911 ResponsAbility

COPS Secure Our Schools Grant Open

Secure Our Schools Program Overview A COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) grant provides funding to state, local, or tribal governments to assist with the development of school safety resources. This funding will allow recipients the opportunity to establish and enhance a variety of school safety equipment and/or programs to encourage the continuation and enhancement of school safety efforts within their communities. The COPS Office is optimistic that this grant program will help place agencies at the forefront of innovative school safety developments. Funding under this program may be requested for such things as: * Placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures * Security assessments * Security training of personnel and students * Coordination with local law enforcement * Any other measure that may provide a significant improvement in security.

Please Note: There will be two deadlines for the FY 2010 Secure Our Schools program. Priority consideration will be provided to those applicants that submit complete and accurate applications by the first deadline. The deadline for priority consideration will be June 21, 2010, and the second and final deadline will be July 2, 2010.

For more information visit:  http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2368

Please contact me if you have any questions at:  amy.freeman@interact911.com

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program FY 2010 Local Solicitation

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state, local, and tribal efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence.

All applications are due by 8:00 p.m. eastern time on June 30, 2010

For more information go to:  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/10JAGLocalSol.pdf

Assistance to Firefighters Grant opens Today April 26th

Fiscal Year 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Web site. The application period is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications for these grants must be received by Friday, May 28, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $390 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to obtain training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available at www.firegrantsupport.com. The tutorial provides valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Applicants who have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

For access to the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Guidance or FAQs visit www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/.

If you have questions please contact me at amy.freeman@interact911.com

Recovery Act—Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Along the Northern and Southern United States Borders

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). As one of its many elements, the Recovery Act provided the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. DOJ is committed to working with our national, state, local and tribal partnerships to ensure this funding invests in the American workforce.

Nearly 100% of the funds provided to DOJ under the Recovery Act were awarded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. Under this solicitation, BJA will make FY 2010 Recovery Act awards to provide assistance to rural law enforcement agencies located along the Northern and Southern United States Borders to combat crime and drugs in those areas, using the remaining unallocated Recovery Act funding under this program. A Rural Law Enforcement solicitation was released in FY2009, and BJA made 212 awards, leaving a balance of $0. However, as these 212 awards underwent budget review by the Office of Justice Programs, approximately $1 million was recovered as a result of revised budgets and other factors. BJA is now making the remaining funds available to interested and eligible jurisdictions.

Those eligible to apply are limited to state and local (including county) and tribal law enforcement agencies located along the Northern or Southern border of the United States (as those terms are defined below) in “rural areas,” as that term is defined below. In addition, Northern or Southern border state law enforcement agencies that are from “rural states” or that provide assistance to one or more “rural areas” are eligible to apply.

For more information:  www.ojp.usdoj.gov/recovery/solicitationrequirements.htm

If your agency is interested in applying for this grant please contact InterAct at amy.freeman@interact911.com for assistance.

State Justice Administration Grants (JAG) are being announced check on your state deadline

Many states are in the process of announcing their State Justice Administration Grants (JAG).  Each states guidelines and deadlines will be different to learn more information on your specific state JAG grant please check your State Administrating Agency Website for detailed information.

If you have any questions or would like assistance in applying for your State JAG grant please contact me, Amy Freeman, at amy.freeman@interact911.com

Tribal Grant available deadline to apply is May 15th, 2010

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications funding to improve public safety and victim services in Tribal communities. This solicitation furthers the Department’s mission by providing federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal consortia an opportunity to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach and apply for funding to reduce and prevent crime and victimization. DOJ’s existing Tribal government-specific program

Applicants must register with DOJ’s Grant Management System (GMS) prior to submitting an application. This solicitation will not be available in GMS until March 15th, 2010.  Applications
are due by 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 13, 2010.

Click on the link below to review the grant and grant requirements.

http://www.tribaljusticeandsafety.gov/

If you are interested in applying for this grant, please contact me.

Thanks,

Amy Freeman,

amy.freeman@interact911.com

March 1, 2010 Pennsylvania announces Two Funding Opportunities

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is now accepting applications for funding from eligible local sources of government to implement new or augment current law enforcement technologies and equipment.  Funds to support these projects will be made available through the Federal Justice Administration Grant (JAG) Program administered by PCCD.

A total of approximately $1,827,262 in federal funds is being announced to support this initiative and does not require a match.  Application Deadline is March 31, 2010.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is also accepting applications for funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.  Under this non-traditional solicitation, eligible municipalities are requested to coordinate interoperable law enforcement information sharing initiatives that include multiple participants from multiple other eligible municipalities and non-eligible municipalities. Application Deadline is April 28, 2010.

Please contact me if you are a Pennsylvania agency and are interested in applying for these grants.

Amy Freeman, amy.freeman@interact911.com

NTIA recently announced that a second round of BTOP funding by March 15, 2010.

NTIA recently announced that a second round of BTOP applications will be accepted through March 15, 2010. NTIA‟s NOFA allocates approximately $2.6 billion in this funding round of which approximately $2.35 billion will be made available for infrastructure projects. In this round, NTIA is adopting a “comprehensive communities” approach as its top priority in awarding infrastructure grants, focusing on middle mile broadband projects that connect key community anchor institutions – such as libraries, hospitals, community colleges, universities, and public safety institutions. Comprehensive Community Infrastructure projects maximize the benefits of BTOP by leveraging resources, promoting sustainable community growth, and ultimately laying the foundation for reasonably priced broadband service to consumers and businesses.

In addition, NTIA plans to award at least $150 million of the funding for Public Computer Center projects, which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges, and other institutions that service the general public.  NTIA also plans to award at least $100 million for Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects, which include projects to provide broadband education, training, and equipment, particularly to vulnerable population groups where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized.

The rules for applying to this funding round have been modified to make the application process more user-friendly and better target program resources.NTIA and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which is administering a companion broadband expansion grant and loan program, will hold a series of public workshops to review the new application process and answer questions from prospective applicants.

The workshops will be held starting on January 26th through February 12th in Portland, Ore.; Reno, Nev.; Denver, Colo.; San Antonio, Tex.; Eureka, Mo.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Detroit, Mich.; Blacksburg, Va.; Fayetteville, N.C.; and Atlanta, Ga. Interested parties can register for the workshops and find more information on rules for the second round of funding at http://www.broadbandusa.gov. NTIA and RUS have also provided a new online tool, BroadbandMatch (at http://match.broadbandusa.gov) to facilitate partnerships among prospective applicants to the agencies’ broadband grant and loan programs.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to NTIA and RUS to fund projects that will expand access to and adoption of broadband services. Of that funding, NTIA will utilize $4.7 billion for grants to deploy broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas in the United States, expand public computer center capacity, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. RUS will use $2.5 billion in budget authority to support grants and loans to facilitate broadband deployment in primarily rural communities. NTIA plans to announce all grant awards by September 30, 2010.U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA serves as the executive branch agency principally responsible for advising the President on communications and information policy. For further information about NTIA’s BTOP grants, please visit http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/.

I will be attending one of the trainings and will post specific information after my attendance.  If you have any questions please contact me at amy.freeman@interact911.com

FY 2010 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program

Purpose: To provide supplemental funding to directly eligible tribes to help strengthen the nation against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.  Pursuant to the 9/11 Act, "a directly eligible tribe applying for a grant under section 2004 [SHSP]shall designate an individual to serve as a tribal liaison with [DHS] and other federal, state, local and regional government officials concerning preventing, preparing for, protecting against and responding to acts of terrorism."

Program Awards:  FY2010 THSGP funds will be allocated based on two factors: tribal eligibility per the 9/11 Act (pre-determined), and the effectiveness of the applicant's THSGP Investment Justification (as determined through a peer review process).

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM EST, April 19, 2010. Eligible applicants must apply for funding through the Grants.gov portal, accessible on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov. Applicants in need of Grants.gov support should contact the Grants.gov customer support hotline at (800) 518-4726. If applicants have any questions regarding the application process, they should contact the FEMA Grant Programs Directorate Call Center at (866) 927-5646.

 

Any questions please contact me at amy.freeman@interact911.com

FY 2010 Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP)

Total Funding Available in FY 2010: $48 Million Purpose: In FY 2010, IECGP provides governance, planning, training and exercise funding to states, territories, and local and tribal governments to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications, including communications in collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. If a State Administrative Agent (SAA) and Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) / SCIP point of contact certify that its state or territory has fulfilled such governance, planning, training and exercise objectives, the Program provides the flexibility to purchase interoperable communications equipment with any remaining IECGP funds.

Eligible Applicants: All 56 states and territories are eligible to apply for IECGP funds.                    Program Awards: In FY 2010, the total amount of funds distributed under IECGP will be $48,000,000. FY 2010 IECGP funds will be allocated based on risk. Each state will receive a minimum allocation under IECGP using the thresholds established in the 9/11 Act. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum of 0.45 percent of the total funds allocated, per the 9/11 Act. Four territories (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent of the total funds allocated.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  Amy Freeman: amy.freeman@interact911.com