City of Stroud - AFG 2024

 Fire safety grants fund critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies and support community resilience. 

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. 

The Stroud Fire Department with the support of the City of Stroud Council Members have submitted an AFG application for Portable Radios (P-25), Mobile Radios (P-25), and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Statement of Effect on Operations - The Stroud Fire Department’s request for funding to replace its outdated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will have a significant and immediate effect on the organization’s overall effectiveness. This upgrade will enhance firefighter safety, improve response capabilities, and reduce operational risks across the board. The requested PPE will be used on a daily basis, ensuring that all firefighters are properly equipped to handle the full range of emergencies that occur within the service area. 

Enhancement of Overall Effectiveness: By upgrading to modern, NFPA-compliant PPE, the Stroud Fire Department will greatly improve its operational readiness and safety standards. Currently, a large portion of the department’s existing PPE inventory is outdated, with many items no longer meeting NFPA 1971 standards for structural firefighting. The new PPE will provide firefighters with the highest level of protection available, allowing them to safely respond to emergencies ranging from structure fires and wildland fires to hazardous material incidents. Firefighters equipped with new PPE will be better protected against heat, chemical exposure, and physical hazards, reducing the likelihood of injury and ensuring that they can operate effectively under extreme conditions. This upgrade will also improve the department’s ability to provide mutual aid to neighboring communities in Lincoln and Creek counties, reinforcing the region’s overall emergency response capabilities. 

Improvement of Daily Operations: The new PPE will be utilized daily for training exercises, fire suppression, rescue operations, and hazardous material response. The Stroud Fire Department responds to a wide variety of emergency calls, including structure fires in residential and commercial areas, wildland fires in rural zones, and hazardous material incidents in industrial sites. With 25% of the service area having access to fire hydrants, and the remaining 75% reliant on rural water sources, it is critical that firefighters are fully equipped with gear that protects them in challenging environments. The department also engages in regular training to ensure that firefighters maintain a high level of readiness. New PPE will allow firefighters to train in equipment that mirrors what they will use during actual emergencies, improving the quality of training and preparing them for real-world situations. This will lead to safer and more efficient operations, reducing the risk of injury or equipment failure during critical incidents. Risk Reduction: The funding will significantly reduce the risks currently faced by the department due to outdated and worn PPE. Old and non-compliant gear increases the chances of firefighter injuries, including burns, heat stress, and exposure to toxic substances. By providing firefighters with state-of-the-art equipment, the department will mitigate these risks and improve overall safety. The new PPE will also play a key role in reducing the department’s long-term operational risks. Modern, well-maintained gear will last longer and require fewer repairs, reducing downtime and replacement costs. Additionally, outfitting firefighters with proper PPE will allow the department to comply with national safety standards, improving its standing with both local and national safety organizations. 

Impact on the Community: The new PPE will not only benefit the firefighters who wear it but also the broader community they serve. By ensuring that firefighters are properly protected, the department will be able to respond more quickly and effectively to emergencies, reducing the potential for loss of life and property in the City of Stroud and surrounding areas. This improved capacity to save lives and protect property aligns directly with the department’s mission and will have a lasting positive effect on the community. 

Project Description for P-25 Radio Equipment - The Stroud Fire Department seeks funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to purchase new P-25 compliant radios, which are essential for improving the department's communication capabilities during emergency operations. This investment will significantly enhance the department’s ability to coordinate effectively within its jurisdiction, as well as with neighboring agencies through mutual aid agreements. The project aims to address current gaps in communication, reduce risks to firefighters, and improve response times for incidents within the City of Stroud, Lincoln County, and Creek County. Project Objectives: The primary objective of this project is to upgrade the department’s communication equipment to P-25 compliant radios, which meet national interoperability standards. Currently, the department is using outdated radios that are not fully interoperable with neighboring agencies, hindering coordination efforts during joint emergency responses. The new P-25 radios will enable seamless communication with local, county, and state agencies, as well as other mutual aid partners, ensuring that firefighters can receive critical updates in real time and coordinate effectively during operations.  

The Stroud Fire Department would like to thank everyone who submitted a letter of support for the AFG program. The Wellston Fire Department will hear if they were awarded the grant funds in April of 2025. The total amount requested is $677,847.38.