Roseville receives state grant for fire gear

ROSEVILLE — The Roseville Fire Department is among more than 180 fire departments in the state that last month received a grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

In a news release issued July 29, LEO announced an award of $14,926,451 in grant funds to 187 fire and safety agencies across the state. The funds were designed for departments to purchase an additional set of turnout gear for full-time career firefighters.

According to LEO, the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union played a role in assisting with the grant process. The collaboration was meant to ensure the needs of the firefighters were met and that the grant distribution was effective and equitable.

“The support from LEO and the additional turnout gear will significantly enhance the safety and operational readiness of our firefighters,” Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union President Matthew Sahr said in a prepared statement. “This is a substantial step forward in ensuring that our members have the resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively. We are grateful for the continued support and partnership.”

Roseville received a $143,500 grant. Roseville will use the grant money to purchase 41 sets of turnout gear that will include pants, jackets and boots. Each set costs about $3,500.

“The MPFFU has been pushing the state for a while to purchase firefighter turnout gear for cancer prevention,” Roseville Fire Chief Keith Jacobs said.

Turnout gear, also known as bunker gear, is the personal protective clothing that firefighters wear when fighting fires or dealing with hazardous materials. The gear is washed after fire calls as a way to remove carcinogens, which might increase risks of cancer.

Through technological advances, the bunker gear has improved over the years to provide more protection to firefighters. Manufacturers, too, are trying to get away from materials made with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, which are linked to cancer. According to Jacobs, firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of deaths in the profession.

Jacobs said that next month representatives from the turnout gear company will visit the department to take measurements of the crew so that each set of gear fits them properly.

“We hope to have the gear by November,” Jacobs said.

Roseville Sgt. Mike Schwartz and Lt. David Demar applied for the grant, which will provide the city with some cost savings. The firefighter turnout gear expires every 10 years and must be reordered. Any turnout gear that is less than 10 years old is kept in storage as a backup option or for training purposes.