5th Annual Virginia Interoperable Communications Conference

1. 5th Annual Virginia Interoperable Communications Conference September 30-October 1, 2008 Norfolk, VA

2. Finding Grant Funds A discussion on how localities can best use their resources to find grants that apply to their needs October 1, 2008 11:15am Moderator: Bill Bullock, State Interoperability Executive Committee Panelists:Bill Lawson, Virginia Department of Emergency Management Amanda Davis, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Dorothy Spears-Dean, Virginia Information Technologies Agency

3. INTEROPERABILITY/COMMUNICATIONS • GRANT FUNDS • Strategic Plan for State-Wide Communications Interoperability • Commonwealth Communications Baseline Survey (Baseline) • State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) • Regional Preparedness Advisory Committee – Interoperability (RPAC-I)

4. Bill Lawson Virginia Department of Emergency Management

5. Review of the Grant Programs • Homeland Security Grants 2003- 2005 • Base plus population • Distribute and purchase off the allowable equipment list • Homeland Security Grants 2006 - current • Major Changes • New message… • “throw out everything you know about the Homeland Security Grant Process, it’s a whole new ball game”

6. Review of the Grant Programs • 2006 Congress asks:  • How prepared are we? • How prepared do we need to be? • How do we prioritize efforts to close the gap? • DHS Responds… • Regionalism • Capabilities Assessment

7. 3 Objectives FY 2008 HSGP is focused on three objectives as its highest priorities. These three objectives are: • Measuring progress in achieving the National Preparedness Guidelines • Strengthening improvised explosive device (IED) attack deterrence, prevention, and protection capabilities • Strengthening preparedness planning

8. Regional Stakeholders Meetings • What priorities emerged? • Planning/Measuring • Evacuation/Shelters/Special Populations • Critical Infrastructure • Communications • Training & Exercise • Law Enforcement/Information Sharing • CBRNE

9. Getting Involved • Regional Preparedness Advisory Committee Meetings (RPAC & RPAC-I) • Stakeholders Meetings • -partner/collaborate with neighbors • Grant Workshops • Local Regional Meetings • VDEM’s List Serve • Web Searches • Know the grant you are applying for!

10. List service for all grant communications: http://www.vaemergency.com/grants/index.cfm • Communications include: • Grant announcements • Grant allocations • Informational Bulletins • Changes in grants • Workshops and TA Courses

13. Grants on the Web • Using the web as a reference tool • Trying variable searches • Search Engines – Google, Yahoo • Grants.gov • rkb.us Responder Knowledge Base • Other sites

16. Other Resources • State and Local experiences • Vendors can be a valuable resource • Knowledgeable about subject matter • May have overcome across similar challenges • Grant Guidance and Information • Read it and know it • Find it on sponsors website • D/L forms and guidance • Write to it – like a job application

17. Amanda Davis Office of Emergency Medical Services

18. Finding Grants For You Define Your Need Be aware of state and federal grant guidelines Look at priorities of Granting Agency/Organization Identify what you should have to fill Your Need Remember to Identify Extra Costs that may be needed Look for partners that have similar interests to your Project and have the resources to Help! Don’t forget about your local stores, hospitals and community organizations Write a Good Proposal Remember Grants are Competitive

19. Private Funding http://www.cpsb.org/scripts/abshire/grants.asp Lists category search of grants from federal, state and private foundations 10 Essential Website for Grantseekers Firstgov, The Nonprofit Gateway, The Foundation Center, Daily Federal Register Contents, Federal Register Search, The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, State and Local Government on the Net, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Grantsmanship Center, Hoover’s Online Corporate Directory Don’t forget about your community Target, WalMart, Exxon-Mobil

20. We’re Here to Help Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) Grants awards to governmental and non-profit agencies benefiting the EMS system 40% of these requests are for communication equipment/training/projects 2 grant cycles per year March 15 September 15 www.vdh.virginia.gov/oems/grants

21. Virginia Communications Index for Public Safety (VCIPS) Grant Directory of funding available for communications equipment/training/projects Web-Based and searchable by item Available at all State Public Safety web-sites via link Piece-meal approach of multiple grant funding streams available for one project

22. Dorothy Spears-Dean Virginia Information Technologies Agency

23. Virginia’s 9-1-1 Comprehensive Plan This statewide plan defines key strategic initiatives for improving 9-1-1 services and functionality across Virginia and is an outgrowth of other previous interoperability planning efforts The Plan describes a future for 9-1-1 to include NG9-1-1 and will influence Virginia’s statewide decisions concerning 9-1-1 The successful achievement of the Plan’s initiatives will result in Virginia’s ability to continue to meet the public’s high level of expectations for 9-1-1 emergency service, provide a consistent level of emergency service across the Commonwealth, and contribute to excellent public safety capabilities

24. Vision & Future for Virginia 9-1-1 Virginia’s 9-1-1 Centers receive, process, and dispatch requests for emergency aid quickly & accurately From any geographical location From any communication device In any language This vision represents the ideal operational picture for 9-1-1 emergency response functioning at an optimal level of interoperable service and capability Components of this future vision include: Services and capabilities Infrastructure, equipment, and technology Operations Staffing and training Governance Funding

25. Goals for Virginia 9-1-1 Goal A: Provide a standard level of emergency response service to the public When achieved, this goal will provide consistent emergency response services to anyone residing in or passing through the Commonwealth, at any time of day, and during any event Goal B: Position 9-1-1 centers to continuously meet the public’s expectations When achieved, this goal will allow Virginia to keep up with the rapid pace of technology innovation and therefore the constant changes in customer expectations

26. Strategic Initiatives for Virginia 9-1-1 The strategic initiatives are the actionable elements of the short-term strategy and provide the incremental steps needed to achieve the strategic goals: Conduct a baseline assessment of 9-1-1 capabilities and services Develop and apply statewide guidelines to foster a minimum level of 9-1-1 emergency response service across Virginia Implement a recruitment and retention program Enable Next Generation services by connecting 9-1-1 centers to the statewide IP backbone

27. Overview of PSAP Grant Program Emergency PSAP Grants Only Continuity Program available 16 grant awards totaling $1.9M FY 08 PSAP Grants Continuity and Enhancement Programs 46 applications were received that encompassed a broad range of projects, including 8 regional grants Grant awards totaled $5.5M FY09 PSAP Grants Consolidation Program added 102 separate projects submitted for funding that included 9-1-1 equipment, personnel projects, GIS, NG9-1-1, CAD, radio consoles, fixed and transportable back-up, microwave link, and pictometry Grant awards totaled $7.8M Anticipating $12M for FY10 PSAP Grants

28. PSAP Grant Program Funding Tiers Replacement of out of service wireless E-911 equipment to enable primary PSAPs to maintain current service levels to the public Replacement of non-vendor supported wireless E-911 equipment to enable primary PSAPs to maintain current service levels to the public Consolidation Replacement of technically outdated wireless E-911 equipment to enable primary PSAPs to maintain current service levels to the public Strengthen current equipment and service delivery capability by upgrading existing wireless E-911 related equipment or services Broaden or increase the delivery of wireless E-911 equipment or service beyond established minimum functional standards

29. Continuity and Consolidation Program The Board will provide funding to primary PSAPs for projects designed to replace or upgrade wireless E-911 equipment and services that are technically outdated, without vendor support, or can no longer perform at an established minimum functional standard to sustain an acceptable level of service to the public; or, the initial purchase of items specifically listed on this program’s priority list. The Board will also provide funding for primary PSAPs to utilize in consolidation projects.

30. Continuity & Consolidation Priorities CPE Mapping system Mapping servers and workstations GIS: high priority (refer to GIS-related Grant Request Prioritization Matrix for a description of GIS projects that would have a high funding priority) Voice recorders and logging system Computer-Aided Dispatch Call accounting equipment GIS: medium priority (refer to GIS-related Grant Request Prioritization Matrix for a description of GIS projects that would have a medium funding priority) Time Synchronization Computer system networking improvements for items included in this program Other Continuity and Consolidation items

31. Enhancement Program The Board will provide funds to primary PSAPs for projects designed to enhance cross-jurisdictional information sharing and collaboration among PSAPs, PSAP staff development, and new capabilities beyond those currently available with wireless E-911; or, upgrades/replacements of existing Enhancement projects.

32. Enhancement Priorities Next Generation 9-1-1 Recruitment of personnel Training of personnel Transportable back-up for PSAP primary operational items Fixed back-up for primary PSAP operational items Radio consoles GIS: high priority GIS: low priority EMD/ Police Dispatch/Fire Dispatch software or protocols (not funded through another grant program) Other Enhancement items

33. Highlights of FY 10 Funding Cycle The deadline to apply for a grant for the FY 10 Funding Cycle is October 31st In order to increase participation among the most financially challenged PSAPs in this grant program, there is no longer any required local match The funding limits for regional initiative and consolidation grant awards have increased: $325,000 for a regional initiative involving two primary PSAPs or a currently consolidated PSAP $475,000 for a regional initiative involving three primary PSAPs and/or two primary PSAPs and a currently consolidated PSAP $625,000 for a regional initiative involving four primary PSAPs and/or three primary PSAPs and a currently consolidated PSAP $775,000 for a regional initiative involving five or more primary PSAPs and/or four or more primary PSAPs and a currently consolidated PSAP $800,000 for a consolidation project

34. Questions?

35. 5th Annual Virginia Interoperable Communications Conference September 30-October 1, 2008 Norfolk, VA