I would like to get a list that is as comprehensive as possible on grants available to the fire service. I am part of a department that has to survive on $17-20K annually. Some years that goes farther than others. Also, we are starting up a new department that is using some of my original fire department's district because of the river. The department will specialize in hi/lo angle rescue, water rescue and ice rescue. We are trying to make it COMPLETELY on grants and donations so we do not take from a department that is already having a tough time. That is enough babbling.
Permalink Reply by Mike on March 21, 2008 at 11:30pm
1. I will start out with the ever popular Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant. Available to all agencies as part of the Dept. of Homeland Security's response to terrorism platform. Huge grants come from this but you need a really well written narrative. You can google it if you have never heard of it.
"We are trying to make it COMPLETELY on grants and donations so we do not take from a department that is already having a tough time. That is enough babbling. "
That's an admirable goal, though I have to say it's optimistic. You know that in most cases the grant money has to be used in a specified period of time, usually a year. Here in NYS we occasionally get money from the state, however we have to have the work done first before we get the money.
The AFG program is the most lucrative; as you noted the AFG requires a good narrative to be successful, and the narrative should demonstrate how the public will be better served, or firefighter safety enhanced, and such.
On the state level the funds available are considerably less than the AFG program. In our area I think it's more of who you know and how you ask rather than a detailed plan, to get state funds. We have gotten funding for a vehicle exhaust system and new parking lot courtesy of the state.
Just curious, how many square miles/people served by the present department, and how much/many by the new one? Is there not enough tax base to fund the department?