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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $102,273.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are authorized to accept a FY2017Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program award from the United States department of homeland security, in the amount of $102,273.00. Matching funds in the total amount of $10,227.00 to come from fund 110-150-1502-5241 (General Fund, Fire Department, Fire Operations, Small Equipment).
FURTHER RESOLVED, that proper city officials are authorized to execute a grant agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached, from the United States department of homeland security. $102,273.00 to be deposited in fund number 210-030-3199-4209-02 (Special Projects, Finance, Assistance to Firefighters, Direct Federal Grants Capital).
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the acceptance of a FY2017 AFG Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $102,273.00 with matching funds in the amount of $10,227.00 for the purchase of new fitness equipment for eight fire stations. The fitness equipment currently owned by the department is outdated and varies from station-to-station. With support from this grant, the fire department will purchase cardiovascular and weight lifting equipment for each station. This will allow the department to develop and implement a comprehensive health and wellness program and provide the fitness equipment for our firefighters to develop and maintain a state of fitness that increases their resistance to cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal injuries.
Nationally, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of non-traumatic death for firefighters. Injuries to the back and shoulder are among the top causes of serious injuries that firefighters are most likely to sustain. In addition, these have a significant negative financial impact on departments in the form of Worker’s Compensation and Disability claims. The City of Duluth conducted a health risk assessment survey in 2017 that indicated that 73% of employees are either overweight or obese (as compared to 66% from 2016), and 67% of our population has high blood pressure. Over 40% of healthcare claims made from City of Duluth employees including firefighters were for diabetes, heart disease, and joint degeneration, which can be prevented through diet and regular exercise. Compared with other similar municipalities and populations in Minnesota and regionally these numbers are staggering, and require solutions within our entire organization.