s financial need, (3) the benefit to be derived from the cost of your project, and (4) how the activities requested in your application will help your organization’s daily operations and how this grant will protect life and property. | |
| Project Description and Budget
-------------------------------------- The XXXX Fire Department is made up of 30 volunteer members that serve 4585 people and covers 163 square miles in West Central Minnesota. XXXX is located approximately XX miles northwest of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The fire department maintains Mutual Aid agreements with several surrounding communities that enlarge our protection area by 978 square miles and 22,492 people. The fire department responded to 100 calls for assistance last year. After conducting a risk assessment of our protected area and a survey of the firefighters of our department, we have concluded that our highest priority is to replace an ageing stationary SCBA compressor with a new NFPA compliant stationary SCBA compressor and containment fill system. The complete system would be fixed in the XXXX Fire Hall and be available to all mutual aid departments who need to use it. The Grant Funds would be spent as follows: Total Cost of Project------------------------$25,950 Total Federal Costs (95%)-----------------$22,800 Department responsibility (5%)-------------$1,200 Because of ever increasing costs of new equipment for today’s firefighter, the grant program funds would afford our department the opportunity to purchase a new tanker without causing us to go grossly over the department’s tightly maintained budget. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides our department with an opportunity to better our daily operations without placing us under a huge financial burden. The fire department would be responsible for 5 percent of the cost of our total project. Local service organizations with charitable gaming would donate to our portion of the cost. The fire department also plans to continue having fund raising activities to supplement our operating budget. We are fortunate to have had great community support at our fundraisers in the past. We attribute that to being able to provide them with up to date and efficient protection. Financial Need ------------------ XXXX Fire Department 2007 Budget Salaries, Wages, Retirement-------------$37,598 Utilities, Building maintenance-----------$19,500 Insurance--------------------------------------$14,000 Fuel, Repair, Supplies ---------------------$19,300 Training-----------------------------------------$11,500 Communications-------------------------------$2,500 Miscellaneous and Other------------------$42,580 Total-------------------------------------------$146,978 City of XXXX 2007 Budget General Government----------------------$241,488 Police------------------------------------------$448,165 Public Works-----------------------------------$462,845 Parks & Recreation---------------------------$201,722 Planning & Zoning------------------------------$84,919 Airport -------------------------------------------$104,602 Library -------------------------------------------$164,182 Community Development-------------------$123,100 Fire Department-------------------------------$146,978 Total--------------------------------------------$1,978,001 The XXXX Fire Department depends on taxes for 100 percent of its funding. The City of XXXX is made up of 48 percent non-taxable entities. The City of XXXX has maintained a large budget without raising taxes sharply. As our equipment ages, the concern grows that one large repair can take a major cut into tightly maintained budget of the fire department. Cost Benefit --------------- The XXXX Fire Department’s request for a new NFPA compliant SCBA compressor and containment fill system would be very beneficial to not only our department but all of our neighboring departments who request our help. XXXX is centrally located within our mutual aid protection area making this equipment easy for others to use. We would be able to safely provide large volumes of compressed air with the ability to regenerate more air faster with the system, thus making the system extremely efficient and effective for an active fire or hazardous situation. Statement of Effect ----------------------- The XXXX Fire Department is made up of 30 members. 75 percent of our department is made up of firefighters who individually have 13 years or less experience. In the next couple of years, four more firefighters have indicated they intend to retire with qualifying years for retirement. Our department is constantly training on and updating as much equipment as the budget allows. With the young department that we currently are faced with, we feel that routine and consistent training on the operation of new equipment is essential to ensuring the safety of all who become involved with the fire department on a daily basis. Being properly trained by willing product representatives on the operation of new equipment will help ensure the safety of the responder and the general public. Our department can continue this training and enhance our ability to respond in a safe and timely manner with growing confidence. Replacing an old SCBA air compressor with a new and safer NFPA compliant SCBA air compressor and containment fill system will only build the XXXX Fire Department’s confidence in the ability to respond to an emergency situation of any kind. The Assistance to Firefighter Grant program has afforded several of our neighboring fire departments the ability to update their equipment or purchased new items that they probably would not have. This has built a much stronger working relationship with our mutual aid departments. Confidence and the ability to provide a service is key. We thank you for all of the support that you have shown not only our area but also the whole county. The XXXX Fire Department |
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