Narrative For Rescue

[Station32]

I'm looking for some help. Would like a copy of a successful narrative for a rescue truck we have been awarded two prior grants to replace all portable equipment and expand rescue equipment now i'm looking for the vehicle to tie it all togethor.

Also last year we had a "professional" grant writer tell us not to mention the fact that we had recieved two grants already in our narrative becuase it sounds like bragging. I argued that it was part of an overall plan to replace equipment and we were demonstraing the steps already taken in order to justify the vehicle... Any thoughts ????

[SLY4420]

Well, first you had to report any previous grants below the narrative where it asked you to.

There is nothing wrong with adding it to the narrative if you are using it as ammunition like you stated, as part of a project. Equipping your personnel is always the top priority.

Before you jump in head first, we've got plenty of people here willing to help you - but tell us a little bit about your fleet now and if you've ever applied for a vehicle before.

[Station32]

Okay little Background to follow up.

Township department with 18 active members currently operate 1992 Pierce pumper (500Tank/1500GPM) and 1992 Luverne Pumper(1000Tank/1250 Pump) a 1994 Ford F-150 Brush truck and a 1995 Ford/Horton Ambulance. Currently the rescue equipment is spread between all of the vehicles with the majority being on the Pierce. The idea I had was to replace the Pierce with a walk around rescue that would be capable of carrying all rescue equipment, Basic EMS equipment, and hand tools. We run 150 calls a year around 25 being MVA's with entrapment we cover a large portion of state highway and the nearest dedicated recue truck is 34 miles away. We have been awarded new PPE, Rescue tools, cribbing, shoring struts, SCBA's, Hand tools, Rescue tech training and rope, rope hardware, and a stokes. All of are current vehicles have been purchased used and we have a budget of appox 48K a year.

[SLY4420]

Sorry, I forgot to add that Rescue vehicle awards are extremely rare. When I say that, I mean 2 since 2002.

Pumper/Rescues are a valid option in most cases.

[SLY4420]

To be unfortunately honest with you, with the average age of your fleet, you're going to have a difficult time passing the computer scoring. Should you make it, remember that you're competing to replace a 16 year old vehicle with many other companies who are still operating 1960's vintage apparatus.

[onebugle]

The other issue you have with a rescue is your department's classification. Rural and suburban a rescue is a Priority 2, no chance of success, urban a rescue is a priority 1, but at the bottom of the list; a chance, but os Sly has pointed only a couple have been awarded since the inception of the program.

[Station32]

Okay we did make it through the computer scoring this year we were all the way up to december before we got the DJ, However is it possible we would stand a better chance asking for a rescue/pumper that just leaned more to the rescue side but still met the pumper requirements ???

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

3 rescues have been funded, 2 heavy, 1 medium. Myself in 2002, San Diego this year for the heavies, medium in 2004 to AL dept.

So made it past the computer for a rescue? As a rural or suburban classification? Interesting, heard through the grapevine that no P2 apps made Peer. Either way, P2 trucks won't survive Peer even if they do make it past the computer, metrics aren't there. Surprised it made it to the 20th denials, but hey, some polish might make it work. Not up to us to decide what gets funded, so paint the right picture and anything is possible. :)

[Station32]

We are a rural department and the DJ came in December which kinda surprised me too but none the less now I'm trying to figure out the best way to work it for the 2008 AFG.

[SLY4420]

Well, surprisingly you did make peer even with your fleet age. As we said (and bugle said what I was trying to), you won't get a "Rescue."

You want to pursue the Pumper/Rescue option.

[onebugle]

Based on your info, it's surprising that the application even got past the computer, let alone make it to PR. Stranger things have happened. Kudo's for making it to PR.

The first step you should do is review the data/statistics that were submitted in the application. It doesn't take much to do an extra key stroke that could positively or negatively affect the application. Grant writers are sometimes so focused on their applications that they do not always recognize a mistake has been made before submitting the application (even after reviewing it time and time again). This is a strong possiblitiy when using a "Professional Grant Writer" that doesn't have a fire service bacground and doesn't have a clear understanding of the questions or recognize that info from the department may be incorrect.

The onus is on us to submit accurate applications. The last thing any one wants is to have their award taken back during an audit for an honest mistake.

[Catch22]

I was reading another fire-rescue service journal (can you guess with that hint? ;) ) and it had a story about a department in Delaware that had built a pumper/heavy rescue/command apparatus. As soon as I read the first couple of paragraphs, this thread popped in to mind.

Is it possible that you can justify a pumper and have a heavier chassis an more compartment space on it? I don't know what your fleet is, so I would hate to even attempt an assumption; but as others have said, a heavy rescue would be difficult to get throught he process.

IIRC, the truck in the article was built by ALF, but I'd imagine there's several custom apparatus builders that could do something similar. What I pictured was basically a standard rescue-pumper extended with a couple transverse compartments and potentially deeper compartments if the tank was narrowed some.

I don't know if it's an option for you guys or not, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

Most of the rear-mount pumpers can have a command cab put in and the rescue body has a boatload of space. ALF and Pierce both have that for sure, I think the others do to. Still can put a couple of SCBA seats in the command area so it still works as a regular pumper. Problem is cost shoots up well over $300k.