Findlay to pursue grant for firefighter equipment

FINDLAY — Findlay is pursuing grant funding that, if awarded, would cover most of the cost of a new decontamination unit for the fire department. In a letter to Findlay City Council, dated July 7, Service-Safety Director Rob Martin said the city's 2025 capital improvement plan has already allocated $44,000 for the purchase of the equipment, and associated electric and water line installation needed for its operation. The decontamination unit is expected to cost about $36,000. However, grants offered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation could cover most of the expense. Martin said the bureau offers two grant programs that provide funding for firefighter health and safety: the Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) and the Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant (FEEEG). If eligible, SIG funds up to $40,000, and would require the city to match 25% of the equipment cost ($6,000) and installation costs. FEEEG offers up to $15,000 over three years, with the city's match being 17% of the equipment cost ($6,120). "... Our local match and any required installation costs would be paid from the capital improvement fund as previously planned," said Martin. "Securing grant funding would result in significant savings and reduce the city's financial obligation for this important safety project." Council voted to rush through legislation to authorize city administrators to pursue the grants at its regular meeting on July 15. The vote was 10-0. The decontamination unit would be for the cleaning of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). SCBAs provide an independent supply of breathable air in hazardous environments. They protect firefighters from deadly gases, smoke and carcinogens, ensure breathable air and allow them to operate in dense smoke. SCBAs require decontamination to prevent serious health risks and maintain equipment integrity. Fire smoke contains numerous carcinogens that cling to SCBA surfaces. These can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin, leading to long-term health issues.