February 22, 2008 - Fire Department lands $425,000 grant for health improvements to fire stations

Award marks one of the largest grant in department’s history

The Shreveport Fire Department has received one of the largest grants in the agency’s history, $425,000 for installing exhaust removal systems in city fire stations. The department applied for the U.S. Fire Administrations Fire Act grant last year and received notification Thursday from Senator David Vitter’s Office in Washington that the grant would be awarded today from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). From the grant the department will purchase:

- Integrated exhaust removal systems to be installed in city fire stations. These systems range in price, but the average to outfit most stations will be $20,000-$25,000. The physical characteristics of the devices allow a negative pressure hose to attach to fire vehicles exhaust discharges to capture 100% of toxic engine vapors and filter them to the outside of the fire station.

Vehicle exhaust emissions have been identified as health hazard and a potential cancer causing substance, particularly whole diesel exhaust vehicles such as fire engines. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) suggests those vehicle exhaust fumes are a carcinogen and recommends that occupational exposure to this be lowered to the lowest level possible. These new devices will make it possible to capture exhaust when a fire engine pulls out of the station to go to an emergency and when they return and back into the fire station.

The health and wellbeing of firefighters is always at the forefront of city and fire administration concerns. “The awarding of this grant is significant in improving the overall and long-term health of firefighters, which leads to a more efficient service to the citizens and piece-of-mind for firefighters and their families,” said Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover. With this innovation, another step is added to the fire department’s current Wellness & Fitness program that already includes annual physicals and fitness testing for members. The awarding of this latest grant pushed the total of money received through the U.S. Fire Administrations Fire Act Grant (AFG) program to more than $1 million over the last four years. Previous AFG grants awarded to the Shreveport Fire Department include:

- In 2007 - $424,500 for increased emergency radio communications systems.
- In 2006 - $150,000 for the purchase of fitness equipment for the fire stations as part of their Wellness & Fitness program.
- In 2005 - $40,000 for their Fire Prevention Mobile Training program ###