HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-17-07 FIREWISE STAFF REPORT TO COUNCIL City Council Date: 4/17/07 REGULAR Item: 4 Motion ITEM: Approve the Firewise Community Education Program Grant SUBMITTED BY: Greg Malmquist, Fire Chief REVIEWED BY: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator Tom Bouthilet, Finance Director ___________________________________________________________________________ PURPOSE: The city council is being asked to approve $5,300 in ‘gap’ funding for the Firewise Community Education Program until the city receives a grant for this fire safety program. The grant is to fund a wildfire risk education program at Oakland Junior High. The program is taught by a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) instructor. The students learn how to assess for risks related to fire through classroom learning as well as outdoor learning in Lake Elmo. The Fire Department participates in this education for Firewise Community Grant by hosting an outdoor training exercise on April 27th. The grant, which has been awarded to several neighboring communities for this program covers the actual expenses incurred for the program. The in-kind match includes the labor of students (approximately $25,500). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• The grant will cover actual expenses incurred for student transportation, teacher staff
coverage, mailing costs and possible mitigation costs.
• These assessments have been done in surrounding communities, (Afton, West Lakeland, Stillwater Township, New Scandia and Marine on St. Croix) as well as throughout the state (Oakgrove Township, East Bethel, St. Francis, Burns, Cambridge, Stanford and a Level 1 and Level 2 assessment with Athens Township, and also level 1 assessments for Eagan, Apple Valley and Shakopee.
• Teachers all across Minnesota are partnering with local fire departments to complete Wildfire Assessments. The attached map shows the status as of last year, under this program, with costs being covered by the grant. The “in-kind” costs in the packet reflect the return from student’s time and homeowner participation, not actual expenditures by the department.
• Students will conduct Level 1 assessments in the classroom. On April 27th they will travel to LE and conduct the Level 2 assessments in the field accompanied by teachers and
firefighters from the department.
RECOMMENDATION
The staff recommends providing the ‘gap’ funding for this project because it provides for fire prevention education activities with local junior high students and all other participating
communities have been awarded grants to cover costs.
Suggested motion for consideration:
Move approval of interim financing of $5,300 from the city’s fire department general fund budget in anticipation of reimbursement in this amount for expenses.
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS: Introduction Greg Malmquist, Fire Chief Report Ken Pekarek (DNR Advisor-Trainer) Amy Randrup (Oakland Jr. High) Questions from council to staff Mayor and Council members Questions from the public, if any Mayor facilitates Discussion Mayor and Council members Consider motion City Council ATTACHMENTS: 1 Wildfire program information 2 Grant application 3 Participating communities