HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-173MAY 12, 2009 09 -173 RESOLUTION
CARRIED 6 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: AUTHORIZE FIRE ACT GRANT APPLICATION / DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY THROUGH FEMA FOR FUNDING FOR
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR ETHANOL
FIRES
INITIATED BY: FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland Security through FEMA has opened
applications for Fire Act Grants; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh Fire Department has identified the need to improve
Fire Department capabilities for dealing with ethanol fires and will apply for funds to
purchase firefighting foam that is compatible with alcohol and the necessary equipment for
applying it to ethanol fires; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the project is no more than $112,000.00 and the City is
required to provide a local cost share of 20% which is $22,400.00 which would be
budgeted for in the 2010 capitol outlay;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council for the City of
Oshkosh that City staff is hereby authorized to submit a grant application for a Fire Act
Grant under the Department of Homeland Security, through FEMA, in an amount not to
exceed $112,000.00 for firefighting foam that is compatible with alcohol and the necessary
equipment for applying it to an ethanol fire.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper City officials are hereby authorized
and directed to execute any and all documents required for purposes of the same, and are
further authorized and directed, if said grant is awarded, to accept such funds, pursuant to
the terms of the grant application.
CITY HALL
215 Church Avenue
P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
54903 -1130 City of Oshkosh
—
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
MEMORANDUM
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
Tim Franz, Fire Chief
May 6, 2009
Permission to Apply for Fire Act Grant
BACKGROUND
The Department of Homeland Security, through the' Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
has opened the application period for Fire Act Grants. These competitive grants are available for fire
department equipment. Through these grants, in the past six years, we have purchased new breathing
apparatus, exhaust ventilation systems, and radios. In this grant period, we would like to seek funding to
upgrade our capabilities to deal with ethanol fires.
ANALYSIS
Ethanol is a component in most automotive fuels and it is delivered and sold in this city. The nearby
ethanol plant also places a higher number of bulk shipments by truck through our city. Liquid fires require
foam to extinguish and our current foam is designed for hydrocarbons such as diesel fuel and gasoline.
Alcohol is water soluble, which requires a special foam concentrate to successfully extinguish. The funds
we are requesting from this grant would purchase fire fighting foam that is compatible with alcohol and
the necessary equipment for applying it to fires.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of this project will total no more than $112,000. The grant requires a 20% local cost share, which
would be $22,400, and would be budgeted for in 201'0 capital outlay. The remainder would be funded by
the grant.
RECCOMENDATION
We recommend that the Council grant us permission to apply for this grant as this alcohol -based fire
equipment is needed. The opportunity exists to obtain it at a lower cost to local taxpayers.
Respectfully submitte ,
Timothy Franz
Fire Chief
Approved:
Mark A. Rohloff
City Manager
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