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FEMA Information Bulletin (IB) 400 & 2 C.F.R. Part 200

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FEMA - Federal Emergency Management AgencyFEMA Information Bulletin (IB) 400: FEMA Information Bulletin (IB) 400 provides guidance and information regarding FEMA’s implementation of Title 2, Part 200 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Super Circular” or “Omni Circular”).

These new regulations are in effect now, and will apply to all new FEMA grant awards that are made on or after December 26, 2014.

The new regulations will supersede 44 C.F.R. Part 13, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A-21, A-87, A-89, A-102, A-110, A-122, A-133, and sections of A-50 for all FEMA awards made on or after December 26, 2014.

Background on 2 C.F.R. Part 200, The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Super Circular” or “Omni Circular”)

2 C.F.R. Part 200 provides guidance on the administrative aspects of federal grants (e.g. how grants are awarded, managed, audited, and closed-out). Administrative requirements associated with FEMA grants will be affected by the Super Circular. The Super Circular does NOT change the programmatic substance of FEMA’s financial assistance programs. For example, 2 C.F.R. Part 200 will not change:

  • Eligibility criteria for non-disaster grant programs;
  • The statutory purposes and objectives of FEMA’s non-disaster grant programs; and
  • The statutorily-allowable costs and activities under FEMA’s non-disaster grant programs.

Effective Date for C.F.R. Part 200

The Super Circular will apply to non-disaster grants that FEMA awards on or after December 26, 2014. With the exception of the audit requirements in Subpart F. The Super Circular will not apply retroactively to existing FEMA non-disaster awards. For existing FEMA non-disaster grants awarded before December 26, 2014, recipients and subrecipients should continue to follow the applicable legacy regulations identified in the terms and conditions of their award packages.

2 C.F.R. Part 200 Change Highlights

The following list identifies some of the areas where substantive changes in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 that will impact AFG award recipients. AFG grantees are encouraged to become familiar with the changes and the requirements of each section. Current AFG award recipients must continue to follow the terms and conditions of their individual awards.

  • §200.112 Conflict of Interest
  • §200.204 Federal Awarding Agency Review of Merit Proposals
  • §200.307 Program Income
  • §200.308 Revision of Budget and Program Plans
  • §200.309 Period of Performance
  • §200.313 Equipment

Please refer to the links below for additional information.

FEMA Information Bulletin (IB) 400 & 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Links

Recipients and subrecipients of FEMA awards are strongly encouraged to review 2 C.F.R. Part 200 in its entirety, because it does contain substantive changes.

For additional information regarding Part 200 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Super Circular” or “Omni Circular”), please utilize the links below.

The FY 2014 application period’s for both programs are right around the corner.The application periods are currently scheduled for the following dates (subject to change):

  • Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER): February 9, 2015 – March 6, 2015
  • Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S): March 16, 2015 – April 17, 2015

Begin preparing your application now by reviewing the guidance materials that are available now. It is important to read the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) thoroughly. The FOA contains the key programmatic updates and application requirements necessary, for all eligible applicants.

You can view the 2014 SAFER and 2014 FP&S Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) below:

FY2014 SAFER and FP&S Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) Available Now

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The Funding Opportunity Announcements for the FY 2014 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and the 2014 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Programs are now available online!

The FY 2014 application period’s for both programs are right around the corner.The application periods are currently scheduled for the following dates (subject to change):

  • Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER): February 9, 2015 – March 6, 2015
  • Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S): March 16, 2015 – April 17, 2015

Begin preparing your application now by reviewing the guidance materials that are available now. It is important to read the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) thoroughly. The FOA contains the key programmatic updates and application requirements necessary, for all eligible applicants.

You can view the 2014 SAFER and 2014 FP&S Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) below:

FY2012 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Closeout Module Not Yet Available

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The closeout module for FY 2012 FP&S awards is currently not available. As such, no closeout may be submitted, or is required, at this time.

Upon the deployment of the module all FY 2012 FP&S grantees will receive a notification via the AFG e-grant system. From the date of that notification, grantees will have 90 days to submit your closeout report as allotted per 44 CFR §13.50 (b).

As the inability to submit the closeout is due to a system issue, no negative consequences shall arise due to the delinquency of closeout reports prior to the closeout module being available to the grantees and the aforementioned 90 days. It is anticipated that the FY 2012 FP&S closeout module will be available in July of 2015.

When the module becomes available and if additional assistance is required, please review the closeout tutorial (http://www.fema.gov/rules-tools/2011-closeout-report-tutorial-introduction) and/or contact our help desk (1-866-274-0960).

NIMS Alert 04-14: FEMA Releases Search and Rescue Resource Typing Definitions

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FEMA Releases Search and Rescue Resource Typing Definitions

FEMA has released for final publication and distribution, 8 Search and Rescue resource typing definitions. The guidance contained in these definitions provides a consistent set of minimum criteria for use by the whole community when building, sustaining, inventorying, and delivering capabilities in support of the National Preparedness System (NPS). The Search and Rescue resource typing definitions are:

  • Structural Collapse Search Team
  • Structural Collapse Search Technician
  • Structural Collapse Search Team Leader
  • Structural Collapse Rescue Team
  • Structural Collapse Rescue Technician
  • Structural Collapse Rescue Team Leader
  • Urban Search and Rescue Task Force
  • Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Leader

FEMA developed these resource typing definitions in collaboration with search and rescue, emergency management and public safety practitioners. These stakeholders suggested guidance for specific overall functions, components, capabilities, and ordering specifications for these resources.

These resource types align with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by providing a common and standard understanding of the tools and resources needed to sustain, build, and deliver the core capabilities necessary to achieve the National Preparedness Goal. Further, this guidance addresses standardized criteria for requests that are made under a variety of mutual aid scenarios from automatic aid to mutual aid provided through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) during declared disasters.

Resource typing definitions and job title/position qualifications can be accessed using the Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT). The RTLT is an online catalogue of NIMS resource typing definitions and job titles/position qualifications. The RTLT is publically accessible here: www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system/resource-management-mutual-aid.

For more information on NIMS and its implementation, visit FEMA’s NIMS website.

Questions can be submitted to the National Integration Center through e-mail at: FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov.

Tax Credit Proposed for Volunteer First Responders

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From KIWARadio.com and First Responder Grants

Two Congressman have introduced legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a charitable deduction for the service of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical and rescue personnel.

“I have been proposing this type of solution for many years in my classes,” says Kurt Bradley, Senior Grant Consultant at First Responder Grants, “and it looks like finally a US Congressman has proposed a bill to do exactly what I have been saying: give a tax credit to first responders who volunteer in their communities.”

According to Chief Philip C. Stittleburg, Chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council, “This common sense bill would help bolster staffing in volunteer public safety agencies by allowing responders to claim a portion of the value of the services they donate each year as a charitable donation.”

The full story is available from Iowa, West Virginia Congressmen Propose Bill to Help Emergency First Responders | KIWARadio.com.

“Write a letter and support this bill,” says Bradley. “Have your US Congressional Representatives and Senators get behind it, now!”

It’s the Data: 5 Stats Sources for Your Next Grant Application

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Grant Writing Resources: Data, Information, Statistics, Agencies and More »

An effective, competitive grant application is supported by solid facts and data. But where do you find all those stats and figures?

We maintain a list of grant writing resources that steer you to where you can find the data you need. From critical infrastructure to population demographics, crime stats to fire service cost savings, bookmark this list for where to go when you need the facts.

Here are 5 resources to look at right now for your next grant application:

  • American FactFinder. Your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data from the U.S. Census. The NEW American FactFinder website includes the latest data from Census 2010 and the 2010 American Community Survey.
  • City-Data.com. Discover information about your county, city and state. City-Data.com provides stats and data on real estate, census, demographics, critical infrastructure, economic characteristics, cost of living, crime, race, income, photos, education, maps, weather, houses, schools, neighborhoods, and more. From the main page, enter the name of your town, city or state.
  • Fed Stats. Your gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal agencies.
  • FBI Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). Reliable, uniform crime statistics for the nation, compiled by the FBI. Includes reports such as Crime in the United States, Hate Crime Statistics, and Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted. Also includes information about the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
  • Cost Savings Calculators for VFDs and EMS. Figure out how much money your department saves the community. These calculators also provide resources for presenting data to the municipalities who fund your department. Use the calculators to make the case for increased community and governmental support of your department, or use this data in your grant applications. Developed by the NVFC Foundation for both volunteer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical services.

More Grant Writing Resources »

New Year, New Grants: Get Ready for 2015 Grant Writing

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Image: Klesta https://flic.kr/p/dGjA4n
Image: Klesta https://flic.kr/p/dGjA4n

Public Safety Grant News and Tips by Kurt Bradley, Certified Grants Consultant

New Year, New Grants: Get Ready for 2015 Grant Writing

The holidays are in full swing, and now is also a great time to look ahead to your 2015 grant strategy. Get ready for a new grant year!

Complete and Submit Your Application Now: The FY2014 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Application Period Closes on Fri., Dec. 5, 2014, 5 p.m. EST

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FINAL HOURS: The Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) application period closes on Friday, December 5. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

No exceptions will be made for submissions after 5 p.m. EST, so submit your application on time.

Complete your application today at www.fema.gov/e-grant-application-access.