We have a few very happy fire departments this year so far.

Kelley’s Island VFD, Southern Highland Joint Fire District and Freeport Community Volunteer Fire Department in Ohio.

Kelley’s Island VFD – First AFG award ever and they have been very fortunate to receive some much needed PPE and Equipment that for a fire department that provides services for an Island is crucial.

They will be able to purchase new turnout gear as well as a washer/dryer to keep their gear in good condition for many years. They will also be able to purchase new SCBA airpacks as well as a Fit Tester to make sure that they have properly fitted face pieces for each individual firefighter.

The total cost of this grant came to $113,900.00. Congratulations to Kelley’s Island VFD.

Southern Highland Joint Fire District – Will have the ability to properly monitor their EMS patients with the purchase of two (2) new heart monitors that were much needed. Each EMS unit will now have the proper equipment to monitor these heart patients. This much needed equipment will help to enhance the abilities of the fire department when responding to calls.

Congratulations on the award! Total cost of this project and award comes to $52,600.00

Freeport Community Volunteer Fire Department– Although this grant may seem small, to this fire department that depends on community support, this is huge. With the award of this grant, Freeport VFD will be able to purchase much needed rescue equipment and hand tools that they would not have been able to purchase on their own. This equipment will only enhance their abilities and they greatly thank the AFG for this opportunity.

The total cost of this grant comes to $8,200.00 but every penny is much appreciated. Congratulations Freeport!

Canton Township Fire Department located in Canton Township, Stark County, Ohio was recently awarded an AFG Operations and Safety Grant for PPE and Communications Equipment for 3/4 of a million dollars.

This Grant will help to replace aged, old and obsolete communications equipment and PPE. This grant is one of many grants that Canton Township has been fortunate to receive in the passed few years. These grants include: Training Trailer (the only one of its kind in the county and region) in 2009 AFG Grant for $250,000; (4) LifePak 15 Monitors in the amout of $160,000 in 2010 AFG Grant; 2010 SAFER Grant to increase staffing levels to meet compliance with NFPA standards for $250,000; and now in 2011 AFG Grant for Communications Equipment and PPE in the amount of $758,000.00

Congratulations to the Canton Township Fire Department for their trust in our company for assisting them in accomplishing their goals.

This years AFG Grant application encountered some new formats, guidelines as well as a few extensions due to the disasters associated with the Wildland Fires down south, the earthquake on the east coast as well as the hurricane that ravaged the east coast as well.

Even with all of these disasters hitting in a short period of time, applications were still able to be submitted thanks to the two extensions that FEMA enacted towards the end of the AFG period.

These extension gave those areas time to submit their applications but also allowed other departments who simply did not have the time to file applications as well.

Our company was able to help prepare and submit 135 applications which included vehicles, equipment, communications, as well as two major regionals which included SCBA as well as communications equipment for a whole county which consisted of 13 departments.

Good luck to all of the departments who were able to submit their applications as well as to our clients who trusted our company in helping to prepare their grants.

In all reality, we could not do what we do without the help and dedication of our departments in getting us the needed information. So for that, Gatchell Grant Resources greatly thanks you for your help in making our company a success.

Due to Hurricane Irene, the AFG has been extended until September 16, 2011. This means we have one more week to submit the grants. Thank you AFG!!!!!!

Finally, the madness will be starting.

 The AFG Assistance to Firfighters Grant Period opens August 15, 2011 and will close September 9, 2011. It is a short time period this year so be prepared. There is approximately 11 days less than last year for the application period so get a move on.

 It will be fast and furious so DO NOT wait till the last minute. Also FYI, major change in the application format so check it out ASAP when it opens on Monday so you do not get surprised. This year there is approximately $400 Million in funding for the AFG.

Good luck to all who will be applying this year.

More grants were awarded for out clients through the AFG Assistance to Firefighters Grant for 2010. The lucky awardees are as follows:

February 25, 2011

Fairview Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $26,923 for Opeation and Safety to purchase all new communications equipment for their department. This was very much needed to replace thier old and obsolete equipment that they currently have.

South Amherst Fire Department receives their third grant in two years and their second grant this year for a vehicle acquisition in the amount of $$275,000.

March 18, 2011

Kidron Volunteer Fire Department received thier third grant in 2 years in the amount of $24,271 for operations and safety. Congratulations on your award.

Old Fort Volunteer Fire Department received an award for operations and safety in the amount of $68,680 to replace old and obsolete equipment. Great job Old Fort.

Lawrence Township Fire Department was awarded their first grant in several years in the amount of $57,864 to replace old equipment through the operations and safety portion. Congratulations Lawrence Township.

Indian Joint Fire District receives its second grant in two years under operations and safety for much needed equipment for thier fire department.

Huntsville Fire Department received their very much needed and deserved third grant in the past four years under the operations and safety category in the amount of $43,859. Congratulations Hunstville on your very deserved award.

Green Camp Volunteer Fire Department received their first grain si years under the category of operations and safety in the amount of $56,358 to replace old and obsolete equipment.

Gettysburg Rural Volunteer Fire Department receives their third grant in two years in the amount of $50,377 to add to thier operations and vehicle grant that they received in 2009 through the AFG Grant. Congratulations!

Congratulations to all who have been awarded and good luck to those who have grants still out there.

North Canton Fire Department

North Canton Fire Department received their second grant in two years. This year it was to replace outdated communications equipment in the amount of a quarter of a million dollars. Congratulations to the department in being one of the first departments in Stark County to upgrade their communications equipment to be in compliance with the new FCC regulations of being P25 compliant. Congratulations again in having the ability with the help of the AFG in bringing your communications equipment up to par!!

There is finally movement in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant applications. Congratulations to all who were awarded.  Gatchell Grant Resources, LLC has been very fortunate to be able to assist numerous Fire Departments and EMS Departments with the grant application process and the successful awarding of these grants. This is a list of the fortunate departments that we were able to help:

In Round 4 on February 19, 2010 the following departments were awarded

• Canal Fulton FD (Stark County, Ohio) – In Operations and Safety Category received $43,844.00 for Training;
• East Sparta Vol. FD (Stark County, Ohio) – Received $16,100.00 for PPE Equipment in Operations and Safety;
• Jewett VFD, Inc. (Harrison County, Ohio) – Finally after a few unsuccessful attempts received $29,588.00 to replace PPE Equipment in Operations and Safety;
• Kidron VFD, Inc. (Wayne County, Ohio) – Received $200,000 for the purchase of a much needed vehicle;
• Logan County FD Station #200 – Was awarded $108,220.00 for the purchase of new PPE;
• Prairie Twp. VFD – After the second attempt, Prairie Twp. VFD was awarded $275,000.00 to be able to purchase a much needed vehicle;
• Scio, VFD, Inc. (Harrison County, Ohio) – $100,000.00 was awarded to Scio VFD, Inc. to purchase much needed PPE to help protect their members.

In Round 5 on March 5, 2010 the following Departments were awarded:

• Indian Joint Fire District (Logan County, Ohio) – received $55,000.00 to replace their old and obsolete PPE Equipment;
• Leesburg VFD – received $31,098 in the Operations and Safety category to purchase new PPE for its members;
• Moorefield Township VFD – applied for the first time in 2009 in the Operations and Safety category and was awarded swiftly in Round 5 in the amount of $24,842.00 for PPE;
• Valley City FD (Medina County, Ohio) – receives $48,100.00 for PPE in the Operations and Safety category for much needed equipment.

And most recently, in Round 6 on March 12, 2010, the following departments were awarded:

• Lakeview VFD receives $79,000.00 towards the purchase of PPE to help protect its members; and
• South Amherst FD through Operations and Safety receives a grant in the amount of $52,290.00 to help purchase PPE Equipment for the members of the fire department.

Again, congratulations to all of the fortunate departments who have been awarded to this point and good luck to all the rest who have applications still open for award.

Be sure to check back with us to see a new list of awards as they are anounced.

Fire departments seeking federal grant money from FEMA in the form of Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) are able to submit applications now.  The FEMA opened the application period for the AFG program yesterday, April 15, 2009.  The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program application period will close Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

From the FEMA official notice:

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications for these grants must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $510 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Gatchell Grant Resources, LLC.  would like to thank all of our FY 2008 AFG customers who are enjoying their new PPE, equipment, and new vehicles.  We are hoping for another VERY successful 2009 fire act season!  Gatchell Grant Resources was very pleased to see such a high percentage of our FY 2008 customers receiving federal grant money for their projects!

The Perry Township Fire Department in Stark County, Ohio has received federal grant money in the form of a FEMA AFG grant.  The Perry Township Fire Department has been awarded $62,580.00 in federal grant money to use for the purchase of PPE.  Chief Martin will use this federal grant money from FEMA to keep his firefighters safe.

Does your firefighter turnout gear need replaced?  Do you wonder how your department can pay for fire gear replacement?  Contact Gatchell Grant Resources to discuss grant funding for fire gear purchase and grant money for fire gear maintenance contracts to keep your new fire gear in excellent condition.