Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept, if Awarded, a Grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Safe and Secure Community
MEETING DATE: July 18, 2017
DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
CONTACT: Danny Kistner, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of Resolution
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The goal of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is to provide funding for life-saving equipment, disaster assistance and educational opportunities for first responders and public safety organizations.
• The McTown Klownz program provides an educational and entertaining clown program to schools within the MISD and during certain special events. Over 12,000 elementary students are estimated to have viewed the production during school year 2016-17.
• The program uses various large stage props and assorted equipment that are transported in a utility trailer. The trailer also serves as a make-shift dressing room. The current trailer is a 2003 model and will need to be upgraded in the near future. Further, there is no dedicated vehicle to pull the trailer and one must be secured in advance of any performance date.
• The McKinney Fire Department is requesting a Public Safety Foundation Grant in the amount of $108,175.25 from Firehouse Subs for the purchase of a 1-ton pick up truck and utility trailer for the highly regarded McTown Klownz fire prevention program.
• The vehicle can be used for other FD related tasks such as pulling the new ARFF Trainer and other FD trailers, and as a utility vehicle, when not in use with the McTown Klownz program.
• Fleet reports estimated annual maintenance for the vehicle to be $1,500 and fuel costs approximately $3,000 annually. Utility trailer maintenance is estimated at $500 annually.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• On October 1993, the founder of the McTown Klownz, Firefighter/Paramedic Brent Rollins, saw the need to educate children on fire safety, but wanted to find a way to educate children in fire and life safety in a fun and exciting manner. His passion and vision created “Hoser” his poor hobo Klownz persona. From here the traveling Fire Safety show took off! Soon, other firefighters began to join the Klownz show. Today we have Blaze, Bucky, Plug and Siren that perform in thirty (30) elementary schools in McKinney, comprising of four (4) different independent school districts.
• Firefighter Driver Sean Stephens, “Mr. Sean,” provides education to children with special needs. DJ Wildland keeps the sound and voices of the show in tip top shape. The McTown Klownz performances are scheduled throughout the months of September and October. Due to high demand they have now incorporated the first week of November. The performances are timed to run concurrent with Fire Prevention Month -- October.
• The McTown Klownz Troupe of the McKinney Fire Department, wish to apply for a $108,175.25, Firehouse Subs, Public Safety Foundation Grant for the purchase of a one-ton pickup truck and trailer for the McTown Klownz program.
• The McTown Klownz have a 20-foot trailer that is fourteen (14) years old. The trailer is rusty, leaks and is extremely heavy when loaded out. This cause’s excessive wear and tear on tires. To date, the program does not have a designated truck to pull the trailer. During the season the McTown Klownz must rely on acquired vehicles.
• The McTown Klownz is a successful program known by fire departments across the nation. New and established fire departments model their characterization after the McKinney McTown Klownz program. The members of the McTown Klownz are requested each year to be guest instructors at the Characterization Camp held annually at the Arizona Fire and Burn Educators Association Conference in Bullhead Arizona. The grant would allow our McTown Klownz Program to have a trailer that provides the room/space necessary for dressing rooms, storage for costumes, sets and audio equipment. The trailer will allow protection from inclement weather. The grant would also provide for the program to have its own vehicle to pull the trailer.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• The total dollar amount requested is for purchase price of vehicle and trailer totaling $108,175.25. There is no match to the grant.
• Expenditure will be appropriated in Fund 33.
• Proposed budget is as follows:
|
Expenditure |
Cost |
|
Truck |
43,434.75 |
|
Trailer |
61,990.50 |
|
Truck Paint/Tint |
2,750.00 |
|
Total |
108,175.25 |