HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-21 PACKET 04.E.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 04/21110
s
PREPARED BY Public Safety Craig Woolery
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Pass a motion approving the application for a grant through FEMA for the 2010 Assistance to
Firefighters Grants Program to replace our four (4) thermal imager cameras for a total cost of
the project in the amount of $40,000.00 and there is a 90/10 match, with a grant request from
FEMA being $36,000.00 and the city portion being $4,000.00.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Pass a motion approving the application for a grant through FEMA for the 2010 Assistance to
Firefighters Grants Program to replace our four (4) thermal imager cameras for a total cost of
the project in the amount of $40,000.00 and there is a 90/10 match from the city.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
❑ MEMO /LETTER: Memo dated April 14, 2010 from Fire Chief Bob Byerly
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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- C / lr U
City Administrator Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: d APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER
WCouncil 2010 \04 -21 -10 CA form apply for AFG grant for 4 thermal imagers.docx
City of
Cotta Grove
Minnesota
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
City Administrator Ryan Schroeder
Public Safety Director Craig Woolery
From: Fire Chief Bob Byerly
Date: April 14, 2010
Subject: 2010 Assistance for Firefighters Grant
INTRODUCTION
The Cottage Grove Fire Department is requesting permission to apply for a grant from FEMA
for the 2010 Assistance for Firefighters Grant process. The process will be opening
approximately April 23, 2010 and ending May 23, 2010. Dates have not been finalized yet.
DISCUSSION
The Fire Deputy Chiefs and I have been discussing potential pieces of equipment to request
via the 2010 AFG GRANT process and have decided to ask for a grant replacing our 4 thermal
imager cameras. Our current cameras are between 10 and 12 years old and have become
outdated. Parts are hard to procure and the if sensitive electronics of these cameras were to
fail, repair costs could be up to $5,000.00 if the equipment is repairable and parts found.
Thermal imagers are used by fire personnel at every fire to check for hot spots after
extinguishment and to help search and find potential victims in fire situations. We have also
used the cameras in the past to search for victims /patients in wooded and grassy areas.
Thermal imaging is the detection of infrared radiation from victims and heat radiation given off.
The translation of these detected energy levels into viewable images is a way to look at the
"Heat Signature" of an object or person. Thermal imagers view this heat signature regardless
of smoke conditions.
Energy /Heat (infrared radiation) can travel by conduction, convection or by radiation. When
viewing infrared radiation on a thermal imaging device, the hottest objects will appear white or
lighter shades while the cooler objects will appear black or as darker shades. In a very hot
environment, actual visible flames may appear as white. Other items such as a steel pole that
is extremely hot to the touch will be displayed as a darker shade, maybe even black.
ACTION REQUESTED
Staff request permission to apply for the 2010 Assistance for Firefighters Grant for the
replacement of 4 thermal imagers. Approximate purchase price will be $40,000.00 and with the
90/10 match, the City's portion will be approximately $4,000.00.