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| Bi-Weekly Update |
June 11, 2009 |
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House Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Bill
On Friday, June 12th, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 spending bill for homeland security (bill number pending at press time). The bill funds the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program at $420 million, twice the amount that was appropriated for this important program in Fiscal Year 2009. Unfortunately the bill funds the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant program at only $380 million, a 33% reduction from the Fiscal Year 2009 level. While it is disappointing to see the FIRE grant funding reduced, it is important to note the House committee rejected the Administration's proposal to cut the FIRE Grant program by as much as 70%.
In addition to funding FIRE and SAFER grants, the bill also provides funding for the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The House bill provides a slight increase for USFA, funding the agency at $45.5 million.
The bill will now proceed to the full House for consideration, which is expected to occur the week of June 15th. The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to consider its version of the FY10 Homeland Security spending bill, but at a hearing on May 26th Senator Robert Byrd (WV), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, stated his intention to approve a bill by mid-June. Once both houses of Congress have approved their respective spending bills, they will still need to resolve any differences before sending the final bill to the White House for the President's signature.
CFSI will continue to provide regular updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
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ARRA Applications Period Open: Assistance to Firefighters Station Constructions Grants
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently made available for public viewing the Program Guidance for the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants. The application period for the Station construction Grants (SCG) is scheduled to begin June 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications for these grants must be received by July 10, at 5:00 p.m. (ET). SCG was established as part of the current administration's economic stimulus package under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). SCG will provide financial assistance directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order for departments to enhance their response capability and protect the community they serve from fire and fire-related hazards. The grants will be administered by the DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration by the AFG Program Office. The e-application and an applicant tutorial are available through the www.firegrantsupport.com web site. The tutorial provides valuable grant information and walks applicants through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial provides an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET). However, the help desk will close at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, July 3rd and will not be open on Saturday, July 4th. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Station Construction Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.govThe AFG Program is administered by the DHS/FEMA Grants Program Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration. Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants Program Guidance - visit http://www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2009SCGguidance.pdfAssistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants FAQs - will be available through the www.firegrantsupport.com web site.
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DTV Transition Set For June 12th
On June 12th, full-power television stations throughout the country will no longer transmit analog signals and will only broadcast digital, over-the-air signals. An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services and have older, analog televisions will need to attach digital-to-analog converter boxes to their TVs to continue receiving over-the-air television programming. The Federal Communications Commission requested assistance from several organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, to help with the conversion from analog to digital television services scheduled for this weekend. To learn more about how fire departments can become involved in this effort, contact IAFC at DTV@IAFC.org.
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| Register for the 2nd Annual Night at the Nationals Sponsored By Fire Team USA
Gather your friends, family, colleagues or clients and treat everyone to one of our nation's greatest past times in the heart of our nation's capital.
Come out and enjoy the company of friends and the beautiful fall weather at Nationals Ballpark as the Washington Nationals face the Philadelphia Phillies! Each ticket includes one game seat, a complimentary seat cushion, and entry to CFSI's hospitality area inside the stadium, with complimentary food and beverages for all guests. Once the teams take to the field, we will take to our seats located along the left field foul-line. All proceeds from this event will benefit CFSI and the DC Fire and EMS Foundation.
DATE: Thursday, September 10, 2009
TIME: Hospitality Area Open from 5:40 p.m. until first pitch at 7:10 p.m.
LOCATION: Nationals Ballpark, Washington, DC
PRICE: $75 per ticket MORE: The hospitality suite will remain open through the first pitch. It will close at approximately 7:15PM. Hot dogs, burgers, and beverages will be served while it is open.
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Dont forget, the best way to show your support for CFSI is by joining the Associates Club
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Congressional Fire Services Institute
900 2nd St. NE, Suite 303
Washington DC 20002
www.cfsi.org
update@cfsi.org
202-371-1277
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