CHIEF Star: Thousands of Ballistic Vests Going to Iraqi Police Officers

Thousands of Ballistic Vests Going to Iraqi Police Officers

U.S. Police & Fire Personnel on Their Way to Iraq to Deliver Gear & Assist Iraqi Public Safety
Since 2004, Operation Soldier's Brotherhood of the Badge project has been instrumental in providing equipment and training support, as a show of patriotism and police fraternity between officers in the U.S. and Iraq.

At the end of July, Brotherhood of the Badge founder Mike Harris left Fresno, California to travel to Dyala and the Salah Ad Din Province of Iraq to deliver a major load of gear, including thousands of new vests and additional donated safety equipment and apparel.

He will be accompanied by Fresno City Fire Chief Randy Bruegman, who will be meeting with Iraqi firefighters to begin developing similar operations for fire and emergency medical personnel in the U.S. and Iraq.

More About the Brotherhood of The Badge Project
   • ABC30.com: Mission Continues to Equip Iraqi Police
   • Operation Soldier's Brotherhood of the Badge Project Makes a Difference in the Lives of Thousands of Iraqi Police Officers
   • Operation Soldier - Brotherhood of The Badge Project
   • Operation Soldier - Proudly Supporting The United States Military

Get Ready: September Is National Preparedness Month

DHS Wants America's Families, Businesses & Organizations to Be Prepared for Emergencies
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.

Stock up Today
What do you need to be prepared? CHIEF has thousands of items for agencies and individuals alike to prepare for natural disasters, terrorist threats and other emergency situations.

Browse online, or call us at (888) 588-8569 to get prepared. Below are a few key items you may need:

   • Emergency Response Kit
   • Blankets
   • Flashlights (plus batteries and chargers)
   • Traffic safety items such as wands, vests and barricades
   • Batteries and chargers for radios, cell phones and pagers
   • Hydration systems and drinks
   • Decontamination systems
   • First aid kits and supplies

Grant News By Kurt Bradley, CHIEF Grants Consultant

The Fund Finder News - Patience, Perseverance & Planning: How a Department Overcame Severe Financial Hardship in Less Than Three Years
(From CHIEF Grants, July 31, 2006)
This two-part Fund Finder article is a case study relating the success story of the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad in Pennsylvania. Utilizing the traits mentioned above, they overcame a severe financial hardship and turned their organization around in less than three years. Read on for how they did it, and for how your agency can too...
   • Part 1 of 2: After one of their own embezzled a $2 million building fund, one man tries to bring the agency back from the ashes but needs to find new ways to get funding for the agency survive and grow.
   • Part 2 of 2: How Jamie Haddon used some creative thinking, community outreach, teamwork and CHIEF Grants training to gain ongoing donations and fund a new station, a water rescue team, EMS bicycles and more.

CHIEF Grants Announces Agency-Hosted Seminars
(From CHIEF Grants, July 25, 2006)
Are time and travel costs preventing you from attending out-of-town or out-of-state grant training? If you can't come to us, we will come to you, with our CHIEF Grants Agency-Hosted Seminars... More »

Next CHIEF Grants Seminar: Seattle, WA, Aug. 29-30
(From CHIEF Grants, July 25, 2006)
Seats are still available for beginning- to intermediate-level grant writers. Learn the ins and outs of public safety grants during our next 2-day CHIEF Grants Seminar. Seattle is our only 2006 training west of the Mississippi, don't miss out!... More »

USFA Releases Report on Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2005
(From the USFA, July 19, 2006)
With deep regret, the United States Fire Administration announced today that 115 on-duty firefighter fatalities occurred in the United States in 2005, plus four additional fatalities resulting from injuries sustained while on duty from previous years... More »

$31 Million Awarded to 19 School Districts to Promote Safe Schools, Healthy Students
(From the Department of Education, July 11, 2006)
More than $31 million in grants have been awarded to 19 school districts in 14 states as part of a joint effort by the U.S. departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Justice to support schools in creating safe learning environments that promote healthy childhood development and prevent youth violence and drug use... More »

AFG Grants: Application Statistics for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants
(From CHIEF Grants, July 7, 2006)
See DHS's yearly reports detailing statistical data collected for SAFER grant applications. SAFER Stats »

DHS to distribute $400 million for infrastructure protection
(From GovExec.com, July 6, 2006)
Homeland Security Department officials on Thursday announced that about $400 million in fiscal 2006 funding will be made available to protect critical infrastructure sites across the country, including transit systems, seaports and chemical facilities, through the Infrastructure Protection Grant Program... More »

2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Awards Just Around the Corner
(From CHIEF Grants, July 6, 2006)
The Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) is currently awaiting signatures at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Once this document is signed, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) will begin releasing the anticipated "10 questions" and asking for "1199a updates". Award rounds will begin in August. Now is the time to start weekly or daily checking your emails and online applications for communications from DHS or fire grant support. If you receive a communication from them, respond to their requests in a timely manner. Don't forget to update your profiles and check your filters: set them to ensure emails from DHS or fire grant support are getting through to your email address.

2006 Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Application Period Opens Soon
(From CHIEF Grants, July 6, 2006)
$25 million dollars up for grabs! Start preparing now for your 2006 Fire Prevention & Safety Grant application. Opening in late August, now is the time to begin preparation for this DHS grant program. Targeted age groups for this grant are children under age 14 and senior adults over age 65. CHIEF Grants fire consultant, Kurt Bradley, has several different traditional fire prevention programs and several new approaches for this program. Smoke Detector, Education programs, Fire Prevention Trailers and Arson Task Force funding are all eligible for this program. Contact Kurt now to get started on conducting the mandatory risk assessment that must accompany any successful application to this program. Learn more about FP & S »

Mandatory Full NIMS Compliance Date Is Less Than 90 Days Away... Are You Ready?
(From CHIEF Grants, July 6, 2006)
On Oct. 1, 2006, your agency MUST be in full compliance with all stated 2005-2006 mandatory NIMS requirements, in order to remain eligible to apply for Federal DHS grant money. Are you in compliance? See what those requirements are and get started now by going to the NIMS Integration Center and reading the latest compliance requirements. NIMS Integration Center »

CEDAP Reopens for Applications in Mid-August
(From CHIEF Grants, July 6, 2006)
The popular Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) reopens for applications in mid-August. Don't miss your chance to get in on this exceptional program that has no matching costs. See if you are eligible and let Margaret or Kurt help you, as they did many of the current winners. Contact Kurt & Margaret for CEDAP Application Help »