HomeMy WebLinkAbout69-09 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 69-09
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FAYETTEVILLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR A DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY 2009 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000.00 FOR PURCHASE OF A
MOBILE MULTI -TRAINER SYSTEM.
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 Department of
Homeland Security 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of
$200,000.00 for purchase of a Mobile Multi -Trainer System.
PASSED and APPROVED this 7h day of April, 2009.
APPROVED:
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ATTEST: to. �,3'-
FAYETTEVILLE: El
By:
S NDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer
Tony Johnson
Submitted By
City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form
City Council Agenda Items
and
Contracts, Leases or Agreements
April 7, 2009
City Council Meeting Date
Agenda Items Only
Fire
Division
Action Required:
Fire
Department
Council approval to apply for the 2009 Assistance To Firefighters Grant program. The amount to be requested will
be approximately $200,000 for the purchase of a mobile multi -trainer system. The city's obligation under this grant
program is a 20% matching contribution if awarded.
$
40,000.00
Cost of this request
1010.0001.4308.00
1010.0001.4309.00
Account Number
Project Number
Budgeted Item
Category / Project Budget
Funds Used to Date
Remaining Balance
Budget Adjustment Attached
Act 833 Rev / Federal Grant Rev
Program Category / Project Name
Revenues
Program / Project Category Name
General Fund
Fund Name
Department Director
City Attorney
ervice Director
3/9/2009
Date
3k/Q9
Date
3-tgroq
Dat
Mayor
3
ate
Previous Ordinance or Resolution #
Original Contract Date:
Original Contract Number:
Received in City
Clerk's Office
Received in
Mayor's Office
Comments:
Revised April 16, 2007
March 9, 2009
The City of Fayetteville Fire Department
303 W. Center St. Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone (479) 575-8365 Fax (479) 575-0471
To: Mayor Jordan
Fayetteville City Council
From: Tony Johnson, Fire Chief �(
Subject. Request to Make Grant Application
As in past years, the department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management
Agency is making money available through the 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants
program The fire department has greatly -benefited from this funding source in the past,
and we are requesting authorization to apply for $200,000 for purchase of a Mobile Multi -
Trainer System. If our request is selected for funding, we will apply for authorization
from the City Council to appropriate the $40,000 matching amount from the Act #833
funding which is received annually from the State of Arkansas to purchase equipment for
the fire department.
Honor, Commitment, Courage;
Our people make the difference!
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FAYE11EVILLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR A DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY 2009 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000.00 FOR PURCHASE OF A
MOBILE MULTI -TRAINER SYSTEM.
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 Department of
Homeland Security 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of
$200,000.00 for purchase of a Mobile Multi -Trainer System.
PASSED and APPROVED this 7th day of April, 2009.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
By: By:
LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
S.09I S-6tce
N'_
Fiscal Year 2008
CP,-)
Assistance to Firefighters Grants 3191-0-91
Program and Application Guidance
February 2008
FEMA
U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Key Changes in FY 2008
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) remains largely
unchanged from the previous year's program based upon input from members of the
America's fire services and other stakeholders. The FY AFG program continues to
promote a risk-based funding approach consistent with other programs administered by
the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS). In FY 2008 we will also continue our
commitment to regional projects in order to promote regional integration interoperable
communications, mutual aid agreements, and equipment compatibility.
The criteria development panel recommended that the AFG emphasize the importance
of training in the FY 2008 program. As such, the FY 2008 application will contain
questions regarding the applicant's training certification level and interest in attaining
higher levels of proficiency. The answers will not affect the preliminary screening of any
application, but they will be available for consideration by the technical review panelists
in their evaluation. We anticipate that the technical review panelists will not recommend
awarding grants for applications where membership is not fully trained (commensurate
with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 or an equivalent State standard)
and where the applicant is not seeking funding to attain a minimum level of training for
their membership.
As allowed in FY 2007, all eligible applicants in FY 2008 may submit three separate
applications, (Le., one application under Operations and Safety, a second application
under Vehicle Acquisition, and a third application for a regional project). Fire
departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations in urban
and suburban communities are allowed to request multiple vehicles on their Vehicle
Acquisition application. Departments servicing rural communities will continue to be
restricted to only one vehicle per request. Previous vehicle awardees may receive a FY
2008 AFG vehicle award.
However, in FY 2008, DHS will no longer provide advance funding for the purchase of
vehicle chassis. DHS will only allow a limited advance of funds not to exceed 25
percent of the Federal share on vehicle grants to cover any pre -delivery costs. Also, all -
terrain vehicles (ATVs) and rescue boats, previously eligible under the equipment
category, will no longer be eligible for funding. Finally, regional communications
projects will not be funded unless their State's Statewide Communications
Interoperability Plan (SCIP) has been reviewed and approved by DHS.
All FY 2008 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.
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 11
Part III. Application Requirements 15
Appendix 1. Funding Priorities and Allowable Expenses '
For Fire Departments 24
Appendix 2. Funding Priorities and Allowable Expenses
For Nonaffiliated EMS Organizations 41
Appendix 3. Other Allowable Costs 53
Appendix 4. Reasonableness of a Request 56
Appendix 5. Award Procedure 57
Appendix 6. Grantee Responsibilities 59
Appendix 7. Excess Funds 62
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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 capabilities with
respect to fire and fire -related hazards. Our primary 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 complex.
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 common-sense
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 security preparedness. Of particular significance are the
National Preparedness Guidelines and their associated work products. The National
Preparedness Guidelines are 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 Guidelines define 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 Guidelines'
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.
B. Overarching Funding Priorities.
The funding priorities for the FY 2008 AFG reflect the Department's overall investment
strategy, in which three priorities are paramount: enhancing national capabilities, risk -
3
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:
• Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI),
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI),
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC),
• International Association of Firefighters (IAFF),
• International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI),
• National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM),
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and
• North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD).
This criteria development panel is charged with making recommendations to DHS
regarding the creation and/or modification of previously established funding priorities, as
well as developing criteria for awarding grants. This document reflects the
Department's implementation of the criteria development panel's recommendations with
respect to the priorities, direction, and criteria for awarding 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 cost/benefit consideration
and that the frequency of use, as well as the level of population protected, are both
measures of risk 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.
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 risks that have materialized in the department's
area of responsibility, for example, 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, grant requests reaching the second level of competition (the
peer review) can mitigate the impact of "new missions" on the competitiveness of the
application by providing evidence that the department will be able to support and
sustain the "new mission" beyond the period of grant.
4
U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
In order to focus on the overarching priorities, the Department identifies specific criteria
as our highest priorities under each of the funding areas as set forth in Appendices 1
and 2 of this guidance. No one funding area is considered a priority over the others;
therefore, the lists in Appendices 1 and 2 are not in any particular order.
5
U.S. Department of Homeland Security—Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Part I.
Available Funding and Eligible Applicants
This section describes departments and organizations that are eligible to apply for
funding under the FY 2008 AFG, the total available funding in FY 2008, 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 $560 million for the FY 2008 AFG. Funds
appropriated for the FY 2008 AFG are available for obligation and award until
September 30, 2009.
A. Available Funding.
Congress appropriated a total of $560 million to carry out the activities of the FY 2008
AFG program. Congress directed DHS to administer these funds as indicated below.
• Up to 5 percent of appropriated funds ($28 million) may be used for program
administration.
• Up to 2 percent of appropriated funds ($11.2 million) may be used for awards
to nonaffiliated EMS organizations.
• No more than 25 percent of appropriated funds ($140 million) may be used
for vehicle awards.
• No less than 3.5 percent of funds ($19.6 million) must be awarded for EMS
equipment and training.
• No less than 5 percent of appropriated funds ($28 million) must be made
available to make grants for fire prevention activities (FP&S grants).
However, due to the importance of mitigation activities, the 2008 FP&S will be
allocated $35 million for grants.
• No less than $3 million must be awarded for foam and foam -related
equipment.
When making awards, DHS must assure that combined percentage of awards to
combination and volunteer departments is equal to or greater than the percentage of the
Nation's population that these types of departments serve. The National Fire Protection
Association has reported (U.S. Department Profile Through 2006, issued October 2007)
that combination departments protect 33 percent of the Nation's population and
volunteer departments protect 22 percent. As such,
6
U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
• No more than 45 percent of the AFG funds ($252 million) may be awarded to
career departments.
• No less than 33 percent of AFG funds ($184.8 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 ($123.2 million) must be awarded to all -
volunteer organizations (organizations with no active duty paid career firefighters).
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 less
may not receive grant funds in excess of $1,000,000 in any program year.
• Applicants that serve a jurisdiction with more than 500,000, but not more than
1,000,000, people may not receive grant funds in excess of $1,750,000 in any
program year.
• Applicants that serve a jurisdiction of more than 1,000,000 people may not
receive grant funds in excess of $2,750,000 in any program year.
The cumulative total of the Federal share of awards in Operations and Safety, Vehicle
Acquisition, and Fire Prevention and Safety will be factored when assessing award
amounts and any limitations thereto. Applicants may request funding up to the statutory
limit on each of their applications (Le., an applicant that serves a population of less than
500,000 may request up to $1,000,000 on their Operations and Safety application and
up to $1,000,000 on their vehicle request); however, the applicant would have to choose
which application to accept, if the cumulative value of both applications exceeds the
statutory limits if awarded.
For the purposes of this program, applications for regional projects will not be included
in the host applicant's funding limitations detailed above. Regional applications will be
considered independent of, and unrelated to, any other applications that the host
applicant may submit and thus will not be included when assessing the host applicant's
Federal funding limits. Regional applications, however, will be subject to their own
limitation based on the total population that the regional project will serve. For example,
a regional project that serves a population of fewer than 500,000 people will be limited
to $1,000,000
7
U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
DHS will also continue to separate FP&S grants from AFG, and will have a separate
application period devoted solely to FP&S grants. The FP&S application period is
planned for fall 2008.
In addition, Congress appropriated $190 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grants in FY 2008. SAFER's goal is to help fire
departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. When available, information
about the FY 2008 SAFER grants will be announced on the AFG Website at
www.fireorantsupport.com/safer/.
B. Eligible Applicants.
Eligible applicants for AFG are limited to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organi-
zations. 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 tribal authority (city, county,
parish, fire district, township, town, or other governing 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,
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, (Le., 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
purpose 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.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
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 district). 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 2008 program year, each eligible applicant may submit one application for each
of the program areas, (Le., one application for the Vehicle Acquisition program area,
one application for Operations and Safety program area, and one application for a
regional project). However, if an eligible applicant submits multiple applications in a
single program area (for example two regional project applications for which they are 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
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.
A fire 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 jurisdiction 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.
9
U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
C. — Ineligible Organizations.
• Fire departments that are Federal, or contracted by the Federal government, 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 (Le., 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.
10
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 priorities 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 priorities. Applications scoring the
highest will be determined to be within the "competitive range" and will undergo further
evaluation through a peer review process. It has been DHS' practice to review a
sufficient number of applications to assure that the program's goals and objectives will
be met. To achieve this, the number of applications reviewed each year is the number
of applications whose cumulative requests total 200 percent of the appropriated funding
for AFG. As such, with $540 million appropriated for AFG in 2008, DHS will consider
approximately $1.1 billion in applications to be in the competitive range and reviewed by
a panel of peers.
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.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Assistance to Firefighters Grants
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 bridges, petroleum and natural gas transmission pipelines or storage
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 (Le., 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 which are certified by the
appropriate State Administrative Agency and DHS as being aligned with the
applicable Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) and
coordinated with relevant local, State, and Federal first responder and other
organizations; and
3) allow first responder organizations to respond to incidents involving Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High -Yield Explosives (CBRNE).
Capabilities to respond to all hazards, including incidents involving fire, seismic
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
(earthquake), atmospheric (tornadoes, hurricanes), or technological (hazardous
materials or nuclear) events, are also relevant so long as they would also support
the CBRNE mission.
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 priorities (as outlined below) will have a better chance of reaching the
competitive range and the second level peer review than those applicants whose
projects do not reflect the established priorities. Applicants that submit false information
with 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.
Each application that scores high under the peer review process will be deemed in the
fundable range. Applications that are in the fundable range will undergo both a
Technical Review by a subject matter specialist as well as a program office review prior
to being recommended for award. In the Technical Review, the subject matter
specialists will assess the technical feasibility of the application addressing the needs of
the applicant. After the Technical Review, the program office will conduct an additional
review to assess the request with respect to costs and quantities and eligibility prior to
recommending the application for award.
C. State Strategy and Communications 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 to review requests for
CBRNE-related equipment or training, or interoperable communications equipment or
training. 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 SCIP. The State representative will further 'certify that
such requests are consistent with the State Homeland Security Strategy and do not
duplicate or conflict with 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. Further, applicants within States that have not submitted their SCIP to DHS
for review and approval will not be eligible for interoperable communications funding.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security —Assistance to Firefighters Grants
D. Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources.
DHS maintains a classified list of the nation's critical infrastructure and key resources.
Once the competitive range is established (please refer to the definition of this process
in section B of this Part) DHS will review the list of applicants that are not included in the
competitive range to determine if any those applicants are responsible for protecting
critical infrastructure or key resources on this classified list. If it is determined that an
applicant has responsibility for protecting one or more critical infrastructure or key
resource but is not included in the competitive range, DHS will determine whether it is
appropriate to place that application before the peer review panel due to the importance
of its mission to protect these critical resources. This action will not affect any other
application or otherwise undermine the process used to determine the competitive
range. Peer review panelists will not be aware of any applicant's protection of critical
infrastructure/key resources and all applications will be peer reviewed against the
criteria described in section B of Part II of this document.
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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 2008 AFG program.
A. Automated Grant Application.
The FY 2008 AFG application will be accessible from the AFG website
(www.firearantsupport.com) the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA) Website
(www.usfa.fema.qov) and grants.gov Website (www.erants.gov). 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.firegrantsupport.com. The
tutorial explains the grant program, helps applicants with the online grant application,
provides tips for navigating the application screens, and summarizes FY 2008 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 cost associated with using
outside assistance, and for 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 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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