4.4. SR 10-08-2001TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and Council
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
Bruce A. West, Fire Chief
October 8, 2001
FEMA Grant Update
Item~ 4.4.
I would like to inform the Mayor and City Council that the grant application submitted
under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters
Grant Program for a fire prevention program has been approved. The approved project is
for $100,000. The federal share of the grant award is $90,000 and $10,000 is the city of Elk
River's share for grant award costs.
At this time, I would like to update the Council on the fire prevention program that was
submitted under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The primary focus of the
program will be educational with plans for a safe escape house and a tow vehicle to bring
this prevention program to all area schools, daycares, and area learning centers. The fire
prevention program will focus on the student population under age 14. Two areas of focus
will be "Hazards in the Home" as well as the "EDITH" program. The EDITH program
focuses on exit drills in the home.
The second phase of the prevention program is designed to implement a smoke detector
giveaway program. Our goal at the Elk River Fire Department is to have an installed and
working smoke detector in every home in Elk River. The senior citizen population continues
to rise in our community and has brought a heightened awareness of the 65 and older target
need for the smoke detector giveaway program. Part of the grant award funds would be
available to promote the smoke detector giveaway program via public expositions, flyers,
firefighters going door to door, as well as an inclusion on the city's web site.
The Elk River Fire Department is very excited about FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters
Grant Program Award approving our local fire prevention program application. This grant
award will give our existing fire prevention program an opportunity to expand the fire safety
education to students in the Elk River School system. The FEMA's Assistance to
Firefighters Grant Program received over 30,000 applications, of which 2,000 applications
were awarded grant funding. The Elk River Fire Department feels honored and privileged to
receive the grant award for our fire prevention program.
Action Requested
The city of Elk River is entering into a grant agreement with FEMA for the enhancement of
the fire department's public education program. Therefore, I am requesfng the city of Elk
River's portion of grant funding, which equals $10,000. The funding for the city of Elk River
match for the grant will come from 2001 Council Contingency budget. If you have any
questions on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Award, please feel free to call me
at the Elk River Fire Department (763) 441-4919. I will be in attendance at the October 8,
2001, meeting to address the Council on this issue.
USFA -- FOUR MINNESOTA FIRE DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE FIRE GRANTS IN TENTH ROUND Page 1 of 2
iress Beie es
ReLease No.: 01-2061YIN
Release Date: September 24, 2003_
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FOUR MINNESOTA FIRE DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE FIRE
GRANTS IN TENTH ROUND
WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
announced today four Minnesota fire departments would receive grants in the
tenth round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program. The fire
departments slated for the grants are:
· City of Red Wing Fire Dept., Red Wing; $66,862 for fire prevention
programs
· Vesta Fire Department, Vesta; $5,850 for fire fighting equipment
· City of Elk River Fire Department, Elk River; $90,000 fire prevention
programs
· Ddmson Area Volunteer Fire Department, Brimson; $29,656 for personal
protective equipment
These departments are among 158 fire departments across the United States
that will receive $9.4 million in grants in the tenth round of awards under the
Assistance to Firefighters Program. More than $917,500 of the funds in this
round are to be used for personal protective equipment, $3.5 million for fire
prevention programs, $246,600 for wellness and fitness programs, $4.7 million
for firefighting equipment and $117,500 for vehicles. More grants in these
categories will be announced before the end of September.
"Grants awarded for firefighting equipment will provide departments with some
of the most basic gear they need including hoses, ladders, and ventilation fans,"
said FEMA Director Joe M. AIIbaugh. "The President and I recognize when our
nation's fire departments have the equipment to maintain a high state of
readiness, our communities will be safer places to live and work."
"Modern equipment, active prevention programs, and personal wellness and
fitness programs are critical in increasing firefighter effectiveness and lowering
deaths and injuries. President Bush and I are pleased grants in these categories
will help fire departments buy this important lifesaving gear and acquire
relevant training," said FEMA Director Joe M. AIIbaugh.
The total assistance provided to date has now reached $82.2 million. FEMA will
distribute $100 million in grants through Sept. 30. Authorized last year by
Congress, the grants will reach rural, urban and suburban fire departments.
The grant applications are being processed by the U.S. Fire Administration and
reviewed by representatives from seven fire service organizations. In each
case, the federal grants will be supplemented by local funds.
http ://www.usfa. fema. gov/about/press/01-206mn.htm 9/25/2001