MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Fire Department has again secured federal money.
The MFD has been selected for a $156,752 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to fund firefighter overtime, specialized training and new equipment.
Legislation regarding the grant is scheduled for a vote Tuesday at City Council.
The award comes through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
According to the program, its primary goal is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.
Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
Under the terms of the 90% federal to 10% local funding split, the city will provide $15,675 in matching local funds, bringing the total approved budget for the project to $172,427.
Last year, the city received $218,576 through the grant program to fund the bulk of a new automatic, air-cleansing system for each of the city’s fire stations, removing diesel engine exhaust fumes.
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The legislation authorizes Safety-Service Director Keith Porch to accept the grant and sign necessary agreements. It also appropriates the grant money from the city’s unappropriated grant fund into three specific operational classifications:
- Capital outlay (equipment): $122,677
- Personnel services (overtime): $40,000
- Contractual services: $9,750
The grant period spans two years, running from Sept. 28, 2026, to Sept. 27, 2028.
City Council on Tuesday is also scheduled to:
— vote on a proposal to participate in an electric and/or natural gas aggregation procurement program for municipal buildings, facilities, street lighting and other utility accounts through the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.
— vote on the acceptance of a $9,881 Addiction Treatment Program grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board. No matching funds are required for the grant.
— vote on the acceptance of a $104,438.68 Justice Assistance Grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. Funds are earmarked for conducting drug law enforcement operations within the 10-county METRICH Enforcement Unit area. The city received a similar award in 2025. No matching funds are required.
— vote on the transfer of $40,000 within the safety services fund to pay for increasing gas and diesel fuel prices.
— vote on another contract with the Ohio Dept. of Transportation to remove snow and ice on state and federal highways within the city limits, including U.S. 30 on the city’s north side. Work will also be done on portions of U.S. 42, Ohio 13, Ohio 39 and Ohio 545.
A safety committee meeting is scheduled Tuesday at 6:50 p.m. Council caucus is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. with its legislative session following immediately thereafter.
(Below is a PDF with legislation schedule for City Council on Tuesday evening.)
