Agenda Item Wording:
title
Fire Department Grant Authorization - Authorize staff to submit a grant application for the 2024 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program for the replacement of eight (8) Automated External Defibrillator’s (AED’s) for Fire Department Administrative Vehicles in the amount of $18,538.79, to accept the grant and appropriate $18,538.79 if the grant is awarded.
body
Deadline for Action: 9/16/2024
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Dan Griswold, x4220; Tom Van Grouw, x4265; Crissy Balderama, x4513
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council authorize personnel to apply for the 2024 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program for the replacement of eight (8) AED’s for Fire Department Administrative Vehicles in the amount of $18,538.79. Staff also recommends Council authorizes staff to accept the grant and appropriate funds if awarded.
Background Discussion:
Cal Water recently opened its sixth annual Firefighter Grant Program applications to fire departments in its district, as part of its ongoing commitment to local first responders. Cal Water’s Firefighter Grant Program has provided more than $854,000 in grants to local fire departments since the program started in 2019. Grants last year ranged from $5,400 to $36,900 to fund fire protection efforts, equipment, training, and education.
Visalia Fire Department would like to request City Council authorization to apply for the replacement of eight (8) AED’s for Fire Department Administrative vehicles in the amount of $18,538.79. Current AED’s are over nine years old.
Personnel would like these AED’s in the following vehicles: ADM51 (EMS Coordinator), C50 (Fire Chief), B57 (Administrative Battalion Chief), B58 (A Shift Battalion Chief), B54 (B Shift Battalion Chief), B55 (C Shift Battalion Chief), P51 (Fire Marshal), and T55 (Administrative Training Captain).
When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, the clock is ticking. The faster that treatment is provided with CPR and the use of AED’s, the better the chances of survival. Each minute that goes by without treatment, decreases the chances of survival by 10 minutes. Due to their location within the City of Visalia, administrative fire personnel may be the first on scene to a cardiac incident. Whether CPR has been started by a lay person or not, it is extremely important to have AED’s ready and accessible when they are needed. A combination of high-quality CPR and early defibrillation are two factors increasing the survivability of a person suffering from cardiac arrest.
Fiscal Impact: If awarded, staff requests appropriation of $18,538.79 from the General Fund to purchase eight (8) AED’s. This amount will be reimbursed by the 2024 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny the request to apply for the 2024 Cal Water Firefighter Grant and consider this project during a future capital improvement program budget.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize personnel to apply for the 2024 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program for the replacement of eight (8) AED’s for Fire Department Administrative Vehicles in the amount of $18,538.79, authorize staff to accept the grant and appropriate $18,538.79 if awarded.
end
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: N/A