FFCOPEMT
08-13-2002, 02:19 AM
As someone who has participated in many different grant processes, (Some successful, some not), I though I'd throw a couple of opinions out there for consideration.
First, let me say that in my current job, I have travelled extensively across the US. When I'm out on the road, I try to stop at any department I can, large and small. I can tell you that with almost no exception, we all share many of the same needs and problems. The only difference is that to fulfill the same need for a metropolitan department is often far more expensive than the same solution would be for a smaller one. We have ALL suffered over the years from lack of adequate funding, pitted against the skyrocketing costs of equipment. I've been a police officer, EMT, and Volunteer Firefighter for over 17 years, and time and time again, I've seen budgets cut to shreds by those who say: "those guys just sit around the station all day", "I never get sick", "that worthless cop just likes to hand out speeding tickets". Unfortunately, we are the first place they look when the budget axe falls. I have been to a few large metropolitan departments that are far less equipped for their calls, than some of the most remote and tiny departments scattered across the country. I have also seen departments so small and under-funded, that the volunteers often pay for the fuel in the trucks out of their own pockets. (see below)
That being said, I have followed many of the recent posts, and decided to put together my Christmas wish list for next year.
1. We should find a way to share some of the successful grant applications from this year. I have been to a few grant writing classes, and I always learned something new. But, my best resource was always from other successful applicants. Every program was different, and required slightly different approaches. It often seemed that many of the successful applications shared some common key points. After I read a few of them, I would get a lot better understanding of what I needed. It also didn't hurt that most of the awarding agencies would actually share their opinion of our application.
2. I would like to see a more streamlined notification process. Why can't administration notify each department of their status immediately after the peer review? (winner, non-winner, alternate)Before you say "they would be flooded with calls", they could simply state that it will take may months to process the applications, and each awarded department will be contacted in order. I think that MOST of us can be adult enough to respect those wishes. I know, I know, you say "you shouldn't count on this money as part of your budget", but consider this for a minute. Last year I wrote the grant request for a new pumper for a very small neighboring department. Folks, this department's entire operating budget is less than $7,000.00 per year, and all of their equipment truly belongs in a museum. If anyone needed to be funded, they did. To make a long story short, they didn't quite have the money for the 10% match, but they figured they could come up with the funds by the time the grant was awarded. The volunteers were even taking turns paying for the gas in the trucks, so they could save as much money as possible. As with many other departments just as needy, they were sent the "Dear John" letter, because there "just wasn't enough money to go around". I was told by a representative that the department was denied because they just didn't serve enough of a population base. Here comes the hard part. As we were putting together the request for this year, the pump and engine fell apart in their 1940-something engine. The cost of replacement was almost everything they had. We had several conversations on whether to fix the old truck, or hope for the grant. But in the end, the old truck had to be fixed, because the award process was just going to take too long. They could have relied on coverage from neighboring districts, but they were afraid it would be several months just to find out one way or the other. End result, we had to scrap their application for this year. What a shame. But, I have been told that they are dilligently working with a local banker to secure a personal loan, guaranteed by each of the volunteers for the match for next year. Hopefully next year will be the year.
Anyway, that's my rant. I'd like to see what other constructive suggestions you guys out there have for next year's process. Maybe, Just Maybe, they'll find their way to the right person!
First, let me say that in my current job, I have travelled extensively across the US. When I'm out on the road, I try to stop at any department I can, large and small. I can tell you that with almost no exception, we all share many of the same needs and problems. The only difference is that to fulfill the same need for a metropolitan department is often far more expensive than the same solution would be for a smaller one. We have ALL suffered over the years from lack of adequate funding, pitted against the skyrocketing costs of equipment. I've been a police officer, EMT, and Volunteer Firefighter for over 17 years, and time and time again, I've seen budgets cut to shreds by those who say: "those guys just sit around the station all day", "I never get sick", "that worthless cop just likes to hand out speeding tickets". Unfortunately, we are the first place they look when the budget axe falls. I have been to a few large metropolitan departments that are far less equipped for their calls, than some of the most remote and tiny departments scattered across the country. I have also seen departments so small and under-funded, that the volunteers often pay for the fuel in the trucks out of their own pockets. (see below)
That being said, I have followed many of the recent posts, and decided to put together my Christmas wish list for next year.
1. We should find a way to share some of the successful grant applications from this year. I have been to a few grant writing classes, and I always learned something new. But, my best resource was always from other successful applicants. Every program was different, and required slightly different approaches. It often seemed that many of the successful applications shared some common key points. After I read a few of them, I would get a lot better understanding of what I needed. It also didn't hurt that most of the awarding agencies would actually share their opinion of our application.
2. I would like to see a more streamlined notification process. Why can't administration notify each department of their status immediately after the peer review? (winner, non-winner, alternate)Before you say "they would be flooded with calls", they could simply state that it will take may months to process the applications, and each awarded department will be contacted in order. I think that MOST of us can be adult enough to respect those wishes. I know, I know, you say "you shouldn't count on this money as part of your budget", but consider this for a minute. Last year I wrote the grant request for a new pumper for a very small neighboring department. Folks, this department's entire operating budget is less than $7,000.00 per year, and all of their equipment truly belongs in a museum. If anyone needed to be funded, they did. To make a long story short, they didn't quite have the money for the 10% match, but they figured they could come up with the funds by the time the grant was awarded. The volunteers were even taking turns paying for the gas in the trucks, so they could save as much money as possible. As with many other departments just as needy, they were sent the "Dear John" letter, because there "just wasn't enough money to go around". I was told by a representative that the department was denied because they just didn't serve enough of a population base. Here comes the hard part. As we were putting together the request for this year, the pump and engine fell apart in their 1940-something engine. The cost of replacement was almost everything they had. We had several conversations on whether to fix the old truck, or hope for the grant. But in the end, the old truck had to be fixed, because the award process was just going to take too long. They could have relied on coverage from neighboring districts, but they were afraid it would be several months just to find out one way or the other. End result, we had to scrap their application for this year. What a shame. But, I have been told that they are dilligently working with a local banker to secure a personal loan, guaranteed by each of the volunteers for the match for next year. Hopefully next year will be the year.
Anyway, that's my rant. I'd like to see what other constructive suggestions you guys out there have for next year's process. Maybe, Just Maybe, they'll find their way to the right person!