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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Firemans Fund GrantCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 12 December 9, 2008 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Fire Department Steve Lewis, Fire Chief, 644 -3101, slewis(a)nbfd.net SUBJECT: Accept Fireman's Fund Grant RECOMMENDATION: City Council accept the Fireman's Fund Heritage Reward Grant in the amount of $25,000.00. $20,000 will be used to purchase two Thermal Imaging Cameras and $5000 will be used towards the purchase of a CERT vehicle. 2. Approve a sole source contract with AIIStar Fire Equipment Inc. with an amount not to exceed $20,000.00 for the Thermal Imaging Cameras. 3. City Council approve a Budget Amendment BA increasing revenue estimates by $25,000.00 in 2320 -4914 and appropriating those funds into Fire Department account 2320-82007. DISCUSSION: In 2004, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company launched the Fireman's Fund Heritage program. Under this program, the Fireman's Fund awards grant money to fire departments and bum prevention programs across the country to help fund education programs and equipment. The Newport Beach Fire Department has been selected to receive a grant of $20,000 to purchase two thermal imaging cameras (TICS) and $5000 towards the purchase of a vehicle for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Thermal imaging cameras are one of the most useful tools in the fire service today. TICS allow the fire department to quickly determine the location of hot spots on investigation calls where the reporting party has a smell of smoke or a hot surface. They also minimize the damage done to the structures during the investigation process. With the addition of these two cameras, the department will now have a TIC on all eight first line engines in the City. The additional funds will be used in conjunction with other grants to purchase an education vehicle for the CERT program. Currently, we have a CERT training trailer that is equipped with supplies and visual aids that enable us to educate and train Accept Fireman's Fund Grant December 9, 2008 Page 2 residents for disasters. However, we do not have a vehicle that can tow the trailer, so we are limited in our education outreach efforts. Utilizing grant funds to purchase a vehicle, would allow us to take the CERT program "on the road ". That way we could bring the CERT program to schools, businesses, homeowner associations and any other requesting group in the City. Most importantly, the CERT vehicle and trailer could be mobilized in the event of a disaster. No matching funds are required to accept this grant. Prepared by: Q&Eing - fk Emergency Services oordinator Attachments: Budget Amendment Submitted by: Steve Lewis Fire Chief