"In 2004, there will be $1.2 billion in grant monies available to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency services, and local and state governments," says Kurt Bradley, CHIEF's new grant writing consultant.
"Properly researching and writing a grant is a time-consuming process and public safety professionals' primary responsibility is the protection of and service to their citizens. That is why we are here to help make the grant writing process more effective, more productive, and most importantly, more successful," adds Bradley, a retired police lieutenant and certified grants specialist. Linking National Dollars to Local Departments After the events of 9/11, the U.S. Government responded with the Homeland Security Act, which was the causative factor in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. This new department now controls a vast amount of the federal grant monies made available to public safety agencies in the United States.
During the last several years, the U.S. Government has changed the manner in which grants are applied for, awarded and evaluated. This system has become known as "performance grants" to eliminate wasteful spending, through accountability and to recognize those agencies that are implementing and producing the results that they stated they would achieve, if awarded funding. The result is a rather arduous, involved process for public safety agencies in applying for these grants.
Introducing CHIEF Grants, a Free Consultation Program Changes in the national grant writing system made CHIEF recognize the need for a program called CHIEF Grants, a free consultation service aimed at assisting fire, EMS, and law enforcement departments obtain critical funding. CHIEF is kicking off this program in conjunction with the opening of the application period for the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) offered by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP).
"CHIEF is vigorously committed to helping our customers in any manner that we can," says Jeff Tousa, president of CHIEF. "We chose to be proactive in filling this gaping hole in the grant writing process that leaves most public safety agencies with little resources to navigate the maze of finding, applying for, and managing a federal grant."
More information about CHIEF Grants can be found at www.publicsafetygrants.com or by visiting the CHIEF company site at www.chiefsupply.com. This site will help visitors quickly locate federal-government opportunities that are currently open and available to them. The site also contains grant training, a research center, tips on writing and researching grant programs, news and events, and frequently asked questions.
Publicsafetygrants.com provides a hands-on guide to accessing this information in an interactive, interesting, and easy-to-use format. All sections are formatted into printer-friendly segments that are available to everyone and free of charge.
About CHIEF
With the vision to supply, unify, and educate fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies across the country, CHIEF has established itself as a responsive and reliable source of public safety equipment, supplies, and apparel to America's first responders.
Owned and operated by BECO Holding Company (BHC) based in Charlotte, North Carolina, CHIEF sources market-leading brand equipment and provides a worry-free guarantee on all orders. From flashlights and first aid supplies to body armor and badges, CHIEF is committed to providing more than 6,000 quality and reliable products to the nation's public safety departments.
CHIEF's mission is to provide its customers with competitive pricing, excellent customer service and fast delivery, as well as to support the public safety industry with education, grant writing consultation, and community funding programs.
To participate in CHIEF's grant writing program, contact:
Kurt Bradley, CHIEF
8am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri
Phone: (800) 992-0272
Fax: (866) 300-5769
Email: [email protected]
