10 AZ agencies win regional AFG fire grant for radios

“Just a short note to let you know that the Northwest Fire District received a $3.1 million regional AFG award for dual-band radios & repeaters that will benefit 10 agencies operating in and around Tucson, AZ.

“Not gloating, just letting you know that one of your students (me) has had great success writing for these grants, due in part to the training provided through your workshops. This can also be said for many of the other jurisdictions in the metro-Tucson area that sent personnel to your workshops. Thank you for helping us all drink from the fountain.”

James F. Grasham, Grant Consultant
Northwest Fire District, Tucson, AZ

“highest grant success rate in the history of our agency”

“Our agency has used the services of First Responder grants for the past 3 years. During that time the service they provide as an advisor to assist our grant writer has been very beneficial in our grant seeking endeavors.

“Recently we have seen our highest grant success rate in the history of our agency. We believe this is in-part First Responder Grants participation in our grant writing program.

“Our investment of $4,950 over all during the 3 years of service has assisted our agency secure $553,805 in grant funding. We are very satisfied with the service provided by First Responder Grants and the service they have provided to our agency grant writer.”

Mike Johnson, Fire Chief
Ebbetts Pass Fire District
Arnold, CA

Maine FD wins Gary Sinise Foundation Grant award

“I just got word that my first Sinise Foundation grant funding was approved for the Randolph Maine Fire Department. The amount of the award is $15,580 for a large-diameter hose and 2-1/2 in. hose.

“If you need some help navigating the world of writing grants, give First Responder Grants a call. Not only fire grants, but police, and EMS. Received my first grant yesterday that we worked on together. Grant award far exceeded their cost.

“We were awarded a grant from the Gary Sinise First Responder Outreach Foundation for $15,580 to replace of our aging fire hose. THANK YOU!!

“I also want to thank Greg Bavis of First Responder Grants LLC. for steering us to this great foundation, and for helping put the grant together dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s. Contact Greg, these people know the ins and outs of grants.”

Ron Cunningham
Randolph Maine Fire Department

“I am reviewing AFG applications this year and it has been very revealing how many departments need to invest the time and money to attend one of your classes.

“About 25% of the applicants are so poor that it makes it painful to review their grant requests, because it was a waste of their time and mine. The professional grant writers are generally way too verbose. They write an entire book that I have to sift through to find the pertinent information. Volume is not a plus when it comes to reviewing.

“Anyway, keep up the good work. Fire departments and non-affiliated EMS agencies need your help!”

Jon Stone
Peer Reviewer, Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)

“Special thank you to Greg Bavis of First Responder Grants for all his help before, during, and after the application process”

“The members of Gorham Fire & EMS and the residents of the Town of Gorham want to express their appreciation for your assistance which led to the award of a 2019 AFG grant.

“Being a Fire Chief with less than 6 months on the job, faced with the task of applying for an AFG grant feels like an insurmountable task. Our prior Chief had taken a weekend class with Greg and hired First Responder Grants, fortunately we were still under the contract when it came time to apply.

“Greg took all the mystery out of the process, came up to meet in person, and helped me throughout the entire application period. During the busy time period leading up to submission Greg was always available when needed and continues to assist with other grant applications as necessary.

“The members of Gorham Fire & EMS will now have up-to-date SCBAs, will be able to perform their duties safely, and return home to their families safely after a fire.”

Chief Philip Cloutier
Gorham Fire & EMS

“Your insight in clearly identifying the needs of the Fire Department was crucial in the award.”

“On behalf of the Berlin, NH, Fire Department, I wish to thank you for your assistance in preparing our 2019 AFG grant.

“Berlin is an old mill town and has difficulties recovering since the big mills have closed. This grant was certainly uplifting to the Fire Department and the City Council. As you know, it was awarded in Round 1.

“I have applied several times to obtain new SCBA’s for different departments. However, this was the first one awarded. I believe your insight in clearly identifying the needs of the Fire Department was crucial in the award.

“The first day of the class, Kurt and Greg provided information and ideas that I had never considered. The second day was more of the same and adding knowledge to us students.

“There is a lot of information packed into the two-day class, but it’s well worth the time and money. Greg’s continued assistance during the process is also appreciated in reviewing the narratives that were written. Greg was instrumental in also referencing critical infrastructure that was added to the grant.

“You provide a complete grant assistance program from start to finish. Kurt and Greg, I thank you again for your assistance and expertise. I will continue to use First Responder Grants for all the grants I apply for in the future.

James Watkins
Fire Chief
Berlin Fire Department, New Hampshire

“Your (our) team provided focus and clarity, eventually guiding us to form a concise, appropriate, and successful grant.”

“It is with great pleasure and true appreciation that I offer, on behalf of the members and leadership of the Allenstown NH Fire Department, thanks for your assistance in preparing our 2019 AFG Grant.

“Your services were recommended through a dear friend and trusted Fire Service leader, and he came through again. As you know, with your assistance, and guidance, we received $189,489.52 to purchase up-to-date SCBA and a compressor/fill station.

“We (as a department) had tried multiple times to write a successful grant, but to no avail. Greg’s leadership, guidance and experience proved most beneficial, and ultimately successful. I had taken grant writing classes and attended the FEMA workshops, but there is so much information dispensed that it becomes confusing and focus becomes difficult. Your (our) team provided focus and clarity, eventually guiding us to form a concise, appropriate, and successful grant.

“The investment in your company provided a return of more than 100 times the initial output. Anybody in the stock market would find that a worthwhile purchase. I look forward to working with Greg in the upcoming FY2020 AFG season, and hopefully obtaining equipment designed to help our members and team function at the highest level, while maintaining a safety standard that we deserve.

“Thank you again for your time, effort and experience. It was a pleasure to work with you all and am excited for the future.”

Sincerely,
Lt. Maurice Paquette
Allenstown Fire Department
Allenstown, New Hampshire

“On behalf of the Holderness Fire Department I would like to thank the First Responder Grants and Greg Bavis for helping the department to obtain the 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant for $ 145,571.43.

“It has been several years since I had written a grant. After the grant writing class I took with Greg, I knew I had my work cut out for me. Taking the class and working with Greg helped us receive the grant for 15 air packs and a new station breathing air compressor.

“Thank you again for all your help.”

Eleanor Mardin
Fire Chief
Holderness Fire Department
New Hampshire

“On behalf of the Beaver Falls Fire Department, PA, I want to thank you for all of your assistance over the past year. As you know, with your help, we were successful at obtaining a 2017 AFG grant for fire hose. I feel very confident that we will be successful with this grant also. I appreciate you taking the time to discuss with me what we had the best possible chance of winning a grant with. I want you to know how much I appreciate your immediate response every time I called you.

“Going back ten years when I attended your grant workshop in West Virginia, I realized that you were a wealth of knowledge with successfully writing grants. After attending your class I was successful almost each year with obtaining AFG grants. Your method and flow of how to write these grants are very effective.

“In closing, I want you to know how much I appreciate all your assistance and advice over the years. It’s because of you that our fire department has state-of-the-art equipment and our firefighters are protected the best possible way. You may always use me as a reference to any fire department.”

Winner of a $86,667 FY 2017 AFG Fire Grant

On behalf of the Officers and Members of the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company, I wish to thank you for your assistance in preparing our 2017 AFG grant.

As you know, it was awarded in Round 4 for the full amount that was requested. After applying for the past 3 years, I believe your insight in clearly identifying the needs of the Fire Company was crucial in the award.

From the first day of the class you provided information and ideas that we never considered, and you helped identify the key points in all of the narratives. Your continued assistance is also appreciated in preparing for the actual purchase process and subsequent filing of all the paperwork.

You provide a complete grant assistance program from start to finish. Kurt, I thank you again for your assistance, patience, and expertise. You certainly made an impact on our grants application and will continue to do so.