Ohio City Seeks Federal Money to Replace Equipment

Jan. 10--The city of Franklin has applied for a federal grant to help cover the cost of a new fire truck as well as equipment the fire chief says contributes to the health and safety of firefighters.

The city is seeking funds through a 2016 federal Assistance to Firefighter grant that would cover 95 percent of the more than $640,000 in equipment and vehicle costs for the fire department.

If the city is awarded the grant, it would be responsible for 5 percent -- or about $32,000 -- of the cost, according to Fire Chief Jonathan Westendorf.

"Franklin has been successful in its applications for this funding," Westendorf said. "Over the years the city has received more than $1 million in funding."

In this year's application, the largest amount being sought is $580,500 to replace a 1991 Ford Saulsberry heavy rescue truck, which Westendorf said is outdated and has parts not available for repairs.

Plans call for replacement of the heavy rescue truck by 2018 with a combination pumper and rescue apparatus that will more closely match the needs of the city and its combined fire/EMS operation, according to Westendorf.

The department is also looking to install Ward Diesel Filter Systems at a cost of $36,165 on all of its medic units. The equipment, which was installed several years ago on all the city's fire apparatus, prevents diesel fume toxins from entering the bay when a vehicle is pulled out for a run or is backing up after returning to the station. It also prevents the toxins from getting into the station's HVAC system and affecting other personnel.

The city is also seeking $9,000 in grant money for a large sauna with four exercise bikes as part of the grant application.

The sauna would help the firefighter's health and well-being in the prevention of cancer, Westendorf said. The sauna would allow four firefighters to use the exercise bikes in the sauna to help cleanse their pores of contaminants they may have been exposed to, he said.

The last item being sought in this year's grant is a PowerCot to replace the one remaining manual cot that was inherited when the city separated from the Joint Emergency Medical Services District. The city wants to replace that unit with a power version to protect crews from lifting injuries as well as improve patient safety, Westendorf said. The estimated cost for the PowerCot is $15,000.

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FEDERAL GRANTS

Assistance to Firefighters grants awarded to Franklin:

2002: $185,200 for CPAT and Flashover Simulator

2005: $304,374 for SCBA Hazard House and prevention items

2006: $205,026 for turnout gear

2008: $74,035 for rescue tools

2009: $50,000 for Ward Diesel Filters

2010: $52,696 for Compressor Portacount Gear Grid

2012: $38,729 for heart monitor EMS supplies cot

2014: $129,951 for heat monitor CPR Device Cot loaders*

Total awards amount: $1,040,011 (includes local 5 percent share)

* The 2014 grant application was awarded at the end of 2015 and those funds are included in the 2016 fire budget for purchase.

SOURCE: City of Franklin Division of Fire & EMS

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