title
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for a 2025 New Hanover Community Endowment Community Safety Grant in the Amount of $623,331 for a Comprehensive Firefighter Health, Safety, and Wellness Initiative
body
Department:
Fire
Meeting Date:
October 7, 2025
Contact Name:
Steve Mason
Public Hearing:
N/A
Contact Phone:
910-343-3906
Advertising Date/Advertised By:
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment #1: Resolution
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to apply for a 2025 New Hanover Community Endowment ("Endowment") Community Safety Grant to implement a holistic health and wellness initiative.
BACKGROUND:
The Endowment administers a Community Safety Grant program. The Endowment's mission is to address the root challenges in community safety, community development, social and health equity, and education, and to develop impactful solutions for every person in New Hanover County.
The Wilmington Fire Department ("WFD") is home to 220 firefighters who risk their lives daily to protect the community. Their work exposes them to extreme heat, toxic smoke, physical overexertion, disrupted sleep schedules, and repeated traumatic events. These occupational hazards place firefighters at significantly increased risk for cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty death), cancer, and behavioral health challenges, including PTSD, depression, and substance use.
This program will provide PFAS-free personal protective equipment, cutting-edge cardiovascular and cancer risk screening, and annual behavioral health assessments using validated tools. Together, these interventions will save lives, reduce costly turnover, and ensure that Wilmington's firefighters remain healthy, resilient, and mission-ready.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The total project cost will be $623,331, which should all be covered by the grant, and which does not require any matching funds.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of th...
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