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Updated
June 2010 |
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case studies
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Funding
Resources for Emergency Applications |
The AEL /SEL / RKB / IAB Conundrum |
Specific companies and products are not assigned
Authorized Equipment List (AEL) numbers, and there are no
products listed on the AEL. Rather, it is a "generic" list of
equipment allowable under FEMA's major Homeland Security grant
programs. The most that can happen is for specific products to
be linked to the
Standardized Equipment List (SEL) as examples, then
indirectly linked to the AEL.
The SEL is a guideline and its use is voluntary. It promotes
interoperability and standardization across the response
community at the local, state and federal levels by offering
standard reference and common terminology. The IAB does not
assume any liability for the performance of the equipment items
linked to the SEL. However, when products are linked to a SEL
item on the Responders Knowledge Base (RKB), it signifies that
the product meets the IAB Subgroup's intent of the SEL category.
This linkage acts as a bridge from a product to an AEL item for
the RKB, since products cannot be linked directly to the AEL.
Not every product listed on the RKB can be linked to the SEL,
because they don't all fit into categories the SEL specifies.
It's helpful to keep in mind, that a product does not need to be
indirectly linked to an AEL item for departments to purchase it
with FEMA Preparedness grants. Rather, if they simply look at
the AEL and find an item that best describes a product, it's a
good beginning.
If you plan a purchase using FEMA preparedness grants, it might
be useful to contact your
State Administrative Agency (SAA). Since the RKB is
not authorized to definitively tell requesters whether any
particular piece of equipment is allowable, nor can it make
interpretations regarding grant wording, All questions regarding
details on and allowability of DHS funds relating to the AEL and
DHS in general should be directed to your state contact at
this DHS link or by calling the DHS Centralized
Scheduling and Information Desk at (800) 368-6498. You may also
reach DHS staf at
this email address. |
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Napolitano Announces More
than $1.8 Billion in FEMA Grants during FY 2010 |
JULY 15, 2010, DHS, WASHINGTON, DC — Department
of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced
more than $1.8 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness grants designed
to help states, urban areas, tribal governments and non-profit
organizations enhance their protection, prevention, response and
recovery capabilities for risks associated with potential
terrorist attacks and other hazards.
“The grants being announced today will help our partners in
state, local and tribal governments and non-profit organizations
across the country better prepare for, respond to and recover
from all threats and hazards,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This
funding pays for training for fire fighters, medics and police
officers, supports the
purchase of equipment that is essential to our first
responders, and improves
our ability to communicate during disasters. These
investments have a direct impact on communities across our
country as we work together to build, sustain and improve the
resilience of our families, businesses and neighborhoods.”
The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) is the Department’s
primary funding mechanism for building and sustaining national
preparedness capabilities to help strengthen the nation against
the risks associated with potential terrorist attacks and other
hazards. Moreover, 80 percent of Operation Stonegarden funding –
intended to support state and local law enforcement along the
border – will go to Southwest border states. DHS also increased
tribal funding from $1.8 million in FY 2009 to $10 million in FY
2010.
Preparedness grant program allocations include . . .
Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP):
$1.78 billion total.
State Homeland Security Program (SHSP):
$842 million will support the implementation of state
homeland security strategies to build and strengthen
preparedness capabilities at all levels through
planning, equipment and readiness activities.
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI):
$832.5 million will enhance regional preparedness
capabilities in 64 high-threat, high-density areas. The
10 highest risk areas (Tier 1) were eligible for more
than $524.4 million, while the remaining 54 urban areas,
designated Tier II were eligible for more than $308
million.
Operation Stonegarden (OPSG): $60 million
will enhance cooperation and coordination among federal,
state, territorial, tribal and local law enforcement
agencies to secure the United States land and water
borders.
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Program:
$39.3 million, divided evenly among 124 MMRS
jurisdictions, will improve regional mass casualty
incident preparedness and response capabilities in
metropolitan areas across the country.
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Citizen Corps Program (CCP):
$12.4 million to engage citizens in community
preparedness, response and recovery activities.
Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP):
$10 million will be provided directly to select eligible
tribal applicants to implement preparedness initiatives
to guard against risks associated with potential
terrorist attacks and other hazards.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP):
$19 million will support target-hardening activities at
non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a
terrorist attack and are located within one of the UASI-eligible
urban areas.
Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP):
more than $33.6 million will enhance catastrophic
incident preparedness in selected high-risk urban areas
and their surrounding regions. RCPGP supports
coordination of regional all-hazards planning, including
the development of protocols and procedures to manage
regional planning for catastrophic events. |
related links:
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Grant Success Stories
& Peer Contacts
FEDERAL
FUNDING EXAMPLES
 "We purchased our
RoadRunnR Portable Advisory
Radio Station with Homeland Security Funds. It
is an eligible item, because we are using it as an
alternate warning device. They love the fact that
it is totally mobile, self sufficient; and we can
do live broadcast on it. We could not have
afforded this necessary piece of equipment without
the Homeland Security Grant Funds. If you need
more information, please let me know.
Terry Reekers,
Coordinator; Emmet County EMA/HLS, Iowa."
Gresham, Oregon, purchased an ALERT AM system and
went on the air circa February 2005 with WQCA
(1610). City officials have been broadcasting the
weather report from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. Gresham used a grant
from the US Department of Homeland Security for
the $28,258 cost and plans to put up signs around
the city that will blink to inform drivers to tune
into the station during emergencies.
See The Oregonian article.
Los Alamos County
used Homeland Security grant money for its emergency
advisory radio system. Located at the rim of a
dormant volcano with limited access, county
evacuation options are limited. Says Emergency
Director Phil Taylor, "Every time someone even
smells the slightest whiff of smoke, our 911 and
emergency call center lines are swamped." Twin ALERT
AM stations in Los Alamos and White Rock provide
evacuation information as well as info about wild
fires, traffic accidents, road construction and
emergency drills at the Los Alamos National
Laboratory.
See the Los Alamos Lab news release and contacts
within.
FEMA
The
Federal Emergency Management Agency, now part of the
Department of Homeland Security, provides millions of
dollars in grants to assist state and local
government with domestic security. The funds are
intended to help "emergency management become better
prepared to respond to acts of terrorism and other
emergencies and disasters"
(Washington
Technology, Nov 2002). FEMA's Office of National Preparedness
administers the grants, which are channeled through states
with at least 75% going to local governments.
A couple of emergency
managers who have purchased ISS Emergency Advisory
Radio Stations indicated to us that FEMA
rules allow communities to file "hazard mitigation
plans" with state emergency management agencies in
place of the former requirement to show Federal Emergency
Designations for proving eligibility. Go to the
FEMA
website to see how to file your hazard mitigation
plan. Such a plan in place replaces the old requirement to show
Federal Emergency Designation in your areas to be
eligible. The federal mitigation fund has been described as the "new" version of
Project Impact, perhaps a more familiar term.
Fort Bend County in Washington received a $292,500
federal grant that it used to set up a multistation
grouping to cover the county with emergency advisory
radio and flashing alert signs.
Courtney Smith, the County's emergency
management planning coordinator is the contact.
David
Burns former emergency manager of of El Segundo, California,
now at UCLA, obtained nearly
$350,000 for his emergency management program from FEMA's Office of Justice
Planning and the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Included was $28,000 for an AM Emergency Advisory Radio
Stations to alert the public to HAZMATs and other emergencies, especially
public information and rumor control. His advice: "be aggressive, creative, and clearly demonstrate your need.
The money is out there - go get some!!" Burns' city
has a population of just 16,000, so it "fit the bill" for a small town.
Further, he advises, "You need to have the support of your City Council and Mayor, and
local elected officials" with whom he regularly
meets, along with his congressional representative, who,
he said, "made a pitch for local funding needs and helped
secure the grants." In addition to the City of El
Segundo, Burns has also acquired an emergency
advisory radio system at UCLA.
Avalon, New Jersey, obtain $18,000 in 2004, an "emergency
management performance" grant that paid for most of their
first
ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System
and
Flashing ALERT
Signs.
See
Avalon's news release.
See also
the story and
a way to contact emergency chief Kevin Scarpa.
Amber Alert Emergency Alert System
(EAS)
Example
Legislation was passed in the
House and Senate in April 2003 that, among other things
provides money for nationwide implementation of
Amber Alerts, part of ISS'
ALERT
AM Emergency Advisory Broadcast System exclusive,
EAS programming feature. The authorization includes
funding for highway signs (Section 4, b1 and b2).
Flashing signs
alert motorists to tune to given Emergency Advisory Radio
Station frequencies.
Of particular
interest is the
Urban Area Security Initiative. ISS clients have used
these funds to purchase Emergency Advisory Radio Systems, for example, the
City of Orlando, Florida, Emergency Management.
Contact Orlando emergency
manager Manual Soto by clicking here.
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STATE
FUNDING EXAMPLES
 State Homeland Security Program Example
With this grant,
Dennis English
of San Miguel County/Las Vegas Office of Emergency
Management purchased a fixed ALERT AM station and a
portable RoadRunnR station. The City/County has also
received
funding to microwave the system through San Miguel/Las
Vegas' communication system to broaden the range of
reception.
Local
Funding EXAMPLES
(private sources, including
philanthropic organizations and corporations)
 Foundation Gifts & Grants: the Wildland Residents Association Example
The subject non-profit, public service corporation, comprised
San Marcos Pass area homeowners manages an active
volunteer fire force and an exemplary Emergency Advisory
Radio System. See
a detailed
case study with contact info, which offers a
downloadable copy of a funding proposal that garnered
private foundation money plus written policies and
procedures for running their system.
There are
approximately 15,000 chemical facilities around the USA with
highly toxic material near heavily populated areas. (Of
those, the Environmental Protection Agency has identified
123 where more than a million people in the surrounding areas could be at risk of exposure to toxic gas.)
HAZMAT companies are mandated by the government to protect
their surrounding communities. By partnering with local
emergency managers, HAZMAT companies can establish Emergency Advisory Radio
(EAR) stations to help mitigate events. These EAR stations
could be licensed to the communities and funded (in part or whole) by
the industries. As commercial entities, the industries
themselves are not permitted by the FCC to own the
stations. Through these types of partnerships, industries
and communities can often achieve ends not possible for
either, alone.
Dow
Example
Dow
Chemical and the Brazosport Emergency Response Agency in
Texas are establishing a series of 7 simulcast
Emergency Advisory Radio Stations. The non-profit Brazosport EMA maintains station ownership and holds the
necessary FCC licenses, which Dow, as a commercial entity,
cannot obtain. Dow is funding equipment purchase and much of the
work and, as a HAZMAT company, will be able to demonstrate
real commitment to its surrounding community with
commercial-free broadcasts.
Contact ISS for
details.
Service Groups and Fundraising
 Hundreds
(if not thousands) of service groups at local and regional
levels represent another workable opportunity for funding
aspects of your program. Through local reps, fundraising
events can be undertaken. Check the Web for links to sites
for groups in your area, for example,
JayCees.
Similarly, some discretionary funding might be
available, hidden in government programs. Contact your
local, state and federal government representatives to
explain your effort and determine how to apply for
available resources.
Kettering
Example
One
service-minded individual can make a difference in a
community. See
a
case study showing how local businessman Norm Schrein,
with "seed" money from his own organization,
began an Emergency Advisory Radio Station.
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Preparing grant applications can be an
arduous affair. Get your fair share of available public emergency funds.
See "TIPS," (immediately below and in the red block at the bottom of this webpage).
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Learn which programs have
already awarded grants to organizations like your own.
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Contact past grant recipients
to discuss their experiences.
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Check the websites of
authorizing agencies for workshops, news or other events that could shed
light on funding priorities. See "Top Funding Resource Links" immediately
below.
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Determine if there's anyone
in house who can assist you in preparing the grant.
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Follow the funding agency's
RFP to the letter with precise language. Support all arguments with facts
and quantifiable performance measures. Consult a program officer with
questions not answered in the RFP or other materials provided. Include
formulas to calculate total line item costs. Research fair-market value
when quantifying in kind. Be sure your agency can assume project costs
after the grant expires.
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Get
the Money You Request
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Have
a well-written emergency program plan that includes
achievable goals (who will do what when), costs,
benefits, a timeframe and measurements. The plan needs
to clearly state your organization's mission, who is
served, exactly what you need and why. In the list
of what you need, include everything that you will need money for,
for example, space, equipment, utilities and labor,
because often granting agencies only offer a percentage
of the overall expressed need. Also, they will want to see
that you are well organized and prepared to use funds
effectively. Writing the plan out is a good investment
of time; you will be able to use it in ways
beyond grant requests, for example, community
relations.
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As
much as possible, accompany
your plan with background information (the
research
behind your solutions) and statistics (e.g.,
area demographics) to support rationale.
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Acquire
letters of recommendation from respected program supporters
that together demonstrate commitment, need and benefit
to those served.
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Gather
as much information as possible about each funding
entity and tailor applications to each granting
agency's
traits. Much of this research can be done online
at links suggested on this webpage. After compiling
your list of prospects, contact each organization. Ask
for a list of previous grant recipients. Find out how
many grants they awarded in relation to the number of
requests received. What process do they ask requestors
to follow? What
is the timeframe and award limit? Send a follow-up
thank-you letter for this information.
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Target
each grant request to aspects of your program that
that particular type of grant could serve. You will either
have to write a proposal or fill out an application.
Sometimes you can download applications directly from
the Internet; often you can get government grant
forms at local libraries. Follow each grant
agency's procedures exactly.
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A
week or two after submitting the paperwork, call the
funding office to ensure your request was received. Ask if they
need anything else. Ask for a projected date of when
they can get back to you.
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After
funding is granted and programs are begun, report
results to funding sources to help ensure continued
support. It's important to order your FCC license and
ISS product as early in the process as possible to
allow adequate time to get your system in place within
funding agency deadlines. For example, FCC grants
usually take from 3-5 months.
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