Volunteer Firefighting Grants

The Department of Homeland Security has published the notice for the 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The distribution of grants has been held up by the delayed posting. Typically, fire departments began receiving awards announcements as early as June.   

Many departments, and particularly volunteer departments, fight a continuous and ongoing battle in funding their existence. Shrinking tax bases, poor economies and swings from the budget axe take their toll on all departments daily and have become the norm, instead of an occasional problem area.   

Another year has come and gone in what seems a wisp of vapor as James so picturesquely illustrates…For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14)  

As I sit here in the cold, rainy, unpredictable weather of Connecticut, I cannot help but look forward to the next ‘Cruisin for Solutions’… We had a great week of fun and sun, oh yeah, and we learned quite a bit from each other.  

Last week we looked at fundraising basics, and as promised, this week we will browse through the submissions at VolunteerFD.org to pick out the 'cream of the crop.'  

With this year's AFGP and SAFER grants application periods over, it is time to start planning for next year.  

When I wrote my first article about grants by the numbers, I received a lot of feedback, both positive and negative. I thought I would take a few minutes and address the feedback and provide some clarifications.   

Many departments, particularly volunteer departments, fight a continuous and ongoing battle in funding their existence.  

Gary emailed me to ask about LOSAP programs, their funding, disbursement options and their overall effect on volunteering.   

The first column on length of services award programs (LOSAP) focused on a specific situation and LOSAP plans in general. This column looks at how people have actually put LOSAP plans together, LOSAP resources, and studies that have been done on effectiveness of plans.  

Last year we missed the boat with the SAFER grants. While in 2005 over 20,000 departments applied for an AFG grant, less than 3,000 departments applied for a SAFER grant.  

In Februrary, we did a poll of the users of VolunteerFD.org. The results were impressive, and showed that our members value the service that VolunteeerFD.org provides.   

USDA Rural Development is committed to assisting rural communities prepare for emergencies and the delivery of lifesaving services. Rural Development provides funding through the Rural Emergency Responders Initiative to specifically strengthen the ability of rural communities to respond to local emergencies. Community Facilities program funds are used to support rural emergency responder efforts by financing needed equipment and services.  

What if I told you that for your new capital projects, you could borrow millions with an interest rate under 4.0%? And further, that you would be able to obtain sales tax and mortgage tax savings or exemptions in connection with your capital project?  

The number one reason why AFG applications are denied prior to peer review is failure to follow the rules. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently released 59 pages of instructions in the form of the guidance document, in addition to the regional workshops that were recently completed.   

With the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program application period now closed, it will be fascinating to see the number of applications filed this year. Considering everybody was allowed to apply for a vehicle this time around, the statistics should make interesting reading.   

  

  

  

Competing for grant dollars in the current homeland security climate is both an opportunity and a challenge.  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program has provided nearly 5,800 direct assistance awards worth more than $103 million in smaller jurisdictions nationwide. While historically law enforcement agencies have been the largest beneficiary of the program, receiving 72 percent of the awards last year, there are opportunities for fire departments.   

  

Each year a new cycle starts for departments to apply for SAFER Grants — and each year I wonder why more departments do not apply. Applications can begin Tuesday, and the SAFER grants provide funds for increasing staffing either by hiring firefighters or implementing a recruitment and/or retention program.  

For the majority of fire and EMS departments in the United States, the weeks and months subsequent to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant are looked upon as the grant "off-season." But for the assiduous grant writer, the regular season of grant opportunities still lay ahead.   

  

  

  

  

  

  

Most of the grant forums that I read are often focused on federal grant opportunities. While there is no doubt that the federal programs have provided a tremendous amount of funding for public safety agencies, there are other, less known grant programs and foundations. Many are sponsored or administered by insurance companies — and why not?   

  

  

  

With most grant programs becoming more competitive, I've noted more emphasis being placed on applicants providing thorough vulnerability assessments of their area.  

Fourteen-year-old junior firefighter thought to be youngest ever grant writer to ever win an award from the Department of Homeland Security