Consent 7.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Emergency Services
- Meeting Date:
- 02/24/2015
- Title:
- Fit Tester Grant Approval
- Submitted By:
- Norm Sturm, Emergency Services
- Department:
- Emergency Services
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
2
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Norm Sturm
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
ES Coordinator
Mandated Function?:
Federal or State Mandate
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
You will use this Agenda Item template if your item involves a Grant (whether a new or renewal grant). You also must attach the Grant Approval Form to the item before Finance will approve it. Select the SPECIAL LINKS on your left-hand menu and Click on "Grant Approval Form". Then complete the form, save it and attach it to your item (on the Attachments tab).
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve State Homeland Security Grant 14 AZDOHS-HSGP-140400-02 to fund the purchase of a Respirator Fit Tester for use by public safety agencies throughout Cochise County in the amount of $12,600.
Background:
Occupational Safety and Health Standards 29 CFR 1910.134, requires annual testing of the proper fit of respiratory face masks used by first responders and public safety personnel. To meet these standards the agency must either higher a contractor to test employees (typically around $100/employee) or do the testing in-house using approved testing equipment ($8K to 10K to purchase). Both options are prohibitively expensive for the many volunteer and small full-time first response agencies. This grant will fund the purchase of a quantitative fit tester to be available for loan to public safety agencies throughout the County. Training to agency personnel will be provided by the manufacturer help facilitate quality and affordable annual fit testing.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
If approved, County Procurement will seek quotes to purchase a quantitative tester that meets our specifications. Once purchased, training will be provided to representatives of public safety agencies throughout the county to do testing for local responders. An agency checkout procedure and policy will be placed into effect.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
By not approving this grant project, many first responders will simply not meet the OSHA testing standards due to prohibitive costs. This can be a safety and compliance issue.
Alternative: return the grant funds.
Alternative: return the grant funds.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Please provide a signed copy of the grant approval to OES for our grant files.