WINNING NARRATIVE 2004
The XXXXX Fire Department is located 235 miles southwest of
Minneapolis/St.Paul and serves a community with a population of 260.
The project that you are requesting to be funded.
After a risk assessment and analysis, the XXXXX Fire Department
is seeking funds from the Fire Fighting Vehicle Program for a new
Pumper. The project consists of the replacement of two existing unsafe
trucks which are a 26 year old pumper and a 50 year old pumper. The 50
year old pumper needs to be replaced and taken out of service due to
the fact that it is non-compliant, un-safe and does not meet the 1901
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). standards The new pumper
that we would like to purchase would be 1901 NFPA compliant. We would
use a standard chassis with a diesel engine and a load range that would
perform as expected and reduce concern for firefighter safety over the
life of the truck. We would go with the standard pump which would be a
1250 gpm (gallon per minute) pump. Also, it would have foam
capabilities on board. A 1000 gallon water tank would be a request as
we are a rural community and we need to carry our own water to the
majority of our coverage area. Certain equipment is required by the
manufacturer so that the unit is 1901 NFPA compliant; the unit would be
equipped so that we are compliant. Examples of the equipment would be a
ladder, axes, intake hoses, and nozzles.
How you plan to use the grant funds for each major budget activity as
listed on budget form.
We propose to purchase this new pumper at a cost of $178,000.00. Of
this amount we have been able to come up with $55,000.00 through annual
contribution to a truck fund over the last 10 years. The money raised
would cover the 10% matching share plus an additional 15% that would
leave a balance of $123,000.00. This would help improve our service as
well as improve the safety for department members and the community
with a pumper that does more with added reliability.
Fema Fire Act Grant........$178,000.00
10% Match.......................$17,800.00
Additional Funds...............$37,200.00
Total...............................$123,000.00
Why this program would be beneficial to your community and/or your
department.
The main reason that we are looking for a replacement pumper is
safety to our firefighters. With all the large exposures we have to
protect, we need reliable equipment that will allow us to do a
reasonable job in the event of fire or rescue call. The fire chiefs
need to know that if they send firefighters into a structure that the
equipment that supports them, is capable of protecting them without
problems. We do not have this assurance with the non-compliant vehicles
we have. The community will benefit in the fact that it will be our
main piece of equipment for fire protection, as we have a large grain
handling and feed processing elevator, one fertilizer plant,one
petroleum and propane plant, machine shop, lumberyard, electric motor
shop, gas station, bank, church, telephone service and locker plant in
our business district. We have structures that house dangerous elements
when put under fire conditions and we need a reliable pumper so that
interior fire fighters can feel confident in their support vehicle.
Also, this pumper would benefit surrounding communities as we have
mutual aid agreements with them. One of our neighboring communities has
a large plastic processing plant. Also, two neighboring communities
have large fertilizer and chemical plants which border on our coverage
area. In the event of fire conditions in these structures we would be
called. We also have many farmsteads with large buildings in and around
our area which we protect.
Why this project cannot be funded solely through local funding.
The XXXXX Fire Department works on a small budget with the City
of XXXXX and four townships paying for fire protection. But by the
time we pay for fuel, maintenance, and training there is very little
left to upgrade. We take steps each year to seek funding by having a
fund-raiser put on by the department. One of the biggest problems with
funding is that our tax base remains the same but expenses continue to
climb. Budget cuts also do not allow for increase in our budget on our
truck fund. The price of vehicles continue to climb faster than our
ability to gain funds, and as time goes on, our other vehicles continue
to age. With the use of grant funds, we can spread our dollars out over
a longer period of time which will help us to try and continue to raise
money needed to keep our XXXXX Fire Department dependable and up to
date. We have approached the City of XXXXX and the townships for
assistance to help purchase a new pumper. Both the city and the
townships realize that support is needed and have pledged to help with
the 10% matching grant if we are successful in receiving the grant.
Any additional relevant information that you would like us to consider
when evaluating your
application.
The XXXXX Fire Department seeks FEMA grant funds to assist our
fire department in adequately fighting fires and performing rescue
operations. The application requests funding for a new pumper. This
project will update the Lismore Fire Department to meet NFPA standards
and also help with mutual aid to surrounding communities.
The XXXXX Fire Department is located 235 miles southwest of
Minneapolis/St.Paul and serves a community with a population of 260.
Our service area extends into 4 townships with a population of 650. The
need to improve and update our pumper is a tremendous concern, not only
for the safety of our firefighters, but also for the communities and
surrounding townships we protect.
The XXXXX Fire Department thanks you for your consideration in reading
our application.