IMPORTANT: REVISED GUIDANCE IMPACTING YOUR DOJ COPS GRANT AWARD
Consistent with an April 14, 2021 Attorney General memorandum, the Department of Justice has revised its guidance regarding conditions on COPS grants as described here.
The COPS Office will no longer apply or enforce the following conditions to existing or future grants:
Conditions related to 8 U.S.C. § 1373
287(g) Partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Access and Notice Consideration (“Certification of Illegal Immigration Cooperation”)
The list of impacted COPS Office programs include:
FY17 and FY20 COPS Hiring Program (CHP)
FY17 – FY20 COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP)
FY17 – FY20 COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program
FY17 – FY20 Preparing for Active Shooter Situations (PASS) Program
FY17 – FY20 Community Policing Development (CPD) Program including Microgrants
The COPS Office will not modify the terms and conditions of any existing award document, but this document serves as notice that the COPS Office will not apply or enforce the conditions identified above. Recipients need not take any action to effectuate this change, but are still required to comply with all other requirements of their award.
Justice Department Releases $58 Million in Solicitations to Combat the Distribution of Illicit Drugs and Improve Officer Wellness
The Justice Department announced today that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in three grant solicitations that will advance community policing, help combat the dual scourges of opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers.
“The grant solicitations announced today will help law enforcement agencies in their continuing struggles on two fronts – fighting against the public health and safety crisis of illegal drug use, and safeguarding the mental health and wellness of our law enforcement officers,” said Acting Director Robert Chapman of the COPS Office. “The COPS Office is pleased to make these resources available that will not only help to protect our nation’s citizens, but also the law enforcement officers who do so much to protect them.”
The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program provides funding to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs. The program will fund projects that develop knowledge, increase awareness of effective mental health and wellness strategies, increase the skills and abilities of law enforcement, and increase the number of law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders using wellness programs.
The COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement to locate and investigate illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. Funding is available only to state law enforcement agencies with primary law enforcement authority over heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids seizures and investigations.
The COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement agencies to investigate illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Funds must be used to locate or investigate illicit activities such as precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine traffickers.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to agency for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 134,000 officers.
Grant Deadline: This program accepts applications on an rotating basis.
2021 grant application periods (subject to change)
Tuesday, April 13, 2021–Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 5 PM ET
Tuesday, July 6, 2021–Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5 PM ET
Tuesday, October 5, 2021–2022 Q1 grant deadline: Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 5 PM ET
Not just for the fire service
All types of public safety agencies, including fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public safety organizations, non-profits, and schools are eligible.
The Foundation mainly focuses its resources in areas served by Firehouse Subs restaurants, typically within a 60-mile radius of a Firehouse Subs location. However, the Foundation does consider applications outside of the 60-mile guideline.
Lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation supports improving the lifesaving capabilities of first responders and public safety agencies.
The Foundation accomplishes this by providing lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools to first responders and public safety organizations.
“Requests exceeding $50,000 will not be accepted.”
If your organization has received a grant from this funder in the past, they ask that you “wait a minimum of two years from the date of approval before reapplying.”
Up to 600 applications accepted per application period. Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
Grant Eligibility
All public safety grant requests must fall within the Foundation’s funding guidelines:
Some types of equipment items are not eligible, including (but not limited to):
Body cameras
Building exhaust removal systems
Crash data boxes
Dash cams
Drones and drone accessories
Exercise equipment
Goodie bags
Guns/firearms/use of force equipment
Riot gear
Laser pointers (designators)
Inflatable bounce houses
License plate readers
Narcan
Philips FR3 AEDs
Pluggie the fire plug robot
Polar Breeze thermal rehabilitation systems
Portable message signs
Power load stretchers
Radar detectors
Recording devices
Refurbished equipment
Scott SCBA Model AP50 at this time (but “all other Scott product requests are acceptable.”)”
Security systems
Surveillance equipment
Sparky the Fire Dog robots and costumes
Stop sticks
Tasers
Throw bots
Traffic road barriers
TruNar analyzers
T-shirts & polos
About the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
Founded in 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation works to “impact the lifesaving capabilities, and the lives, of local heroes and their communities.” More
Grant Deadline
Grant applications are due no later than Wed., May 12, 2021.
In order to apply for COPS Office funding, please prepare by taking the following actions
The Department of Justice’s COPS Office is a leading source of grant opportunities for Law Enforcement Agencies. To get ready for upcoming grant opportunities, the COPS office asks you to do the following:
STEP 1: Get a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number by calling 866-705-5711 or visiting fedgov.dnb.com/webform
STEP 2: Ensure active registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) database (registration must be updated or renewed annually to maintain an active status) **ALERT: You must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator before your registration will be activated. This requirement now applies to both new and existing entities. (www.grants.gov)
STEP 3: The COPS Office application is a two-step process that involves Grants.gov and JustGrants access. Register at JustGrants
STEP 4: Register at Grants.gov and complete form SF-424
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. More
Grant Deadline
Grant applications are due no later than 9 p.m. EST, Mar. 30, 2021.
Apply for the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program by Mar. 12, 2021
Up to $355M in fire job grants available from FEMA under the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program.
The objectives of the SAFER Program are 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.
Agencies awarded the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program receive funds to recruit and hire firefighters.
Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number): 97.083
Grant Deadline: Mar. 12, 2021
300 firefighter job grant awards projected
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Staffing for Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program (SAFER) is one of 3 grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
The SAFER Program accomplishes this by providing 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 fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments.
The SAFER Program represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS. Among the 5 basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Strategic Plan, the SAFER Program supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience.
In awarding grants, the FEMA Administrator is required to consider:
The findings and recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Panel;
The degree to which an award will reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage by reducing the risks associated with fire-related and other hazards;
The extent of an applicant’s need for a SAFER Program grant and the need to protect the United States as a whole; and,
The number of calls requesting or requiring a firefighting or emergency medical response received by an applicant.
What this grant does for your agency
The objectives of the SAFER Program are 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.
Application period opens Monday, Feb. 8, for FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program
The FY 2020 SAFER application period will open on Monday, February 8, at 8 a.m. ET and will close on Friday, March 12, at 5 p.m. ET.
SAFER firefighter jobs grant news from FEMA
Start planning your FY 2020 SAFER grant application now by reviewing FEMA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application guidance materials. These materials were produced specifically to help potential applicants begin to plan their 2020 grant applications ahead of the application period. These documents can be viewed on the SAFER Program website at FY 2020 SAFER Application Guidance Materials and/or downloaded to your computer:
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Self-Evaluation – Hiring of Firefighters: Career, combination and volunteer fire departments
Self-Evaluation – Recruitment and Retention – Fire Departments: Combination and volunteer fire departments
Self-Evaluation – Recruitment and Retention – Interest Organizations: National, State, Local, or Tribal Volunteer Firefighters Interest Organizations
SAFER Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FEMA GO Account Creation User Guide
Coming Soon
Applicant Checklist
This checklist will help you prepare to answer questions within the grant application.
Recruitment and Retention – Request Details Description Instructions
This document will provide Recruitment and Retention applicants with a list of the categories and sub-category available in the application as well as information on the level of details needed for each budget line item.
Fire Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the guidance materials listed above, call or email the Fire Grants Help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address is for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.The Fire Grants Help Desk is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.
FY 2020 SAFER LIVE WEBINARS
FEMA will host live Adobe Connect webinars to provide an overview of the FY 2020 SAFER grant program. The presentations will outline important information and reminders about cost share requirements, program priorities, eligible costs, how to navigate the grant application, and tips for preparing a SAFER application. FEMA Preparedness Officers will be available to answer your questions.
SAFER Webinar Schedule:
Topic
Day of Week
Date
Time
Conference Line (300 lines max)
FY 2020 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity
Tuesday
02/09/2021
1- 3 pm. ET
800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044
FY 2020 SAFER Hiring of Firefighters Activity
Wednesday
02/10/2021
1- 3 pm. ET
800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044
FY 2020 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity
Wednesday
02/17/2021
1- 3 pm. ET
800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044
FY 2020 SAFER Hiring of Firefighters Activity
Thursday
02/18/2021
1- 3 pm. ET
800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044
FY 2020 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity
Tuesday
02/23/2021
1- 3 pm. ET
800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044
FY 2020 SAFER Hiring of Firefighters Activity
Thursday
2/25/2021
1 – 3 pm. ET
800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044
Live Webinars: Webinar sessions will be broadcast using an Adobe Connect webinar link. We suggest that you save this link to your web browser’s favorites. The Adobe Connect webinar link can be found at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/fy20saferwebinar/
To access the webinar, follow these steps:
Click on the webinar link;
Select “enter as a guest” and provide your name and your department’s name. Click on enter the room;
Agree to the terms of the Adobe Connect system, click on “OK”.
The online SAFER grant application is available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s FEMA GO (FEMA Grants Outcomes) application portal at https://go.fema.gov.
All users must have their own FEMA GO account. Each account is specific to the authorized user and must not be shared with other personnel. A FEMA GO Account Creation User Guide can be viewed on the AFG Program website or downloaded to your computer.
Web Browser Information
FEMA GO will only support the most recent major release of the following browsers:
Google Chrome
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Apple Safari
Microsoft Edge
Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA GO.
SAM.GOV REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY AND RECEIVE GRANTS
All eligible applicants must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) before you can start an application. Per 2 CFR § 25.205, FEMA may not make an award to an entity until the entity has complied with the requirements to provide a valid DUNS number and maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information. To register, or validate your SAM.gov information, please visit https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.
SAM.gov Registration Tips:
Please ensure the following items are current in SAM and the DUNS number used in SAM is the same one you use for all FEMA applications:
Organization’s name
Address
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Banking information – type of account (checking or saving), routing number, and account number
The above information should be consistent throughout all registration documents.
Many websites may look official in appearance but are not. As a reminder, registration in the SAM.gov is FREE.
SAM.gov registration is only active for one year and must be renewed annually.
Should you need assistance with your SAM.gov account, there are several ways to get help:
If you have questions or concerns about your SAM.gov registration, please contact the Federal Support desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do.
Submitting Preparer Information
FEMA requires that all applicants identify any individual or organization that assisted with the development, preparation, or review of the application to include drafting or writing the narrative and budget, whether that person, entity, or agent is compensated or not and whether the assistance took place prior to submitting the application. Please ensure that this information is accurate at the time of submission. As a reminder, all applicants must attest that all information contained within the application, including preparer information, to be true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge. If you contract with a grant writer, and they either advise you to not list them in the preparer information section of the application, or refuse to be listed, please notify the SAFER program office.
