To: Board of Directors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: FY 23 Assistance to Firefighters Grant - SCBA
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RATIFY the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s execution of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, for the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) project is $3,894,604. Of this amount, the maximum federal award capable is $3,000,000 with a minimum 10% local agency cost sharing requirement. Due to the total project cost exceeding the maximum Federal award amount, if awarded, the District would be required to match any additional funds over the $3,000,000 max award, which would be $894,604.
The Fire District will be facing the need to replace all SCBA equipment before 2028. The current equipment will reach its end of life in 2028. This grant would provide approximately half of the total costs for the entire replacement project with the remainder able to be spread over the subsequent fiscal years prior to 2028.
BACKGROUND:
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program objectives are to provide critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies, and support community resilience. The deadline to submit the grant application was March 8, 2024, and the District submitted the application prior to that deadline.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) provide an autonomous supply of breathable gas in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life or health, such as those that occur while fighting fires. The SCBA is comprised of four parts: regulator, cylinder, back plate and harness, and face piece. This equipment must comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s SCBA equipment is aging out of NFPA compliance and needs to be replaced.
The purpose of the AFG grant project application is to replace 315 SCBAs, additional air cylinders, and other supplies on all front-line apparatus to maintain operational readiness. The remaining purchase and replacement over subsequent fiscal years would support the training division and academy needs, live fire training at the District’s site at MOTCO, along with a 10% reserve cache for maintenance needs and annual testing would not be covered by this grant funding.
Due to changing conditions in the fire manufacturing space, along with price increases and continued supply chain concerns, the cost of the project is currently an estimate. If awarded, subsequent approval will be requested of the Board for purchasing authority with detailed actual costs.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District would not be able to pursue grant funding for this critical safety equipment.