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National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant

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BJA

Reduce SAK backlogs, solve more sexual assaults & reduce violent crime

Grant Website

Grant Guidelines

CFDA Number(s): 16.833 — National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

Funding Opportunity Number: BJA-2019-15228

Grant Deadline: Apr. 9, 2019

Address the issue and impact of unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs)

This National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant program supports the Department of Justice’s mission by improving state and local jurisdictions’ capacities to respond to violent crime; and the functioning of the criminal justice system through the investigation and prosecution of cases resulting from SAK evidence and the collection of lawfully owed DNA.

What this grant does for your agency

This National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant program supports the Department of Justice’s mission by improving state and local jurisdictions’ capacities to respond to violent crime; and the functioning of the criminal justice system through the investigation and prosecution of cases resulting from SAK evidence and the collection of lawfully owed DNA.

What this grant does for your agency

SAKI supports the Department’s criminal justice priorities of reducing violent crime and
supporting law enforcement officers and prosecutors by:

(1) providing jurisdictions with resources to address sexual assault kits (SAKs) in their custody that have not been submitted to a forensic laboratory for testing by Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)-eligible DNA methodologies;
(2) improving investigation and prosecution in connection with evidence and cases resulting from the testing process; and
(3) providing sites with resources to collect DNA samples from qualifying individuals who should have a sample in CODIS (based on the type and time of the offense in relation to applicable state law), but from whom a sample has never been collected or submitted to a laboratory for testing.

As part of this work, BJA will provide investigators with assistance in how to more effectively question subjects, which could provide stronger investigative leads and build stronger prosecutions, which in turn could help solve more crimes.

In addition to unsubmitted SAKs, SAKI addresses partially tested SAKs, as defined below. This program is not directed at untested kits that have been submitted to forensic labs for testing with CODIS-eligible DNA methodologies but are delayed for testing for longer than 30 days, for example, as a result of a laboratory backlog. A separate program addresses laboratory backlogs and capacity.

Agencies awarded the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant receive funds to help them clear SAK backlogs.

Estimated Total Program Funding: $40,000,000

Award Ceiling: $2,500,000

Award Floor: $500,000

Expected Number of Awards: 28

Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.

Grant Eligibility

For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:

Eligible applicants for Purpose Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 are state law enforcement agencies, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), as well as governmental non-law enforcement agencies acting as their fiscal agents, and prosecutor’s offices.

For Purpose Area 2, eligible applicants are limited to small law enforcement agencies with
fewer than 250 sworn officers or consortia of small law enforcement agencies, including tribal law enforcement agencies.

An applicant who previously received an award under the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) is eligible to apply for funding under all purpose areas included in this solicitation.

About the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)

BJA helps to make American communities safer by strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system: Its grants, training and technical assistance, and policy development services provide state, local, and tribal governments with the cutting edge tools and best practices they need to reduce violent and drug-related crime, support law enforcement, and combat victimization. More

Grant Deadline

Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Tues., Apr. 9, 2019.

Apply

Apply for the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant

New Rural EMS grant coming soon

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Ambulances

SIREN Act to help rural areas access EMS equipment, training & personnel

Signed into law in December 2018, the new Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act will help rural areas procure equipment, training, personnel recruitment and retention.

According to First Responder Grants Senior Grant Consultant Kurt Bradley, the SIREN Act is expected to offer grants with a $200K limit and a 10% matching requirement.

Grant administration and setup is still in process. As soon as we know more, we’ll let you know more.

In the meantime, if you are looking to run or improve EMS in a rural area, get to work on the 4 things grant winners have in common. Whenever SIREN opens, you can be first out of the gate to try for this new grant.

Learn more

FY 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER)

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Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants

$350,000,000 in fire jobs grants

Grant Website

Grant Guidelines

Grant Application Period: 8:00 a.m. ET, Friday, February 15, 2019 — 5:00 p.m. ET., Friday, March 22, 2019

NOFO Number: DHS-18-GPD-083-000-99

300 awards estimated for US Fire Service Organizations

The purpose of the SAFER Grant Program is to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments.

The objective of the SAFER grant program is to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Local fire departments accomplish this by improving staffing and deployment capabilities so they may more effectively and safely respond to emergencies. With enhanced staffing levels, recipients should experience a reduction in response times and an increase in the number of trained personnel assembled at the incident scene.

Kurt says…

These are the areas where the NOFO indicated that the information is different from previous years

Applicants may now request to waive the position cost limit for new firefighters.

Pursuant to IB 427, applicants must indicate when they apply for an award whether they are requesting a waiver and what requirement they seek to waive.

The simplified acquisition threshold increased to $250,000.

The definition of “new recruit.”

Updated prioritization and eligibility tables.

What this grant does for your agency

Although not required for a SAFER grant, it is preferable that the enhanced staffing levels of all SAFER recipients should ensure that all first-arriving apparatus are staffed with a minimum of four qualified personnel (to meet National Fire Protection Association.

(NFPA) 1710/1720 standards) who are capable of initiating the suppression response. Ultimately, SAFER recipients should achieve more efficient responses and safer incident scenes, thereby ensuring communities have improved protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

SAFER offers grants to support projects in two activities. This NOFO provides potential eligible applicants with application requirements and details for processing and evaluating applications for financial assistance for both of these activity areas:

Hiring of Firefighters Activity is to hire new, additional firefighters to improve staffing levels or changing the status of part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time firefighters

Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity is to assist fire departments with the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters who are involved with or trained in the operations of firefighting and emergency response

Agencies awarded the FY 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) receive funds to recruit and hire firefighters.

Only a limited number of grants will be awarded:

Available funding for the NOFO: $350,000,000

Projected number of Awards: 300

Grant Eligibility

For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines.

About FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps people before, during, and after disasters. More

Grant Deadline

Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Friday, Mar. 22, 2019.

Apply

Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-18-GPD-083-000-99

Apply for the FY 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER)

JUST ANNOUNCED! FY 2018 SAFER Application Period: Feb. 15–Mar. 22, 2019

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The FY 2018 SAFER application period will open on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. ET and will close on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Start planning your FY 2018 SAFER Grant application now by reviewing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and Economic Hardship Waivers Information Bulletin (IB), and technical assistance tools below. These tools were produced specifically to help potential applicants begin to plan their 2018 applications ahead of the application period. The tools can be viewed on the AFG website or downloaded to your computer.

SAFER Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the technical assistance tools listed below, call or e-mail the SAFER Grants help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.

Department of Justice Announces New Active Shooter Training Grant for First Responders

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As you no doubt know, active shooter scenarios are a common occurrence in the US today. Stay tuned for a new active shooter training grant coming from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). Details from their Nov. 1, 2018, release below:

Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio, Director Phil Keith of the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), and Dr. Pete Blair, Executive Director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University today announced an $8.7 million grant to provide multi-disciplinary, scenario-based active shooter training to first responders across the country.

Today’s announcement took place during the ALERRT Active Shooter Integrated Response Conference, where emergency personnel heard from subject matter experts on best practices and lessons learned from some of the nation’s most tragic and horrific mass casualty events. ALERRT is part of Texas State University, which has trained approximately 130,000 first responders since its inception in 2002.

“Training for first responders to take swift and effective action in active shooting situations is critically important,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. “We can mitigate the loss of life in these horrific incidents by providing resources to better equip first responders and prepare community members, local law enforcement, and local government leaders. The Department of Justice fully supports the brave first responders who risk their own lives to protect the safety of our children, colleagues, and community members.”

“The funding announced here today comes at a critical time for our country,” said COPS Office Director Keith. “As the demands placed on our nation’s first responders continue to grow with these violent mass casualty incidents, I believe it is our responsibility to make sure they have the tools, resources and training to properly respond to these attacks.”

“This COPS funding will allow ALERRT to provide the training needed to prepare police, fire, and EMS services across the country to save as many lives as possible when these horrific attacks occur,” said Dr. Pete Blair, Executive Director of the ALERRT Center at Texas State University.

Physician stakeholders working in the fields of emergency medicine, trauma surgery, anesthesia, blood bank, critical care and blood collection center directors will join law enforcement, fire services, EMS, emergency communications and emergency management for the first time during this year’s ALERRT conference. ALERRT’s multi-disciplinary approach is recognized as one of the nation’s leading training models, and the Department of Justice is pleased to announce additional funding for this effort.

The 2018 investment from the Department of Justice for ALERRT will provide in-person training to an estimated 15,000 first responders, in addition to the 9,000 individuals that received the training in 2017. ALERRT and the COPS Office are currently developing an online civilian training program, which will reach tens of thousands of citizens – helping to prepare them to take effective actions if they should find themselves in an attack.

The ALERRT Center at Texas State University was created as a partnership between Texas State University, the San Marcos (TX) Police Department, and the Hays County (TX) Sheriff’s Office to address the need for active shooter response training for first responders. In 2013, ALERRT was named the National Standard in Active Shooter Response Training by the FBI.

The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing officers, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.

FY2018 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Application Webinars & Assistance Tools

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Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) GrantsRemember: The FY 2018 FP&S grant application period will open on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 8 AM ET and will close on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 5 PM ET.

Grant Application Webinars

The FP&S Program Office will host 2 webinars to help you with your FY 2018 FP&S grant application. The webinars will provide potential applicants with general information about the FP&S grant program, how to navigate the grant application, and tips for preparing an application. FP&S Program Officers will be available to answer questions.

Details and more: AFGP Workshop Schedule at FEMA.gov

FY 2018 Fire Prevention & Safety Application Assistance

Please make sure to thoroughly review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) prior to beginning your application, as it contains the latest updates to the FY 2018 FP&S Grant Program. Begin preparing your application now by using the following application assistance tools:

  • FY 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – This document contains key programmatic updates and application requirements for all eligible applicants.
  • FY 2018 FP&S Application Checklist – This checklist will help you prepare to answer questions within the grant application. Collecting this information will reduce the time and energy needed to complete your application.
  • FY 2018 FP&S Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – This document contains answers to frequently asked questions about the FP&S Grant Program.
  • FY 2018 Research & Development (R&D) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – This document contains answers to frequently asked questions specifically about the Research and Development Activity within the FP&S Grant Program.
  • FY 2018 FP&S Self Evaluation Sheet – This Self Evaluation Sheet will help you understand the criteria that you must address in your Narrative Statement when applying for FP&S grants.
  • FY 2018 FP&S Cost Share Calculator – This calculator will help you understand and determine your organization’s cost share for FP&S grants.

All FEMA FP&S application assistance tools and resources

More about FY2018 FP&S

FY2018 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grants

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Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) GrantsUp to $35,000,000 in fire grants available

Grant Website

Grant Guidelines

Grant Application Period: Monday, November 12, 2018, 8 a.m. ET – Friday, December 21, 2018, 5 p.m. (EST)

Grants for Fire Prevention, Fire Safety, and Firefighter Safety Research and Development (R&D)

The purpose of the FP&S Grant Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards by assisting fire prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety research and development.

The objective of the FY 2018 FP&S Grant Program is for grantees to carry out fire prevention education and training, fire code enforcement, fire/arson investigation, firefighter safety and health programming, prevention efforts, and research and development.

What this grant does for your agency

FP&S Grants are offered to support projects in two activities. This NOFO provides potential eligible applicants with application requirements and details for processing and evaluating applications for financial assistance for both of these activity areas.

Fire Prevention and Safety Activity (FP&S)

The FP&S Activity is designed to reach high-risk target groups and mitigate the incidence of death, injuries, and property damage caused by fire and fire-related hazards.

Accordingly, the four project categories eligible for funding under this activity are:

  • Community Risk Reduction;
  • Code Enforcement/Awareness;
  • Fire & Arson Investigation; and
  • National/State/Regional Programs and Studies.

Each category within this activity has specific priorities. For additional details, please see Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities, Section II. Funding Priorities.

Firefighter Safety Research and Development (R&D) Activity

The R&D Activity is aimed at improving firefighter safety, health, or wellness through research and development that reduces firefighter fatalities and injuries.

The 6 project categories eligible for funding under this activity are:

  1. Clinical Studies;
  2. Technology and Product Development;
  3. Database System Development;
  4. Dissemination and Implementation Research;
  5. Preliminary Studies; and
  6. Early Career Investigator

Agencies awarded the FY2018 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grants receive grant funds to mitigate the incidence of death, injuries, and property damage caused by fire and fire-related hazards; and to improve firefighter safety, health, or wellness through research and development that reduces firefighter fatalities and injuries.

Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.

Available Funding for the NOFO: $35,000,000

Projected Number of Awards: 150

Period of Performance: 12–36 months.

Grant Eligibility

For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:

Fire departments; and national, regional, state, local, federally recognized tribal, and non-profit organizations that are recognized for their experience and expertise in fire prevention and safety programs and activities. Both
private and public non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding in this activity.

For-profit organizations, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to receive an FP&S Grant Award under the FP&S Activity.

About the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA helps people before, during, and after disasters. More

Grant Deadline

Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Fri., Dec. 21, 2018.

Apply

Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-18-GPD-044-000-98. Apply for the FY2018 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grants

Ford Disaster Relief Vehicle Grant Program

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Purchase and fit a Ford Transit to serve as a disaster response vehicle

Grant Website

Grant Guidelines

Grant Deadline: Oct. 31, 2019

From the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

The Ford Disaster Relief Mobility Challenge helps communities respond to natural disasters. Departments receiving an award from the Ford Disaster Relief Vehicle Grant receive funds to purchase and customize a Ford Transit to help your agency respond to natural disasters.

What this grant does for your agency

The Ford Transit offers the flexibility to fit any business by offering a cargo van or passenger wagon plus your choice of three roof heights, three lengths and two wheelbases. Also available is the choice of three engines along with a seemingly endless list of upfitting options.

Agencies awarded the Ford Disaster Relief Vehicle Grant Program receive funds to purchase and outfit a Ford Transit for disaster response.

3 grants of $70,000 will be awarded.

Grant Eligibility

For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:

  • Non-Profit, City, County, or Town Government
  • Nationwide
  • The vehicles must be used to respond to natural disasters; defined as any event that is caused by nature and causes great damage such as a flood, earthquake or fire.

About The Ford Fund

Since Ford began operations in 1949, the company has invested nearly $1.5 billion in civic organizations around the world to help drive a brighter future. More

Grant Deadline

Grant applications are due no later than Oct. 31, 2019.

Apply

Apply for the Ford Disaster Relief Vehicle Grant Program

FY 2018 Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG)

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Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)Enhance the safety of the public and firefighters

Grant Website

Grant Guidelines

Application Period: Mon., Sept. 24, 2018, 8 a.m. EST — Fri., Oct. 26, 5 p.m. EST

$315,000,000 available for Fire Service Organizations

The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters
with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The program provides direct financial
assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS)
organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA). The funds provide critically
needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards,
enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community
resilience.

What this grant does for your agency

The AFG Program also addresses the following “Core Capabilities” of the National
Preparedness Goal:

  • Fire Management and Suppression
  • Environmental Response/Health and Safety
  • Threats and Hazards Identification
  • Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services
  • Operational Coordination
  • OperationalCommunications
  • Mass Search and Rescue Operations
  • Community Resilience
  • Long-term VulnerabilityReduction

Agencies awarded the FY 2018 Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) receive fire grants to help them enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.

2,500 awards are projected to be awarded (but this number is only an estimate).

Application resources and materials

The application assistance tools below can help you understand the AFG program and prepare your application:

  • 2018 AFG Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
  • 2018 AFG Cost Share Calculator
  • 2018 AFG Narrative Get Ready Guide – Application
  • 2018 AFG Narrative Get Ready Guide – Narrative
  • 2018 AFG Self Evaluation Vehicle Acquisition
  • 2018 AFG Self Evaluation Operations Safety
  • 2018 AFG Application Checklist

AFG resources at FEMA.gov

Kurt says…

First Responder Grants Senior Consultant Kurt Bradley has helped fire service organizations nationwide win hundreds of millions of dollars in AFG funds. Here are his tips for 2018 AFG:

  • Review the NOFO carefully 2-3 times. I cannot emphasize this enough. The #1 reason grants are rejected is failure to read and follow directions.
  • Read the questions several times. Then answer the questions, being careful to take full credit for the answer you give.
  • High priority items only. Do not bother going after anything that is marked as medium or low priority. AFG will only fund high priority items, and that high priority is set by AFG, not you.
  • Requesting funds for turnout gear? If going after turnout gear, you need to be replacing at least 50% of your department’s gear. The gear being replaced also needs to be at least 13-14 years of age to get any priority at all.
  • Choose your answers carefully. Be careful about your selection for why you are replacing equipment or PPE. Read all choices clearly before selecting. There are new choices this year, so read the NOFO carefully before selecting your answer. The wrong answer can cause your request to be instantly rejected. This was a top reason for grants being rejected by computer last year.
  • Vehicle acquisitions? Even though only about 100 fire trucks are given away per year, apparatus is AFG’s most requested item. Even if you have the strongest need, trucks are a roll of the dice. AFG only funds about 10-15 trucks over the $500,000 mark per year. Have a plan B in mind to replace trucks. Also, be sure your request is “reasonable” in cost, no bells or whistles.
  • Check your math. Be sure numbers that you put down in answer boxes add up correctly to totals listed elsewhere. They should also agree with what you are stating in your narratives. Inconsistencies are cause for rejection.
  • Don’t procrastinate. Get your application done, make sure it’s rock solid, and submit it as soon as possible. Don’t wait till a week before it’s due. Start now: get it composed, proof-read, entered, and submitted.
  • Structure micro-grants to new funding limits. Micro-grants now have a $50,000 maximum, so make sure your micro-grant is specific and keeps under that limit.

Need help with your AFG application?

Contact Kurt today

Grant Eligibility

For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:

Fire Departments
Fire departments operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A fire department is an agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a state, territory, local, or tribal authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population within a geographically fixed primary first due response area.

Nonaffiliated EMS organizations
Nonaffiliated EMS organizations operating in any of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A nonaffiliated EMS organization is an agency or organization that is a public or private nonprofit emergency medical service entity providing medical transport that is not affiliated with a hospital and does not serve a geographic area in which emergency medical services are adequately provided by a fire department.

State Fire Training Academies
A State Fire Training Academy (SFTA) operates in any of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must be designated either by legislation or by a Governor’s declaration as the sole fire service training agency within a state, territory, or the District of Columbia. The designated SFTA shall be the only agency/bureau/division, or entity within that state, territory, or the District of Columbia.

About the FEMA

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. More

Grant Deadline

Grant applications are due no later than Fri., Oct. 26, 5 p.m. EST.

Apply

Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-18-GPD-044-00-99. Apply for the FY 2018 Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG)

FY 2018 Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) opens Sept. 24, 2018

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Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)The 2018 AFG application period will open at 8:00 AM Monday, September 24, 2018 and will close on Friday, October 26 at 5:00 PM EST.

Begin preparing for the FY 2018 open application period by reviewing the available application assistance tools below.

FY 2018 AFG Application Guidance Materials Available Now

  • 2018 AFG Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
  • 2018 AFG Cost Share Calculator
  • 2018 AFG Narrative Get Ready Guide – Application
  • 2018 AFG Narrative Get Ready Guide – Narrative
  • 2018 AFG Self Evaluation Vehicle Acquisition
  • 2018 AFG Self Evaluation Operations Safety
  • 2018 AFG Application Checklist