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Home My WebLink AboutRES 197 Draft 01 2004-2006 ~tv os M~ Ids. COUNTY OF HAWAII s• STATE OF HAWAII - •'~1! p~~Mr~: RESOLUTION NO. 19'7 U5 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PURSUANT TO HRS 46- 7, FOR THE ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FOR THE HAWAII COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Domestic Preparedness, through its FY 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, has authorized funding to the Hawaii County Fire Department; and WHEREAS, along with the County's share, the funds will be used to purchase and install venting systems for all of the department's fire stations, for the ultimate goal of reduction or elimination of personnel's exposure to exhaust fumes generated by fire apparatuses and ambulances; and WHEREAS, one of the goals of installing the vehicle exhaust removal system is to protect fire personnel from the cancer causing effects of vehicles exhaust emissions generated by the apparatus during startup, return, and routine testing in the fire station; and WHEREAS, the other goal is to comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1500 Standards and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Guide for chemical hazards; and WHEREAS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 46-7, requires that county departments obtain the consent of the council to enter into agreements with the federal or state governments respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by law to furnish, expend, and receive any funds or other assistance in connection with projects being or to be undertaken pursuant to those powers. N010V, THEREF®RE, IT ICES®LVED ~Y THE C®~NCIE ®F THE COIJNl`Y ®F I~A,VU~41`I, in accordance with section ~46-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that the Mayor of the County of Hawaii is authorized to execute, on behalf of the County, an agreement and related documents, to enable the County to use fihe Assistance to Firefighters grant funds to purchase and install venting systems for all fire stations as mentioned in tho agreement articles, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit "A". 13E IT Fl1RTHEl~ RCS®L,VI~~i that the County Clerk of the County of Hawaii shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Office of the Mayor, the Finance and Fire Departments. Dated at ~ ~ ,Hawaii, this 22nd day of 1Vc~v~nbex' , 2005. INTRODUCED BY: _ ~ 4~~ ~1 ! A ~ t ~ _.~7 .1S i l~ ~ ~ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII C~UUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE Ccninty of 1-la~tiai`i Hilo, Hawaii AYES NOES ARS I:X AIZAKAKI X I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the I nG A X ~~ote indicated to the right hereof adopte~~! by the COUNCIL of HOPFMANN X the Cuunty of Hawaii on November 22, 2005. IIOLSCIIUH X IKhUA X AT~~ES~r ISl3fil,1_ .IncOE3so~ X r~l>r.A~x~ X S,~F~1R[K X 9 0 0 0 Ret~ r;~nre C-506/F'C-17 7 COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN P~. PRESIDING OFFlCE2 RESd)€_ U~f10N NO. ~ Panel Review y~yAR? ,y`r ~ U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Domestic Preparedness Washington, D.C. 20531 ND 5~~ Mr. Darryl Oliveira Hawaii County Fire Department 25 Aupuni Street #103 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4245 Re: Grant No.EMW-2005-FG-15741 Dear Mr. Oliveira: Congratulations, on behalf of Office of State and Local Govemment Coordination and Preparedness, in collaboration with the U.S. Fire Administration at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Your grant application submitted under the FY 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant has been approved. The approved project costs amount to $507,520.00. The Federal share is $406,016.00 of the approved amount and your share of the costs is $101,504.00. As part of your award package, you will find Grant Agreement Articles. Please make sure you read and understand the Articles as they outline the terms and conditions of your Grant award. Maintain a copy of these documents for your official file. You establish acceptance of the Grant and Grant Agreement Artlcles when you request and receive any of the Federal Grant funds awarded to you. The first step in requesting your grant funds is to confirm your correct Direct Deposit Information. Please go on-line to the AFG eGrants system at www.firegrantsupport.com and if you have not done so, complete and submit your SF 1199A, Direct Deposit Sign-up Fonn. Please forward the original, completed SF 1199A, Direct Deposit Sign-up Form, signed by your organization and the banking institution to the address below: Department of Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (FEMA) Grants Management Branch 500 C Street, SW, Room 334 Washington, DC 20472 Attn: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program After your SF 1199A is reviewed and you receive an email indicating the form is approved, you will be able to request payments online. Remember, you should basically request funds when you have an immediate cash need (i.e. you have a bill in-hand that is due within 30 days). If you have any questions or concerns regarding the process to request your grant funds, please call 1-877-510-6762. Sincerely, Matt A.Mayer Acting Executive Director Office of State and Local Govemment Coordination and Preparedness EXHIBIT "A" https://portaLfema.gov/firegranUj sp/fire_admin/awards/spec/view_awazd~ackage.do?agreement... 10/10/2005 Panel Kevrew Agreement Articles .Y do U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20531 lfJP11 S6 AGREEMENT ARTICLES ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM -Operations and Safety program GRANTEE: Hawaii County Fire Department PROGRAM: Operations and Safety AGREEMENT NUMBER: EMW-2005-FG-15741 AMENDMENT NUMBER: TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I Project Description Article II Grantee Concurrence Article III Period of Performance Article IV Amount Awarded Article V Requests for Advances or Reimbursements Article VI Budget Changes Article VII Financial Reporting Article VIII Perforrnance Reports ArfiGe IX DHS Officials Article X Other Terms and Conditions Article XI General Provisions Article XII Audit Requirements Article I -Project Description The grantee shall perform the work described in the approved grant application's Program Narrative. That narrative is made a part of these grant agreement articles by reference. The purpose of the Assistance to Firefighters Program is to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. After careful consideration, DHS has determined that the grantee's project, as detailed in submitted project narrative and budget information, submitted as part of the grantee's application (and considered part of this agreement by reference), was consistent with the program's purpose and worthy of award. As such, any material deviation from the approved program narrative must have prior written approval. Article II -Grantee Concurrence https://portal.fema.gov/firegrandjsp/fire_admin/awards/spec/view_award_package.do?agreement... 10/10/2005 Panel Review By requesting and receiving Federal grant funds provided by this grant program, the grantee accepts and agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of the grant as set forth in this document and the documents identified below. All documents submitted as part of the application are made a part of this agreement by reference. Article III -Period of Performance The period of performance shall be from 30SEP-05 to 29SEP-06. The grant funds are available to the grantee for obligation only during the period of Performance of the grant award. The grantee is not authorized to incur new obligations after the expiration date unless the grantee has requested, and DHS has approved, a new expiration date. The grantee has 90 days after period of pertormance to incur costs associated with closeout or to pay for obligations incurred during period of performance. Award expenditures are for the purposes detailed in the approved grant application only. The grantee cannot transfer funds or assets purchased with grant funds to other agencies or departments without prior written approval from DHS. Article IV -Amount Awarded The amount of the award is detailed on the Obligating Document for Award attached to these articles. Following are the budgeted estimates for object classes for this grant (inGuding Federal share plus grantee match): Personnel $0.00 Fringe Benefits $0.00 Travel $0.00 Equipment $280,200.00 Supplies $20,000.00 Contractual $196,000.00 Construction $0.00 Other $71,320.00 Indirect Charges $0.00 Total $507,520.00 Article V -Requests for Advances or Reimbursements Grant payments under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program are made on an advance or reimbursable basis for immediate cash needs. When the grantee needs grant funds and has obtained a user acceunt, the grantee fills out the orT~-line Request for Advance or Reimbursement. If the grantee has not obtained a user account, an account may be obtained by calling the help desk at 1-866-274-0960. Article VI -Budget Changes Generally, changes in the budget-line items are permitted, as long as the original program narrative is accomplished. The only exception to this provision is for grants where the Federal share is in excess of $100,000.00. In grants where the Federal share exceeds $100,000.00, the budgeted line items can be changed, but if the cumulative changes exceed ten (10) percent of the total budget, Changes must be pre-approved. Article VII -Financial Reporting The Request for Advance or Reimbursement mentioned above, will also be used for interim financial reporting purposes. At the end of the performance period, or upon completion of the grantee's program narrative, the grantee must complete, on-line, a final financial report that is required to close out the grant. The Financial Status Report, is due within 90 days after the end of the performance period. Article VIII -Performance Reports https://portalTema.gov/firegranUjsp/fire_admin/awazds/spec/view_awazd_package.do?agreement... 10/10/2005 Panel Keview The grantee must submit asemi-annual and a final pertormance report to DHS. The final performance report should provide a short narrative on what the grantee accomplished with the grant funds and any benefits derived there from. The semi-annual report is due six months after the award date. Article IX -DHS Officials Program Officer: Tom Harrington, Deputy Chief of the Grants Program Office, is the Program Officer for this grant program. The Program Officer is responsible for the technical monitoring of the stages of work and technical performance of the activities described in the approved grant application. Grants Assistance Officer: Christine Torres, is the Assistance Officer for this grant program. The Assistance Officer is the Federal official responsible for negotiating, administering; and executing all grant business matters. Grants Management Branch POC: Pamela Greene is the point of contact for this grant award and shall be contacted for all financial and administrative grant business matters. If you have any questions regarding your grant please call 202-646-4213. Article X -Other Terms and Conditions Pre-award costs directly applicable to the awarded grant are allowable if approved in writing by the DHS Program Office. Article XI -General Provisions The following are hereby incorporated into this agreement by reference: 44 CFR, Emergency Management and Assistance Part 7 Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs Part 13 Uniform administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to state and local govemments Part 17 Govemment-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) and Govemment-wide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Grants) Part 18 New Restrictions on Lobbying 31 CFR 205.6 Funding Techniques OTv16 Circular A-21 Cost Principles for Educational Institutions OMB Circular A-87 Cost Principles for Statellocel Governments, Indian tribes OMB Circular A-122 Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations OMB Circular A- Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With State and Local 102 Govemments Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application and Assurances contained therein. OMB Circular A- Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher 110 Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application and Assurances contained therein. Article XII-Audit Requirements Ali grantees must follow the audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Govemments, and Non- profit Organizations. The main requirement of this OMB Circular is that grantees that expend $500,000.00 or more in Federal funds (from all Federal sources) must have a single audit performed in accordance with the circular. https://portaLfema.gov/firegranUj sp/fire _admin/awards/spec/view_awazd_package.do?agreement... 10/10/2005 ranee ttev~ew As a condition of receiving funding under this grant program, you must agree to maintain grant files and supporting documentation for three years upon the official closeout of your grant. You must also agree to make your grant files, books, and records available for an audit by DHS, the General Accounting Office (GAO), or their duly authorized representatives to assess the accomplishments of the grant program or to ensure compliance with any requirement of the grant program. Additional Requirements if applicable Modification to Facilities Requirements: DHS is required to ascertain how proposed modifications to any facilities that will have sprinkler installation may be impacted by requirements related to the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Flood Insurance Program regulations. Modification projects must be evaluated for compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory environmental/historic preservation requirements and must be approved by DHS prior to project implementation. No funds may be requested for construction until all these requirements are fulfilled. If the installation site is a building that is 50 years old or older they shall not proceed with proposed modification projects, other than planning, until being notified by DHS that all reviews have been completed. Noncompliance may jeopardize receipt of federal funding. https://portal. fema.gov/firegranUj sp/fire_admen/awards/spec/view_award~ackage.do?agreement... 10/10/2005 Panel Review FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OBLIGATING DOCUMENT FOR AWARD/AMENDMENT 1a. AGREEMENT NO. 2. AMENDMENT NO. 3. RECIPIENT NO. 4. TYPE OF 5. CONTROL NO. EMW-2005-FG-15741 0 99-6000567 ACTION W397597N AWARD 6. RECIPIENT NAME AND 7. ISSUING OFFICE AND ADDRESS 8. PAYMENT OFFICE AND ADDRESS ADDRESS ODP/Financial and Grants Management Division ODP/Finandal Services 82nrh Hawaii County Fire Departrnent 500 C Street, S.W., Room 350 500 C SVeet, S.W., Room 723 25 Aupuni Street #103 Washington t1C, 20472 Washington DC, 20472 Hilo POC: Pamela Greene 202-646-4213 Hawaii, 96720-4245 9. NAME OF RECIPIENT PHONE NO. 10. NAME OF PROJECT COORDINATOR PHONE NO. PROJECT OFFICER 808-961-8297 Tom Harrington 1-866-274-0960 Darryl Oliveira ' 11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS 12. METHOD OF 13. ASSISTANCE ARRANGEMENT 14. PERFORMANCE PERIOD ACTION PAYMENT Cost Sharing From:30.SEP- To:29-SEP-O6 30.SEP-05 SF-270 05 Budget Period From:01-OCT- To:30-SEP-06 04 15. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION a. (Indicate funding data for awards or financal changes) PROGRAM NAME CFDA NO. ACCOUNTING DATA PRIOR AMOUNT AWARDED CURRENT CUMMULATIVE ACRONYM (AACS CODE) TOTAL THIS ACTION TOTAL AWARD NON- XXXX-XXX-XXXXXX-XXXXX- AWARD +OR FEDERAL XXXX-XXXX-X COMMITMENT AFG 97.044 2005-62-0501RE-63000000- $0.00 $406,016.00 $406,016.00 $101,504.00 4101-R TOTALS $0.00 $406,016.00 $408,016.00 $101,504.00 b. To describe changes other than funding data or financial changes, attach schedule and check here. N/A 16 a. FOR NON-DISASTER PROGRAMS: RECIPIENT IS REQUIRED TO SIGN AND RETURN THREE (3) COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT TO FEMA (See Block 7 for address) Assistance to Firefighters Grant redpienls are not required to sign and return copies of this dowment. However, redpienis should print and keep a copy of this document for their rewrds. 16b. FOR DISASTER PROGRAMS: RECIPIENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO SIGN This assistance is subject to terms and conditions attached to this award notice or by incorporated reference in program legislation riled above. 17. RECIPIENT SIGNATORY OFFICIAL (Name and Ttle) DATE N/A N/A 18RFEMA SIGNATORY OFFICIAL (Name and Title) DATE Adyce Powell 13-JUL-05 http s://portal. fema. gov/firegranUj sp/fire_admin/awazds/spec/view_awazd_package.do?agreement... 10/ 10/2005 Narrative Statement Page I of 3 Narrative Statement Select section to review ~ Got Project Description Please provide your narrative statement in the space provided below. Include in your narrative, details regarding (1) your project's description and budget, (2) your organization's financial need, (3) the benefit to be derived from the cost of your project, and (4) how the activities requested in your application will help your organization's daily operations and how this grant will protect life and property. Federal Emergency Management Agency USFA Grant Program Technical Assistance Center 16825 South Seton Avenue Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727-88 Dear Members of the FEMA Grant Proposal Review Board: The Hawaii County Fire Department responds to emergency calls 24/7. We are now in a state of emergency. Our firefighters are being exposed to toxic cancer causing vehicle diesel exhaust on a daily basis. Throughout the years, safety on the job has been increasingly prevalent and a high priority of our department. However, for the past five years, many of our members have increasingly voiced their concerns about the need for a vehicle exhaust removal system. Our administration has expressed their full support on this matter but was unable to secure a system due to budgetary constraints. Therefore, it is the desire of our department to obtain a FEMA Grant under the Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program that would be used for modification to our fire stations under the category Section "e" titled "Modifications to Fire Stations and Facilities." The goal of installing such a system is twofold. The first is to protect our members from the cancer causing effects of vehicle exhaust emissions generated by our apparatus during startup, return, and routine testing in our facilities. The second is to comply with NFPA 1500, section A.9.1.6 (2002 edition) and NIOSH Guide for chemical hazards. Our typical fire station consists of an apparatus bay with adjoining dining area, office, and sleeping quarters. Many of these living quarters are just a few feet from the exhaust pipes that emit these hazardous vapors and particles. In an attempt to minimize some of their exhaust emissions exposure, some firefighters added portable fans to try and blow away the vapors, however, this has proven to be woefully inadequate in trying to keep up with the immense volume of emissions generated by our vehicles. Others began using particle masks when starting up the vehicles, but again this also proved to be an ineffective way to minimize their exposure. Installing air conditioning systems was another option, but this would just isolate specific areas in the stations and not reduce the amount of the exhaust emissions present on the apparatus floor. Time and time again our personnel had to wash off the soot from the walls, launder their turnout gear, clean surrounding equipment, and replace many medical supplies. We feel that if we allow the continuation of this toxic buildup in our stations, it will result in a serious health and financial crisis affecting our department and the taxpayers. This in turn would increase workers compensation and medical insurance claims from firefighters contracting illnesses that can be tracked and attributed to vehicle exhaust emissions exposure. Some of the comments made by the firefighters were that at the time of vehicle startup, "the exhaust blows right into our kitchen and dining area "Other firefighters commented that "because many of our stations don't have air conditioning systems, we leave the doors open and that allows the exhaust fumes to enter our enclosed office area and are inhaled by us on a daily basis." PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed system will capture 100% of the vehicle emissions at the point of generation (tailpipe) by use of an airtight seal attached to the tailpipe of our vehicles. We have conducted our own unbiased survey of the various extraction systems on the market today. This survey entailed contacting over 25 different departments nationwide. We have also personally visited some of these departments that have this system in current use. We are confident that this airtight sealed system will solve our diesel smoke exhaust problem. The exhaust system will utilize an auto start electrical control box, which is tested and certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). This control unit will automatically energize an exhaust blower upon the starting of the vehicle that will extract the exhaust emissions out of and away from the building. This proposed system would extract 100% of the diesel exhaust being emitted when the vehicles are being run continuously in quarters for maintenance purposes. The County of Hawaii will take care of the audit costs and specific permits needed for the installation of the system. The blueprints for this project are being budgeted for with this grant. It should be noted however that at no time would the installation of this system change the footprint or profile of any existing structure. The following table identifies the projected budget for this project. There are differences in the design and fleets for each station that accounts for the variances in the equipment and labor costs. https://portal.fema.gov/firegrant/jsp/generaUselectoption.do?option=] 0 10/10/2005 Narrative Statement Page 2 of 3 PROJECT BUDGET Station equipment partslduct labor electrical compressor blueprints total 1 $20,349.00 $1,000.00 $7,500.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $31,999.00 2 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 3 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 4 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 5 $14,135.00 $1,000.00 $9,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.p0 $27,285.00 6 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 7 $21,918.00 $1,000.00 $8,250.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $34,318.00 8 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 9 $27,210.00 $1,000.00 $11,250.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $42,610.00 10 $15,271.00 $1,000.00 $7,500.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $26,921.00 11 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 12 $5,733.00 $1,000.00 $4,500.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $14,383.00 13 $12,386.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $22,536.00 14 $27,210.00 $1,000.00 $11,250.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $42,610.00 15 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.00 16 $12,386.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $22,536.00 17 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.0() 18 $9,069.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $19,219.0() 19 $12,386.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $22,536.00 20 $21,587.00 $1,000.00 $9,750.00 $2,000.00 $400.00 $750.00 $35,487.00 $0.00 sub totals $272,192.00 $20,000.00 $141,000.00 $40,000.00 $8,000.00 $15,000.00 $496,192.00 sales tax $11,336.80 Total $507,528.80 FINANCIAL NEED The County of Hawaii is the fastest growing county in the State of Hawaii. Between 1990 and 2003 our total population has grown from 120,317 to 158,423, an increase of 32%. Some of these communities such as Waikoloa, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, and Hawaiian Paradise Park have populations that increased over 100%! Building permits issued on the island of Hawaii over the last 10 years have also risen from 3,046 to 4,974 per year, which is an overall increase of 63%. Despite our immense growth, our county is just emerging from aten-year economic slump resulting from the need to improve our infrastructure to match our rapidly expanding population. The County of Hawaii has taken initiatives to raise taxes in an attempt to increase revenues; however, they are still unable to meet the increasing budgetary needs. One of the reasons that our island's population is expanding so rapidly is the geographic nature of our island. The island of Hawaii that encompasses 400 square miles is geographically larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. The Hawaii County Fire Department is also in a financial crisis. Although we had a modest increase in this year's budget, our department is rapidly expanding with the growing population. Our department has opened two new stations last year and another is planned to open next year. With the addition of more fire stations comes the increase in manpower, training, and equipment. Our past budgets have proven to be inadequate as all the monies budgeted have been utilized leaving no reserves. The Hawaii County Fire Department also provides the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the island of Hawaii. We are the only island jurisdiction in the State of Hawaii to provide this service as an integral part of the fire department. Although our budget is supplemented by the state for our EMS operations, the monies allocated can barely support these services. We have come to the realization that without the funding through a FEMA Grant, any type of vehicle exhaust extraction system would not be possible. COST/BENEFIT https://portal.fema.gov/firegranUjsp/generaUselectoption.do?option=l0 10/10/2005 Narrative Statement Page 3 of 3 The Hawaii County Fire Department mans twenty (20) fire stations that provide EMS in addition to our Fire protection and Rescue capabilities plus on-going training for staff, volunteers, and new recruits. All of our stations are manned 24/7 by 2 to 11 firefighters per shift and may house as many as 636 firefighters including both professional career and volunteer personnel. In addition to the normal everyday exposure of our personnel in the stations, we are also exposing the public to these hazards. Our stations advertise the service of free blood pressure screening and many times members of the public are present when one or more of our vehicles start up for one reason or another. In addition to this service, our fire stations are also the drop off location for the food bank and school supplies as a public service for those in need of these items. This also puts the collected items in harms way of being contaminated by these harmful exhaust particles. Grade schools, church groups, and other organizations that regularly visit our stations may also become exposed. Finally, because we are housed at the fire stations for 24 hours at a time, our families frequently come to visit us and may even have dinner with us on special occasions. Again, during these visits, we often respond to emergency incidents where we have had to start up one or more of our vehicles and exposed them to these toxic hazards. These are just a few examples of the concerns that'our personnel expressed when we inquired about the need for an exhaust containment system. Every time that we start up one or more of our vehicles, we put the life safety and health of our firefighters in jeopardy, and the value of this cannot be put in a dollar amount. As stated earlier, the purpose of the Vehicle Exhaust Extraction System is to protect our personnel and the public from the cancer causing effects of vehicle exhaust emissions generated by our vehicles during startup, return, and routine testing and training in our fire stations. Financial funding through a FEMA Grant would allow us to accomplish this goal. However, by accomplishing this goal, our department would also be complying with a nationally certified standard. NFPA 1500, section A.9.1.6 (2002 edition) states that their technical committee "recognizes and advocates the need for the elimination and the containment of all vehicle's exhaust emissions to a level of no less than 100 percent effective capture." In addition to this the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) pocket guide for chemical hazards also has a section that pertains to vehicle exhaust fumes. Documentation for hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), NIOSH states: 'Vehicle exhaust fumes are a potential health carcinogen and recommends that occupational exposure to this carcinogen be lowered to the lowest feasible concentration." STATEMENT OF EFFECT Throughout the years firefighters have been exposed to many hazards and unsafe conditions as part of their occupation. Many of these inherent hazards have been minimized with the use of various protective gear such as our turnouts and the use of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Even with all these precautions in place there are still some risks that cannot be avoided. After each incident we return to our fire stations and consider it our safe haven. However, we now realize that one of the deadliest exposures we encounter is right in our own stations. Heavy diesel exhaust emissions are being inhaled daily by our personnel and by the public. We have tried to curtail this problem by utilizing large fans, installing air conditioning in some stations, and wearing particle masks when running our vehicles. These tactics are by nc means able to prevent full exposure to these toxic gases and particles. Our gear that is used to protect us is being contaminated with this exhaust and all the other equipment, goods, and supplies in the stations are also being saturated. Our personnel all know that it is just a matter of time if this condition continues that some of us may become ill with respiratory problems and may even develop cancer. This in turn would increase our workers compensation claims and put our county in even greater debt. However, there is a solution to this problem. By installing an effective vehicle exhaust extraction system that we selected we can contain 100% of these exhaust emissions. The Hawaii County Fire Department's budget does not look like it would be able to support such a system now or in the foreseeable future, therefore, we are asking to obtain a FEMA Grant under the Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. If we implement this system, our department would then be in compliance with NFPA 1500, section A.9.1.6 (2002 edition). We would also be adhering to the NIOSH pocket guide's recommendation of lowering this potential health carcinogen to the lowest feasible concentration. Finally, the morale of our department would surely increase with the realization that their health and safety is a high priority from the local level and is recognized even at the national level. ' Please describe any grants that you currently have with DHS including the AFG, for example, 2002 AFG grant for vehicle or 2003 ODP grant for exercises. (Enter "N/A" if Not Applicable) 2004 AFG grant for burn trailer Select section to review https://portal.fema.gov/firegrantfjsp/generaUselectoption.do?option=l0 10/10/2005