DJs Are Out

[firechief47]

First round of Dear John's are going out. We just got ours for turnouts and a gear washer. We were awarded in '03,'04 & '05. I guess we used ours up.

[1050major]

How did you recieve them. Was it on your personal e-mail or on the DHS e-mail?

[7Stones]

Oh great! The moment we have all been dreading is here. Now we learn if the computer rejected us months ago and we have been waiting and hoping in vain. Now I am torn between hoping for an 1199a and fearing a DJ that sends us back to looking forward to next March with hopes of improving our grant and fine-tuning our request.

At least next year we will have the benefit of the Chief Grant Writing Seminar. The overwhelming success of those who have gone has more than convinced me that attending a seminar is absolutely essential.

See you in Milwaukee Kurt!

[medic190]

Hey Chief-

I'm sorry but I have to ask: if you guys got 3 years in a row, what did you change on this app? You must have had the app down pretty good for the last 3... I'm now worried I may have changed something that would put me in the same boat... So much for a good day off tomorrow...

[firechief47]

Questions came by personal/department email. Too disgusted to check the portal.fema.gov site.

I quit pouting long enough to check the login site and no news of my DJ. Went back to look at the number and it was an EMW-2007-FV-****. Turns out it was a vehicle grant for a mutual aid department, not my gear grant. Sorry for those guys, they operate on $3K a year. So, breathe a little easier, I guess.

[ktb9780]

Questions came by personal/department email. Too disgusted to check the portal.fema.gov site.

Nothing changed as far as our numbers for our app. Runs actually doubled over the last four years. To be honest, though, our turnout gear was only 8-10 years old. Most info said 7 years was max. expectancy. Maybe next year.


It had to be more than 10 chief!;)

[ktb9780]

OK, everyone take a deep breath and check your apps! Good luck, I was off by 5 days on my estimate of when they would hit.

[hinesfire]

Yes, received our DJ for vehicle today. 10 q tuesday for PPE, Dj today. I have got to figure out how to get past the computer grade.......vehicle tries for 4 years now.

[ktb9780]

Yes, received our DJ for vehicle today. 10 q tuesday for PPE, Dj today. I have got to figure out how to get past the computer grade.......vehicle tries for 4 years now.

Come join us in a seminar guy!16 of my students are happy campers with trucks already this year!;)

[7Stones]

How many rounds of DJs do they normally send out? From what I understand first round DJs are the result of computer rejections. Is that true? In the years we have been rejected we have always heard in the first round. Damn that computer! Can someone with more expertise fill in the blanks for me? Thank you.

[firechief47]

Could it be just "FV" DJs going out?

[ktb9780]

How many rounds of DJs do they normally send out? From what I understand first round DJs are the result of computer rejections. Is that true? In the years we have been rejected we have always heard in the first round. Damn that computer! Can someone with more expertise fill in the blanks for me? Thank you.

1st round DJs are computer rejections. You will find out why in Milwaukee dude!
;)

[WJVaughn]

Oh great! The moment we have all been dreading is here. Now we learn if the computer rejected us months ago and we have been waiting and hoping in vain. Now I am torn between hoping for an 1199a and fearing a DJ that sends us back to looking forward to next March with hopes of improving our grant and fine-tuning our request.

At least next year we will have the benefit of the Chief Grant Writing Seminar. The overwhelming success of those who have gone has more than convinced me that attending a seminar is absolutely essential.

See you in Milwaukee Kurt!

My check is in the mail for the Nashville class. Win or loose you never know enough about how to do this stuff...

[ktb9780]

Could it be just "FV" DJs going out?
I would not think so but I have been wrong before.

[jasnic0510]

Will the DJ's come out all at once from computer scoring or will they follow in multiple rounds? Thanks for everyones input.

[sdff1520]

Just got my vehicle DJ as well. Didn't figure my odds were that good, statistically I'm certain there are people if far worse need of a tanker than we are, but still a dissapointment, would have liked to at least made peer.

[7Stones]

No. It must be more tha FVs. Look at FireChief's post. He received his DJ for turnouts and a gear washer. This is larger than just vehicles.

[WJVaughn]

Ok, got up the nerve to go look at my stuff. Nothing yet anyway.
I wonder if the dj's went out as a blast email or going to be in bunches all afternoon?

[firechief47]

No. It must be more tha FVs. Look at FireChief's post. He received his DJ for turnouts and a gear washer. This is larger than just vehicles.

Sorry for the mixup, I had to edit after I quit pouting. Not a FO, it was an FV for a mutual aid dept. that I assisted with.

[ktb9780]

Ok, got up the nerve to go look at my stuff. Nothing yet anyway.
I wonder if the dj's went out as a blast email or going to be in bunches all afternoon?

It will take severl hours for them all to be sent out.;)

[Hoseman619]

We received DJ today for Ops, but no word on our Vehicle app. Would we recieve both DJs at once or could there still be hope for our FV app?

[ENG121]

How many DJ's do they roughly send out for vehicle apps? Any guess on numbers or %? What time did they start coming out?

[firechief47]

What time did they start coming out?

The FV DJ came at 2:15 central time.

[Multitask]

Got my DJ 2 minutes ago. Did not make it to peer review. Waste of a beautiful narrative.

Starting on next year. . .

[hinesfire]

Come join us in a seminar guy!16 of my students are happy campers with trucks already this year!;)

Offer any out West?

[RSNCAIN1]

WOW what a rush for my first time to the grant race. Just received my DJ for our vehicle but at least we got our gear. Kurt, hope to see you at a seminar soon.

[achief15]

Yep. I just opened our email and got the DJ mail. With the funding issue and air pack confusion, I'm not surprised.

[7Stones]

How long until I can exhale? If we make it through this torrent of DJs does it mean we made it passed the computer? I would take that as a promising sign...should I? I suppose the longer we are in the game we can at least maintain hope that someone read my narrative.

[Ranburne]

Department I helped with a grant application found out their 2004 grant had not been closed. I have been trying to get them to close it since the app was submitted. They got their DJ today.

[Dobieg]

Vehicle DJ today....still holdin' out hope for the Ops!
(anyone know if - no Ops DJ yet...possibly things are moving towards the 2nd round, Peer Review? or is there still a chance at a DJ for the "Big Blue" still on the horizon?)

[ccmongo]

Just recieved Dear John for a Pumper/Tanker. Don't know if it was because our other vehicles are too new, or if it was because the previous Chief didn't close his 2005 Grant. I jumped through the hoops to get it closed, just waiting for FEMA to decide they want to cash the checks (disallowed use of funds and interest on them) so it can close.
We still have a gear washer in the running unless that DJ comes through today also.
I guess I'll wait for that DJ before I find a nice high bridge to jump off of.
Mongo

[ktb9780]

We received DJ today for Ops, but no word on our Vehicle app. Would we recieve both DJs at once or could there still be hope for our FV app?

Check again in the morning but, I have some client s who got hit with both notices at once so I woudl say your still looking good.;)

[ktb9780]

Offer any out West?

Aledo, TX, Denver, CO, LAS Vegas, Ceres, CA check my webpage right hand side for schedule and infrmation. Look in my profile for website.

[7Stones]

Kurt do you think the onslaught is finished for today or are there more to come throughout the night..or next couple of days? So far no bad news is good news.

[ktb9780]

It started about 2:45PM so I owuld say in computer time it probabaly is over for now. SOme of my clients got double DJs on OPs and Vehicles so if they were in your account already and you don;t have a DJ on the OPs, you probably can breathe easy for now knowing it went to peer review.;)

[Co7Prez]

Got mine today at 4:49 EST for a brush truck still have one app in the pot I hope.

[7Stones]

Thanks Kurt. I have been clogging the DHS server checking all afternoon. There is no update on the 1199a from our 2003 grant and nothing under the 2007 grant beyond the stanard "view application" and "grant/revoke access". I have checked the Mail Center every 20 minutes all afternoon...nothing. Whew! I was definitely hoping to make it to peer review. I know my narrative will be substantially better after the seminar but at least someone will read this one. Thanks for the re-assurance. I am back to waiting for an 1199a update.

Jon

[ENG121]

Brian or Kurt,....Any guess as to how many DJ's go out in the first round for vehicles. I know they say that vehicle rewards are a 1 in 10 shot, roughly, but what are the odds after the first round of DJ's?

[ktb9780]

Brian or Kurt,....Any guess as to how many DJ's go out in the first round for vehicles. I know they say that vehicle rewards are a 1 in 10 shot, roughly, but what are the odds after the first round of DJ's?

Wish I could answer that for you but, no way for me to know since we don;t know how many rejections notices or the number of actual vehicle applicnats at this point. I would say right now if you don't have a DJ you should keep your fingers crossed.

It appears I am seeing some pattern here though for those of you holding your breath. It appears, at least from my clients, that only clients with double applications in OPS and Veh are getting DJs right now. None of my single OPS clients has a DJ at this time. Hopefully that is good news for me and them but, it makes me wonder if they are only doing those with double applications.

[WestTaylorFd29]

Well I just checked my email and checked the fema mail center no dj yet so maybe we will get our paks this year.And Kurt I'll see u in dec at oakland

[ktb9780]

Well I just checked my email and checked the fema mail center no dj yet so maybe we will get our paks this year.And Kurt I'll see u in dec at oakland
You betcha guy. Great news for you I hope.;)

[WJVaughn]

because I got the DJ on my interoperable radio equipment for local EMS. Only AFG this year.
Makes me 1 out of 3 tries.

[ameryfd]

The only EMS one I wrote this year got DJ'd.... All the fires are still in play!

[Cmathis]

Well no DJ's today. I guess that is good news. I still have a regional for a $450,000 mobile live burn trailer, and an operations for about $160,000 in radio equipment. Maybe I will go 3 for 3 this year!!!! lol

[flathead]

Just got home and checked my e-mail and the dreaded "dj" was on the clock at 3:48 EST. It is the one I wrote up for our neighboring dept in "ops/safety". Oh well, try again next time. I'm still working on closing out theirs from last year...I was concerned I'd have to deal with co-ordinating more that one at a time.

No word on ours yet, so I'll just keep checking and hoping.

[EastKyFF]

I wrote 16 this year and just saw 11 go down the tubes today. One 1199a so far, five grants still alive.

Of the DJ's, nine were for trucks (that was ALL my trucks). Two were FO grants. I didn't do any regionals.

It is clear I have lost my touch.

[RVFD805]

Just checked the mail center and our DJ for a tanker was waiting for me.
Oh well, next year will be here sooner than we think, so we'll
just try a little harder. Hey Kurt, got anything planned around N.W. Ohio
Or should I just try to plan a trip to the Mile High City?

[ktb9780]

I wrote 16 this year and just saw 11 go down the tubes today. One 1199a so far, five grants still alive.

Of the DJ's, nine were for trucks (that was ALL my trucks). Two were FO grants. I didn't do any regionals.

It is clear I have lost my touch.


eastkyff, why don't you come join us over in Hazard at the seminar. I've got 16 trucks awarded so far this year.;)

[EastKyFF]

For starters, I'm not sure I can spare two days that time of year.

For another, if these DJ's were all computer scored, how can I improve on that? If it were my narratives, I could understand a little more. But when a department has NO rated pumper and STILL gets shot down for an engine, what do you do??

[Flochief]

DJ for our Brush Truck. I knew it was a long shot, but we tried anyway. All of our in service trucks are 88 or newer. I did average in our old 57 tanker. This truck is basically in reserve status. Thought this might help. So we will try again next year.
And yes I am planning on going to Kurt's class in Atlanta.

Last year 2 for 2. equipment and SAFER. This year 0 for 1 with 1 coming to bat.

[gefd901]

Any guess as to how many DJ's go out in the first round for vehicles. I know they say that vehicle rewards are a 1 in 10 shot, roughly, but what are the odds after the first round of DJ's?

We got our DJ for a vehicle ap today. Part of it stated:

"If you applied for a vehicle, please be aware that almost two-thirds of the
applications for vehicles were not forwarded for peer review. By statute, AFG
limits the amount of funding awarded for vehicles to twenty-five percent (25%)
of appropriated funds. For the FY 2007 program, that funding limit was
approximately $135 million. In contrast, in FY 2007, there were over 7,800
requests for vehicles amounting to over $1.8 billion in Federal funds. This
level of demand requires that the number of applications forwarded to peer
review is limited to those meeting the highest priorities."

I knew it was a long shot. We were awarded in 2004 for an engine and we begin our operator training on our mobile fire simulator tomorrow (2006 award). No complaints here.:)

[Engine4C]

I got mine today also for the quint. Hopefully the grant for the scba's will go through.

[Engine4C]

Any grant seminars planned near ohio?

[EastKyFF]

Calendar permitting, Kurt, I'll be there...I'm ready to blow this thing open next year.

[ENG121]

We got our DJ for a vehicle ap today. Part of it stated:

"If you applied for a vehicle, please be aware that almost two-thirds of the
applications for vehicles were not forwarded for peer review. By statute, AFG
limits the amount of funding awarded for vehicles to twenty-five percent (25%)
of appropriated funds. For the FY 2007 program, that funding limit was
approximately $135 million. In contrast, in FY 2007, there were over 7,800
requests for vehicles amounting to over $1.8 billion in Federal funds. This
level of demand requires that the number of applications forwarded to peer
review is limited to those meeting the highest priorities."

I knew it was a long shot. We were awarded in 2004 for an engine and we begin our operator training on our mobile fire simulator tomorrow (2006 award). No complaints here.:)

I appreciate your response! That answers my question as best as it can be for now.

[Captn46]

We got our DJ this afternoon! I really don’t understand how this entire computer scoring thing goes and I’m afraid that a rant is coming on. We have been trying for SCBA for several years. Last year, 2006, we made it through to the very end and got DJed in the last set sent out and I admit the narrative could have been stronger. Our demographics have not changed. I got very good advise from many participants of this forum and re-worked my narrative accordingly. Now this year with what I thought was a very good narrative, how did we get kicked out by the computer scoring? I’m having a hard time grasping the situation. The DJ advises us to review the activity priorities. How much of a higher priority can you get asking for funding for SCBA. I’m just really at a loss..

To all who did not get a DJ..may the force be with you.

[neiowa]

1st round DJs are computer rejections. You will find out why in Milwaukee dude!
;)

So here's a riddle/I don't understand. Computer (and peer review) passes us on vehicle app (3rd yr trying). Same info on FO app gets a Dear John. This is the app I felt was a good one and strong likelyhood of success (I thought no chance with pumper/tanker app).

[mcmechenvfd]

Any grant seminars planned near ohio?

Engine4C We will be hosting Kurt Bradley near Wheeling WV Feb 16 and 17th Take a look at the link below. We're really close to Cabela's and Wheeling Downs (table gaming will be there by Feb.) Lot's to see here in the evenings after the seminar!
http://mcmechenvfd.com/seminar/index.htm

[LVFD301]

We were turned down on a tanker, waiting to hear on EMS First Responder kits for all our first responders in the county (slanted towards our long response times for ambulances and firefighter safety) our turnouts for our department, and TICS for every department in the county.

[ktb9780]

Any grant seminars planned near ohio?
Waterford, MI / Montgomery, IN, Milwaukee, WI;)

[ktb9780]

So here's a riddle/I don't understand. Computer (and peer review) passes us on vehicle app (3rd yr trying). Same info on FO app gets a Dear John. This is the app I felt was a good one and strong likelyhood of success (I thought no chance with pumper/tanker app).

Gotta see it to tell you what I think neiowa. Give me a shout and lets figure it out.;)

[ktb9780]

Calendar permitting, Kurt, I'll be there...I'm ready to blow this thing open next year.

Never, ever say die! Watch, lurk, listen, learn and keep on applying. A good grant writer only gets one out of every six they write in this country right now with all the competition out there; just look at it as a no is just one step closer to yes!;)

[BC79er]

Man, spend a day installing sinks and come back to this. So much for going to bed.

[Jtucker57]

What a kick in the gut - our broken-down open cab 30 year old Full Rescue/pumper will not be replaced - I guess those $450,000 single truck awards were considered more important by the good old computer than my measley $95,000...anyway sorry to sound bitter - but just like on my application to FEMA - I cannot tell a lie or exaggerate. May God bless and protect the people that we can no longer serve...

Congrats to all the winners - you have my envy - and your advice and help in this forum is sincerely appreciated - (no sarcasm there). We will try again next year - let's hope they do not check for purgery, LOL

Wow I do sound bitter - but I'm done - and I do feel better...just ignore this post if it makes you mad.

[Greenacres2]

Got our tanker DJ today, but we didn't figure to be able to compete with our inventory. Still have a regional alive, and that would be cool.

earl

[loxfire16]

0 for 7 so far. I'm starting to think what's the point!!! :confused: You would think we could get something!?!?!? Oh well, guess there is no one to blame but myself.

Kurt I'll be seeing you in Nashville. Maybe that'll help.:D

[chiefmeyer301]

got our dj on ops and vehicle both today. c_&%$p whent for a chassis to replace a 1967 gmc and scba to replace ours that are 1989 vintage. on the scba there definitions i think is what screwed that up. the pg said had to requist one for all seating positions that ment 17 with our call volume it put cost benifit high on computer score. what are you supposed to do not list all of your units to keep seating down? i to am joining the list of people wondering? do it like they tell you and you screw yourself. there i feel better. kurt hope can work it out to see you in southern indiana. RM

[CusterFireman]

Got our DJ on the Brush Truck we applied for

BUT

Did not receive a DJ for the PPE grant we applied for.

Our direction and help was assisted by BC79ER - Thanks again Brian

We are currently 1 for 8 on our grant luck.

That includes SAFER in the bunch also.

But I must say the one we did receive was a dandy 2004 Freightliner FL80 1000 Gallon Pumper



If we did not receive a DJ for the PPE is that a sign that we made it to peer review?

[mitchkrat]

Tried for a larger grass truck and new it was a long shot but what the heck.

Still in the running for PPE grant.

[CusterFireman]

I knew our chance for a new brush truck was slim to none but we have a new pumper, new tanker, Mid 90s model Rescue Truck but our brush truck was like a 78 so we figured we would atleast apply for it.

[SLY4420]

If we did not receive a DJ for the PPE is that a sign that we made it to peer review?

Sure is! ;)

[CusterFireman]

Sure is! ;)

Bitter Sweetness - I hope that we survive thru this one... Guess I'll be checking everyday now for a new Reference Award Number to pop up on our 2003 1199A lol

Seemed to be very few get DJ's on the Ops grant but a ton DJ for trucks.

[Co7Prez]

This doesnt mean much now but I thought it was kinda funny. Got DJed for a brush truck the got a call for a brush fire and had to call a 2nd due brush truck to help us out wouldnt have helped us out on this one but we really need one. Its back to stirring stews and selling BBQ chicken dinners for us we will make it happen anyway.

[grantgirl]

So Kurt,

how will we know from the fema site if we were DJ'ed or not? Where does it tell us?

gina

[Attack6]

Western Pennsylvania seminar in Johnstown Pa. Contact me or Kurt.

[BC79er]

I hate denials. But I guess with 96% of the Ops apps we worked passing into Peer this year I have Big Blue's number with less than 20 denials. Trucks of course not so good but still better than half there, over 60% made Peer/awarded so far.

Free grant workshop schedule (for 40 states) will be up soon if y'all can't make one of Kurt's (or someone else's). Or even if you can stop in anyway. Hafta hang drywall tomorrow (today), then I'll make the updates to the web site. More Continental FF miles for me, then I can go hang in Hawaii with Bugle. :)

[LFD1MICHAEL]

QUOTE=Captn46;851345]We got our DJ this afternoon! I really don’t understand how this entire computer scoring thing goes and I’m afraid that a rant is coming on. We have been trying for SCBA for several years. Last year, 2006, we made it through to the very end and got DJed in the last set sent out and I admit the narrative could have been stronger. Our demographics have not changed. I got very good advise from many participants of this forum and re-worked my narrative accordingly. Now this year with what I thought was a very good narrative, how did we get kicked out by the computer scoring? I’m having a hard time grasping the situation. The DJ advises us to review the activity priorities. How much of a higher priority can you get asking for funding for SCBA. I’m just really at a loss..

To all who did not get a DJ..may the force be with you.[/QUOTE]

Captn. Sorry for the DJ. your are not alone, I got four of them this morning :mad:
If for no one else but you and I; start with page 1 question 1 and compare 2007 with 2006. Except for minor changes in call volume and budgets was all of your data the same? Is there a chance you missed or added a zero somewhere which skewed things. I know the PG and priorities didn't change too much for SCBA. It might have been a weak narative last year but if you got bumped yesterday no one even read your new and improved. If it wasn't a narrative issue.....? Was it a slip up in filling in the blanks??:confused: :confused:

[LFD1MICHAEL]

so how do you guys make the entire post fall in those little grey boxes??

[foresttruck]

Do they send you just an email or is it posted in your mail box @the dhs site?

[plongsfd17]

Got our DJ for a vehicle, no word on ops. Might get to be a long few months

[islandfire03]

Dear John : the big heartless BOX of circuits has deemed that your groveling was not sincere enough. You CAN keep your 22 yo tanker running for another year. just keep a can of brake fluid handy !!!!

Oh well at least we didn't get the twofer rejection !

[ktb9780]

Man, spend a day installing sinks and come back to this. So much for going to bed.
Man do I know what you ean there. I had planned this for sometime next week but, looks like I was about 5 days off from my predication. Clicking away again!

[BC79er]

I'm sure Kurt will agree because we say this every year: each year is mutually exclusive so prior results do not indicate future results. I have a large pile of Ops apps just for bunker gear that didn't make it to Peer last year but some were already announced as winners and the rest made it into Peer. Every year there are 5,000 awards and 5,000 Hail Mary apps so you know going in at least 10,000 computer scores will be different next year. So the same app might give you the same score, but if everyone else made improvements again that cutoff for Peer is not the same. Just like the score cutoff for the pro golf every weekend, it changes. And that doesn't even take into consideration the minor metric changes in the PG that weights every single thing in the app (minus narrative). If the app is designed properly and backed up properly it will hit the winner's circle eventually. Denials do not mean bad applications just like awards don't mean good ones. It's a competitive program so like every other grant program it is less money than need. To me part of the success in grants is recognizing the need for a change and trying to make it.

[firechief47]

Never, ever say die! Watch, lurk, listen, learn and keep on applying. A good grant writer only gets one out of every six they write in this country right now with all the competition out there; just look at it as a no is just one step closer to yes!;)

FH.com should permanantly post this at the top of this forum. Thanks for putting it into words!

[montco65]

Denied for our SCBA grant. Got the e-mail this morning. System glitch didn't allow us to submit our apparatus grant for a tanker/pumper. Still reeling over that. Last day finally received the quotes and went to apply and the system said it was busy. Kept refreshing and finally at 1705 it let me in and said it was too late. Down day in Eastern PA!

[ktb9780]

I'm sure Kurt will agree because we say this every year: each year is mutually exclusive so prior results do not indicate future results. I have a large pile of Ops apps just for bunker gear that didn't make it to Peer last year but some were already announced as winners and the rest made it into Peer. Every year there are 5,000 awards and 5,000 Hail Mary apps so you know going in at least 10,000 computer scores will be different next year. So the same app might give you the same score, but if everyone else made improvements again that cutoff for Peer is not the same. Just like the score cutoff for the pro golf every weekend, it changes. And that doesn't even take into consideration the minor metric changes in the PG that weights every single thing in the app (minus narrative). If the app is designed properly and backed up properly it will hit the winner's circle eventually. Denials do not mean bad applications just like awards don't mean good ones. It's a competitive program so like every other grant program it is less money than need. To me part of the success in grants is recognizing the need for a change and trying to make it.



Well said Brian.;)

[steelman]

as we all know, this grant business is tough....got the double edged sword treatment today..... received official award notification for a 85kw Emergency Generator and at the same time received official dear-john for a Quint.....

The vehicle priority guidance for 2008 needs to be revamped in the worst way, there needs to be better clarification between pumper and tanker and there NEEDS to be a separate category for a Quint.....No one can convince me that a Quint and a Pumper are the SAME........that can be a topic for winter when the snow is blowing......

good luck to everyone still in the hunt for awards...........

[steelman]

4-caster.....received anything yet???????

[4caster]

Sorry to hear about that one, steelman. I know very well that truck was needed and justified, but you can't change a computer's mind. Here's hoping next year they will modify that for the better.

p.s. don't jinx it yet...nothing in the inbox, junk mail, spam filter, or hidden email box yet.

[steelman]

another round for 2006 was posted today with some very large $ amounts...what's up with that??

[alcofrd3chief]

still nothing on for my departments grant. wrote another grants for another department in my county and they got awarded in the first round. still hoping for new ppe and scba's

[k3twpfire]

Checked all three of my apps outstanding, a vehicle, ops & regional. All are still standing. Interesting thing tho, I checked my 1199A for my vol department, the award number for my operations grant we were awarded this year moved from the middle of the list to the 2nd position on the 1199A.

Hope they are making room for the FV number. ;)

[RoughRider]

*&$%$^#@&@^#%!^##(*$& !!!!!!

I got my DJ this morning.
Back to the Ole' drawing board.

[ktb9780]

*&$%$^#@&@^#%!^##(*$& !!!!!!

I got my DJ this morning.
Back to the Ole' drawing board.

Come see me in Rochester in early 2008 at Bushnell's Basin Seminar guy!;)

[ENG121]

So has another round of DJ's come out or are some people checking for the first time today?

[ktb9780]

as we all know, this grant business is tough....got the double edged sword treatment today..... received official award notification for a 85kw Emergency Generator and at the same time received official dear-john for a Quint.....

The vehicle priority guidance for 2008 needs to be revamped in the worst way, there needs to be better clarification between pumper and tanker and there NEEDS to be a separate category for a Quint.....No one can convince me that a Quint and a Pumper are the SAME........that can be a topic for winter when the snow is blowing......

good luck to everyone still in the hunt for awards...........
Steelman remmebr that if the truck was more than $350K there were only 13 trucks over that maount in all 964 awarded last year.;)

[ktb9780]

So has another round of DJ's come out or are some people checking for the first time today?

They just got their emails fomr yesterday is al. They are all out

[kprsn1]

Anyone know how long it takes to send out all of the first round DJ's? I'm on pins and needles.

[ktb9780]

Anyone know how long it takes to send out all of the first round DJ's? I'm on pins and needles.

If you don't have it by now it is pretty safe to assume that you made it to peer review.;)

[Chief2701]

Just recieved our DJ for an apparatus...the end of a good streak

[celsokid]

Come see me in Rochester in early 2008 at Bushnell's Basin Seminar guy!;)

Kurt e-mail me info please. My e-mail is djc64@juno.com Thanks

[ktb9780]

Kurt e-mail me info please. My e-mail is djc64@juno.com Thanks


On its way to you.;)

[sarg77]

DJ here also for new brush / attack truck. We have never had one so thought it was a long shot but had to try.
Any seminer in the midwest Kurt for the 08 ?

[ktb9780]

DJ here also for new brush / attack truck. We have never had one so thought it was a long shot but had to try.
Any seminer in the midwest Kurt for the 08 ?

How about Weston, NE or Montgomery, IN contact me through profile and I will email you info.;)

[fireman8611]

Got our dj for the 4th straight year. Trying for a much needed tanker. Now is the time to get registered for one of Kurts seminar. We are hosting Kurt in Montgomery In on the 27th and 28th of Oct. I know there are alot of you out there that got thier dj's this week. Get off your butt and get to one. I have a feeling they will be getting pretty full in the next couple of weeks.

Dwayne

[hinesfire]

Is the same computer score used for Operations/Safety as is for Vehicles? Seems like not if we were DJ'd for vehicle but 10 question's for PPE.
What questions affect each certain score? I have been successful for 2/2 PPE/Ops grants but 0/4 vehicle.
Insight?

[Chief310]

After years of rejections, we have an 1199 on our vehicle application, and no DJ on our SCBA grant. Looks like it's finally going to be our year.

By the way, what's the longest anyone's had to wait between the 1199 and the questions?

[BC79er]

Could be 2-3 weeks since they've been into awarding.

Hines, the computer score for different apps is, well, different. Each project generates a different score so that's why one will make it and one won't.

[chief19]

Received 1199 update July 7 and questions on August 13. Seemed like forever to , but remember they will come.

[Chief310]

It's been a little over three weeks. Funny, it seems longer than that.

[chiefmeyer301]

brian how close to illinois is any of your seminars. RandyM

[mmcneill]

brian how close to illinois is any of your seminars. RandyM

Randy,

We are working with Brian to set a seminar up here at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

Mike McNeill

[BC79er]

Going to be in Chi-Town, still working on the date. Think we're trying for one before Xmas at least, re-schedule of the iced out Indy will probably be in Jan/Feb on top of that. Also Dixon IL at the Blackhawk FF's association in January, keep forgetting about that one.

[Fire562]

Western Pennsylvania seminar in Johnstown Pa. Contact me or Kurt.

Attack 6 - Can you please e-mail information on the seminar to dfelack@verizon.net

Thanks,

Dan

[Catch22]

Randy,

We are working with Brian to set a seminar up here at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

Mike McNeill

Make sure to keep me up to date, if you don't mind. Maybe we can have a reunion of the Springfield seminar last year.

Speaking of which, how is that seminar going? I know you and I have got awards, haven't heard from anyone else. Unless I missed Blake getting one.

[Attack6]

will do asap fire562. you can also go to www.chiefgrants.com and scroll down to the Johnstown Pa seminar. Where you from?

[LVFD301]

Make sure to keep me up to date, if you don't mind. Maybe we can have a reunion of the Springfield seminar last year.

Speaking of which, how is that seminar going? I know you and I have got awards, haven't heard from anyone else. Unless I missed Blake getting one.

Nothing yet - got a DJ on the tanker. 3 still out there pending.

[ktb9780]

Attack 6 - Can you please e-mail information on the seminar to dfelack@verizon.net

Thanks,

Dan

Dan,
Check you email I sent it to you a minute ago.;)

[mmcneill]

Make sure to keep me up to date, if you don't mind. Maybe we can have a reunion of the Springfield seminar last year.

Speaking of which, how is that seminar going? I know you and I have got awards, haven't heard from anyone else. Unless I missed Blake getting one.

Will do! Lake Ozark Fire has agreeded to have it at their Sta. 1. They have more space than my place. :mad:

[McCurdy82]

I just read our dj letter, looks like no new engine for us :(, oh well now its off to plan B which is to start a funraiser car wash with me wearing nothing but a thong :D haha

[Fire562]

will do asap fire562. you can also go to www.chiefgrants.com and scroll down to the Johnstown Pa seminar. Where you from?

New Kensington

[Hoseman619]

Check again in the morning but, I have some client s who got hit with both notices at once so I woudl say your still looking good.;)

I hope so, would be nice to replace old engine. Ops grant was for a station generator.

[ktb9780]

Hang in there, its a long way from being over with.;)

[NHFDCar1]

Received our DJ letter last week. We applied for a station generator, I guess I will need to start my research now for next years grant. Kurt, are you going to be anywhere near Connecticut for your seminars. I would like to start working with you on 2008 AFG grant.

[ktb9780]

Received our DJ letter last week. We applied for a station generator, I guess I will need to start my research now for next years grant. Kurt, are you going to be anywhere near Connecticut for your seminars. I would like to start working with you on 2008 AFG grant.

Mark sorry to hear that buddy. Rochester, NY in January or Baltimore in early OCtober is sabout as close as I will get to you.Check your email for details.;)

[KennypSHFD]

Although not unexpected we got our DJ for a ambulance. It's a fire based EMS system, the fire side of the department is supported mainly through town taxes. However the EMS side especially the vehicle is funded through fund raisers and fund drives. I know it's a 2nd priority vehicle but I don't really agree. We don't bill, don't ask it's a LONG story, but we really needed to replace our 1992 international. We do @ 400 EMS transports a year.:mad: :mad: :confused: ..Kenny

[ktb9780]

Although not unexpected we got our DJ for a ambulance. It's a fire based EMS system, the fire side of the department is supported mainly through town taxes. However the EMS side especially the vehicle is funded through fund raisers and fund drives. I know it's a 2nd priority vehicle but I don't really agree. We don't bill, don't ask it's a LONG story, but we really needed to replace our 1992 international. We do @ 400 EMS transports a year.:mad: :mad: :confused: ..Kenny
Kenny the first rule of the grants ballgame is to always address the priorities of the program first. If you don;t do that first, you are wasting effort and time. There has not been a single priority 2-3 vehicle funded for over four years and they clearly stated it in the grant guidelines that they would likely NOT fund any this year as well.Sorry you got rejected guy! Frankly it does not matter what you think unfortunatly; what matters is what DHS says are the priorities:o

[WJVaughn]

Well at least I have something nice happen. I got the dj last week for this year, but my guy just called and said the stuff i got from last years grant is in and will be delivered this week.

[scottm207]

Got the DJ's for both of my applications. Disappointing, although not totally unexpected. Not enough money to go around and the priorities are constantly getting tweaked. It's tougher to land a grant now when you have a small, rural, low call volume department.

We still need to lobby Washington to build the funding back up for this program!! Congrats to the departments that have gotten and/or will get awards and to the rest of us, I share your pain!!:D

[onebugle]

Kenny the first rule of the grants ballgame is to always address the priorities of the program first. If you don;t do that first, you are wasting effort and time. There has not been a single priority 2-3 vehicle funded for over four years and they clearly stated it in the grant guidelines that they would likely NOT fund any this year as well.Sorry you got rejected guy! Frankly it does not matter what you think unfortunatly; what matters is what DHS says are the priorities:o

I have to agree with Kurt. An application has to be based on the priorities, anything less is set up for failure. In this case the Ambulance is actually a Priority 3 in all 3 classifications; no chance what so ever.

[ktb9780]

Got the DJ's for both of my applications. Disappointing, although not totally unexpected. Not enough money to go around and the priorities are constantly getting tweaked. It's tougher to land a grant now when you have a small, rural, low call volume department.

We still need to lobby Washington to build the funding back up for this program!! Congrats to the departments that have gotten and/or will get awards and to the rest of us, I share your pain!!:D
Scott, so sorry to hear that. Call me and lets see what went wrong.:o

[br2211]

Kenny the first rule of the grants ballgame is to always address the priorities of the program first. If you don;t do that first, you are wasting effort and time. There has not been a single priority 2-3 vehicle funded for over four years and they clearly stated it in the grant guidelines that they would likely NOT fund any this year as well.Sorry you got rejected guy! Frankly it does not matter what you think unfortunatly; what matters is what DHS says are the priorities:o

Is there more dj now or has everything went to peer review. We have not recieved anything yet. If everything has went to peer review this is as far as we have every gotten.

[onebugle]

Is there more dj now or has everything went to peer review. We have not recieved anything yet. If everything has went to peer review this is as far as we have every gotten.

If you didn't recieve the DJ (computer scoring) last week, your application went to Peer Review (usually 1 round for computer DJ's). As they say "no news is good news".

[br2211]

If you didn't recieve the DJ (computer scoring) last week, your application went to Peer Review (usually 1 round for computer DJ's). As they say "no news is good news".

Can you tell me what is peer review? and how does it work
Is this another computer or is it poeple reading you grant or what

[Jtucker57]

Grant Gurus - You guys are really pushing the grant seminars and I believe they are very helpful on the narrative section when addressing the 5 topic areas appropriately - but how does the grant seminar improve your computer score so you can get to the narrative reading stage? Seriously curious....

[br2211]

Grant Gurus - You guys are really pushing the grant seminars and I believe they are very helpful on the narrative section when addressing the 5 topic areas appropriately - but how does the grant seminar improve your computer score so you can get to the narrative reading stage? Seriously curious....

Thank you!

[br2211]

Grant Gurus - You guys are really pushing the grant seminars and I believe they are very helpful on the narrative section when addressing the 5 topic areas appropriately - but how does the grant seminar improve your computer score so you can get to the narrative reading stage? Seriously curious....

This is my first grant and I am just learning about the steps. I am not a PRO like yourself.

[batt403]

Well, I have been putting off posting in the DJ Forum since I was hoping they would call and say they made a mistake:confused: but we got ours on or FV# last week with everyone else.

[onebugle]

Can you tell me what is peer review? and how does it work
Is this another computer or is it poeple reading you grant or what

The first step of the process is the computer grading. Once submitted the computer scores your application through a matrix. If you get past the computer you move onto the next step; Peer Review.

The applications are read (narratives) by fire service members that volunteer their time. These are scored and ranked. This determines the departments that will be funded.

The departments that recieved the DJ's were the ones that did not get past the computer. The AFG waits a few rounds for these DJ's even though at the time of submittal the applications were already known.

There will be 2 additional types of DJ's to come, sometimes in multiple rounds.

The next round will be those that made it to Peer Review, but did not have a compelling argument in 1 or more of the 4 areas that need to be addressed in the narrative. If you read the comments you can figure out where you went wrong.

The final round(s) are the narratives that scored extremely well, but just outside the funding level. These are the ones that have the potential to be funded through a supplemental grant (monies returned or not used by departments). This DJ makes future decision difficult. If you apply for the same project the following year, there is the possibility that a supplemental grant can come through, nullifying the new grant.

[BC79er]

Grant Gurus - You guys are really pushing the grant seminars and I believe they are very helpful on the narrative section when addressing the 5 topic areas appropriately - but how does the grant seminar improve your computer score so you can get to the narrative reading stage? Seriously curious....

I can't/won't speak for Kurt but I'm 99% sure he does something similar to me, and one of the people that have been to his can probably chime in also.

For me, I teach how to read the guidelines (between the lines) as well as perform an analysis on your department based on those guidelines/NFPA regulations. The clients I work with fill out a 7 page Profile so that I can analyze them and ensure that we are making the project as competitive as possible. I use this for any grant app, not just AFG. But for 2007 AFG 96% of Ops grants, 100% of regionals, and 60% of the truck apps I worked with this year passed the computer, out of 493 apps. Hence the reason I harp so much on starting early, performing that self-assessment, and ensuring that you're not shooting for the moon with your application.

[Greenacres2]

Grant Gurus - You guys are really pushing the grant seminars and I believe they are very helpful on the narrative section when addressing the 5 topic areas appropriately - but how does the grant seminar improve your computer score so you can get to the narrative reading stage? Seriously curious....

Having sat through 2 of Kurt's and hosted a third...as Brian said, there is a lot of time spent in learning to read the program guidance, analyzing needs and matching needs to program priorities. Learning how to set aside your department's "absolutely can't run without xxxx any longer" need and assemble the project with great need and high priority is the art that the gurus hold. The computer score goes up when you become able to match the highest priority project with the greatest need--that's the value in the seminars these two men do.

Narrative writing could be taught by a middle school English teacher, but that would miss the mark. Even the best non-profit grant writing instructors would have trouble competing with Kurt and Brian (and Alana--where are you??) in their craft.

Finally, taking breaks and having a meal (or beverage--like salty coffee) with 30 other folks in the same boat and watching the light bulbs pop on as the ideas are swapped....priceless.

One more final thing--we've spent about $600 in dept funds to go to grant trainings. The return is over $300,000 for our dept and another $150,000 or so for our neighbors. I need to get a count on the participants in the one we hosted, but that's got to be in the $2.000,000 range in just the first few rounds of AFG this year.

earl (yep, i'm a believer)

[mmcneill]

I will echo what Earl just said. In the last 5 years I have gotten my department about $600,000 from various grants and I thought I was good :D ....but after attending one of Brian's classes earlier this year and following tips that Kurt and others have put out here I found that there are always ways to be better.

It is well worth the time and money to go.

Mike

[ktb9780]

I would echo bc79er's statements and greenacres2 has probablay hit the nail ont he head. Interpretation of guidleines , the reading between the lines, the knowing how a computer is going to look at a question and why it is going to score that question higher is a key factor. Can we change your numbers? Probabaly not as the numbers are what the numbers are but, I would bet dollars to donuts, that in some of your figures or some of the questions you are not answering them correctly for your area and thus your score suffers. What Brian and I do is based not on the experience of a win here or there over the years or talking to just one guy that won in a neighboring county; it is staying 100% focused on these grants 24/7/365 a year, talking to DHS personnel, interviewing peer reviewers and the pleasure of working with 1000s of departments across the US. COuple that with the fcat that bBrian and myself are both from the public safety profession ourselves and have walked in your shoes, makes for a powerful combination that is hard to beat!;)