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MOTION TO APPROVE APPLICATION FOR FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND HEALTH AND SAFETY GRANTS
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion:
1. Authorizing the Stockton Fire Department (SFD) to submit applications to the California Fire Foundation for the 2026 Proposition 4 Specialized Firefighting Equipment Grant and the 2026 Proposition 4 Firefighter Health & Safety Grant; and
2. Authorizing the acceptance of grant funds, if awarded, in the amounts approved by the California Fire Foundation; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute and submit the Governing Body Authorization Letter (Attachment A) and any other documents necessary to apply for, accept, and administer the grant awards.
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Summary
The Stockton Fire Department (SFD) is requesting authorization to pursue two funding opportunities through the California Fire Foundation's 2026 Proposition 4 Grant Program. The proposed applications seek approximately $299,000 to establish a specialized wildfire rescue capability and expand preventive health screening services for Department personnel. The funding requests are preliminary and may be adjusted as project costs are finalized.
Both grant opportunities require a Governing Body Authorization Letter as part of the application process, authorizing the acceptance of grant funds if awarded. Neither grant requires matching funds from the City.
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Fire Foundation (CFF) is a statewide nonprofit organization established to support firefighters, their families, and the communities they serve through financial assistance, disaster relief, and public safety initiatives.
CFF’s 2026 Proposition 4 Grant Program supports investments in specialized firefighting equipment and firefighter health and safety initiatives. As a condition of the application process, the Foundation requires written authorization from the applicant's governing body permitting acceptance of grant funds if awarded.
Present Situation
Specialized Firefighting Equipment Grant
SFD proposes to establish a Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) Team through the acquisition of approximately $99,000 in specialized rescue equipment. REMS Teams are pre-positioned at wildfire incidents to provide immediate medical and technical rescue capabilities for firefighters operating in remote or rugged terrain. These teams are equipped to locate, stabilize, and extract personnel when conventional rescue resources may be unable to respond effectively.
Establishing this capability would strengthen the Department's operational readiness and expand opportunities to support state and federal wildfire response efforts. Participation in these deployments may also generate additional revenue through applicable state and federal reimbursement programs.
Firefighter Health & Safety Grant
SFD proposes to invest approximately $200,000 in expanded preventive health screening and early cancer detection services for Department personnel. The initiative would provide comprehensive Function Health blood testing for all members, supplemented by Galleri multi-cancer early detection blood testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screenings for personnel age 40 and older, or those with at least 10 years of Department service.
The proposed investment would enhance the Department's existing health and wellness efforts by expanding access to preventive screening services and supporting earlier identification of potential health conditions associated with occupational exposures.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The proposed grant requests total approximately $299,000, with final amounts subject to adjustment based on project costs and vendor quotations. Authorization would extend to the amounts ultimately awarded by the California Fire Foundation, including awards exceeding the preliminary estimates.
Neither grant requires matching funds, and no General Fund impact is anticipated. Should an award be insufficient to fully fund a proposed project, SFD would evaluate the scope of implementation and address any additional funding requirements through the City's standard processes.
Attachment A - Governing Body Authorization Letter (Draft)