Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR DRIVER TRAINING FOR FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,040.90.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are authorized to accept a fiscal year 2021 (FY2021) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program award from the United States Department of Homeland Security, in the amount of $42,040.90 to be deposited in fund number 210-030-3209-4209 (special projects, finance, assistance to firefighters, direct federal grants). Matching funds in the total amount of $4,204.10 to come from fund 110-150-1502-5205 (general fund, fire department, fire operations, safety & training materials).
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the acceptance of a FY2021 AFG Program grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $42,040.90 to expand current training for firefighters and develop a driver instruction program that meets National Fire Protection Association guidelines. The activities funded by this grant will include and emergency vehicle operations course training conducted by St. Cloud State University’s MN Highway Safety & Research Center and instructor-led training with an emergency vehicle driving simulator.
Duluth’s unique terrain not only stresses our apparatus but presents additional challenges when traveling to a location. Of the 450 miles of roadway within Duluth, over 16 miles has a 6% road grade or higher. Not only do our firefighters need to know how to operate apparatus safely and effectively, they need to know how to travel through Duluth’s challenging roadways.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and U.S. Fire Administration show that, while fire emergency vehicle accidents account for a small percentage of overall firefighter injuries, they are the second leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters. Furthermore, 70% of those vehicle accidents occurred during emergency response. This formal driver training program will standardize knowledge and build firefighter skills, better equipping them to respond to our community’s needs. Once implemented, our formal vehicle operations driving program will directly impact our community, minimizing risk during emergency response. In addition, operational costs will be reduced as a result of safe and efficient drivers.