Extra money ideas...

[CaptainReb22]

My department has around $9,000 of AFG money left over from the grant after having purchased everything we said we were going to purchase. I know we can spend up to $4,750 of federal money and $250 of our money (to equal $5,000) on needed items not listed in the grant.

As for the other $4,000 or so bucks, what are some of the things you have gotten? We need ideas...thanks.

[Catch22]

My department has around $9,000 of AFG money left over from the grant after having purchased everything we said we were going to purchase. I know we can spend up to $4,750 of federal money and $250 of our money (to equal $5,000) on needed items not listed in the grant.

As for the other $4,000 or so bucks, what are some of the things you have gotten? We need ideas...thanks.

Keep in mind the new rules- 50% of excess funds can be used for training, and anything over $5K excess for fire prevention.

What we did withour fire prevention funds last year was purchase a computer and "risk management software" (read: Firehouse). Some of the best money I've spent, as it's made my job a LOT easier!

[imafireman]

We purchased a computer, projector, and videos to use during our fire prevention activities at the local schools. The schools really like the videos and have asked us to come back regularly. It used to be that we had to beg the schools to allow us to come in and have a fire prevention assembly.

[ChiefKN]

My department has around $9,000 of AFG money left over from the grant after having purchased everything we said we were going to purchase. I know we can spend up to $4,750 of federal money and $250 of our money (to equal $5,000) on needed items not listed in the grant.

As for the other $4,000 or so bucks, what are some of the things you have gotten? We need ideas...thanks.

I'm thinking "Training Hot Tub".

[LVFD301]

Beer. Buy Beer. It is not just for breakfast anymore.

(Catch had a good idea with the Firehouse software)

[CaptainReb22]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I appreciate it.

[jam24u]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I appreciate it.

Yes, very good ideas.

I would be interested in recommendations for training videos or awarness videos.

I am going to have around $35,000 in excess funds from my regional application

[geefireman]

If you can not think of what you need right now says you do not need it. Turn it back in so someone with a legitamate need can get some funding. My whole grant is around $35K and you have that for "excess"??

We all need to be responsible with our spending, so don't just spend for the sake of spending. If you fulfilled the project of your grant and had savings then the responsible thing to do is turn it back in.

2 cents..

[CaptainReb22]

If you can not think of what you need right now says you do not need it. Turn it back in so someone with a legitamate need can get some funding. My whole grant is around $35K and you have that for "excess"??

We all need to be responsible with our spending, so don't just spend for the sake of spending. If you fulfilled the project of your grant and had savings then the responsible thing to do is turn it back in.

2 cents..

Would they actually put award "returned money" or would they simply throw it back into the treasury. IF they would ASSURE me if I returned excess money it would go to some other department who "just missed," heck yeah I'd return it. Otherwise, I'll be glad to get a few Fire Safety and Prevention goodies.

[onebugle]

Would they actually put award "returned money" or would they simply throw it back into the treasury. IF they would ASSURE me if I returned excess money it would go to some other department who "just missed," heck yeah I'd return it. Otherwise, I'll be glad to get a few Fire Safety and Prevention goodies.

In the past funds returned, not accepted etc. would go towards supplemental awards. That has not been the case lately. In 2008 the AFG did not award all of the funds so no supplemental awards. So any funds returned along with the unfunded amount went back to the Treasury. I would not count on it this year as well as just over $10 million remains for 2009.

[dfd701]

If you can not think of what you need right now says you do not need it. Turn it back in so someone with a legitamate need can get some funding. My whole grant is around $35K and you have that for "excess"??

We all need to be responsible with our spending, so don't just spend for the sake of spending. If you fulfilled the project of your grant and had savings then the responsible thing to do is turn it back in.

2 cents..

You have got to be kidding, aren’t you? You really don’t think they will give that money to some deserving department, do you? He needs to spend that money on things his department needs. How often do you have money left over on a project? Not many I bet. Spend that money. I have money left over this year because I spent wisely and because of competitive biding. If they approve my plan for fire prevention I will use it all. Every last dime. If that sounds like I am being greedy, so be it. It may be you next year that has money left over. THAT’S MY 2 CENTS.