For immediate release: April 12, 2018

BWC awards $370,000 in grants to protect Ohio firefighters

COLUMBUS - Thirty-seven Ohio fire departments will share $369,678 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) under a program to protect firefighters from carcinogens and other harmful elements encountered during a fire fight.

The fire departments (listed below) 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.

"The fire community's tremendous response to this program shows they understand the importance of equipping every firefighter with the appropriate protective gear," said BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison. "BWC is pleased to be part of the effort to increase awareness while funding equipment that can limit serious health consequences down the road."

Originally funded at $2 million a year, Morrison last month announced an increase in funding for the program due to heavy demand.

Grant recipients include:

Green-Perrysville Joint Fire District (Ashland County)
$10,483.10 to purchase one extractor/washer, 24 particulate hoods and 24 washable gloves.

Geneva Fire Department (Ashtabula County)
$7,700 to purchase 60 barrier hoods and 60 pairs of washable gloves.

Rome Township (Athens County)
$9,605 to purchase one extractor/washer with base.

City of Martins Ferry (Belmont County)
$9,716.67 to purchase one 65 lb. capacity extractor/washer.

Neff Volunteer Fire Department (Belmont County)
$3,844.75 to purchase 30 barrier hoods and 30 pairs of washable gloves.

Sunset Heights Volunteer Fire Department (Belmont County)
$12,207.60 to purchase one extractor/washer, 20 pairs of washable gloves and 20 barrier hoods.

City of Hamilton (Butler County)
$11,133.42 to purchase two extractor/washers.

Tate Township (Clermont County)
$15,000 to purchase one extractor/washer, 58 particulate hoods and 58 washable gloves.

City of Wilmington (Clinton County)
$1,875 to purchase 32 washable gloves.

Port William-Liberty Township Joint Fire and EMS District (Clinton County)
$3,241 to purchase 19 particulate hoods and 19 barrier gloves.

Knox Township (Columbiana County)
$9,465 to purchase one extractor/washer and 56 barrier hoods.

City of Olmsted Falls (Cuyahoga County)
$15,000 to purchase one diesel exhaust system.

Cuyahoga Heights Village (Cuyahoga County)
$13,119.78 to purchase one diesel exhaust system.

Mayfield Village (Cuyahoga County)
$14,699.17 to purchase one extractor/washer 40 filter hoods and 40 barrier gloves.

Olmsted Township Fire Department (Cuyahoga County)
$3,440.42 to purchase 23 pairs of washable gloves and 23 barrier hoods.

Liberty Township Fire Department (Darke County)
$10,553.50 to purchase 50 particulate hoods and 50 barrier gloves.

Perkins Township (Erie County)
$3,541.67 to purchase 50 barrier hoods.

Pleasant Township (Fairfield County)
$15,000 to purchase one extractor/washer, 80 pairs of washable gloves and 80 barrier hoods.

Thurston Village (Fairfield County)
$10,258 to purchase one extractor/washer.

Gorham Township (Fulton County)
$14,600 to purchase one extractor/washer, 60 pairs of washable gloves and 60 barrier hoods.

Little Miami Joint Fire and Rescue (Hamilton County)
$12,446.66 to purchase 106 pairs of washable gloves and 71 barrier hoods.

Tiltonsville Volunteer Fire Department (Jefferson County)
$11,549.51 to purchase one 30 lb. capacity extractor/washer.

City of Ironton (Lawrence County)
$2,470.69 to purchase 17 barrier hoods and 17 pair of washable gloves.

City of Avon Lake (Lorain County)
$9,799.17 to purchase one extractor/washer, 28 particulate hoods and 28 washable gloves.

Camden Township (Lorain County)
$8,224 to purchase one extractor/washer, 22 pairs of washable gloves and 22 barrier hoods.

Granger Township (Medina County)
$12,300 to purchase 60 pairs of washable gloves and 60 barrier hoods.

Auglaize Township (Paulding County)
$5,600 to purchase one extractor/washer and 20 particulate hoods.

City of Aurora Fire Department (Portage County)
$7,250 to purchase 100 barrier hoods.

Village of Mogadore (Portage & Summit Counties)
$12,488.33 to purchase one 30 lb. capacity extractor/washer and 28 barrier hoods.

Jefferson Township Trustees (Richland County)
$11,664 to purchase 72 particulate hoods and 72 washable gloves.

Scioto Township (Ross County)
$15,000 to purchase one 40 lb. capacity extractor/washer, 52 pairs of washable gloves and 52 barrier hoods.

City of Louisville (Stark County)
$5,808 to purchase 40 particulate hoods and 30 barrier gloves.

Plain Township Trustees (Stark County)
$13,539.85 to purchase 94 particulate hoods and 94 washable gloves.

Bath Township (Summit County)
$12,482.50 to purchase two extractor/washers.

City of Akron (Summit County)
$15,000 to purchase three extractor/washers with 8" steel base.

City of Wooster (Wayne County)
$6,112.50 to purchase 45 particulate hoods and 45 washable gloves.

City of Rossford (Wood County)
$13,458.33 to purchase one extractor/washer and 70 barrier hoods.

The grant program, announced in as a component of BWC's Third Billion Back rebate plan, 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 www.bwc.ohio.gov.

Media Contacts:

Melissa Vince, 614-466-2956 or 614-202-2329, melissa.vince@bwc.state.oh.us

Tony Gottschlich, 614-644-4940 or 614-296-1734, anthony.gottschlich@bwc.state.oh.us

Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation provides workers' compensation insurance to 244,000 public and private Ohio employers. With nearly 1,900 employees and assets of approximately $27 billion, BWC is the largest state-run insurance system in the United States. Our mission is to protect Ohio's workers and employers through the prevention, care and management of workplace injuries and illnesses at fair rates. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.

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