Project

This request for funding is to allow the Read Mountain Fire and Rescue Department to purchase much needed PPE for our firefighters. We currently have on roster 45 firefighters that run on a regular basis. Our Community has a vested interest in each and every one of our firefighters. Their personal protection is vital to their continued service to our community. Our Department proposes to replace 88% of our firefighters PPE thru the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Process. Through fund raisers and donations we are hoping to replace 40 sets of PPE with the assistance of this grant request.

Plan
Our overall plan is to replace 40 of the 45 sets of gear currently in use in order to provide a safer and more efficient fire ground environment. Our current budget requirements only allow us to purchase/replace 4-5 sets a year. With the assistance of a grant we plan to replace older gear that has been in service past the NFPA recommended life of PPE for structural firefighting as well as gear worn and damaged due to firefighting activities. The plan includes replacing complete sets of turnout gear including helmet, turnout coat, turnout pants, suspenders, boots, gloves and protective hood.
During an inspection of current PPE we found that 88% of gear currently in service was either out of date or damaged and in need of costly repair. In the past we have tried to have gear repaired, however repairs seem to be repeated and not cost effective after awhile. We are making every effort to provide the very best PPE we can for our members. While complete PPE sets are a major investment we feel it is necessary due to the enormous investment each member is to the community, as well as their safe return to their families after a response to assist another in a fire emergency.

Financial Need

We cannot currently fund this project entirely on our donations and small contribution from the local government. Currently we have shown a decline in our yearly fund drive that we contribute to the overall downturn in the economy. Our average budget is about $85,000.00 a year and as you can see this project would use up 94% of our average annual budget to complete without the assistance of this grant.


Project Benefit

By providing our firefighters with the proper PPE we reduce the opportunity for injuries on the fire ground and the possibility of firefighter fatalities. Thus the service we provide to the community remains intact and firefighters can remain focused on the safety of those we respond to protect and their property.

• First and foremost are the health, safety and welfare of the firefighters who rely on this equipment everyday. Without this equipment, the community is at risk if sub-par equipment prevents firefighters from doing their jobs.
• This will result in reducing the likelihood of injuries and reducing the cost of these injuries to the taxpayers.
• Decreasing the costs to insurance companies for fire loss due to our increased ability to mitigate fires.
• The cost of this program is $80,000.00, a small price to pay to provide our firefighters with safe turnout gear. If a firefighter is injured the costs are not only monetary but emotional.
• Delaying these purchases will result in higher costs in the future. Manufacturers report that prices increase, on average, 3%-5% per year.

With the purchase of the new turnout gear the potential for firefighter injuries is greatly reduced. If our firefighters continue to wear the older worn gear, there is a greater chance of injury due to the fact the turnout gear cannot protect them fully.

Closing

The awarding of this grant to our department would greatly reduce the risk of firefighter injury and death due to outdated and worn equipment. The community would benefit from a more efficient and safer department resulting in lower insurance liability and reduced taxpayer costs from injury expenses and time lost from volunteer’s jobs.

To safeguard our firefighters requires the replacement of damaged and outdated turnout gear. To do so requires the kind of assistance provided by the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The Read Mountain Fire and Rescue Department hopes that you will consider this worth while project and provide funding to make it a reality.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our request for grant funding to replace our PPE.