COLUMBUS, OH (WTOL) - More than 100 Ohio fire departments will share $1.1 million in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation under a program to protect firefighters from carcinogens and other harmful health hazards encountered by firefighters during their daily work activities.
The fire departments are receiving the funding under BWC's Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant Program, which helps departments purchase safety gear, exhaust systems and specialized washing machines. Because residue collected on firefighters' gear during a blaze can cause respiratory disease, cancer and other ailments, it is important not only to wear appropriate protective gear, but also to ensure its cleaned properly.
Area fire departments getting the grants are:
Noble Township (Defiance County), $2,222 to purchase 14 hoods with barrier protection and 14 washable gloves.
City of Sandusky (Erie County), $7,680 to purchase 48 gloves and 48 hoods.
Milan Township (Erie County), $14,799 to purchase one extractor and 80 hoods.
Damascus Township (Henry County), $9,705 to purchase one extractor, 40 hoods with barrier protection and 40 washable gloves.
Pleasant Township Trustees (Henry County), $9,500 to purchase one extractor.
Ridgeville Township (Henry County), $15,000 to purchase one extractor, 27 pairs of gloves and 27 hoods with barrier protection.
Village of New London (Huron County), $12,500 to purchase one extractor/washing machine, 60 hoods with barrier protection and 30 pairs of washable gloves.
City of Willard (Huron County), $7,560 to purchase 48 pairs of washable gloves and 48 hoods with barrier protection.
City of Waterville (Lucas County), $3,854.17 to purchase 25 hoods with barrier protection and 25 washable gloves.
- Providence Township (Lucas County), $10,533 to purchase one extractor.
- Continental Village Fire Dept (Putnam County), $10,356.99 to purchase one extractor.
- Village of Columbus Grove (Putnam County), $13,820 to purchase one extractor, 70 pairs of washable gloves and 70 hoods with barrier protection.
- Ohio City Corporation (Van Wert County), $8,876 to purchase 56 hoods with barrier protection and 56 washable gloves.
- Village of Convoy (Van Wert County), $5,800 to purchase 40 hoods with barrier protection and 40 washable gloves
- Perrysburg Township (Wood County), $14,565.10 to purchase two source capture diesel exhaust systems.
"The immediate dangers firefighters face when battling a fire are clear," said Dr. Abe Al-Tarawneh, superintendent of BWC's Division of Safety and Hygiene. "It's the less visible dangers and health hazards leading to slow erosion of firefighters' health that went unrecognized for too long. We're hopeful this unique grant program will not only protect firefighters from exposure to those health hazards, but will also enhance the culture of safety in Ohio's fire service."
The grant program, announced as a component of BWC's 2017 rebate, provides a 5-to-1 match up to $15,000 for public and private employers with annual payroll of at least $500,000. No match is required for employers with less than $500,000 in payroll. More about the program is available at bwc.ohio.gov.
