TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Michael Bachmeyer, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
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Governing Body Authorization to Accept California Fire Foundation 2026 Proposition 4 Grant Funds for Vegetation Mitigation and Fuels Reduction.
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
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City Council to approve the application and acceptance of grant funds for up to $1,000,000 for the California Fire Foundation 2026 Proposition 4 Grant for Vegetation Mitigation and Fuels Reduction.
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SUMMARY:
The California Fire Foundation Proposition 4 Wildfire Prevention & Firefighter Safety Grant Program, funded through the voter-approved $10 billion Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act. This grant funding opportunity will allow California based fire departments, local firefighter associations, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations to be able to access grant awards up to $1 million for projects. These grants are designed to strengthen firefighter safety, enhance community preparedness, and support proactive wildfire prevention at the local level.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
Council has historically approved staff to apply during 2018, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 for the regular funding cycles.
DISCUSSION:
The California Fire Foundation supports projects that actively address wildfire preparedness and/or prevention needs, which protect and enhance the public’s safety or the safety of California’s firefighters and other first responders, including Vegetation Mitigation & Fuels Reduction (projects supporting disaster mitigation and fuels reduction), Firefighter Health & Safety (projects supporting firefighters' physical, mental, and behavioral health), and Specialized Firefighting Equipment (equipment projects that directly protect firefighter health and strengthen emergency response capacity). Based on these priorities, staff will seek funding for fuels reduction projects to be completed within the parks and properties of the City of Red Bluff (for example, Forward Park Fuels Reduction Project Phase II) and to support the purchase of a mini excavator equipped with a fuels reduction masticating head. This project will build capacity for fuels reduction and vegetation mitigation work within the city and the surrounding areas.
The City of Red Bluff received funding from the California Fire Foundation totaling $10,000 in 2018 and $25,000 in 2023. Both awards provided funding for equipment, personal protective equipment, and fuels reduction projects.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
None. This is a no-match grant opportunity with no financial impact on the City if awarded.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Funding Priority Guidelines
2. Proposition 4 Guidelines-California Fire Foundation
3. Governing Body Authorization Letter