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This site will provide you with information, tips, and updates to help make you more successful at obtaining funds for your fire department through the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program has become a prominent component of federal support for first responders. These direct federal-to-local grants are further distinguished by the fact that each fire department is allowed to submit only one application, spreading out the funding to as many departments across the country as possible.
The program’s structure enables fire departments to fund multiple activities within a broad category. Now administered under the Department of Homeland Security, the federal government acknowledges the role of America’s firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as valued first responders and as integral to domestic security across the country.
This Web site is dedicated to providing you with information, tools, and tips to help make you more successful at obtaining funds from the Assistance to Firefighters grant program. This is not the official Assistance to Firefighters grant program website. Please refer to USFA's (US Fire Administration) website to complete the application process. How to Use This SiteBe sure to register for e-mail updates, then take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the site. It will provide you with information, tips, and guidance to help enhance your ability to develop high quality proposals for the program. Please note that this site is not intended to replace official guidance for this program, but rather to provide grantseekers with valuable know-how based on our years of experience with grants development. In any case, the official guidance provided by the grantmaking agency supercedes any information provided in this site. Fire Grants WorkshopThe Assistance to Firefighters grant program has become a prominent component of federal support for first responders. These direct federal-to-local grants are further distinguished by the fact that each fire department is allowed to submit up to three applications (one in each of three categories), spreading out the funding to as many departments across the country as possible.
The program’s structure enables fire departments to fund multiple activities within a broad category. Now administered under the Department of Homeland Security, the federal government acknowledges the role of America’s firefighters and emergency medical services personnel as valued first responders and as integral to domestic security across the country.
This Web site is dedicated to providing you with information, tools, and tips to help make you more successful at obtaining funds from the Assistance to Firefighters grant program. Rules and InstructionsApplications that best address the 2008 grant program’s priorities will score higher than those applications that are not directed toward the priorities. AFGP priorities for each of the grant categories will be provided following a description of the year’s eligible programs once the 2008 application is made available. Each application will be judged on its own merits. The panelists will consider all expenses budgeted, including administrative and/or indirect, as part of their cost-benefit review. Approved UsesAssistance to Firefighters funding may be used in one of four categories. Keep in mind that you can only submit one application per program year and that you must restrict your application to one of the four identified categories, which are: * Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety (now includes EMS) * Regional Projects * Firefighting Vehicles AcquisitionFire Operations and Firefighter Safety This program area funds:
* Training activities
* Wellness and fitness activities
* Emergency medical services
* Firefighting equipment acquisition
* Modifications to fire stations and facilities activities
If you are applying under this area, you can apply for any or all of the activities it funds. Interoperability is a significant feature of this program, and applicants are encouraged to detail how any equipment purchased under the program contributes to local plans for interoperability. Training activities Preference will be given to direct delivery of training and cost-effective delivery of training on a regional level vs. training materials, equipment, or props.
Different priorities have also been established for rural (basic, operational-level firefighting, rescue and responder training rate higher than officer training, safety officer training, and incident-command training, which in turn rate higher than specialized training such as mass casualty, HAZMAT, WMD awareness, advance rescue, or inspector training), and urban/suburban departments (specialized training such as mass casualty, HAZMAT, advance rescue, and inspector training rate higher than officer training, safety officer training, operations training, or the establishment or maintenance of rapid intervention teams, which in turn rate higher than basic, operational, or awareness level activities).
Eligible expenditures under this activity include (but are not necessarily limited to):
* Purchase of training curricula
* Training equipment (including trailers)
* Training props
* Training services
* Attendance at formal training forums
* Tow vehicles (transportation expenses are limited to $6,000 per year per application)
* Overtime and other wages associated with attending training (may count against you if deemed excessive)
* Renovations to an existing facility (if the renovations are minor and less than $10,000, consistent with rules published in the Federal Register)
Ineligible expenditures under this activity include:
* Construction of training facilities
* Modular training units permanently fastened to the ground (modular training units may be eligible if they are mobile)
* Site preparation to accommodate any training activity, facility, or prop Wellness and fitness activities Applicants for grants for this activity must, at a minimum, offer (or plan to use grant funds to offer):
* Entry physical examination
* An immunization program
* Periodic health screenings
After these requirements are satisfied, high priority is given to:
* Formal fitness programs
* Incident rehabilitation
* Employee assistance programs
The program will give higher priority to those lacking wellness/fitness programs over those that already possess these programs. Further, reviewers will be looking for mandated participation or a series of incentives for participation, to encourage maximum benefit.
Eligible expenditures under this activity include (but are not necessarily limited to):
* Medical services
* Personnel
* Physicals
* Equipment (including shipping)
* Supplies
* Other related contract services directly associated with the implementation of the proposed activity
* Renovations to an existing facility (if the renovations are minor and less than $10,000, consistent with rules published in the Federal Register)
Ineligible expenditures under this activity include:
* Medical equipment
* Transportation expenses
* Fitness club memberships
* Construction of facilities Emergency Medical Services Program This category provides for funds to establish or enhance a fire department’s emergency medical services program. These may include training, equipment acquisition, or wellness and fitness. The funder has indicated that applicants who seek to train and equip firefighters to achieve basic EMS certification and work toward an EMT-B level of service will be rated higher than departments with established EMS programs seeking to upgrade.
Competitive priority will be given as follows: Higher rating/priority | Lower rating/priority |
|---|
Fire departments planning to acquire a basic life-support level of service | Fire departments seeking to upgrade or expand EMS services | Departments with a relatively high call volume for the type and size of community it serves | Enhancing existing services to the paramedic level | Departments that strive to comply with a state, federal or national standard | |
Eligible expenditures Ineligible expenditures Firefighting equipment acquisition The first priority of this activity will be to provide departments with new firefighting equipment (as opposed to other non-firefighting equipment) never owned prior to the grant. A second priority will be to replace obsolete firefighting equipment. In general, the program will provide funding to bring the department up to the applicable minimum operational level (as required by statute, regulation, or professional firefighting guidance), as opposed to projects that bring the department into new mission areas. Equipment designated for the establishment or maintenance of rapid intervention teams will also be afforded a slightly higher rating. NOTE: Any applicant seeking funds for equipment is encouraged to describe how the equipment contributes to their local plan to enable interoperability for the jurisdiction.
Eligible expenditures under this activity include (but are not necessarily limited to):
* Firefighting equipment, including communications and monitoring equipment
* Compressor systems, cascade systems, or similar SCBA refill systems
* Individual communications (portable radios)
* Mobile communications equipment
* Base stations
* Automated dispatch systems
* Personal accountability systems
* Thermal imaging cameras
Population of community served by the department | Number of thermal imaging cameras allowed under the grant | Less than 20,000 | 1 | 20,000-50,000 | 2 | More than 50,000 | 3 |
* Integrated communications systems (such as base stations, computer aided dispatch, and fixed-site repeaters) * Small boats (under 13 feet in length) * Jet skis * All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) * Modifications to an existing facility (if the renovations are minor and less than $10,000, consistent with rules published in the Federal Register) Ineligible expenditures under this activity include: * Other vehicles * Personal protective equipment (PPE) (Note that PPE is eligible under the “ Personal Protective Equipment Acquisition” activity.) Modifications to fire stations and facilities This activity covers eligible modifications to protect the health and safety of firefighters at the station, but a number of factors affect the competitive rating a project receives. Further, no applicant can receive more than $100,000 for modifications for each fire station under their authority. | Higher rating/priority | Lower rating/priority | | Modifying fire stations | Modifying fire-training facilities or other fire department facilities | | Facilities that have broad usage | Facilities that have limited use | | Facilities that have high occupancy capacity | Facilities that have low occupancy capacity | | Facilities that are in use 24/7 | Facilities used on an irregular or part-time basis | Eligible expenditures under this activity include (but are not necessarily limited to):
* Installation of sprinkler systems
* Installation of vehicle exhaust extraction systems
* Installation of smoke and/or fire alarm notification systems
* Minor renovations to facilities that are necessary to accomplish other activities under the grant
* Retrofit existing structures that do not have eligible safety features
* Upgrade facilities whose features are dated
Ineligible expenditures under this activity include:
* Supplement new construction Fire Prevention Program This program area funds:
* Public education
* Public awareness
* Enforcing fire codes
* Inspector certification
* Purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems
* Arson prevention and detection activities
Competitive priority will be given to long-term, sustainable projects that target one or more of USFA’s identified high-risk populations (children under fourteen years of age, seniors over sixty-five, and firefighters) and to projects whose impact will be periodically evaluated. Further, competitive priority will be given as follows:
| Higher rating/priority | Lower rating/priority | | Public education programs | Purchase and installation of residential and public detection and suppression systems | | Arson prevention and detection systems | Purchase of public information materials and presentation aids and equipment | Eligible expenditures under this program area include (but are not necessarily limited to): * Fire education trailer * Personnel * Transportation * Equipment * Contracted services directly associated with program implementation * Tow vehicles (transportation expenses are limited to $6,000 per year per application) * Renovations to an existing facility (if the renovations are minor and less than $10,000, consistent with rules published in the Federal Register) Ineligible expenditures under this activity include: * Facilities construction * A safety village that is not transportable Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition This category provides for funds to allow winning departments to purchase one new firefighting vehicle, used fire apparatus, or refurbished apparatus. The following chart from the USFA describes the priorities for the program, based on community type: | | Urban | Suburban | Rural |
|---|
| Priority 1 | Pumper
Quint
Rescue- pumper
Aerial
Rescue
| Pumper
Quint
Rescue- pumper
| Pumper
Tanker
Brush
Rescue- pumper
Pumper-tanker
|
|---|
| Priority 2 | HAZMAT
Light/Air
Rehab
| Brush
Rescue
Aerial
HAZMAT
| Rescue
Light/Air
Quint
|
|---|
| Priority 3* | ARFF
Foam
Brush
Command
Fire Boat
| Light/Air
Tanker
Pumper- tanker
Rehab
Command
| HAZMAT
Rehab
Command
|
|---|
| Priority 4* | Tanker
Pumper- tanker
Watercraft
Ambulance
| ARFF
Foam
Watercraft
Fire Boat
Ambulance
| ARFF
Foam
Aerials
Watercraft
Fire Boat
Ambulance
|
|---|
*Due to the competitive nature of the program and the imposed limits of funding available, it is unlikely that the program will fund (m)any vehicles that are not listed as priority 1 or priority 2. Competitive priority will also be given as follows: Higher rating/priority | Lower rating/priority |
|---|
Departments that own few or no firefighting vehicles, relative to other departments serving similar types of communities | Replacing or relegating a non-compliant or (still lower priority) a compliant vehicle to reserve status | Departments that have an aged fleet of firefighting vehicles | Purchasing a vehicle to expand the operational capacity of a department into a new mission area | Departments that wish to replace or relegate to reserve status an old, high-mileage vehicle | | A Department requesting a new vehicle as its primary response vehicle | | Low-cost vehicles that maximize cost/benefit | |
Eligible expenditures Deadline Applications are due April 4, 2008
How to use this siteBe sure to register for e-mail updates, then take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the site. It will provide you with information, tips, and guidance to help enhance your ability to develop high quality proposals for the program. Please note that this site is not intended to replace official guidance for this program, but rather to provide grantseekers with valuable know-how based on our years of experience with grants development. In any case, the official guidance provided by the grantmaking agency supercedes any information provided in this site. Award Amounts and Procedures In 2003, applicants could request up to $750,000 in funding; however the average award in 2003 (through October) was $64,542.13. Average awards by category were as follows: Category | Average Award | Total $ Awarded | Total # |
|---|
Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety | $63,202 | $251,418,617 | 3,978 |
|---|
Fire Prevention | $42,836 | $5,440,195 | 127 |
|---|
Emergency Medical Services | $42,956 | $1,116,867 | 26 |
|---|
Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition | $125,173 | $79,860,783
| 638 |
|---|
Award Procedure
Awards will be made on a competitive basis using rank order as the primary basis of our decision, regardless of program. But, there are some exceptions to this process. The law requires that no less than five percent (5%) of the available funding be used on fire prevention grants and no more than 25 percent (25%) of available funding may be appropriated for awarding funds for vehicles. Subsequently, it may be necessary for the AFGP to go out of rank order to select a sufficient number of awards to comply with these requirements. Throughout the process, career departments will be competing against other career departments for up to 46 percent of the available funding. Volunteer and combination departments will compete among each other for at least 54 percent of the available funding. In order to fulfill legal obligations, AFGP may also make funding decisions using the size and character of the community a department serves (urban, suburban, or rural), the type of department (career, combination, or volunteer), and the geographic location of the fire department. In instances where decisions are based on geographic location, States will be used as the basic geographic unit. Geographic location of an applicant will be used primarily as a final discriminator, i.e., in cases where applicants have similar qualifications, we may use the geographic location of the applicants to maximize the diversity of the awardees. Fire departments that have received funding under the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program in previous years are eligible to apply for funding in the current year. However, AFGP must maintain an adequate distribution of awards among certain types of departments (career, combination and volunteer) and certain types of communities (urban, suburban or rural), as well as maintain an equitable geographic distribution of funds. Subsequently, previous recipients of grants under this program may be denied funding in order for the AFGP to fulfill these responsibilities. The AFGP may also consider an applicant’s performance on prior grants when making funding decisions on current applications (see the reporting section in Tips for Writing a Proposal). Decision Time Frames USFA award announcements come throughout the calendar year, so don't be surprised if you don't hear anything for several months after you submit your application. Typically, awardees are notified electronically, but you may hear first from your Congressman that you won an award. Your Representative will be notified as a courtesy. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to streamline the process. On the other hand, you can contact the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Office anytime to check on the status of your application. The toll-free number is 866-274-0960, and the office is open from 8AM to 8PM EST Monday through Saturday, and 8AM to 4:30PM EST on Sunday. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program are limited to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations of a State, which include: * An agency or organization that has a formally recognized arrangement with a state, local, or tribal authority to provide fire suppression to a population within a fixed geographical area. The arrangement may be with a city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or “other governing body.”
* A municipality or fire district on behalf of a fire department, where the fire department lacks the status to apply (if the town owns the fire department, for example).
*A “nonaffiliated EMS organization” is defined as a public or private nonprofit emergency medical services organization that provides direct emergency medical services to a specific geographic area but is not affiliated with a hospital and does not serve a geographic area in which DHS finds that emergency medical services are adequately provided by a fire department.
* A non-federal airport and/or port authority fire department ONLY if they have a formally recognized arrangement with the local jurisdiction to provide fire suppression, on a first-due basis, outside the confines of the airport or port facilities.
The following are NOT eligible to apply:
* Airport or port authority fire departments whose sole responsibility is suppression of fires on the airport grounds or port facilities.
* For-profit departments.
* Federal fire departments or contractors who are solely responsible for suppression of fires on federal installations.
* Fire stations under the direction or control of a larger fire department or agency.
* Rescue squads.
* Auxiliaries.
* Dive teams.
* Urban search and rescue teams.
* Fire service organizations or associations.
* State/local agencies such as forest service, fire marshal, hospitals, and training offices. Frequently Asked Questions The following FAQs are a combination of FAQs provided by the USFA and additional questions Grants Office team members have experienced. Please select a category to begin: Eligibility Matching Requirements Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Vehicle Acquisitions Application Questions New for 2003 OtherNarrative Overview In addition to completing the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program application forms, you will be required to provide a written narrative describing your planned project. The narrative portion of your application must provide the details of the activities you propose to be funded and include budget details for such proposed activities. It should describe the financial need of your fire department, and elaborate on the benefits your community and/or fire department will gain from the expenditure of the grant funds.
When composing the narrative component of your application be sure to consider the AFGP priorities outlined in the Program Guidance and Notice of Funds Availability documents for the program. When reviewing your narrative, the panelists will evaluate the clarity of your proposed project including your project’s budget detail, the financial need of your department, and the benefits that would result should you be awarded the grant. These three elements carry equal weight when factored into the panelists’ scores (i.e., one-third) and as a result, your narrative should fully address these areas. Additionally, all eligible applications are ranked based on the substance of their application relative to the established program priorities for the type of community served as determined from the applicant’s answers to the activity-specific questions in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program application.
When writing your narrative, remember that USFA encourages all applicants to submit their applications electronically. Subsequently, you will be composing your narrative off-line and copying it into the on-line application form. Space for the narrative is limited to five pages.
The application process for the 2005 program enables the formulation of a comprehensive grant proposal. Depending on the program applied to, the applicant can include a number of related “activities” within a specific programmatic area to address all of the project’s needs. Applicants are allowed to submit only one application per program year and applications are limited to only one of the identified program areas. Finally, the purchase of any equipment (communications systems and equipment or personal protective equipment or firefighting equipment) under this program should have the intent and/or goal of solving your interoperability or compatibility problems, as applicable. Any applicant seeking funding for equipment herein should provide details in the narrative section of their application regarding their local plan to enable interoperability for their jurisdiction. Building a Budget In building your project budget for your Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program proposal, keep in mind that everything you’ve outlined in your project narrative will need to be adequately represented in your budget. You will need to be able to demonstrate and justify the feasibility of your project. Determine your project’s program area and carefully review the outlined eligible expenses in order to assist you with your proposal design and program request (eligible expenses for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program vary under each program and activity area).
The panelists will consider all expenses budgeted, including administrative and indirect, as part of the cost-benefit determination and may recommend appropriate adjustments. Regardless of eligibility of any costs requested, the AFGP can reduce any requests for assistance, in whole or in part, deemed to be excessive or otherwise contrary to the best interests of the program.
In addition to eligible expenses outlined for each program area, other eligible costs for the 2008 AFGP include:
1) Administrative Costs 2) Indirect Costs 3) Audit Costs 4) Renovation Costs 5) Pre-award Costs 6) Pre-application Costs 7) Grant Writer Fees Administrative Costs Applicants may apply for administrative costs if the costs are directly related to the implementation of the program for which they are applying. Administrative costs are identifiable costs directly associated with the implementation and management of the grant. If you are requesting administrative expenses, you must list the costs under the “other” category in the budget and explain what the costs are for in your project narrative. The administrative costs should be based on actual expenses, not a percentage of the overall grant. Examples of eligible administrative costs would be shipping, office supplies, computers associated with the NFIRS reporting requirements, etc. The cost of a grant writer (if specifically listed on your application), is eligible and can be charged to the grant as administrative costs in accordance with the provisions outlined below (see Grant Writer Fees below). Indirect Costs If you have an approved indirect cost rate, you may charge indirect costs to the grant. If you are charging indirect costs to the grant, you must submit the documentation that supports the indirect cost rate for review and approval prior to submitting any claims for indirect costs. The appropriate documentation for an approved indirect rate is a certified audit. The rate will be allowed to be applied as long as it is consistent with its established terms. For example, some indirect cost rates may not apply to capital procurements; in these cases, indirect cost rates would not apply for a grant for equipment or vehicle acquisition. Renovation Costs Renovations to an existing facility are allowable only if the costs comply with the final rule as published in the Federal Register (i.e., limited to minor interior alterations costing less than $10,000). In order to be eligible, renovations must be essential to the successful completion of the grant scope of work. Construction costs are not eligible under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Construction includes major alterations to a building that changes the profile or footprint of the structure. Enhancements to existing structures such as the installation of apparatus-bay ventilation systems and retrofitting fire stations with sprinkler systems are eligible for application under the Modifications to Fire Stations and Facilities Activity. Pre-award Costs Generally, grantees cannot use grant funds to pay for products and services contracted for, or purchased prior to the effective date of the grant. However, expenses incurred after the application deadline but prior to award may be eligible for reimbursement if the expenses were justified, unavoidable, consistent with the grant’s scope of work, and specifically approved by AFGP. Requests for reimbursement for pre-award costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Pre-application Costs Expenses, obligations, commitments or contracts incurred or entered into prior to the application deadline are not eligible to be included as a grant expense with the exception of grant preparation costs (see Grant Writer Fees below). Grant Writer Fees Fees for grant writers may be included as a pre-award or pre-application expenditure (as provided in section 152.7(b) of the Final Rule). But, fees payable on a contingency basis are not an eligible expense that can be charged to the grant. For grant writers’ fees to be eligible as a pre-award expenditure, the fees must be specifically identified and listed in the application. In order to be eligible, the fees must also be paid prior to award, e.g., paid within 60 days of the end of the application period. Applicants may be required to provide documentation to support these pre-award expenditures. Reference Materials The following Web sites also contain materials that can help you as you develop your application: The USFA Web Site The DHS Assistance to Firefighters Site The Official Federal Grants Information Portal Tips for Writing a Proposal Be specific in your budget Most funders have no restrictions or very broad allowances for budget narratives, because they want to see specifically what you plan to buy with grant funds. Be as specific as you can, with some justification for estimates you will inevitably have to make.
Be judicious in involving others in your project
It may seem like a good idea to include as many officials and partners as possible in your project, but be sure each partner you have contributes to the project in a meaningful way.
Make sure your letters of support for the project demonstrate real commitment
Like pieces to a puzzle, your support letters should document the commitment of the project collaborators toward meeting all the objectives and milestones of the project.
Be sure your narrative and budget are consistent
Everything in the budget should be justified in the narrative. Generally, you'll also want to explain, either in the project narrative or budget narrative, why you chose to use one approach, solution, or technology over another.
Customize each proposal
Although certain funding sources may have similar guidelines and your project plan may be the same for the sources you're applying to, build each proposal based on what you know (and what you can learn) about the funder or program.
Specify Who will do What by When and Why
Include a detailed workplan in your narrative that identifies responsibilities and timelines for each activity and that connects each activity to one or more of the objectives you have articulated in the proposal.
Use statistics to document need
Statistics are available from a variety of sources, and they help justify the need you will use to build a case for support. The statistics you use may be general, as in census data, or specific to your field, such as fire metrics.
Make your objectives measurable and realistic
If at all possible, avoid broad, unfocused objectives. Instead, try to focus on specific, realistic outcomes that will result from implementing the project you propose. The objectives should be measurable within a certain time frame, so you will know whether you have been successful at meeting certain objectives by a certain date.
Learn all you can about the funder before you submit a proposal
Attend bidders' conferences and call the funder program staff to make sure you understand what the program is all about. Most funding programs have personalities, aspects common to all funded projects. Get to know the personalities of the grant programs to which you intend to apply.
Submit good reports on time
Funders at all levels spend a great deal of time tracking down reports from their awardees. Even if the results of your project are not great, submit your reports on time. In doing so, you'll begin to build a good working relationship with the funder. Most funders understand that many issues can influence the successful achievement of your project objectives, but they all frown on failing to file complete reports on time. Help Desk The Grants Office Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 9AM-6PM EST for organizations currently engaged with Grants Office. You can reach the Help Desk by phone at 585-473-1430 or by e-mail at info@grantsoffice.com. Cisco Systems Fire Packages In today’s world, first responders face increased threats from terrorist individuals, and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) agents. Cisco wireless technology has made it possible to extend real time, active monitoring to critical infrastructure elements, transportation facilities, banking and retail institutions, and schools and municipal buildings.
Access to real time video data by dispatchers, supervisors, and the firefighters arriving at the scene will provide a number of benefits, in terms of improved firefighter safety, effectiveness, and departmental efficiency.
With the ability to remotely verify alarms, the department can expect improved force availability to respond to legitimate crises. E-learning will also provide more efficient training by allowing personnel to participate in education during down time, rather than travelling to a single location for a one-time event. This section includes a variety of helpful and informative documents, all oriented to make it easier for your department to complete your department's funding proposal. For detailed information on how Cisco is leading the way for first responders, check out Why Cisco?  Why Cisco? Cisco is a world leader in leveraging the power of the network to enhance the ability of public safety and fire departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information, check out Cisco's white paper, "Meeting 21st Century Public Safety Challenges Today." Cisco's standards-based E-Learning solutions provide public safety agencies with a cost-effective strategy for meeting state and federal training and certification requirements. Training is transformed into a more student-driven experience. The schedule, content and location of training can be tailored per student, enabling public-safety organizations to more flexibly and cost-effectively manage their personnel's professional development. Additionally, Cisco's on-scene and headqarters telephony and video security solutions provide emergency communications that are robust, reliable, and disaster resilient. For additional information on Cisco E-learning and first responder solutions, check out the Cisco Web Site. Solution Descriptions Cisco Systems and Grants Office have developed a series of solution descriptions designed to jump-start your Assistance to Firefighters application. These documents contain content and ideas that could provide a framework for your request. Further, tips for each section help you brainstorm the local needs and priorities with which a successful request will align. Detailed Solution Descriptions Click on a link to download the solution descriptions you would like: Internet Protocol (IP) Communications/Emergency Notification Mobility Solutions E-learning for Public Safety E-learning for Healthcare Internet Protocol (IP) Video Surveillance Introduction to Solution Descriptions
The solution descriptions above are intended to assist you in preparing a grant application or earmark request for a project that includes a Cisco solution. Feel free to use the narrative wording either as it is or edited to reflect your personal or organizational style. The information in this document is broken down into small modules so that you can use it in as wide a variety of contexts as possible.
Unlike a “grant template,” this description provides basic information about the solution, segmented into headings that align with the types of information generally required in proposal narratives, including Need, Approach, Outcomes, Activities, and Future Funding. Based on the information required by the funder or your Representative, you should easily find project-specific wording that will enhance your narrative, while still leaving room for you to articulate local needs, policies and strategies that will ultimately make the proposal narrative a relevant roadmap for administering your funded project. Tips for filling out these sections are included under each heading.
Unless the funder specifically states that the structure of the proposal is entirely at the applicant's discretion (as is sometimes the case with foundation grants), it is important to understand and follow the narrative format required by the funder. Use the headings from your solution description as guidance in position certain types of information. For example, a funder's section entitled, “Need for project” clearly associates with the solution description heading, “Need.” A more ambiguous narrative section like, “Significance” may require some thought and further reading to determine which solution description headings ought to be included in that section.
Over the course of preparing a grant application, though, you're likely to use all, or nearly all, of the headings in the solution description, in addition to substantial documentation of your own local needs, objectives, and capacity. Contact Cisco Rep for Pricing & Configuration Of course, the best person to contact for detailed information on a fire department solution that's right for your agency is your Cisco Representative. If you don't have a Cisco contact, Cisco maintains a detailed contact page on its Web site. For more information on how to engage Cisco for your project, or for information on how to reach a local Cisco representative, contact Cisco. To locate address, phone, fax and email information for Cisco offices worldwide, click on: Office Locations.
Use the Partners & Resellers Locator to find Cisco partners and resellers that are closest to your geographical location.
Grants Office Resource Guide Grants Office has services to meet the grants development needs of any organization or municipality. For more information, click on: www.grantsoffice.com Publications Coming Soon! Grants Office Services Grants Office, LLC provides innovative grants development services that enable corporations, municipalities and non-profit organizations to maximize their grant initiatives and develop more strategic and integrated processes for seeking, managing and administering grants. We provide research and advisory services to organizations looking for grant funding directly and to for-profit enterprises that provide products and solutions to the public sector. Our consultants focus on proven ways of developing integrated grant programs by leveraging our years of experience in creating long-term grantseeking strategies.
Based in Rochester, NY Grants Office has a unique business model that incorporates the company's strong history of grant consulting and unique approach to grant funding, enabling it to build a truly credible bridge between public sector business needs, vendor solutions and the funding necessary for program and solution success. Grants Office's growing customer base is a testament to the business and the quality of its services.
Grants Office focuses on providing both for-profit and nonprofit clients with the solutions necessary to manage and grow their specific grant development programs. Our solutions allow our clients to execute their grant strategies efficiently by reducing cost, lowering their risk and shrinking the typical investment of time and resources needed.
Based on the idea that grants development is an integrated system made up of four key areas; Intelligence (research), Training, Support, and Proposal development; Grants Office offers our clients a systematic approach to securing grant funding. Leveraging a proven, systematic approach allows our clients to build upon an existing grants development infrastructure or embark on implementation of a completely new grants development program.
Grants Office provides a wide range of services encompassing all facets of successful grants development programs. In combination with one another or leveraged unto themselves each of our solutions plays a pivotal role in building and executing a robust grants development program.
Some of our solutions:
Intelligence (research) – custom grant program research, online grants database, grants development portal, program solution alignment, and annual grant planning.
Training – general grant process training, specific grant program training and national speaking engagements.
Support – web and phone based grants development help desk, grant program website development, and grant application review and editing.
Proposal Development – grant writing, program solution narratives, and grant application development
General Grants Development – outsourced grants development infrastructure, organizational needs assessment, grant strategy development, and organizational process implementation. Federal and State Grants Information Resources Grants.gov, the Federal source for grants information: www.grants.gov The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov State Government Home Pages: www.firstgov.gov Contact Us Contact Cisco Systems Cisco maintains a detailed contact page on its Web site. For more information on how to engage Cisco for your project, or for information on how to reach a local Cisco representative, contact Cisco. Contact Grants Office Grants Office provides grants development support to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and industry partners through a variety of customized services. To find out how Grants Office can help you, contact Grants Office: On the Web: www.grantsoffice.com Phone: 585-473-1430 Fax: 585-473-1436 E-mail: info@grantsoffice.com Snail Mail: 69 Cascade Drive, Suite 102 Rochester, NY 14614 |
