Hanceville to seek $160K grant for firefighter equipment

Published 6:00 am Saturday, November 22, 2014

HANCEVILLE — The city will apply for a nearly $160,000 federal grant to provide new equipment for its firefighters, replacing several below-standard safety apparatus.

Fire Chief Roger Green asked the council to approve applying for $159,547.76 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The Cullman County Economic Development agency will write the grant for the fire department, Green said.

The grant would purchase new sets of turnout gear, radios and air packs. The equipment will replace items that don’t meet National Fire Protection Association standards.

Green said the department has ten sets of turnout gear that are more than 10 years old and 20 air packs that are all out of date.

“If we get this, it will bring us up to par for our department, for our volunteer and paid firefighters,” Green said. “If someone were to get hurt and they’re in expired equipment, it’s a liability for the city.”

City Attorney Dan Willingham said that could also negatively impact the city’s insurance rating for fire protection.

Mayor Kenneth Nail said it was important for the city’s firefighters to have the best equipment possible. He also said it’s rare to find grants that require just a 5 percent match. If awarded the grant, the city would have to come up with the $7,977.39 in matching funds, Green said.

“We would be spending $8,000 to get $160,000 in equipment,” Green said. “That’s not bad.”

In an unrelated vote, the council entered executive session at the request of Willingham to discuss pending litigation and took no action afterwards.

In other business, the Hanceville City Council:

Rescheduled second council meeting date from Dec. 25 to Dec. 4.

Approved bills payable. Councilman Charles Wilson asked why the city was still receiving a $900 bill each month for the city pool which has been closed since the end of summer. Public Works set a timer on the pool two weeks ago to save electricity.

Approved seeking bids for new side arm mower with delivery by April 1. The city will accept bids until Dec. 10 and then open them Dec. 11 at the council meeting. The city’s previous side arm mower was destroyed when a driver ran over it. The city collected $17,500 from insurance and plans to surplus an old military-grade truck to put towards the cost of a new mower which is estimated to be between $25,000 and $30,000.

Approved putting a $100 ad in the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame program.

Reviewed bank accounts balance sheet.

Announced the following: Trees the city received from the Alabama Extension Service have been planted at Hamby Park. The Alabama Department of Transportation will install a traffic signal on U.S. 31 in front of Wallace State Community College’s new nursing and biology building. Mayor Nail said ALDOT will apply another coat of asphalt, stripe and add reflectors along U.S. 31 which was paved earlier this year. He said several residents have complained they can’t tell which lane they’re in when driving in the rain. The employee Christmas party will be 6 p.m. Dec. 19. The Cullman County Christmas Parade will be 2 p.m. Dec. 6.

Approved minutes from Nov. 13 meeting.

The council will hold a work session 6:30 p.m. December 4, followed by its meeting at 7 p.m.

Tiffeny Owens can be reached by email at towens@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131.