|
 |
New in 2004
Is funding available for construction?
No. However, renovation expenses to an existing facility are allowable if they involve only the minor interior changes necessary to fulfilling their scope of work and costing less than $10,000. Renovations must be in support of the associated activity or program.
Top
What is the difference between a fire station modification and a renovation?
A renovation is a minor change in an existing facility that must be tied to one of the activities listed in the program guidance, i.e., the renovation must be necessary for the successful completion of the grant project and may not exceed $10,000. For example, a renovation may include the work necessary to install a SCBA compressor, which might include an upgrade in the electrical service and the construction of a partition wall, or the renovation of a spare room to create an exercise area.
A modification is a more complicated or overreaching change in the fire facility than a renovation. Modifications typically involve changes to the entire facility if not the majority of the facility. This year, we are only allowing certain modifications that are geared toward protecting the health and safety of firefighters. The specific modifications that are eligible in this year's program are the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system; a fire alarm and detection system; a vehicle exhaust removal system, and a stationary or fixed emergency generator. Modifications to facilities are limited to $100,000 per station. No other activities will be funded under the Modification Activity than those listed herein.
Top
What is the major difference in this year's program?
There are several differences in the program this year. You should consult the 2004 "Program Guidance" and/or the 2004 Final Rule that will be published in the Federal Register. The major changes are as follows:
- The EMS program has been rolled into the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. All items previously eligible in the EMS Program are now available in their respective activities under the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program.
- In the Vehicle Program, grantees who have received a grant for a vehicle in 2001, 2002, or 2003, will not be eligible for another vehicle award in 2004. The apparatus priorities and descriptions were amended in 2004. Applicants should review the Vehicle section of the Program Guidance or PowerPoint presentation for specific information regarding vehicle descriptions and priorities.
- Facility modifications are allowable in the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. As in the past, modification to facilities cannot include changes in the footprint of the structure. Applicants may not propose to go up or out with building additions. Eligible modifications to facilities include retrofitted sprinkler systems, fire alarm and detection systems in fire department facilities, vehicle exhaust extraction systems, and stationary or fixed emergency generators. Integrated communications systems (and parts thereof) such as computer-aided dispatch, base stations, repeaters, etc., are eligible. However, no construction of towers or buildings to house communication equipment are allowed.
- Grant writer fees are eligible, however, they cannot be contingent upon award. All fees for grant writing must be paid prior to award, i.e., within 60 days of the close of the application period.
Top
What items are eligible for WMD preparedness?
Items for fire departments to prepare for incidents involving WMD are eligible in the Training, Equipment, and PPE activities of the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program, and in the Fire Prevention Program. Below are examples of eligible items.
- Training: ODP provides WMD training at the Awareness, Performance, and Planning and Management levels FREE OF CHARGE for eligible applicants. This training is listed in the ODP Course Catalog (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/coursecatalog.pdf) or may be obtained by calling the ODP Helpline at 1-800-368-6498.
Examples of WMD training include the following:
- Operations-level training
- Technician-level training
Other specialized WMD training:
- Specialist
- EMS for incidents involving WMD
- ICS for terrorism
- Mass decontamination
- Live agent
- Explosives and secondary device awareness
- Seaport
- Environmental
- Exercises/Preparedness
- Equipment: Tools and equipment used exclusively for WMD incidents may include items such as monitoring devices and WMD-related pharmaceuticals. Other examples include the following:
- Detection and monitoring devices:
- Real-time X-ray
- Biological detection
- Mini-cams
- Amino Assay
- Thermocycler biological agent detector
- EMS: Auto-injectors
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Nationally certified WMD PPE is preferred over noncertified PPE, e.g., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), NFPA certifications.
- WMD-specific PPE includes protective equipment (CBRN-certified SCBA, chemical/biological suits conforming to NFPA 1994, 2001 edition) that meets national standards for operations in incidents involving CBRN.
Top
|
|
