The CHIEF Star Newsletter

July Recap - Public Safety Grants

July's big grant news hit on July 27, when DHS announced the first round of FY 2007 AFGP grant winners. We at CHIEF Grants will be monitoring these announcements and bringing all news to you right away – see the winners list. If you haven't received your notice yet, keep checking your email inbox and mailbox for any DHS communications, and respond to them quickly.

There was also some big news about the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program (BVP). While official announcements are a ways out, all applicants will be awarded and, what's more, agencies can purchase their new body armor now, for later reimbursement! CHIEF Grants Consultant Margaret Stark explains the details:

"The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) will not be announcing 2007 awards for at least 60 days, and possibly longer. No date for awards has been set. The first announcement will be to the agency via email award notice, so departments should be sure to watch for that email. The good news is that all applicants will be receiving BVP awards, according to the BVP program director. The award amount will be determined by the amount of funding available. Agencies can purchase NOW and get reimbursed once the awards are announced. Small agencies usually receive the largest amounts, up to 50%, and larger agencies will receive the remainder of the available funding. Bottom line, BVP applicants can purchase vests now."

If you applied for BVP, contact CHIEF today for body armor quotes and sizing. Also see our body armor selection online.

• All Public Safety, Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program - Deadline TBA
• Law Enforcement, Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) - Deadline TBA
• Fire/Rescue, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Farm Safety and Occupational Health (FSOH) Grant Program - Deadline October 30, 2007
• Fire/Rescue, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) Grant - Deadline August 31, 2007
• Fire/Rescue, Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program (FP&S) - Opens Soon! Contact Kurt for FP&S application help

Next Seminars – $50 discount when you register 30 days in advance:

• National ($499): Sept. 11-12, Milwaukee, WI Register »
• Agency-Hosted ($349): Sept. 5-6, Sumpter Township, MI Register »

New CHIEF Grants Agency-Hosted Seminars
We've added 4 new Agency-Hosted Seminars to our 2007-2008 schedule. Registration is open to all public safety agencies seeking to improve their grant-writing skills and write more competitive public safety grants. Sign up today for $50 Early-Bird discounts »

• Oct. 13-14, Weston, NE
• Oct. 27-28, Montgomery, IN
• Dec. 8-9, Aledo, TX
• Dec. 15-16, Johnstown, PA

What is a CHIEF Grants Seminar?
Learn more about how our 2-day grant training seminars will help your department write winning grant applications:
   • Learn about National Seminars »
   • Learn about Agency-Hosted Seminars »

Port Security Boosted Amid Rising Terror Risk
From Officer.com - July 23, 2007
Even as experts warn the United States' risk of a terrorist attack is rising, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Friday said port security has been boosted and he is proposing dedicated federal funding to allow local police departments to beef up counterterrorism squads... More

Senate Action Slated for Fire Grants/SAFER Programs
From FAMA/FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee - July 20, 2007
Do you want Congress to fund fire grant programs? Congress is currently deliberating FY08 Homeland Security appropriations bills, such as S.1644 and HR.2638. Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives now and state your support for funding for Homeland Security grants and fire grant programs... More

Transcript Of Press Conference With Secretary Michael Chertoff And Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez To Announce Nearly $1 Billion In First Responder Communications Grants
From DHS - July 18, 2007
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 gave NTIA the huge responsibility of administering a $1 billion grant program to enhance nationwide interoperable communications. This morning we are announcing the grant amounts and releasing the guidance that states and territories will need to follow to be awarded these monies... More

Fact Sheet: Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program
From DHS - July 18, 2007
The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was authorized to establish and administer the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program... More

Secretaries Gutierrez, Chertoff Announce Nearly $1 Billion in First Responder Communications Grants Funds to Help Fire Fighters, Police and Other First Responders Communicate During a Disaster
From DHS - July 18, 2007
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today $968 million Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grants to help state and local first responders improve public safety communications and coordination during a natural or man-made disaster... More

DHS Announces $1.7 Billion in Homeland Security Grants
From DHS - July 18, 2007
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today final Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) awards totaling $1.7 billion, including a total of almost $411 million to the nation's six urban areas at highest risk of a terrorist attack... More

2006 FP&S Grant Award Announcements
From DHS - July 12, 2007
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the eighth round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants, awarding 16 grants to fire departments and fire prevention organizations throughout the United States... 2006 FP&S Grant Award List

DHS Releases 2006 FP&S "Dear John" Letters
From CHIEF Grants - July 12, 2007
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released rejection letters, or "dear john" letters, for the 2006 Fire Prevention & Safety Grants (FP&S) program. For more information, follow the FP&S Dear John discussions in the Firehouse.com Forums.

AFG Applicants: Discuss 1199's, When AFGP Awards Will Begin, and More
From CHIEF Grants - July 10, 2007
Did you apply for an AFGP grant? Are you biting your nails, wondering where your "ten questions" are, and when FEMA is going to start announcing 2007 AFG awards? You're not alone. Join your brother and sister firefighters in the Firehouse.com grant forums, where everybody's discussing AFG. Firehouse.com Forums » Federal FIRE ACT Grants & Funding

Bullard TIC "Into the Fire" Fund Awards to be Announced July 26?
From Firehouse Forums - July 10, 2007
Firehouse.com Forum member "onebugle" says, "For everyone that submitted a grant application for the Bullard TIC, the winners will be announced at the Firehouse Expo on July 26th"... Follow the Discussion

Operation Ranger Chooses Next Set of 2007 Recipients
From U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company - July 2, 2007
The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Operation Ranger Committee announced its second round of 2007 award winners for the 2007 USSTC Polaris Ranger 6x6 Utility Vehicle Donation Program. The committee has selected an additional 42 first-responder and emergency services organizations to receive Polaris Ranger 6x6 utility vehicles, bringing the total number of 2007 awards to 63.... More  •  2007 Ranger Awardees