The City of Akron has received $700,000 in federal grants for equipment and medical care for firefighter safety, and for carbon monoxide alarms for residents in high-risk neighborhoods.
City Council on Monday approved a resolution to accept the money from the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “Assistance to Firefighters” grant program.
District Fire Chief Steven Kaut told the Public Safety Committee that about $500,000 will be used to buy and install “capture” systems, which attach to firetrucks to reduce exhaust emissions.
“Diesel exhaust is a known carcinogen, and this equipment - through a means of hoses and vacuums - will be installed at all fire stations,” Kaut said. “They hook directly to the exhaust system of our apparatus and this will capture 100% of diesel exhaust as the rigs exit and enter the station, which will eliminate the daily exposure that all of our members have to diesel exhaust.”