1. Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 2010

2. Region 8 Ted Young Fire Program Specialist Denver, Co. 303-235-4791303-235-4628fxTed.young@dhs.gov Ted Young Fire Program Specialist Denver, Co. 303-235-4791303-235-4628fxTed.young@dhs.gov

3. Grants Administered by AFG Program Office Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Fire Prevention and Firefighter Safety Research and Development (FP&S)

4. Total 2010 Appropriation AFG $390 million* SAFER $420 million AFG allocation includes * $30 million for FP&S * $7.8 million for nonaffiliated EMS

5. Introduction Please raise your hand if you fall into one of the following categories: I represent an organization that has never applied for an AFG Grant. I represent an organization that has applied for an AFG Grant but never been awarded. I am individual who has never completed the application for an AFG Grant.

6. 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)

7. AFG Grants Purpose To protect the public and fire service personnel from fire and all other hazards.

8. AFG Grants Eligible Applicants Fire departments Nonaffiliated EMS organizations

9. AFG Grants Program Areas Vehicle Acquisition Operations and Safety Regional Projects

10. Only 25% of the appropriation or $97.5 million may be used for vehicles. Fire Department Vehicle Acquisition Activity

11. Fire Apparatus Priorities PriorityUrban Communities Suburban Communities Rural Communities 1Pumper Aerial Quint (Aerial <76’) Quint (Aerial >76’) Rescue Pumper Aerial Quint (Aerial <76’) Quint (Aerial >76’ ) Pumper Brush/Attack Tanker/Tender Quint (Aerial <76’) 2Command HazMat Light/Air Rehab Foam Truck Command HazMat Rescue Tanker/Tender Brush/Attack Foam Truck HazMat Rescue Light/Air Aerial Quint (Aerial >76’ ) 3ARFFV Brush/Attack Fire Boat Tanker/Tender Ambulance ARFFV Rehab Light/Air Fire Boat Ambulance Foam Truck ARFFV Command Rehab Fire Boat Ambulance Light/Air

12. AFG Vehicle Grants Previous vehicle awardees are eligible to apply in 2010. Urban/suburban applicants may request multiple vehicles on the same application, but are limited to one vehicle per station.

13. Fire Department Operations and Safety Activities Training Equipment Personal Protective Equipment Modifications to Facilities Wellness/Fitness Services

14. Training Fire department applicants must indicate the percentage of active firefighters trained to NFPA 1001. Fire department applicants having less than 100% of active firefighters trained to NFPA 1001 will be asked to explain their plans to meet the standard. These questions are asked for every activity.

15. Equipment Must meet all mandatory regulatory requirements and any national and/or DHS-adopted standards Have the goal of achieving compliance with nationally applicable standards and of solving interoperability or compatibility problems

16. Personal Protective Clothing Applicants are asked to provide significant detail in their requests regarding existing equipment inventory. The age of existing equipment is considered in all phases of review.

17. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Applicants with significant numbers of older SCBA are a higher priority. Applicants with SCBA that are compliant with the more current editions, i.e., the 1997 edition of NFPA 1981 and more current editions are a lower priority.

18. Wellness and Fitness Entry-level physicals (NFPA 1582)Entry-level physicals (NFPA 1582) ImmunizationsImmunizations Periodic health screeningsPeriodic health screenings

19. Modifications to Fire Stations Eligible Projects Sprinkler systems Smoke and fire alarm notification systems Vehicle exhaust evacuation systems Vehicle mounted exhaust filtration systems Air improvement systems Emergency power generators

20. Primary Response Area First Due For application purposes (call volume), only use statistics for your own first due. We do not count automatic or mutual aid calls. They are listed separate at the bottom of the call volume page.

21. 2010 EMS Applications

22. Nonaffiliated EMS Nonaffiliated EMS is defined as a public or nonprofit emergency medical service 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 EMS is adequately provided by a fire department.

23. Ineligible Organizations EMS organizations/Rescue squads that do not transport Fire-based EMS organizations Hospital-based/affiliated EMS Air ambulances (helicopters)

24. EMS Applications Eligible for same programs and activities as fire departments May submit up to 3 applications –Vehicle –EMS Operations and Safety –Regional

25. EMS Vehicles Only $1.95 million available Urban and suburban organizations are allowed multiple vehicles, but limited to one per station Be conscious of “self-declared” urban or suburban status

26. EMS Vehicle Priorities Priority OnePriority TwoPriority Three Ambulances or transport units to support EMS First Responder non transport vehicles Operations vehicles (HAZMAT, rescue) Command Vehicle Hovercraft Other Specialty

27. EMS Operations and Safety Activities Training Equipment Personal Protective Equipment Modifications to Facilities Wellness/Fitness Services

28. Ineligible Activities Firefighting equipment (SCBA) EMS expendables (gloves, drugs, etc.) ALS equipment for BLS organizations Extended Warranties and maintenance agreements Construction Wildland and structural PPE

29. What’s New for 2010 EMS Application We have added EMS billing to the budget. Under: Request Details “Characteristics II”, we now ask how many ambulances.

30. Questions

31. Regional Applications Any eligible organization may act as a host for a regional application. Regional projects are designed to facilitate interoperability. Standardization does NOT necessarily equate to interoperability.

32. Regional Applicants The only eligible activities for regional grant applications are: Communications equipment Training Equipment that satisfies interoperability such as hose

33. Regional Eligibility Host must be an eligible organization. Regions mean more than one jurisdiction.

34. Regional Eligibility The purpose of a regional project is to facilitate interoperability and efficiency between jurisdictions. Any equipment purchased with grant funds must be physically distributed to all departments listed in the application.

35. Always check the Funding Priorities section of the Program Guidance before deciding what items or programs you will request assistance in this year. Program Guidance can be accessed at www.firegrantsupport.com Funding Priorities

36. Questions?

37. AFG Grants Require a local cost share based on population served Under 20,000 population 5% 20,000 - 50,000 population10% Over 50,000 population20%

38. AFG Grants Maximum Federal Funding Federal Funding $1,000,000 $1,750,000 $2,750,000 Population Less than 500,000 500,000 - 1,000,000 More than 1,000,000

39. AFG Grants Any eligible organization may submit three separate applications: 1. Vehicle 2. Operations and Safety 3. Regional projects All applications are assessed based on population protected plus frequency of use (call volume).

40. What’s New for 2010?

41. Changes in 2010 Modification to Facilities priorities Vehicles prepayments require an advanced payment bond

42. Questions?

43. Preparing Your Application

44. Electronic Scoring Two Important Facts The answers to many questions in your application have values assigned to them. The answers that most closely align with the program’s priorities will score the highest.

45. Planning and Developing a Narrative All three grant applications require a narrative, each with specific elements that must be addressed. These are described in the Program Guidance.

46. The AFG Narrative Four elements must be addressed. Project Description and Project Budget Financial Need Cost-Benefit Effect on Daily Operations

47. Key Points: Narrative Remember, your peers will be reading your narrative, so write the narrative so your need is clear to them. Relate only local information – not national statistics. Provide only the information the reviewers don’t know. Remember to discuss the training program and your plan to move toward 100% compliance with NFPA 1001.

48. Narrative: Project Description and Project Budget Briefly describe your department and any special issues it may have. Explain the identified risk/problem? What is your solution/remedy? What standards will be met? How much will it cost?

49. Narrative: Financial Need Why do you need money from the Federal Government? Briefly describe your income compared to your expenses to illustrate your current funding deficiencies. Explain other attempts you have made to fund your needs. Explain financial and community trends or changes.

50. Narrative: Cost-Benefit Explain what benefits you will realize in return for the grant funds. Frequency of use vs. cost Increased efficiency of operation Most economical solution Interoperability Consequences of not receiving award

51. Narrative: Effect on Daily Operations How will this grant improve firefighter safety and reduce loss of life and property? Discuss frequency of use. Describe how you will measure results. How will outcomes change?

52. Narrative: Helpful Hints Write the narrative offline. Make sure that the narrative is complete before you submit your application. Seek a third-party review. Avoid using templates and brand names.

53. Request Details vs. Narrative Large projects with multiple items should be clearly defined in the narrative. Providing more line item breakdown in the Request Details.

54. Remember Once the application has been submitted, it cannot be changed!

55. Exercise Read the following financial need section of a narrative from a typical application and identify at least three questions you’d like to ask the applicant.

56. The No Name Fire Department desperately needs financial assistance, especially now. Several businesses in town have closed, so our revenue is less than it has been in the past. Our budget in 2007 was $850,000, but last year it was only $650,000. Our fundraisers haven’t been very successful either because people don’t have as much money to spend. We are still making payments on the new fire station we built in 2005 and the engine for that station, which takes a big chunk of our budget. We’ve applied for AFG Grants for several years, but we have never been funded. Unless we get this grant, we will not be able to replace 30 SCBA, which are 15 years old.

57. Time is up

58. 2010 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER)

59. 2010 SAFER Funding $420 million June Application Period

60. SAFER Goal To assist the local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities so they may respond to emergencies whenever they occur, assuring their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

61. Meeting National Standards NFPA 1710 – Section 5.2.4.2 Initial Full Alarm Assignment Capability – Structure fires – Assemble 14 personnel (15 w/ aerial) – 480 second (8 minute) response time – 90% of incidents

62. Meeting National Standards NFPA 1720 - Section 4.3 Staffing & Deployment Demand Zone Demographics Staffing and Response Time Pct. Special risks AHJ AHJ 90 Urban >1000 people/mi 2 15/9 min. 90 Suburban 500–1000 people/mi 2 10/10 min. 80 Rural < 500 people/mi 2 6/14 min. 80 Remote* Travel dist > 8 mi. 4 90 * Upon arrival with 4 – must be capable of safely commencing an initial attack within 2 minutes 90 percent of the time.

63. Meeting National Standards OSHA – Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134(g)(4) – Two-in two-out rule

64. SAFER Activities Hiring of Firefighters Activity (2 years, no local match ) –Hiring new firefighters –Rehiring laid-off firefighters Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity (Up to 4 years, no local match)

65. SAFER Eligible Applicants Hiring Activity Career fire departments Volunteer departments Combination departments Municipalities and fire districts on behalf of departments lacking the legal status to apply

66. SAFER Eligible Applicants Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity Volunteer departments Combination departments State and local organizations with an interest in volunteer firefighters

67. Hiring Grant Eligible Costs In volunteer and mostly-volunteer combination departments, SAFER- funded firefighters may: Have collateral assignments, e.g., fire chief, training officer, fire inspector, public educator Be the department’s first career firefighter Work a 40-hour per week schedule instead of 24-hour shift schedule

68. Cost Share for SAFER Grants Cost share requirements are waived for Hiring grants under the ARRA. There is no cost share for Recruitment and Retention grants.

69. Recruitment and Retention Eligible Activities Insurance packages (AD&D, disability, health, dental, life, etc.) Reimbursement of costs incurred while attending required training (compensation for lost wages, mileage, lodging, per diem)

70. Recruitment and Retention Eligible Activities Stipends such as fuel reimbursement for responding to incidents or other operational activities Salary and benefits for a Recruitment and Retention coordinator

71. Recruitment and Retention Eligible Activities Marketing costs to recruit new volunteer members Explorer, cadet, and/or mentoring programs

72. Recruitment and Retention Eligible Activities Tuition assistance for higher education, including college tuition and professional certifications (above and beyond what the department typically funds for required minimum-staffing firefighter certification)

73. Recruitment and Retention Eligible Activities Length of service awards (non-cash awards) and other retirement benefits (based on participation) Don’t be afraid to select “Other” – just be sure to describe the activity and how it meets your department’s needs

74. Recruitment and Retention Eligible Activities Once awarded, grantees can request through grant amendment additional funding for reimbursement of the following expenses: –Physicals consistent with NFPA 1582 for new operational recruits –Turnout gear after the new recruit successfully completes an NFPA 1582 physical and Firefighter I

75. Questions?

76. 2010 Fire Prevention and Firefighter Safety Research and Development Grants (FP&S)

77. 2010 FP&S Funding $30 million Tentative Fall Application Period

78. FP&S Eligible Applicants Fire departments and nonprofit organizations that have experience and expertise in fire prevention programs can apply under the Fire Prevention and Safety activity. Fire Departments are not eligible to apply under the Research and Development activity..

79. FP&S Eligible Projects Examples of Eligible Projects Smoke Alarm installation Public Education Code Enforcement/Awareness Fire & Arson Investigation Juvenile Fire-setter Projects Sprinkler Awareness General Prevention/Awareness

80. FP&S Cost Share For fire departments, the cost share is the same as for AFG - based on population: –less than 20,000 = 5% –between 20,000 and 50,000 = 10% –over 50,000 = 20% For all other applicants, there is no cost share.

81. Questions?

82. Procurement Integrity Competition Documentation Specifications Conflict of Interests

83. Competition Grantees are expected to promote competition. This means soliciting pricing from multiple manufacturers. Purchases should be made as a result of the competition – from the manufacturer who best meets the requirements and provides the grantee with the best price and quality. The timeliness of delivery should be considered when making these decisions.

84. Documentation Grantees are required to maintain documentation related to their purchases. Grantees who fail to document their purchases may find that their expenditures disallowed.

85. Specifications Specifications shall clearly describe the requirements of the product to be purchased or contracted. However, specifications may not be written in a way that unduly limits, restricts, or eliminates competition unnecessarily.

86. Specifications Grantees cannot impose in-state or local geographical preferences in the evaluation of bids or proposals. Grantees cannot use specifications obtained from vendors if the specs are found to be restrictive or proprietary.

87. Specifications Do not indicate “brand names” in your application or in your specifications. Grantees that specify “brand name” products may be asked to provide DHS with their procurement documents (such as requests for proposals, invitations for bids, or independent cost estimates).

88. Conflict of Interests Members of your department who work for vendors/manufacturers cannot... – Work on the application – Develop specifications – Develop statements of work –Participate in the procurement of any requested item in the grant

89. Conflicts? Volunteers Employees Members Officers Family Members Grant Writers May not benefit from the procurement of any item or contracted service purchased with grant funds.

90. Conflict of Interests Grantees who purchase items from vendors who employ any of their volunteers/members must document how they avoided a conflict of interest during the procurement process.

91. Applicant Assistance Regional Points of Contact:Regional Points of Contact: http://www.firegrantsupport.com/content/ html/program/ContactUs.aspx Help Desk: 1-866-274-0960Help Desk: 1-866-274-0960 Email: firegrants@dhs.govEmail: firegrants@dhs.gov Website: www.firegrantsupport.comWebsite: www.firegrantsupport.com

92. Thank you

93. Region 8 Ted Young Fire Program Specialist Denver, Co. 303-235-4791303-235-4628fxTed.young@dhs.gov Ted Young Fire Program Specialist Denver, Co. 303-235-4791303-235-4628fxTed.young@dhs.gov