At a Dec. 3 meeting, Sugar Land City Council approved the submission for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, a $1 million grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to fund updates and additions to essential equipment, and access to health and wellness physicals.
A closer look
Equipment changes would include the addition of six new fill stations and upgrades to the city’s two existing fill stations, which are used to fill breathing air compressors during long operations or high-risk scenarios, city officials said in an email.
Additionally, the grant will add cancer and cardiovascular screenings to firefighters’ annual exams, as firefighters are at a greater risk of cancer stemming from risks of the job, according to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
The cost
If awarded, the grant will provide $767,247 for the compressors and fill stations, and $236,250 for physicals, city officials said.
“The health of the firefighters impacts not only their own well-being but also the safety and effectiveness of their response to emergencies, directly supporting the department’s capacity to protect lives and property within the community,” city officials said in an emailed statement.
Looking ahead
The grant was submitted in December, although city officials will not be informed if they have received the award until April or May, city officials said.
If awarded, the compressors and filling rotation will be acquired within six to 12 months and physicals will begin annually in fiscal year 2025-26.
