HomeMy WebLinkAbout76-07 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 76-07
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FAYETTEVILLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR A 2007 DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $330,700.00 TO PURCHASE A
LIVE FIRE MOBILE TRAINING UNIT.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS'
Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
hereby authorizes the Fayetteville Fire Department to apply for a 2007
Department of Homeland Security Assistance To Firefighters Grant in the
amount of $330,700.00 to purchase a Live Fire Mobile Training Unit.
PASSED and APPROVED this 1st day of May, 2007.
APPROVED:
By:
DA • ODY, Mayor
ATTEST:
By:
SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer
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Tony Johnson
Submitted By
City of Fayetteville
Staff Review Form
City Council Agenda Items
or
Contracts
May 1,2007
City Council Meeting Date
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Division
Action Required:
Fire
Department
A resolution granting the Fire Dept permission to apply for the 2007 Assistance To Firefighters grant in the amount of
$330,700.
66,140.00
Cost of this request
1010.0001.4308.00
Account Number
Project Number
Budgeted Item
Category / Project Budget
Funds Used to Date
Remaining Balance
Budget Adjustment Attached
Mobile Fire Trainer
Program Category / Project Name
Act 833
Program / Project Category Name
General Fund
Fund Name
DepartmentirectD or
Zirtind*s oG
Date
-)(47( 4411
City Attorney ate
Finance and In ernal Service Director
Mayor
�(- I? -07
Date
Date
Previous Ordinance or Resolution#
Original Contract Date:
Original Contract Number:
Received in City Clerk's Office
7 41
40
Received in Mayor's Office
E/ 7
ro
Comments:
City of Fayetteville Fire Department
303 W. Center St. Fayetteville, AR. 72701
- Phone (479) 575-8365 Fax (479) 575-0471
To: Mayor Coody
Fayetteville City Council
From: Tony Johnson, Fire Chief It
Subject: Request to Make Grant Application
Date: April 17, 2007
Once again, the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency
Management Agency is making money available through its 2007 Assistance to
Firefighters Grants program. The fire department has benefited from this
offering in the past and we are requesting permission to apply for a $330,700 00
training grant for equipment. If our request is selected for funding, we will need
a ten percent match of $66,140.00, which will come from the Act 833 money
which is received annually from the State of Arkansas.
This years request is for a live fire mobile training unit which will be utilized
under the direction of the Fayetteville Fire Department by our incumbent
firefighters as well as the consortium of fire departments the comprise the
Northwest Arkansas Fire Academy. The purchase of this training device is the
most cost effective way to provide live fire training for the personnel of the
Fayetteville Fire Department.
Attached, is a copy of the narrative that will be sent to the Department of
Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency for their
consideration.
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FAYETTEVILLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR A 2007 DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $330,700.00 TO PURCHASE A
LIVE FIRE MOBILE TRAINING UNIT.
•
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCI
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1. That the City Council o the
hereby authorizes the Fayetteville Fire e a
Department of Homeland4S hrity Assi t xic
amount of $330,700.007..irct a Live, 4 e Mo
teen AP�PRO
APPROVED:
By:
OF
City o ayeft vi11e, Arkkansas
rtment thy' pp1y for a 12007
To Fi of ghters Grain he
ile Train ng Unit.
bAN COMDY, Mayor
TTEST:
By:
SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer
City of Fayetteville 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Proiect Description:
The Fayetteville Fire Department (FFD) is requesting funds from the
Training Activities section of the Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program
that will provide a means to improve the training of multiple agencies and
multiple jurisdictions to competently and safely respond to all hazards incidents.
It is our assessment that there are inadequate training facilities available to
prepare for these dramatic events.
The goal of this project is to provide the basic and advanced scenarios as
required by NFPA 1001, 471, and 473; that would involve all first responder
agencies including but not limited to fire, police, public works departments, and
private contractors In addition our Training Division is required by the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide training to our Aircraft Rescue Fire
Fighters; we would be able to utilize this type of facility for rescue scenarios as
well as Homeland Security training. Currently we are not able to offer this type of
training in Northwest Arkansas.
Our Training Committee researched current trailers used in the industry today
and determined that the Kidde ML -1000 Mobile Fire Trainer is the most
appropriate for the needs and demands of the region it would serve. The Mobile
Fire Trainer is a computer -controlled, propane gas -fueled training system that
allows the basic NFPA 1001 skills (forcible entry, search and rescue, SCBA
confidence, fire suppression, ventilation, R I.T.) and other requirements to be
taught in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The system replicates A, B
and C type fires and produces environmentally sound smoke.
• The Mobile FIRETRAINER® ML -1000 is Kidde s top-of-the-line mobile fire training
burn trailer. The ML -1000 is a 48 -ft long custom-built fire training trailer that allows convenient fire training to students in
the basic NFPA 1001 firefighting skills as well as advanced firefighting drills.
There will be a one-time purchase of $ 330.700.00, which includes tax and
shipping from Montvale, New Jersey to Fayetteville, Arkansas The Fayetteville
Fire Department intends to administer this training program while making the
training available to area agencies and to provide oversight for this training. We
have the commitment, support and involvement of these agencies to make this
program a success.
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e
Training
Very few opportunities exist for live fire training in the area. Strict
environmental and logistical controls prevent the usage of existing structures
that may be scheduled for demolition, as live fire training buildings. In addition,
despite thorough inspections, the safety of the structure and therefore the
firefighters is severely compromised due to the unknowns about the condition of
the load bearing portions of that structure and how they may react under even
minimal flame and heat exposure. Fixed fire facilities are not only few and far
between, but they are also exactly that: fixed. Very little can be done to vary the
layout of the structures, and usually after one trip, firefighters have the layouts
memorized and can develop feelings of overconfidence and complacency when
faced with real incidents. This makes a dangerous situation even more
dangerous, as firefighters that are inexperienced or have had few opportunities
to be exposed to live fire on a fire ground, are the ones that are most likely to
get injured or worse at incidents. This puts not only them in danger, but every
firefighter at that incident as they may need rescue at any time. The training of
area volunteers is also subject to availability to travel to these facilities, which
also reduces the amount of time that firefighters are able to engage in live fire
exercises.
The trailer mounted live fire training simulator we are proposing to
purchase will not only make live fire training highly available, but also it will fight
complacency by being able to change the layouts in numerous ways. The
simulator will have the ability to have its interior reconfigured in mid -drill, as well
as the additional tasks of wall breach, ceiling, roof joist, and pitched roof
ventilation props, and a prop to assist in specialized Rapid Intervention Team
trainings. The doors will be able to be forced without damage, as well as the
entire process being environmentally fnendly, using safe, non-toxic smoke and
clean burning propane as the fuel source. The simulator will be able to provide
realistic Class A, B, and C fire training as well as simulate electrical fires. The
simulator will also be able to safely reproduce flashovers and rollovers in a
controlled manner, both of which are conditions that are difficult to recognize
when on an incident, and when not recognized have resulted in many line of
duty injuries and fatalities. We feel that preventing both of these is worth any
amount of money.
Benefits to our Region
The Fayetteville Fire Department responds regionally in conjunction with a
variety of other larger and smaller departments to fire, rescue, and hazardous
materials incidents. The department also provides support through our efforts
on a regional HAZMAT team. Our community is home to a major university that
routinely accommodates nationally televised sporting events that attract over
75,000 visitors to our city. Fayetteville also hosts events sponsored by Wal-Mart
which attract thousands of vendors, celebrities and shareholders to the area
annually. The addition of this equipment would provide an enhanced capability
to deal with homeland security issues as well as our routine fire and rescue
responses Training for our 100 + Fire Fighters as well as neighboring
departments is completed by a group of Training Officers in a 4 county area.
These instructors work closely with the Arkansas Fire Academy to provide
instruction for routine evolutions but also an 8 week Minimum Standards School
that is IFSAC accredited and many other classes for our regional needs.
The biggest hurdle for training Fire Fighters is a facility that will allow the use of
live fire scenarios. We currently have to travel .a great distance to use an
approved Fire Training facility and we have only 4 in the whole State of
Arkansas.
Financial Need
In our city, most of the funding for essential services comes from sales tax
revenues. The Fire Department is in constant competition with the Police
Department for the same resources. With the amount of growth experienced
over the past few years, the needs in both departments far out pace the
resources available. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2000 the population
of Fayetteville was 58,000 up 15,000 from the 1990 census. The .Northwest
Arkansas Planning Commission has projected the population in 2006 to be
71,800. Over the past sixteen years, Fayetteville has experienced a 66% growth
in population. By the year 2025, the population is expected to increase by an
additional 40,000 people. In spite of the level of growth experienced, the Fire
Department has only added two new stations since 1979. The fire department's
budget has only experienced a 3.75% increase in 2006 from 2005. The budget
for personnel services expenses for 2006 has increased by 4.7% from 2005.
Actual spending has outpaced budgetary projections over the past few years due
to an increase in the number of personnel and rising health care costs. This
means that our department is seeing decreased funding for normal operating
expenses even though the department is adding personnel and stations. For
example, the department's budget for materials and supplies has decreased by
8% going from $158,600 in 2005 to $145,700 in 2006. The capital budget went
from $95,800 in 2005 to $0 in 2006. Meeting the personnel cost burden has and
will continue to be a challenge for the department. For this reason, funds are
decreasing for normal operating expenses and non-existent for expansion
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equipment. This kind of expense for a valuable communications system is far
beyond our fiscal capabilities for the foreseeable future.
The City is in the process of budding a new wastewater treatment facility and
initiating much needed road improvements. These and other major projects
have an enormous impact on the city's undedicated resources It is unlikely that
a dedicated revenue source such as property taxes will be assigned to the Fire
Department for any type of managed growth.
Other Relevant Information:
The Fayetteville Department has put forth a strong effort to enhance and
improve our Homeland Security capabilities. We have elevated our mutual aid
efforts with neighboring fire departments and other agencies. For example, we
respond as BLS First Responders with our local paramedic EMS service and we
now have a seamless/automatic response mutual aid agreement with one
neighboring community. We allow our Hazardous Materials unit and our
Technical Rescue Team (both with certified staffs) to respond across the region
as needed by other communities. We are a member of Disaster Management
Interoperability Services (DMIS) network. All personnel are NIMS certified. We
conduct multi -jurisdictional and multi agency disaster drills to develop the
capacity to handle large-scale, mass casualty incidents Our department has
three of the four busiest companies in the entire state of Arkansas. Even though
we are limited by certain financial constraints, we are managing to meet the
service demands of our city. We are, however, stretching to provide the
coverage for the emergency call volume we experience annually. This is
reflected in our higher than national average call queuing.
This Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program would provide us with an
extremely valuable tool to train not only our staff but Fire Fighters from across
the region and assist with Minimum Standards School required evolutions.
We would appreciate any assistance that FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration
through the Department of Homeland Security can provide to the City of
Fayetteville Fire Department, and we also want to thank those of you are who
working so hard and diligently on this important effort.
Thank you.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Fiscal Year 2007
Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Program and Application Guidance
March 2007
OFFICE OF GRANTS AND TRAINING
U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Key Changes in FY 2007
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) contains significant
changes based upon input from the American fire service and other stakeholders. FY
2007 funding priorities are more closely aligned with the Department of Homeland
Secunty's (DHS) risk-based funding. We also continue to deepen our commitment to
regional projects in order to promote regional integration, interoperable
communications, mutual aide agreements and equipment compatibility.
In prior years, applicants were limited to submitting one single application under either
the Operations and Safety or Vehicle Acquisition program areas. However, in FY 2007,
all eligible applicants may submit two separate applications, i.e., one application under
Operations and Safety and a second application under Vehicle Acquisition.
Additionally, fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS)
organizations that provide first responder services to urban and suburban communities
may request multiple vehicles on their Vehicle Acquisition application while departments
servicing rural communities will still be restricted to a one vehicle per request. Finally,
the restnction that precluded previous vehicle awardees from receiving a subsequent
vehicle award has been removed. Previous AFG vehicle awardees may receive a FY
2007 AFG vehicle award.
The FY 2007 AFG will also allow eligible applicants to submit a third application for a
regional project, in addition to their application(s) for operations and/or vehicles (up to 3
separate applications) The result is that one applicant could address more than one
operational need, as well as address issues of interoperability dunng one grant year.
All FY 2007 AFG applicants must submit.a justification for their project(s) that provides
details regarding the project and the project's budget, the benefits to be derived from
the project, the applicant's financial need, and how the project would affect the
applicant's daily operations in protecting lives and property within their community. All
applicants are encouraged to read the AFG Program Guidance document to fully
understand the evaluation criteria and application process.
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1
U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Contents
Introduction 3
Part I. Available Funding and Eligible Applicants 6
Part II. Evaluation Process 10
Part III. Application Requirements 13
Appendix 1. Funding Priorities and Allowable Expenses
For Fire Departments Y2
Appendix 2. Funding Priorities and Allowable Expenses
For Nonaffiliated EMS Organizations 37
Appendix 3. Other Allowable Costs 48
Appendix 4. Reasonableness of a Request 51
Appendix 5. Award Procedure 52
Appendix 6. Grantee Responsibilities 54
Appendix 7. Excess Funds 57
2
U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Introduction
Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) provides financial assistance directly to fire
departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations to enhance their abilities with respect
to fire and fire -related hazards. Our pnmary goal is to help fire departments and
nonaffiliated EMS organizations meet their firefighting and emergency response needs.
AFG seeks to support organizations that lack the tools and resources necessary to
more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency
response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards.
The purpose of this package is to provide: an overview of the AFG; the formal grant
guidance; and, the application materials needed to apply for funding under this program.
Also included is an explanation of DHS management requirements for implementation
of a successful application.
Making an application for Federal funds under programs such as this can be quite
complex and occasionally frustrating. Our job at DHS is to provide clear guidance and
efficient application tools to assist applicants Our customers are entitled to effective
assistance during the application process, and transparent, disciplined management
controls to support grant awards. We intend to be good stewards of precious Federal
resources, and commonsense partners with our first -responder colleagues.
A. Federal Investment Strategy.
The AFG program is an important part of the Administration's larger, coordinated effort
to strengthen homeland secunty preparedness, including the security of America's
critical infrastructure. Of particular significance are the National Prepared Goal and its
associated work products. The National Preparedness Goal is an all -hazards vision
regarding the nation's four core preparedness objectives: prevent, protect, respond and
recover from both terrorist attacks and catastrophic natural disasters.
The National Preparedness Goal defines a vision of what to accomplish and a set of
tools to forge a unified national consensus about what to do and how to work together at
all levels of govemment. First -responder participation is integral to the Goal's success.
DHS expects its first -responder partners to be familiar with this national preparedness
architecture and to incorporate elements of this architecture into their planning,
operations and investments to the degree practical.
B. Overarching Funding Priorities.
The funding priorities for the FY07 AFG reflect the Department's overall Investment
strategy, in which three priorities are paramount: enhancing national capabilities, risk -
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
based prioritizations, and interoperability. Each year, DHS brings together a panel of
fire service professionals representing the nine major fire service organizations to
recommend funding priorities and other implementation criteria for AFG. These nine
organizations are:
• Intemational Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
• Intemational Association of Firefighters (IAFF)
• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
• International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
• North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD)
• Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)
The critena development panel is charged with making recommendations to DHS
regarding the creation and/or modification of previously established AFG funding
priorities, as well as developing criteria for awarding AFG grants and proposing any
changes to grant administration. This document reflects the Department's
implementation of the cnteria development panel's recommendations with respect to the
priorities, direction, and criteria for awarding AFG grants.
The AFG authorizing legislation requires DHS to take into account the benefit to be
derived from the costs of the grant activity when considering each application for award.
DHS has determined that risk-based funding achieves this benefit/cost consideration
and that the frequency of use, as well as the level of population protected, are both
measures of nsk and indicators of the benefit that could be derived from an award.
Therefore, for each activity below, DHS will provide a higher level of consideration to
departments with significant levels of incidents and to departments that protect large
populations relative to other applicants, regardless of the type of community served.
For the 2007 program year, the criteria development panel has recommended that DHS
make a distinction between 'new missions" and "new risks." A department takes on a
new mission when it expands services into areas .not previously offered, such as a fire
department seeking funding to provide emergency medical services for the first time. A
"new risk" presents itself when a department must address nsks that have materialized
in the department's area of responsibility, forexample, the construction of a chemical
plant. An organization taking on "new risks" will be afforded higher consideration than
departments taking on a "new mission." However, applicants who's grant request
succeeds in reaching the second level of competition, the peer review, can mitigate the
impact of "New Missions" on the competitiveness of their application by providing
evidence that the department will be able to support and sustain the new mission
4
U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
beyond the period of grant.
In order to focus on the overarching priorities, the Department identifies specific criteria
as our highest prionties under each of the funding areas as set forth in Appendixes I &II
of this guidance. No one funding area is considered a priority over the others; therefore,
the list in Appendixes 1 & II are not in any particular order.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Part 1.
Available Funding and Eligible Applicants
This section describes departments and organizations that are eligible to apply for
funding under the FY 2007 AFG, the total available funding in FY 2007, and how those
funds are allocated. The authority for AFG is derived from the Federal Fire Protection
and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. §§ 2229 et seq.), as amended. Congress
reauthorized AFG and appropriated a total of $547 million for the FY 2007 AFG. Funds
appropriated for the FY 2007 AFG are available for obligation and award until
September 30, 2008.
A. Available Funding.
Congress appropriated a total of $547 million to carry out the activities of the FY 2007
AFG program. Congress directed DHS to administer these funds as indicated below.
• Up to 5 percent of appropriated funds ($27.35 million) may be used for
program administration.
• Up to 2 percent of appropriated funds ($10.94 million) may be used for
awards to nonaffiliated EMS organizations.
• No more than 25 percent of appropnated funds ($136.75 million) may be used
for vehicle awards.
• No less than 3 5 percent of funds ($19.145 million) must be awarded for EMS
equipment and training.
No less than 5 percent of appropriated funds ($27.35 million) must be made
available to make grants for fire prevention activities (FP&S grants).
• No less than $3 million must be awarded for foam and foam -related
equipment.
• No less than 33 percent of AFG funds ($180 million) must be awarded to
combination organizations (organizations with both paid career and volunteer
active duty firefighters).
• No less than 22 percent of AFG funds ($120 million) must be awarded to all -
volunteer organizations (organizations with no active duty paid career
firefighters).
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Congress also limited award amounts based on population protected by the applicant,
as indicated below.
• Applicants that serve a jurisdiction with a population of 500,000 people or Tess
may not receive grant funds in excess of $1 million in any program year.
• Applicants that serve a jurisdiction with more than 500,000, but not more than
one million, people may not receive grant funds in excess of $1.75 million in any
program year.
• Applicants that serve a jurisdiction of more than one million people may not
receive grant funds in excess of $2.735 million in any program year.
The authonzing legislation allows for DHS to waive the funding limits for applicants that
serve junsdictions of less than one million people, but DHS will only exercise this
discretion for applicants whose application for a regional project causes the applicant to
exceed the legislative limits.
DHS will also continue to separate FP&S grants from the AFG, and will have a separate
application period devoted solely to FP&S grants The FP&S application period is
planned for fall 2007. As in the past, the program will be open to fire departments
In addition, Congress appropnated $115 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grants in FY 2007. SAFER's goal is to help fire
departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. When available, information
about the FY 2007 SAFER grant program will be announced on the AFG website at
www.fireorantsupport.com/saferi.
B. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for AFG are limited to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS
organizations. Fire departments or nonaffiliated EMS organizations operating in any of
the 50 States plus the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico are eligible for
funding.
A "fire department" is defined as an agency or organization that has a formally
recognized arrangement with a State, territory, local, or tnbal authority (city, county,
parish, fire district, township, town, or other goveming body) to provide fire suppression
to a population within a fixed geographical area on a first -due basis.
A "nonaffiliated EMS organization" is defined as a public or private nonprofit emergency
medical services organization that provides direct emergency medical services,
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
including medical transport, to a specific geographic area on a first -due basis but is not
affiliated with a hospital and does not serve a geographic area where emergency
medical services are adequately provided by a fire department.
In making the determination regarding "adequately provided," DHS will conclude that
any nonaffiliated EMS organization would be eligible if it is "adequately providing" direct
emergency medical services at the time of application submission and is in good
standing with the community, i.e , licensed and/or chartered to provide EMS services to
the community. Rescue squads that provide direct emergency medical services,
including medical transport, to the community they serve are eligible to apply as a
nonaffiliated EMS organization.
By "affiliated" we mean receiving any kind of direct support from a hospital in the form of
funding, facilities, staff, equipment, or apparatus. Contracting with a hospital on a fee-
for-service basis would not constitute an "affiliation" in the context of AFG. Also, for the
purposes of these grants, a "hospital" is defined as an organization, clinic, medical
center, medical college or university, infirmary, surgery center, or any other institution,
association, or foundation that provides medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and
treatment for the sick or injured.
A municipality (such as a fire district) may submit an application on behalf of a fire or
EMS organization when the organization, defined as a fire department or nonaffiliated
EMS organization, lacks the legal status to do so, e.g., when the organization falls
within the auspices of the municipality or distnct. The Alaska Village Initiative, a
nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Alaska, will also be considered
eligible for purposes of receiving assistance under this program on behalf of any Alaska
Native village.
For the 2007 program year, each eligible applicant may submit one application for each
of the program areas, i.e., one application for the Vehicle Acquisition program area, one
application for Operations and Safety program area, and one application fora regional
project. However, ifan eligible applicant submits multiple applications in a single
program area (for example two regional project applications for which it is a host, or two
Operations and Safety applications) we will deem all of the applications in that same
program area to be ineligible.
For the purposes of these grants, we consider two or more separate fire departments or
nonaffiliated EMS organizations that share facilities as being one organization. This
determination is designed to avoid duplication of benefits. For example, it would not be
cost -beneficial to purchase two firefighting vehicles for two fire departments that share a
facility to serve the same community when so many other communities need new
apparatus; nor would it be cost -beneficial to buy two sets of equipment for the same
firefighters. We believe that two or more organizations that share facilities should be
able to satisfy all of their operational needs with one program area application. Thus, if
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
two or more organizations that share facilities each submit an application in the same
program area, we will deem all of those program area applications as ineligible.
Afire department can apply for assistance for its EMS unit, provided the unit falls
organizationally under the auspices of the fire department. Fire departments may NOT
apply for assistance as a "nonaffiliated EMS organization" under the AFG program. Fire
departments whose applications are submitted as a nonaffiliated EMS organization will
have their application deemed ineligible. Likewise, a nonaffiliated EMS organization
may NOT apply for assistance as a fire department. If a nonaffiliated EMS organization
submits an application as a fire department, we will deem that application to be
ineligible as well.
Non -Federal airport and/or port authority fire or EMS organizations are eligible only if
they have a formally recognized arrangement with the local junsdiction to provide fire
suppression or emergency medical services on a first -due basis outside the confines of
the airport or port facilities. Airport or port authority fire and EMS organizations whose
sole responsibility is suppression of fires or EMS response on the airport grounds or
port facilities are not eligible for funding under AFG.
B.1 — Ineligible Organizations
• Fire departments that are Federal, or contracted by the Federal Govemment, and
are solely responsible under a formally recognized agreement for suppression of
fires on Federal installations or land are ineligible for funding.
• Fire stations that are not independent entities, but are part of, controlled by, or
under the day-to-day operational direction of a larger fire department or agency
are not eligible for funding.
• Fire departments that are for-profit departments (i.e., do not have specific
nonprofit status or are not municipally based) are not eligible for funding.
• Auxiliaries, fire service organizations or associations, and State/local agencies
such as a forest service, fire marshals, hospitals, and training offices are not
eligible for funding.
• Dive teams and search and rescue teams, or any similar organizations that do
not provide medical transport, are not eligible for assistance as nonaffiliated EMS
organizations.
9
U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
•
Part 11.
Evaluation Process
This section summarizes the multi-level review and evaluation process used to select
applications for AFG funding.
A. Pre -Screening Process.
As explained earlier, funding priorities and criteria for evaluating AFG applications are
established based on recommendations from the criteria development panel. We will
rank all submitted applications based on the substance of the application relative to the
established funding pnorities for the type of community served. Answers to the
application's activity -specific questions provide information used to determine each
application's ranking relative to the stated priorities.
If you apply for more than one activity in your selected project, each activity will be
scored separately. Then the scores will be prorated based on each individual activity's
funding -level, compared to the total requested funding in your application. For example,
under the Operations and Safety Activity, if you apply for $9,000 in training and $1,000
in equipment, the training portion of the proposal will represent 90 percent of the score
and the equipment will represent 10 percent of the score. The number of activities
included in the application will not affect the application - negatively or positively.
B. Peer Review Process.
Applications that best address the grant funding priorities (as outlined below) will score
higher than applications that are inconsistent with the pnorities. Applications scoring the
highest will be determined to be within the "competitive range" and will undergo further
evaluation through a peer review process. A panel of at least three technical evaluation
specialists will evaluate each application in the competitive range using the project
narrative, along with answers to the general questions and the activity -specific
questions. During the panel review process, panelists will provide a subjective but
qualitative judgment on the merits of each request
Applications that include requests for equipment and/or training will be evaluated by the
panelists relative to the critical infrastructure within the applicant's area of first -due
response. Critical infrastructure includes any system or asset that, if attacked or
impacted by a hazardous event, would result in catastrophic loss of life or catastrophic
economic loss. Critical infrastructure includes the following: public water or power
systems, major business centers, chemical facilities, nuclear power plants, major rail
and highway bndges, petroleum and natural gas transmission pipelines or storage
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
facilities, telecommunications facilities, or facilities that support large public gatherings
such as sporting events or concerts. Panelists will assess such infrastructure and the
hazards confronting the community, as explained in the narrative, to determine the
benefits that will be realized from a grant to the applicant.
Panelists will evaluate and score the following project elements.
1) the clarity of your proposed project, including the project's budget detail;
2) the organization's financial need;
3) the benefits that would result from an award relative to the cost; and
4) the extent to which the grant would enhance daily operations, and/or how the
grant will positively impact an organization's ability to protect life and property.
Each of these four elements carries equal weight when factored into the panelists'
scores (i.e., one-fourth).
Each application will be judged on its own merits, not compared to other applications.
The panelists will consider all expenses budgeted, including administrative and/or
indirect costs, as part of the cost -benefit review. An applicant may demonstrate cost -
benefit by describing, as applicable, how the grant award will accomplish the following:
1) enhance a regional approach, i.e., is consistent with current capabilities and
requests of neighboring organizations or otherwise benefits other organizations
in the region;
2) implement interoperable communications capabilities with other local, State, and
Federal first responders and other organizations;
3) allow first responder organizations to respond to all hazards, including incidents
involving seismic (earthquake), atmospheric (tornadoes, hurricanes), or
technological (hazardous materials or nuclear) events, or incidents involving
CBRNE, as well as fire prevention/suppression.
Panelists will review each application in its entirety and rate the application according to
the established evaluation criteria.
Keep in mind that we will use the answers to the activity -specific questions when
conducting our initial assessment. The answers to these questions are the primary
basis for determining whether an application warrants further evaluation through peer
review. Applicants whose answers indicate that their project is consistent with the
established prionties (as outlined below) will have a better chance of reaching the
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
competitive range and the secohd level peer review than those applicants whose
projects do not reflect the established priorities. Applicants that falsify their applications
or misrepresent their organizations in any material manner will have their applications
deemed ineligible by the AFG Program Office and referred to the DRS OIG for further
action, as appropnate
C. State Technical Review.
Each State will provide the AFG Program Office with a representative to conduct a
technical review of peer reviewed applications from the State that request CBRNE-
related equipment or training or interoperable communications equipment. After the
panel review process is complete, the designated State Homeland Security official will
review the application to ensure that requests for communications systems conform to
the State's interoperable communications plan. The State representative will also
certify that such requests are consistent with the State Homeland Security Strategy and
do not duplicate assistance already provided or imminent If a State representative
determines that an application is either inconsistent with the State strategy or duplicates
the State's assistance, that portion of the AFG application will not be funded.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Part III.
Application Requirements
This section summarized the process for applying for FY 2007 AFG grants.
A. Automated Grant Application.
The FY 2007 AFG application will be accessible from the AFG website
(www.fireqrantsupport.com) the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA) website
(www.usfa.fema qov), and grants.gov website (www.grants qov). We have designed
the automated application with many built-in "help screens" and "drop-down menus" to
assist applicants throughout the application process. The application can be saved and
retrieved as many times as needed to complete it - up to the application deadline or the
submittal of the application.
However, once you have submitted your application, you cannot change it. You
will not be allowed to update your application to correct errors discovered after
submission or to reflect changes in your organization's circumstances regardless of
severity. You will be automatically notified via e-mail once we have received your
application.
An applicant tutorial will be available on the Internet at www.fireqrantsupport.com. The
tutonal explains the grant program, helps applicants with the online grant application,
provides tips for navigating the application screens, and summarizes FY 2007 program
changes. The tutorial also provides a review of lessons learned during previous grant
periods.
You may decide to hire or engage a grant writer to assist you in the application process.
However, as the applicant, you are responsible for the any cost associated with using
outside assistance as well as all information contained in your application. By
submitting the application, you are certifying that all of the information contained therein
is true and is an accurate reflection of your organization. Therefore, prior to submission,
please review all work produced by grant writers, or other third parties, on your behalf.
Applicants that falsify their applications or misrepresent their organizations in any
material manner will have their applications deemed ineligible by the AFG Program
Office and referred to the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) for further action, as
appropriate.
Paper applications will be accepted, but are discouraged due to the inherent delays
associated with processing them Also, successful applicants who submitted paper
applications must continue to manage their grants via paper, including payment
requests, requests for modifications, reporting, etc., whereas applicants who applied
online can perform all of these functions online. In addition, paper applications do not
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
provide the built-in help that is available to online applicants. Finally, there is no
assurance that your paper application is complete when submitted. If you do not have
access to the Internet, contact us directly (1-866-274-0960) to request a paper copy of
the application via regular mail. We will not send paper applications via overnight
delivery, fax, or e-mail.
The only eligible paper application is the application that we send you. Do not use any
paper application that you did not receive directly from us. Do not print the screens
from this year's online application and submit them as a paper application. Do not use
a previous year's application. Any paper application that is not in the correct format will
be deemed ineligible.
Applications for the 2007 AFG will be accepted starting on March 29, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.
EDT. Up-to-date application information will be posted on the AFG and USFA websites.
Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 4, 2007.
Applications submitted by mail must be postmarked by May 1, 2007. Applications not
submitted electronically must be mailed to:
Fire Grant Program Technical Assistance Center
U.S. Fire Administration, Room 1-207
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727-8998
We will not be responsible for applications mailed to any address other than the address
listed above. Late, incomplete, or faxed applications will NOT be accepted. No
electronically submitted applications other than those submitted online via the
automated grant application system will be accepted.
B. Application Process.
Eligible applicants can apply for AFG funding online via the "e -grants" application. The
system will allow an authonzed representative of an applicant to log in and create a
usemame and password for the applicant. The selection of the authorized
representative is at the discretion of each applicant. If your organization submitted an
application in previous years, we advise you to use the same usemame and password
used for previous applications. If your organization is submitting more than one FY
2007 application, you must use the same usemame and password used for prior -year
applications, as well as for each FY 2007 application.
B.1 — DUNS Number.
Effective October 1, 2003, all Federal grant applicants must contain a Dun & Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number helps the
Federal Govemment identify organizations that receive Federal funding and ensures
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
consistent name and address data for electronic grant applications. Additional
information about DUNS numbers can be found on the Dun & Bradstreet website at
http://fedgov.dn b. com/webform/.
There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number, and it is the applicant's responsibility to
obtain one. Extensions may not be granted for applicants who were unable to obtain a
DUNS number prior to the end of the application period. Applicants are encouraged to
apply for a DUNS number as soon as possible. Because it may take several weeks or
more to obtain the number online, we recommend that applicants request a DUNS
number by calling 1-866-705-5711. The DUNS number must be entered in a special
data field on the AFG application.
B.2 — Project Period.
•
The project period for any award under AFG will be twelve months from the date of the
award.
B.3 — Application Details.
As in previous years, the AFG application includes general questions about your
organization and community, as well as questions specific to the proposed project. The
answers to these questions will be used to evaluate your application and to determine
whether your organization serves an urban, suburban, or rural community.
Characteristics such as population, water supply, land use, number of stations, call
volume, and number of inhabitable structures over four stories tall in the jurisdiction
indicates the type of community served. For the purpose of AFG grants, a "story" is the
habitable or occupiable space between a floor and a ceiling of a structure. We will allow
you to self -declare the type of community you serve, however, we will also use these
charactenstics to assist us in determining the type of community you serve. If your
declaration and our determination differ, you will be prompted to justify your declaration
in the narrative section of the application.
The designation of community type is important because we have established different
funding priorities in some of the activity areas, depending on the type of community
served These funding priorities are delineated in each program area below, if
applicable. The community designation (i.e., urban, suburban, or rural) may also affect
the ranking of your application, depending on the program area or activity for which you
are applying. This is why you must justify your designation in the narrative of the
application if your designation is different from ours.
After completing the general questions, you will be asked a series of activity -specific
questions relative to the program area selected and the activities for which you plan to
apply. Answer the questions for each of the activities that support your project. Lastly,
you will be required to provide a written narrative describing the planned project. The
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
narrative portion of the application should provide details of the activities for which you
are seeking funding, including budget details for each activity. The narrative should
also describe your organization's financial need and elaborate on the benefits your
community and/or organization will gain from the expenditure of the grant funds.
Applications should particularly note how the grant would enhance your department's
ability to protect critical infrastructure. Finally, the narrative should explain the extent to
which the grant would enhance your daily operations and/or how the grant will positively
impact your ability to protect life and property.
We recommend that you type your narrative offline in any word processing software,
such as Word, Word Perfect, or Notepad. Once the narrative is complete, you can copy
it or "cut-and-paste" it from the word processing document into the narrative block of the
application. Space for the narrative is limited and cannot exceed five pages. Any
narrative beyond the five-page limit will be cut off by the electronic system and will not
be a part of your application submission. Do NOT type the narrative using only capital
letters. For more specific information regarding the application and the narrative
section, we advise you to review the applicant tutorial on the AFG website
(www.firegrantsupport. com).
B.4 — Project Development.
As in previous years, the AFG program allows applicants to formulate a very
comprehensive grant proposal Depending on the program area for which you apply,
your grant proposal may include a number of related "activities" to address all of your
needs within a programmatic or functional area. This approach provides you with the
opportunity to develop a more comprehensive grant project that addresses a broader
range of your organization's needs. Be advised that your application should include
only activities that can be completed within a one-year (12 -month) grant period.
In FY 2007, you may submit one application per application period in each of the
program areas, i.e., one application under Operations and Safety, one under Vehicle
Acquisition, and/or a separate application as a regional host. If multiple applications are
submitted on behalf of one organization within one of these program areas, either
intentionally or unintentionally, we will deem all of that organization's applications in that
program area to be ineligible. For example, if any applicant submits two applications for
Operations and Safety, both applications will be deemed ineligible.
When formulating your grant proposal(s), keep in mind the legislative funding limits (see
Part I). If an applicant receives awards under both the Operations and Safety and
Vehicle Acquisition areas, the total of both awards cannot exceed the legislatively
established funding limit.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
a. Fire Department Projects.
Fire departments may submit applications for either or both of the following
program areas. AFG awards are subject to the statutory funding limitations
discussed above. Under Operations and Safety, you may include as many
activities within the program area as necessary to meet your needs. However,
you may submit only one application per program area. If multiple
applications are submitted on behalf of one organization within one of these
program areas, either intentionally or unintentionally, we will deem all of that
organization's applications in that program area to be ineligible. The eligible
program areas and associated activities for the FY 2007 AFG are listed below.
• Firefighter Operations and Safety. Eligible activities for fire departments
under this program area are limited to training, equipment, Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), wellness and fitness, and modifications to
fire stations and facilities. If an EMS unit falls organizationally under the
auspices of a fire department, the fire department may submit requests for
EMS training and equipment on behalf of their department's EMS unit
under the appropriate functional area (I e , training or equipment,
respectively). However, a fire department should NOT apply as a
nonaffiliated EMS organization, even if its application is solely for EMS
equipment or training. Requests for equipment, PPE, and training to
prepare for response to incidents involving CBRNE are eligible under the
appropnate activities in this program area. Applicants should ensure that
all projects applied for under AFG are consistent with national standards
and address interoperable communications and equipment compatibility.
• Firefighter Vehicle Acquisition. Eligible apparatus available to fire
departments under this program area include, but are not limited to,
pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances,
quints, aenals, foam units, and fireboats. Urban and suburban
departments may apply for multiple vehicles on one application; however,
urban and suburban applications will be limited to one vehicle per station
in operation (at the time of the application). Rural fire departments may
apply for only one vehicle per year. Applications from fire departments
that serve rural communities and are requesting more than one vehicle will
be deemed ineligible. For FY 2007, there is no restriction on vehicle
requests based on previous AFG vehicle awards. Applicants who
received vehicles under prior -year AFG programs are eligible to receive a
vehicle grant in FY 2007. Activities related to a vehicle grant, such as
driver/operator training and equipment for a vehicle should be included in
the vehicle request, not as part of an Operations and Safety request.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
As stated above, for FY 2007 you may submit one application for
assistance in each of these two program areas. Within your selected
program area (Operations and Safety or Vehicles), you may develop a
comprehensive project to address all of your needs by applying for as
many of the eligible activities that you determine are necessary. For
example, if you determine that your needs are in the Operations and
Safety area, you could apply for any one of the activities under that
program area, any combination of activities, or all of the activities listed
within that area. If you need a vehicle, you must apply under the Vehicle
Acquisition program area. You may not apply for any vehicle under the
Operations and Safety program area. Any equipment or training
requested in a vehicle application must be specifically relevant to the
requested vehicle and consistent with applicable National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards (1901, 1002, etc.).
b. Nonaffiliated EMS Organizations.
Nonaffiliated EMS organizations are eligible to apply for assistance during the FY
2007 AFG application period. The nonaffiliated EMS portion of AFG mirrors what
is available to fire departments. EMS applicants may apply for assistance under
either the Operations and Safety program area or the Vehicle Acquisition
program area, or both using separate applications. EMS awards are subject to
the statutory funding limitations, as discussed in the Funding section of this
guidance. The EMS Operations and Safety area provides a range of eligible
activities that enables applicants to formulate a very comprehensive grant
proposal to meet all operational needs. The EMS Vehicle Acquisition area allows
applicants to apply for a vehicle to enhance emergency response capabilities and
may include operator training, as necessary.
For the FY 2007 application period, you may submit one application per
program area; however, you are limited to only one application in each of the
two program areas listed below. If multiple applications are submitted for a
program area on behalf of one organization, either intentionally or unintentionally,
we will deem all applications from that organization in that program area to be
ineligible. Your application should include only activities that can be completed
within the one-year grant period. EMS program areas andassociated activities
eligible under the FY 2007 AFG are listed below.
• EMS Operations and Safety. Eligible activities available to nonaffiliated
EMS organizations under this program area are limited to EMS training, EMS
equipment, including PPE, wellness and fitness, and modifications to stations
and facilities. Requests for equipment, PPE, and training to prepare for
response to incidents involving CBRNE are eligible for funding under the
appropnate activities in this program area. Applicants should ensure that all
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
projects applied for under the grant program are consistent with national
standards and address interoperable communications and equipment
compatibility.
• EMS Vehicle Acquisition. Eligible apparatus available to nonaffiliated EMS
organizations under this area include, but are not limited to, ambulances,
transport units, and rescue squads. Small specialty access vehicles such as
ATVs, snowmobiles, and gators are not considered vehicles; rather they are
considered "equipment" and should be applied for under the EMS equipment
activity under the EMS Operations and Safety program area. Urban and.
suburban organizations may apply for multiple EMS vehicles on one
application; however, urban and suburban applications will be limited to one
vehicle per station in operation (at the time of the application). Rural
organizations may apply for only one vehicle per year You may not include
equipment for your EMS vehicle in your request; however, your request may
include dnver/operator training. Applications from EMS organizations that
serve rural communities that request more than one vehicle will be deemed
ineligible. Previous AFG vehicle grant recipients are eligible to receive a
vehicle grant in FY 2007.
c. Regional Projects.
Any eligible applicant, whether a fire department or a nonaffiliated EMS
organization, may act as a "host applicant" and apply for large-scale or regional
projects on behalf of itself and any number of organizations in neighboring
jurisdictions A regional project is one in which multiple organizations serving
more than one local junsdiction benefit directly from the activities implemented
with the grant funds. A county fire department applying for a countywide
communications system is NOT a regional project because it does not benefit
multiple "seats -of -government" Regional projects are designed to facilitate
interoperable communications and efficiency among the participating
junsdictions As such, the only activities available for application under a
regional project are training and equipment acquisition that positively affect
interoperability. Purchase of turnouts, wellness and fitness, modification to
facilities, and vehicle acquisition activities are not eligible as a regional project.
Regional projects require one eligible applicant to act as the "host" for the project.
Regional applications may only include activities that are meant to address the
identified regional nsk. Regional applications cannot include any activities meant
solely for the host applicant. In FY 2007, host applicants may apply for funding
to address their own needs beyond the scope of the regional project in a
separate application(s). This is a change from last year's Program Guidance.
The "host" will be responsible for fulfilling all grant requirements, such as
reporting to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), control of and
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
accounting for the funds, and distribution and control•of the property.
DHS has the discretion to waive the legislatively established funding limits under
AFG. In order to encourage interest and participation in this cntical strategy to
address interoperability, DHS may exercise this discretion if the funding of a
regional application is at risk of exceeding statutory funding caps, i.e., the funding
of the regional request combined with other AFG awards would cause the host
applicant to exceed the legislatively established funding limits
In general, equipment purchased as a result of a regional project will be
physically distributed to all the departments that are beneficiaries of the project.
This physical distribution of the equipment to other first responder organizations
is the single characteristic that distinguishes regional projects from non -regional
requests that have an impact on a region via mutual aid. For example, a non -
regional project would be an application for an air compressor or a hazardous
materials (HAZMAT) response vehicle that would be awarded and physically
located in the awardee's department, but shared with neighboring departments
with which a mutual or automatic aid agreement exists.
Examples of viable regional projects would be a multijurisdictional
communications system or standardization of breathing apparatus. As stated
above, regional projects should be designed to address issues of interoperability
among multiple junsdictions.
In order to apply for a regional project, the applicant must:
1) be an eligible applicant, i.e., either a fire department or a nonaffiliated EMS
organization (a county, county association, or city could not apply for a
regional project), and
2) agree, if awarded, to be responsible for all aspects of the grant, including, but
not limited to, accountability for the assets and all reporting requirements.
In the application, the host organization will be required to describe the
characteristics of the entire region that will be affected by the project (i.e., the
population of the affected region, not the applicant's first -due population). The
applicant must provide detailed information in the project narrative describing the
effect of the project and the need for the project. This includes a detailed
descnption of the following:
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
• the proposed project and the project budget;
• the financial need for the project;.
• the benefits that would result;
• the extent to which the grant would enhance daily operations, and/or how the
grant will positively impact the regional ability to protect life and property.
In addition, the applicant must include a list of all the participating organizations
that will benefit from the regional project, if the project is approved. Fire
departments or nonaffiliated EMS organizations that will benefit from a regional
project may also apply for funding under the AFG, as long as they are not
requesting the same items as the host applicant for the regional project. For
example, if a host applicant applies for a multi jurisdictional communications
project, a participating organization that will receive some of the communications
equipment can apply for other needs as long as it does not apply for duplicative
communications equipment. Host applicants MAY NOT apply to address other
needs beyond the regional project on the regional application; however, a host
applicant may submit a request to meet its own, non -regional needs in a
separate application.
When evaluating the benefits of any regional project, we will take into account
the other partners that will be involved in the project, whether they are other fire
departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, or other public service
organizations. We will also take into consideration the extent to which the non-
fire/EMS partners will contnbute to the overall costs of the regional project.
21