By Brandon Johnson
| Editor’s note: Check out the comments by Bill Webb, executive director of the CFSI, on the future of grants programs under the new U.S. administration in ‘Fire service looks ahead to Obama presidency.’ |
Read below for the latest update from the DHS
Well friends, it would appear that another week has come and gone and still no new AFG awards. The 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant began releasing awards back on July 4, and since that time only a trickle of small award rounds has followed.
There seems to be no information from FEMA/DHS as to why these initial rounds were uncharacteristically thin when compared to the preceding three years. To add to the confusion, we have not seen a new award round since AFG round 10 was announced back on September 5!
At times like these the immortal words of one Jerry Maguire come to mind, “Show me the money!” At this point, I would settle for an explanation scribbled on a cocktail napkin.
Perhaps it’s time for FEMA/DHS to issue a statement of some kind; just a scrap of information to help calm the masses. Here is a running list of the current theories to explain why the 2008 AFG awards have come to a grinding halt:
- The federal fiscal year
- The current economic crisis
- The presidential election
- A hiccup in the AFG Award process
- Political posturing
- Aliens (NOT widely held)
All jokes aside, regardless of the reason/s for the delay, these are tough economic times which affect us all in one way or another. Our nation’s first responders are feeling the pinch as well. Since its inception in 2001, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant has provided fire and EMS agencies with the means to dramatically improve their operational capability, and the safety of their members.
Our industry has become somewhat dependent on these funds to assist with projects they would not have the budget to implement otherwise. So it begs to question, what will happen after 2010? Will the AFGP be reauthorized for another five, maybe even ten years? It’s anyone’s guess, but in the meantime we can only hope that the 2008 AFG awards get back on track very soon.
Best of luck!
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After being contacted by FireRescue1 on Friday, the DHS said it has been waiting for the 08 money to be moved into the 09 budget. In the meantime, it has been working to identify awardees so it is ready to fund a number of grants once given the go-ahead – which apparently happened this week. We are told next week should see the first of numerous announcements that will continue until all the funds have been moved out to successful applicants. |
