Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Department Grant Authorization - Authorize staff to apply for the 2025 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program to purchase four Battery Powered Positive Pressure Ventilation fans and an extra battery for $28,366.24, accept the grant, and appropriate $28,366.24 from the General Fund if the grant is awarded.
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Prepared by: Dan Griswold, Fire Chief (559) 713-4220, dan.griswold@visalia.gov; Crissy Balderama, Senior Administrative Analyst (559) 713-4513, crissy.balderama@visalia.gov.
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council authorize personnel to apply for the 2025 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program for the purchase of four (4) battery powered positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fans for Fire Department apparatus in the amount of $28,366.24. Staff also recommends Council authorize staff to accept the grant and appropriate funds if awarded.
Summary:
As part of their ongoing commitment to local first responders, Cal Water has opened their seventh annual Firefighter Grant Program application to fire departments in its district. Cal Water’s Firefighter Grant Program has provided more than $1,029,000 in grants to local fire departments since the program started in 2019. Grants were awarded to seven applicants in 2024 totaling $175,000 to fund fire protection efforts, equipment, training, and education.
Visalia Fire Department would like to request the City Council’s authorization to apply for the purchase of four (4) battery powered positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fans in the amount of $28,366.24.
Background Discussion:
Firefighters use fans to conduct positive pressure ventilation to remove the heat, gas, and smoke from a burning building during fire attack and rescue efforts. The removal of these elements creates a more tenable environment and increases visibility for firefighters and potential victims. Positive pressure ventilation fans are also used to remove dust, fumes, odors and carbon monoxide from confined spaces.
The fire department has one engine that already has a battery-powered fan, and the remaining five front-line engines are equipped with gasoline-powered ventilation fans. Approving this grant application request would facilitate replacing the remaining gas-powered fans with battery-powered fans. Battery-powered fans are preferred over gas-powered fans as they require little maintenance, reliably start, and do not require special fuel/oil mix to operate, saving operating costs. Additionally, battery-powered fans do not produce the toxic carbon monoxide gas that gas-powered fans produce. Gas-powered fans are effective at removing smoke and other products of combustion from an area. However, gas-powered fans do introduce carbon monoxide gas into the environment. This tradeoff is acceptable during a structure fire. However, for incidents requiring the removal of less-toxic smoke from an interior area of a structure, adding carbon monoxide to the environment does not make the situation better. Battery-powered fans do not produce any toxic fumes and therefore can be used more readily in any environment.
Fiscal Impact: This project is in the planning years of the capital improvement project (CIP) budget. If awarded, staff requests appropriation of $28,366.24 from the General Fund to purchase four (4) battery powered positive pressure ventilation fans and an extra battery for each. This amount will be reimbursed by the 2025 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program and eliminate the need to consider during the CIP budgeting process.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny the request to apply for the 2025 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 2025 Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program for the replacement of four (4) battery powered positive pressure ventilation fans and an extra battery in the amount of $28,366.24, to authorize staff to accept the grant, and to appropriate $28,366.24 from the General Fund if awarded.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 11/3/2025
Attachments: VFD Quote_QO363209