Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2013 -03 FEMA--fire equipment — reading text

knowledge and training to provide quality care without delay. Everyone at our department wants to make a difference in the lives of others and this technology will further that goal. Organizations throughout the entire region show a similar commitment to their community and are concerned about the health and safety of their firefighters. As they hear of our project and the great results we are having, they will no doubt follow suit. They will take advantage of the equipment already established in the dispatch center and make the changes in their stations to better the lives of many. Section n 4 In the space provided below include details regarding your organization' s request not covered in any other section. 3000 characters There are many labels that we could place on not having a complete cascade system at our second station. Call it a time waster. Call it a fuel waster. Call it a money waster. Or we can call it what it really is - a new risk to the safety of our citizens; that is truly the driving force behind this project. The other benefits we will reap will be an additional bonus. By receiving funding through this grant process, we will continue to show our citizens that they are what matters most. The current method of station alerting is truly hazardous to ones health. That is why one manufacturer of the new system describes their ramped alert as " heart saver' tones. It may be difficult to truly understand how wearisome the alerting system can be unless you experience it for yourself. But imagine that someone sneaks up behind you and blows a horn, randomly about 10 -20 times throughout the day and night. That' s basically what firefighters experience every shift during their entire career. We must complete this project to take away this health hazard. Our organization is progressive in every aspect of our job and we view ourselves as industry leaders in the area. The new communications equipment and alerting system will bring us into 21 st century technology and allow us to expand into future technologies. The effects of this project extend far beyond our 36 members. The foreseeable unity among the region will create a safer working environment for hundreds of those who save lives every day and the City of Fort Walton Beach Fire Department is proud to lead the way. View Operations and Firefighter Safety - Modify Facilities Modify Facilities Details 1. On what type of modification will the funds be spent? Source Capture Exhaust System( s) Please provide further description of the item selected from the drop down list. The direct source capture exhaust filtration systems we need to purchase will be mounted on each apparatus. This eliminates the large expense of https: / /eservices. fema. gov/ FemaFireGrant/firegrant/jsp/ fire2Ol2 /applicationiprint_app.jsp ?print= we &app_ nu... 1/ 4/ 2013 Application Number: EMW- 2012 -FO -02509 Page 14 of 2, remodeling our 2 stations to install ventilation equipment with bulky hoses that hang from the roof of the engine bay that in themselves become a hazard. These systems are retrofitted onto the apparatus and can be used wherever it is driven. 2. If you are installing an exhaust system, how many vehicles do you plan on attaching to the system ( only include currently owned vehicles or vehicles on 4 order - do not include equipment for future capacity)? 3. Does the facility you wish to modify have a drive through bay? Yes 4. Number of units. 4 ( wholanumberonlyf 5. Cost per unit: 9050 ( whole dollar amounts only) 6. What is the age of the facility that is being modified? 31 years 7. What type of facility will be modified? Station( s) with sleeping quarters (to include marine fire facilities) 8. What is the level of occupancy for the facility you wish to modify? Note: Full- Time( 24/ 7) The occupancy is defined by the number of hours the facility is used within a single 24 hour time period. Firefighting Modify Facilities - Narrative Section # 1 Project Description: In the space provided below include clear and concise details regarding your organization' s project' s description and budget. This includes providing local statistics to justify the needs of your department and a detailed plan for how your department will implement the proposed project. Further, please describe what you are requesting funding for including budget descriptions of the major budget items, i. e., personnel, equipment, contracts, etc.? * 3000 characters An assessment conducted revealed the need for direct source capture of diesel exhaust by installing filtration systems on each apparatus. These systems eliminate harmful toxins from diesel exhaust particles and improve the air quality of the engine bay as well as the living quarters. One of our apparatus, the 78' ladder truck, has a version of this system while the rest of our fleet does not provide this protection. A simple visual comparison of the exhaust expelled by each made us evermore aware of the health risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA) states, " Diesel exhaust is a pervasive airborne contaminant in workplaces where diesel -powered equipment is used ". Our department is manned 24/7/ 365 so we have sleeping quarters and living areas. The doors that access the station from the engine bay lead directly to those areas, allowing contaminants to accumulate inside, on our beds where we sleep and in the kitchen where we prepare our food. According to an EPA report, inhaling diesel exhaust, over time can cause cancer in humans. Epidemiological studies suggest that lung cancer increases about 33 -47% in occupational exposures to diesel exhaust. The Journal of American Medical Association states that those with prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust including soot and sulfur oxides face a health risk of fatal lung cancer similar to that of someone living with a chain smoker. The New England Journal of Medicine released a study finding that vehicle exhaust not only causes long -term health problems but also may trigger heart attacks. Currently, at our main station, we have two exhaust fans in the roof of the engine bay approximately 30 feet above the floor to remove exhaust fumes in conjunction with air currents. This practice of dilution ventilation doesn' t capture the emissions at the source and given the distance between the source of the exhaust and the fans, suffice to say, they are ineffective. Our second station relies solely on natural air currents. The Industrial Ventilation Guide states that dilution ventilation should normally be used for contamination control only when source capture is impractical. Source capture exhaust " is the preferred method of control because it is more effective" OSHA sets standards for permissible exposure limits ( PEL) for toxins associated with diesel exhaust. Testing performed on direct source capture systems shows that the emissions released after installation fall well below the PEL set by OSHA. The International Building Code addresses the issue by stating, " areas in which stationary motor vehicles are operated shall be provided with a source capture system that connects directly to the motor vehicle exhaust system ". These systems will be retrofitted onto each apparatus and will do just that, creating a safer environment for all who call this fire house their home. https:// eservices. fema.govIFemaFireGranYfiregrangi splfire20l2lapplicationlprint_app.jsp ?print= true &app_nu... 1/ 4/ 201  Page 15 of 24 Application Number: EMW- 2012 -FO -02509 The budget for this request is as follows: 36,200 4 — Exhaust filtration systems.. .......................... . _........................ $ Section q 2 Cost/Benefit: In the space provided below please explain, as clearly as possible, what will be the benefits your department or your community will realize if the project described is funded ( i. e. anticipated savings and /or efficiencies)? Is there a high benefit for the cost incurred? Are the costs reasonable? Provide justification for the budget items relating to the cost of the requested items. ` 3000 characters We use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus ( SCBA' s) at fires to protect our lungs from smoke and contaminants but we've been subjected to toxic fumes in our own firehouse when sleeping, eating and on standby. Vehicle mounted direct source capture will reduce the exposure of firefighters to known carcinogens to near zero without the tremendous expense of station remodeling and bulky hoses to attach to exhaust pipes. The expense of medical claims, workman' s compensation claims and lost work time will be tremendous when the health effects from this known hazard become apparent. Those expenses incurred even for one firefighter will tar exceed the cost of equipping our entire fleet with these direct source capture filtration systems. We cannot afford for this to be brought upon a budget that is already at its breaking point. The cost of this project pales in comparison to the health benefits derived from installing these systems. If we did not complete this project, the impression would be that there is a monetary value that can be placed on the health of each member of this department. That is not the perception that we wish to give. Equipment will always have a cost but, when we analyze the big picture, the monetary savings is evident and the long -term benefits will be seen in the health and lives of every firefighter and citizen of Fort Walton Beach. Section 8 3 Statement of Effect: How would this award affect the daily operations of your department (i. e., describe how frequently the equipment will be used or what the benefits will provide the personnel in your department)? How would this award affect your department' s ability to protect lives and property in your community? * 3000 characters A requirement by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health states to "reduce emissions to the lowest feasible level to limit impact on human life." That is in agreement with OSHA standards and recommendations by the National Fire Protection Association. Upon completion of this project we will be in compliance with those agencies that warn of the health hazards associated with diesel exhaust. When notified of an emergency, each firefighter rapidly dons their protective gear before climbing into the apparatus. While doing so one, is inundated with diesel exhaust; that will no longer occur