The Jefferson City Fire Department is pursuing federal funds to assess its operations and how it might improve the department.
Chief Matt Schofield on Thursday told members of the Public Safety Committee he's applying for Community Development Block Grant funding, which would be used to develop a self-assessment manual, community risk/standards of cover and a community driven strategic plan for the fire department.
"This is an opportunity to take an extensive look at how we operate," Schofield said.
Reviewing and updating those three documents would likely cost $80,000-$90,000, he said.
Completing those documents, he said, could help get the fire department on track to be "accredited by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
The funding doesn't mean the department would necessarily go through that process - which he said could take several years and involve help outside of the department - but it could be the first steps in that journey.
"It's a very formal self-assessment process, then it's validated by peer assessors around the country that are similar in size," Schofield said. "It's a very extensive thing. It's not just something where you sign up, do a quick little survey or something like that."
Accreditation opens the doors for additional grants and training opportunities through CPSE. Currently, seven Missouri fire departments and fire protection districts are accredited, according to the CPSE website. The seven are: Fenton Fire Protection District, Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, Metro West Fire Protection District, Lee's Summit Fire Department, Columbia Fire Department, Springfield Fire Department and O'Fallon Fire Protection District.
The request will be part of the city's $2 million request for CDBG coronavirus funding. Because the topic for the available funding is so specific, Schofield said, he is reasonably confident in the city's odds for receiving it.
The police department is also accepting a number of grants, including:
A $32,072 Hazardous Moving Violations from the Missouri Department of Transportation; it will go toward overtime, training and radar units. This is the 17th year the city has received the grant.
A $25,000 Driving While Intoxicated Grant from MoDOT; it will go toward overtime. This is the 14th year the city has received the grant.
A $3,800 Bulletproof Vest Grant, which requires a 50 percent match and will purchase nine bulletproof vests.
A $10,738 Justice Assistance Grant, 40 percent of which will go to the Cole County Sheriff's Office. The city's part would go toward academy training.