A reduction reversal story

[AFD2181]

Greetings,

I wanted to post this message to let everyone know that my 1000.00 reduction on SCBA's was reversed due to some leg work(actually phone calls) and a well crafted letter(thanks Kurt) which explained the costs that were called into question.

In a nut shell we were notified of reduction letter and we explained the situation and countered the arguments made in the reduction notice in a very simple, polite and professional matter.

I am posting this not to brag, this is not a case of " I fought the law, and I won" gloating- quite the contrary.

The purpose of posting this message was to let anyone with a reduction know that with some work and effort you can get funding reinstated to the level you applied for.
Dont take a reduction letter as a death blow and dont go off half cocked when you talk to the ODPH/DHS/AFG folks, becuase they are truly there to help you.

[Catch22]

I didn't have quite as good of luck, but I did get some equipment back on mine. They cut me down to one RIT pack and 15 sets of gear (from 25). While I didn't get any gear back (I now understand why and don't argue the thinking), I did get a RIT pack reinstated.

It can be done, but like I said, I made a couple calls, and was POLITE, which I think was a big key. The lady I talked with was very nice and helpful, as well.

[onebugle]

It doesn't hurt to try and reverse a reduction. The worse they will do is still say no, but reduction reversals have been successful. Do your homework prior to the call/email, so you have the facts to counter their arguments.

One department recieved a 50% reduction notice (about 40K) and successfully reversed the reduction to recieve the full amount.

[LVFD301]

I don't believe any of you.

Everyone knows, the AFG people are ogres, totally unreasonable, and unresponsive.

Its all political. We did not get enough support from
our congress critter. Bush stopped our application.

We should have used a professional grant writer

We should not have used a professional grant writer

Its all about the big city fire departments

Its all about the rural fire departments

Its all about (insert your favorite here)

[LVFD301]

Oh, and

"It can't be our narrative, I had Billy Joe Bob, the coach at the high school read it, and he thought it would be a winner!"

[Eng4bCapt]

We received a reduction from $10,720 to $8000 for our PosiCheck 3 with laptop computer, right before we received our award. I called our specialist and argued the point that we could not find this item for antwhere in the neighborhood of $8000 unless we did not buy the laptop.

To make a long story short, I asked him to give me the name of the person selling the PosiCheck 3's with laptop for $8000 and would be glad to purchase the item from them.

He called me back about an hour later and said he was only reducing it $270 instead.

[Attack6]

Hey, Im a high school coach, and have gone 4 for 6 on DHS grants.

[LVFD301]

But is your name Billy Joe Bob? (Please, there was no offense intended with that post, just wanted to point out using the right person for the job. )

[WJVaughn]

But is your name Billy Joe Bob? (Please, there was no offense intended with that post, just wanted to point out using the right person for the job. )

LOL, BUSTED

[Attack6]

No offense taken. I have to admit, I do have a BA in English and a MA in Psychology. I do agree with your point in general though.