Two questions.

[[email protected]]

Two questions.
1. Where can I find a list of affordable grant classes? I am in southern Ohio and would like to be able to drive to it.

2. Would applying for a used vehicle increase my chanses of being awarded a grant for a Brush truck or mini pumper?

[onebugle]

Two questions.
1. Where can I find a list of affordable grant classes? I am in southern Ohio and would like to be able to drive to it.

2. Would applying for a used vehicle increase my chanses of being awarded a grant for a Brush truck or mini pumper?

1) The following are the 2 best grant seminars in the country dealing with the AFG. Both are inexpensive to attend. If there is not a seminar near you think about sponsoring one of them to conduct a seminar. They are both still scheduling seminars for the 2011 season.

Brian Vickers ($250)

http://www.vickersconsultingservices.com/workshopschedule.htm

Kurt Bradley ($299)

http://firstrespondergrants.com/page/class_list

2) From the PG:

No competitive advantage will be given for the purchase of standard model commercial vehicles relative to custom vehicles or the purchase of used vehicles relative to new vehicles in the preliminary evaluation of applications. DHS has noted that given the size of the department and the size of the community that the department serves, the peer review panelists often prefer low-cost vehicles when evaluating the cost-benefit section of the project narratives.

Used apparatus must be compliant with NFPA 1901 or 1906 for the year the vehicle was manufactured.

Yes, a used vehicle will improve your chances of being awarded as those types of vehicle typically cost less than new which reduces the cost-benefit. This is especially important with small departments protecting a small population and have a low call volume. The higher the cost of the vehicle in relation to the demographics the higher the probability that the project will be bounced by the computer. The goal is to get to Peer Review so the narrative is read.

Some issues to remember with looking at used vehicles is what you see today probably will not be there at the time of the award. Secondly, find out the history of the vehicle....why is it being sold etc.? Thirdly, look at newer models as they will have less mechanical issues as well. Doesn't make sense to buy a 15 year old vehicle when there may be newer models available. Fourth, look at a reliable dealer that will back up what they say about the vehicle.

Another option to reduce your cost and still apply for a new vehicle is to put more funds towards the up front cost of the vehicle. For ex. the department has $25K in a vehicle fund and a brush a new brush truck costs $125K. By requesting $100K you drop the cost-benefit improving your chances to move forward (still need to match the 5% on the $100K or $5K).

In the narrative you explain the vehicle actually cost $125K, but the department is using its own funds of $25K to reduce the requested amount. With the 5% match the total contributed by the department would be $30K or 24% of the overall cost. This shows the PR's that the department is not greedy by not going for a 95/5 split.

[[email protected]]

Thanks Onebugle, I really would like to just host one of the grant trainings. There aren't any close to my area. I am going to try to contact one of them and see what I can do.

We need a mini-pumper that would serve as a brush truck also. We are located in southern Ohio and a very hilly terrain. We have many houses built on private drives that are inaccesable with a full size engine.

[onebugle]

Thanks Onebugle, I really would like to just host one of the grant trainings. There aren't any close to my area. I am going to try to contact one of them and see what I can do.

We need a mini-pumper that would serve as a brush truck also. We are located in southern Ohio and a very hilly terrain. We have many houses built on private drives that are inaccesable with a full size engine.

A good start is to go to

http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/docs/2010_AFGguidance.pdf

and read pages 11-16 on the vehicle program.

Some other factors that will come into play as well.

1) Average age of the apparatus fleet.
2) Average age of the type of vehicles with similar functions.
3) How many of similar function?

Depending on what the mini-pumper or quick attack has for water supply (min. 300 gallons) and pump size (min. 750 gpm) will determine the catergory that it fits in. If it meets these parameters then it would be classified a pumper which is then compared to the entire fleet of pumpers during the evaluation.

The more functions the vehicle can handle the better the benefit in the eyes of the peer reviewer. Even though the primary function of the quick attack is fire suprression having brush capabilities, carrying rescue equipment, medical response etc. shows the project is well rounded meeting many demands of the department.