The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department wants to use excess funds from a FEMA grant to help fund the purchase of a stationary natural gas-powered backup generator at the Main Station on King Ridge Road.
During Monday night’s county commission meeting, County Mayor Tim Stribling read from a letter by County Fire Chief Donny Green making the request. But since the county would have to come up with approximately $6,500 to help pay for it County Mayor Stribling suggested that the budget committee consider it first and make a recommendation to the full commission next month. Stribling’s recommendation was approved on a voice vote by the commission. Second District Commissioner Joe Johnson voted against waiting fearing the county might risk losing the extra grant funds since the project has to be completed by July 16.
Chief Green made his initial request to the county commission last Thursday night during an All-Committees workshop. He said the left over FEMA grant money was from the purchase of equipment for the county fire department. “We had a 2013 FEMA grant that we bought equipment with. Through competitive bidding we had some money left over from the grant project. They’re pretty strict about what you can do with it. In the project, we had bought some exhaust fans, hydrant gate valves, hose, etc. We bought pretty much what we needed to equip all our trucks the way they needed to be. When we got done, we had $12, 598 left. We have three options. We can increase the quantity of items purchased under the grant. We can send it (excess grant money) back to them (FEMA), or seek a grant amendment and do a critical infrastructure facility improvement which has to benefit multiple agencies,” he said.
In his letter requesting an informal meeting with County Mayor Stribling and the County Commission’s Emergency Services Committee, Chief Green wrote that the purpose was to discuss a plan to install a stationary natural gas-powered backup generator at the Main Station on King Ridge Road. “This generator is needed to allow essential equipment functionality when electrical power service is interrupted. This facility, if equipped with a backup power source, could easily be used as a public shelter, an alternate site for 911 Dispatch Center operations, and/or a location for EMS to operate from during electrical power interruptions”.
“We have $12,598 in excess funds from an active FEMA grant that we have been authorized by FEMA to use to install this generator. Additionally, we have worked to secure some community grants to help us fund this project including a Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District “Project Hometown Help” Grant for $1,000 and a Walmart Community Grant for $350″.
The project cost to purchase a 25kW 120/240 volt, natural gas fueled generator with automatic transfer switch and installation of the generator and all components to make it “turn-key” ready is estimated to be $20,438. That would leave a budgeting shortfall of $6,489 which would be needed to fund it.
According to Chief Green’s letter, “if we do not take action to complete this project by July 16, 2015, we will lose the $12,598 in FEMA excess grant funds.”
County Mayor Stribling said there is ample time for the budget committee to consider this and for the entire commission to possibly vote on it in March and then bid it in April.
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