DATE: March 25, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Fire Department
TITLE: ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL FIRE FOUNDATION FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council accept and appropriate $35,000 in grant funds from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for the Fire Department; and, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all related grant documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports fire agencies throughout San Diego County by funding essential equipment and safety resources. Through this award, the Foundation is supporting the City of Oceanside Fire Department's Hand Crew (Fuels Crew) Program by providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools necessary to safely conduct vegetation management, fuels reduction, and emergency response activities.
The Foundation has committed up to $35,000 to support the establishment of a minimum 15-member fuels crew. The funded equipment will enhance operational readiness and ensure crew member safety during field operations.
As a condition of the award, the City will utilize the Hand Crew Program as a workforce development initiative by providing approximately 400 hours of firefighter and fuels management training and related work experience leading to a minimum of ten National Wildfire Coordinating Group Certificates (NWCG) plus 40 hours annually over three years (120 hours) of Emergency Medical Services training for each crew member.
The City will procure the approved equipment and submit proof of payment for reimbursement, with the Fire Foundation reimbursing eligible costs up to $35,000. The City is also required to provide demographic and training outcome reporting, periodic progress updates, and public acknowledgment of the Fire Foundation's support.
The performance period for this award starts retroactively on January 30, 2026, and ends on D...
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