The agreement provides funding to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness

Specifically, this recipient will address this recurring hazard in western washington and for bellingham public schools (BPS) students, staff, and community. During wildfire season - july through october - school district administrators are challenged with making decisions to protect the health and safety of students and staff from the harmful gaseous and particle pollution of wildfire smoke. Our project addresses these challenges and focuses on smoke readiness assessment and planning as well as indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring. Further, our project includes staff education and training opportunities and the development of a communications plan. Our goal is to improve overall capacity and establish clear guidance on how to respond to and address air quality issues within our district. Activities:the activities include . . . - smoke readiness planning, - outreach and training, - indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, - identification and preparation of cleaner air shelters - significant improvements to buildings such as upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units or systems and weatherization necessary to protect occupants from hazards stemming from wildfires. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables are to improve our preparedness for these inevitable future wildfire smoke events so that we can effectively manage our buildings during the event itself. We will do this through a comprehensive data-driven strategy including: 1. A full assessment and planning for our 28 facilities, 2. Purchasing monitors for outdoor and indoor air quality measurement and indoor air filtration, 3. Providing staff training opportunities, and 4. Developing of a communications plan. The expected outcomes include: - expansion in communities and/or community buildings adopting smoke readiness plans; - increase in population served by community buildings that effectively reduce occupants' exposure to wildfire smoke; the intended beneficiaries include . . . - local educational agencies (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(30), and - public and private non-profit organizations - the general public and the community members within the community that they serve.