Got our Grant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FireDiver111]

Yeehaaaa!!!!
New turnouts for the boys and girls at SFD.

Special thanks to FD102 for another successful application!!!!!

On another note.......Sidell, Illinois.....WOW $632k.....for equipment.
Does anyone know what they will be purchasing with this awesome award???

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Illinois seems to have done very well in this round.

[jaybird210]

On another note.......Sidell, Illinois.....WOW $632k.....for equipment.
Does anyone know what they will be purchasing with this awesome award???

I was looking at that. It's gotta be a typo. I thought grants were capped at a certain amount (half a mil, maybe?)

[BVFD1983]

There are several Illinois "vehicle" grants topping $500,000.

[80FIRE]

Jay..My guess would be that this is a regional grant involving many other departments. Just a guess! I have been wrong before.

[jaybird210]

Jay..My guess would be that this is a regional grant involving many other departments. Just a guess! I have been wrong before.

THAT makes sense.....

[GFPD2707]

I usta work with the chief of sidell dont know if he is still chief ..........last time i spoke with him they had nothing...as far as equip. so if it aint a typo good for them glad to see it!

[Crisb1419]

Yes we have got another FEMA Grant , we are so lucky. We are getting new Scott NXG2 air-pacs. And I dont want to see any body saying dont buy scott, they dont work.. Blah blah blah. Stay Safe

[k3twpfire]

We're looking at MSA, ISI, Scott and Drager. We've got some demo packs from MSA & ISI that we are going to try out. We haven't made a decision yet.

[GFPD23]

Our dept uses the ISI air packs and I really like them. I like the fact that they have the lights on the nose piece to let you know how much air you have left and the bypass feature. I feel that they are very user friendy. Good luck on your search!

[BVFD1983]

Our Scott's have the same features as your ISI's.

[jboczek]

Yes we have got another FEMA Grant , we are so lucky. We are getting new Scott NXG2 air-pacs. And I dont want to see any body saying dont buy scott, they dont work.. Blah blah blah. Stay Safe

Wonder where you're getting them?

They're all good, just get what everybody is happy with and buy them from a dealer that will service them in a timely fashion.

[4caster]

Every pack is fine, as long as you like it. One's man opinion is just that. With that said, I will state that the MSA Firehawk are a great buy as well. A light weight design, good visibility, and the standard features. They also make a great carbon bottle as well.

[npfd801]

I'll second the servicing dealer sentiment. I love our new MSAs, enough that I think we would have made a mistake going with anyone else at the price we got ours at. However - the original selling dealer is very close to losing the service and parts part of things (additional face pieces, PM's etc.) to another MSA dealer that is also local. There is no reason we should have to work this hard to get things done, receive price quotes, etc.

[Crisb1419]

Now jboczek what is that supose to mean? :) What can I say the salemen in this area that sells Scott is just GGGRRRREEAAAATTTTT!!!!
Thought you might like that... Stay Safe

[jboczek]

Just Got Off The Phone With Congressman Shimkus's Office. We're Getting Our Grant For A New Tanker, Should Be Announced Friday.
And, Yes, I Know I'm Yelling.
I thought I was yelling. This thing won't post in all capital letters.

[BVFD1983]

*Edited

Congratulations! I hope we get ours for LDH!

[kprsn1]

Congratulations Jack!!!! :D

I heard you yelling all the way up here! :eek:

[k3twpfire]

Alright, Jack! Congrats!

[Rossco]

Good job congrats.

[4caster]

We're on a spending spree, folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[firefighterox]

Jack you lucky bugger, we put in for a new tanker-pumper. Last meeting which was last monday (8-22) we had heard nothing.

[80FIRE]

Congratulations to everyone in round 2!
This just about completes everyone around here that I know had received the questions.

[TFD1004]

I was looking at that. It's gotta be a typo. I thought grants were capped at a certain amount (half a mil, maybe?)
I'm from Champaign, just west of sidell, it was not a typo but it was a region grant. It was on the news the other night. It was a communications grant for the majority of vermillion county.

[jaybird210]

I'm from Champaign, just west of sidell, it was not a typo but it was a region grant. It was on the news the other night. It was a communications grant for the majority of vermillion county.

Well, that's pretty kick-a$$! Congrats!

[k3twpfire]

For those that are getting grants, get a bigger mailbox. We might have to chip in to pay for our mailman's hernia operation.

Don't answer the phone either. :D

[80FIRE]

That's the truth!
I have been getting lots of mail also. My gripe is the generic cover letters that come with most of it. I don't mind the ones that have Dear Dept.Xyz, Dear Chief, or Dear Firefighters but I received one from a IL supplier today that we have done bussiness with in the past that was "To whom it may concern"
Now thats generic!

[jaybird210]

That's the truth!
I have been getting lots of mail also. My gripe is the generic cover letters that come with most of it. I don't mind the ones that have Dear Dept.Xyz, Dear Chief, or Dear Firefighters but I received one from a IL supplier today that we have done bussiness with in the past that was "To whom it may concern"
Now thats generic!

Wow. There's a good way to drum up some business. :rolleyes:

[Weruj1]

We also got notifcation of 95K for SCBA !!!!!!!!!!

[jboczek]

Congratulations, Josh.
I guess our mail should start flowing now. The "official" award is today. Maybe I better go check the firegrant site to make sure.

[jaybird210]

Congratulations, Josh.
I guess our mail should start flowing now. The "official" award is today. Maybe I better go check the firegrant site to make sure.

JACK!!!!!!! JACK!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Ashley Community Fire Protection District Vehicle Acquisition $142,500.00

YES!! YES!! YES!!!!

Guess you better get building on an addition to that new station!!!!

Congratulations, my friend!

[ChiefReason]

Congratulations to all of the successful grant recipients.
Illinois is and has done well in the grant program.
Les; they could address their letter to me as "head bozo", as long as it says "congratulations on your success grant" right under neath it.
Still waiting and waiting and waiting...
CR

[npfd801]

Jack may have elaborated on what the vehicle will be, but can you repeat it? Big ol' tanker? 3000 gallons? Pump?

Congrats to all. Still hoping that we're in the running. So with this second round, how many of the 5000 or so awards have been announced?

Fingers crossed, for us as well as the rest of the Illinois folks.

[jboczek]

No big ol' tanker, just 2000 gal., 500 pump, lots of dump valves and several chamois to keep all the stainless steel shiny. I mentioned a couple times about the old one getting a little rusty around the dump valve. We're afraid to touch the rust for fear it'll let go. Probably wouldn't, but it's hauled a fair amount of water in the past 25 years since we put it together. Long, skinny 1000 gal. tank, no baffles in it, front end has only about 10% of the weight on it. No power steering cause it doesn't need it. Going from a 350 ci engine w/ a 4 speed and hydraulic brakes that usually work to a 330 hp with an automatic and air brakes (air conditioning, too).
Just started on all the specs, nothing fancy, just functional and good looking.
There were a little over 2000 awards first round, 650 or so this round. They're about 1/2 done, I guess.
CR, still looking for that rescue?

[npfd801]

So many of the companies can build a nice 2000 gallon unit, so hopefully they'll all be feeling feisty and competitive you'll get a heck of unit for the money. I'm sure you'll be hearing from quite a few folks.

You probably don't dare say who you want to build the thing, for fear they get wind of it. Going elliptical?

[lilyogi]

Well, we have not heard anything yet other than our questions a month or so ago. We still have our fingers crossed!!
Congratulations Jack

[Weruj1]

No big ol' tanker, just 2000 gal., 500 pump, lots of dump valves and several chamois to keep all the stainless steel shiny. I mentioned a couple times about the old one getting a little rusty around the dump valve. We're afraid to touch the rust for fear it'll let go. Probably wouldn't, but it's hauled a fair amount of water in the past 25 years since we put it together. Long, skinny 1000 gal. tank, no baffles in it, front end has only about 10% of the weight on it. No power steering cause it doesn't need it. Going from a 350 ci engine w/ a 4 speed and hydraulic brakes that usually work to a 330 hp with an automatic and air brakes (air conditioning, too).
Just started on all the specs, nothing fancy, just functional and good looking.
There were a little over 2000 awards first round, 650 or so this round. They're about 1/2 done, I guess.
CR, still looking for that rescue?
uhmmmmmmmmmmmmmJack you are going to post pics here ? (http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=72109) I hope so ! Congrats !

[firefighterox]

Sorry for jumping the gun jack. The Ohio Volunteer Fire Department will also be recieving a tanker pumper courtesy of the Federal Government. I think we are looking at 3 or 4K tank and some sort of a pump on a 2006 peterbuilt chassis. I guess they must have most of the specs already worked out, obviously if they know the cost. I think we got 173,627K for ours. I dont know about you but we will be replaceing 2 older trucks, not sure what we will do with them. I dont know if you guys write your own grants or not, but we have been successful 2 out of 4 years with a grant writer so im sure we will stay with them. I think U.S. Tanker is going to be building it but im not sure. I dont think Alexis got this one, they had our pumper and brush truck so they may be upset they may not.

[4caster]

Well, we are still in deliberation stages with everyone. However, the first "mole" phone call came last night from Ferrara. Anyone had any dealings with them?

For the curious, here's the specs for our truck:
5 Man cab with a top mount pumper, 1250/1000 water. Foam system, Hyd. ladder rack, Trashline in front w/ extension, two 1 1/2 preconnects, five 2 1/2" outlets, monitor gun, newton dump, intercom, and the NFPA 1901 equipment package.

I now ask for some assistance, as we have NEVER spec'd a truck before. I can guarantee that there are things that we need that aren't on it, and things that we don't need are. Let me know what you have done in the past, even the smallest things, like lights or even trim. It's fun, but I want it right, as all of you would agree.

[jboczek]

Josh, we'll post pics as soon as we have some to post.
801, yes, it'll be elliptical.
I don't really have a preference as to who builds it. Tankers are a little different than a pumper. Not nearly as much to go wrong. Most any company can build what we want so we'll see who "gives" us the most for our money.
I wrote this year's by myself. Last year we got SCBAs and I got some help from the FETN grantwriter. Free stuff. I made quite a lot of changes to his narrative but he gave me some great ideas. Helped this year, too.

[Lieut117EMTP]

For Sidell's grant they were the host for the grant to get Vermilion County a repeater and all new radios and pagers for the entire county. That is what the large amount of money is for.

[npfd801]

Ferrara (everyone has an opinion of them, you'll see) came into the area in a big way about a month ago and SLAYED a bunch of bidders on a quint and an engine for a neighboring department. I personally have no experience with their product, and if they indeed met the "intent" of the specs each bidder was given, they gave a gift to the department that awarded the contract to them. I'm pretty friendly with a couple of local apparatus manufacturer reps, and if they didn't cut corners on the spec to be lowest price, then they evidently want into the Midwest in a bad way and are losing money to make the sale. I think they have someone new on board just to concentrate on drumming up business in the Midwest.

There's another one in Lee County, these are the only three Ferrara's that I know to be in Illinois. There's bound to be more that I don't know about.

Ferrara Delivery (http://www.ferrarafire.com/apparatus/new_deliveries/pages/pumpers/2881.html)

Now I'm not pro- or anti-Ferrara, I'm just all for getting the truck you want at a great price. I mean, heck - if Ferrara is willing to give away some of a truck's cost right now to get a foot in the door in this market, and you like the product, they at least deserve some strong consideration. I also believe they were establishing some sort of service center for the region. Again, second hand info from the neighbor getting the two Ferraras.

I have my brand favorites, but it can't hurt to look at others. Loyalty tends to cost money...

Also - we just wrote specs for two new engines, both of which I was heavily involved with. I'd be happy to offer copies of them, or give any help that I could. Also #2 - Fire Engineering/Penwell sells an apparatus spec. handbook, good reading especially for someone who has never done a spec before.

Don't forget, not sure if grants allow it, or even if the program is in effect, but state bid commercial chassis are much cheaper than buying though a fire apparatus builder or dealer. We saved over $10,000 going state bid on our commercial chassis, and this was a chassis w/ 4x4 and the options we chose, not some stripper. You add cost on to the state bid base chassis for each option you add.

Good luck. Any more questions, PM me for my e-mail address.

[Not2L84U2]

I'm from Champaign, just west of sidell, it was not a typo but it was a region grant. It was on the news the other night. It was a communications grant for the majority of vermillion county.

I actually wrote the grant for Sidell. Sidell was the host department for 21 other departments that participated in a regional project. As most everyone else has already said it was for communications equipment, but just to give you an idea of the numbers it was something like 476 pagers, 174 Portables, 57 Mobiles, and 15 base stations. Not to mention the county wide repeater system which is something that we currently don't have. Along with that comes upgrades to both our primary and our back up dispatch centers. We even through in the cost of the new FCC license.

Regional projects are the way to go. It gives everyone more bang for their buck. Just don't wait until the last minute to put it together. I put that grant together in just under 30 days.

Of course, with all the talk of money, we can't leave out Sidell. Those guys did a lot of work too and they were also awarded money for new PPE, which as someone else mentioned earlier, they desperately need.

And of course we can't forget the money that has come to this area through other departments. Catlin FPD (my home dept) was awarded 100K for a new SCBA program, and Catlin FPD was also awarded a Fire Prevention grant which was part of a regional project for a Fire Safety Trailer. So far I'm 3 for 3. :D

If anyone needs any help with a regional project I'd be happy to lend any assistance.

Ryan Allison
Vice President
Illinois & Indiana Firefighters' Association

[jaybird210]

Well that is pretty damn kick ass, and that's all I've got to say about that.

[k3twpfire]

We viewed the Draeger SCBAs last night at the station. They are some nice packs. I am not too crazy about the regulator. Just surveying our membership we have the choice narrowed down to MSA and Draeger. We're going to decide by next week. ISI demo'd their packs, we never got a demo on Scott, the salesman would never call us back.

[k3twpfire]

We have made a purchase.

We purchased 16 - 4500psi MSA SCBAs with spare bottle
We also purchased a BAM06H compressor, 4 bottle cascade,and two position fill station.

[firefighterox]

We signed the contract to our new tanker 2 weeks ago tomorrow (9-16-05). I dont know when we will be taking delivery or even the specs havent talk to anyone about it yet. Looking like 3000 gal tanker on a peterbuilt chassis. should be done in 10 months, thats all i know for now.

Fire Diver, Savanna FD won something at our draw down saturday night but i dont remember what it was, i believe someone is going to be dropping it of in the next few days. The jaws are awesome you gave us a good deal thanks a lot.

[lilyogi]

We just got the phone call!!! We got our grant. It will be announced tomorrow!! We will be getting 15 sets of gear, 15 pairs of boots, and 3 portable radios.

[k3twpfire]

Congrats! We just received our 16 new SCBAs that we ordered from our grant this year. Yippee!