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1. Assistance to Firefighter Grants NYSEMA
Annual Winter Meetings
February 9 – 11, 2010
2. NYS: AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Grant BreakdownYears 2001-2009As of October 7, 2009 Grant Funding by Year in NYS
3. NYS: AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Grant BreakdownYears 2001-2009As of October 7, 2009 Grant Funding by Year in NYS
4. AFG
5. Three Program areas under AFG:
6. Vehicle acquisition Awards are capped at 25% of Appropriation
Specific priorities are based on type of community served and other department characteristics
Urban Communities
Suburban Communities
Rural Communities
7. Operations & Safety Training
Equipment
Personal Protection Equipment
Wellness/Fitness Services
Minor modifications to buildings – built prior to 2003
8. Regional Applications Eligible applicants may act as a host for a regional application
Regional projects are designed to facilitate interoperability and efficiency among participants
Standardization does NOT necessarily equate to interoperability
Eligible activities- communications and training
9. Project Description and Project Budget Who you are?
Where you are?
What is your identified risk/problem?
What is your remedy/solution?
What STANDARDS will be met?
How much will it cost?
10. 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
Did the applicant provide a clear description in how the request would benefit the community, department and their firefighters?
11. Financial Need Does the application make a case for financial need? (why does applicant need the funds)
Did the applicant explain the current revenue shortfall?
Were local economic conditions included?
What funding do they need to operate on a daily basis?
Including actual numbers would be beneficial
12. Effect on Daily Operations
Be specific, how will these funds will enhance response time or improve incident operations and firefighter safety?
Does the application clearly demonstrate the positive impact on Daily Operations?
13. Application
Requires a great deal of work/effort. Not a week or 2 of developmental process.
Write the narrative to be concise & accurate
Pass around for review, mistakes, spelling
Write the narrative as if you were the Peer Reviewer? Ask a non fire person to read the application to see if they understand what you are trying to ask for and why you need it!
14. Problems noted by NYS Reviewers
Standards are not listed! References to items such as SCIP not noted. Use the RKB or AEL as a reference or NYSOHS & OFPC
Application should indicate standard – communication equipment is APCO P25, PPE meets NFPA or NIOSH CBRN.
Narrative and Template do not match
Rambling in narrative – loses focus and intent!
It is very apparent that the applicant did not read application, Guidance or attend a AFG workshop.
15. Concerns noted by NYS Reviewers
Failure to answer question asked! The response does not have to be in sophisticated language
Don’t cut and paste off a website. Put in your own words. Peer reviewers can see the difference in writing styles.
Tell Reviewers what equipment your Department needs not why the manufacturer says you need the equipment.
16. Concerns - continued When talking financial need discuss ways you have tried to fund the project. Remember this is 2010 –everyone is feeling the financial pinch.
When discussing cost benefit be cautious that the equipment/project cost is not excessive as compared to the number of calls it is used at. If call /firefighter or per capita is to high, it raises eyebrows!
17. 5 Key Points – Does the application answer these questions
Does your application meet State plans (requirements) and/or training?
Does your request duplicate any training or equipment that the State might provide?
Might the equipment or training hinder standardization underway in your state?
Did the applicant provide sufficient details to understand the proposed project? Merits and/or shortcomings of the application?
18. Last Key Point Are there any specific items that are inconsistent with State strategies that would prohibit this application from being funded?
19. Questions?