Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department was recently awarded the 2016 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for Operations and Safety in the amount of $433,655.
The funds will cover 90 percent of the total costs of two department projects: vehicle source capture exhaust systems for all fire stations and wireless headset systems for all apparatus. MFRD will be responsible for the remaining 10 percent, totaling just over $43,300.
“I am particularly excited about these projects,” said Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks, “because they will support our continuing efforts to enhance the safety and health of our personnel.”
Vehicle Source Capture Exhaust Systems
By the very nature of their roles as first responders, firefighters risk being exposed to a wide variety of hazardous environmental dangers. Implementation of the vehicle source capture exhaust systems project will eliminate one potential source of daily exposure from right inside of their own fire stations. Apparatus often leave the station multiple times each day to conduct daily activities and respond to emergencies. The exhaust system will be used each time the apparatus leaves the station and during apparatus maintenance checks while the engine is running. This system will capture and carry exhaust gases directly from the apparatus to the outside environment, which will help keep firefighters and the visiting public safe from carcinogenic and toxic pollutants that currently threaten the air quality in the fire stations.
Wireless Headset Systems
Wireless headsets will be purchased with grant funds to provide critical hearing protection for responding personnel. The wireless headset systems will allow firefighters to effectively communicate in route to an emergency, while adhering to requirements from OSHA (OSHA 1910.95) and NFPA (1500 5-11.1) for hearing protection. The headsets will also be beneficial on scene by permitting personnel such as the Engineer and Incident Commander to maintain fireground communications without the potentially detrimental and harmful effects of excessive noise levels.
“MFRD is very fortunate to have a Mayor, City Council, and City Administration that supports projects which have a major impact on firefighter safety and efficiency,” said Foulks. “Their willingness to approve requests for grant applications such as AFG shows their dedication to our public safety employees which translates to better services to the citizens and visitors of Murfreesboro.”
