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C. 4

To:	Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors
From:	Jeff Carman, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Date:	November 13, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant - Decon Saunas

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/13/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, Director
Candace Andersen, Director
Diane Burgis, Director
Karen Mitchoff, Director
Federal D. Glover, Director

Contact:

Elizabeth Patterson, Fiscal Officer 925-941-3300 x 1302

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 13, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to apply for and accept grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Assistance to Firefighters Grant, in an amount not to exceed $126,000, for the purchase of decontamination saunas and related equipment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total costs would be approximately $140,000 with a 10% local agency cost sharing requirement. The federal share of the grant would be $126,000 and the District’s share would be $14,000.

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The funds provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. AFG has three activities: Operations and Safety, Vehicle Acquisition, and Regional Projects.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is applying to host a regional grant, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) will be a regional participant. The District plans to purchase 17 firefighter decontamination saunas along with a stationary bicycle for each sauna and related supplies. These are for use by fire personnel returning back to the fire station after firefighting activities. The saunas will allow firefighters to sweat out the toxins and carcinogens that had been gathering in their pores. A growing body of research and data shows that job-related exposures contribute to chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Saunas are a new approach being tried out by fire agencies in the United States and abroad to help reduce the harm of job-related exposures.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The District currently has a few stations equipped with decontamination saunas, but access is limited for firefighters not assigned to those stations. Without this grant, the District's personnel will continue to have limited access to a new tool that may improve their health and longevity.