[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30339-30340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14203]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[OJP(BJA)-1129]
RIN 1121-ZA75
Metropolitan Firefighter and Emergency Services National Training
Program for First Responders to Terrorist Incidents
AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance,
Justice.
ACTION: Request for Proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is soliciting grant
applications from State and local agencies for firefighting and
emergency services training programs. This solicitation is to announce
a competitive grant program to fund three or four demonstration sites
and encourages State and local agencies that have innovative first
responder training programs to conduct firefighting and emergency
services responding to terrorist incidents to apply. To apply for
funding, applicants must demonstrate: (1) that its firefighting and
emergency services operations are innovative; (2) that they can be
easily replicated in other metropolitan jurisdictions; (3) and that
their firefighting and emergency services operations are relevant for
first responders to terrorist incidents in urban jurisdictions. This
grant program is authorized by Title VIII, Subtitle B, Section 819, of
the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. This
announcement is to advise interested State and local agencies of the
availability of funding for a demonstration project, pursuant to Public
Law 104-208, the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997.
DATES: Applications for funding must be received by the Bureau of
Justice Assistance not later than the close of business, August 7,
1997.
ADDRESS: Applications must be mailed to: Control Desk, Bureau of
Justice Assistance, 633 Indiana Avenue, Washington, D.C., N.W., 20531.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The U.S. Department of Justice
Response Center at 1-800-421-6770. You may also read an online fact
sheet regarding this initiative, or download and print a copy of this
announcement by accessing BJA's homepage at http://
www.ojp.usdoj.gov.BJA/ and clicking on What's New.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants should present their firefighting
and emergency services first responder programs as a model program that
demonstrates a significant capacity to enhance urban jurisdictions'
abilities to train first responders to respond to incidents of
terrorism and the use of weapons of mass destruction (e.g., chemical,
biological, and nuclear incendiary and explosive devices). Eligible
applicants must have an existing firefighting and emergency services
capability that they believe could serve as a model for first
responders in urban jurisdictions. Selection as a demonstration site
will be based upon the applicant's innovativeness in its approach to
first responder operations and the program's replication potential in
other jurisdictions. Most importantly, applicants must demonstrate a
capability to effectively respond to the demands placed upon first
responders in the crisis management phase of a terrorist incident.
Grant Offering: BJA will provide funding for three or four
demonstration sites to document and test the effectiveness of first
responder training programs.
Eligible Applicants: Eligibility for funding under this
announcement is limited to State and local agencies that have an
existing first responder training capacity or provide direct services
and support on a continuing basis for urban fire fighting and emergency
medical services operations.
Application Procedures
A. Description of First Response Capabilities
Applicants applying for demonstration grant funding shall describe
the first responder resources in their jurisdiction. Descriptions
should comprehensively portray the status of firefighting and emergency
medical services as they exist within the metropolitan jurisdiction and
address the extent to which first responders have received training in
the systems and/or methods they will use to deal with weapons of mass
destruction. Descriptions shall also include: the names and
designations of organizations and political subdivisions comprising the
metropolitan jurisdiction (e.g., towns, townships, cities, and
counties); the names of emergency medical services organizations, such
as hospitals, clinics, regional medical centers/trauma centers;
firefighting companies; private ambulance and emergency response
services; State and local law enforcement agencies; civil defense
organizations; medical ground and air evacuation units/organizations;
search and rescue teams; and components of the National Guard or U.S.
Army Reserve designated to respond in emergency situations.
B. Description of First Responder Operational Procedures
The applicant shall provide information pertaining to its first
responder operations that clearly describe organizational tasks and
responsibilities as they relate to specific issues concerning crisis
and consequence management (e.g., designated on site commanders (OSC),
incident command structure (ICS), hazardous materials reconnaissance
and collection teams, decontamination teams, firefighters, explosive
ordnance
[[Page 30340]]
disposal units, and medical services teams). Descriptions shall also
contain general operating procedures/guidelines for first responders,
as well as special instructions for handling evacuees, triage,
hazardous materials, and contaminated areas.
C. Goals and Objectives
The applicant should clearly state the goals and objectives of the
demonstration project and its desired outcome. For example, the goals
of the demonstration project should result in a product that represents
and documents sound strategic planning, jurisdiction-wide
collaboration, community input, stakeholder representation, and
integrated planning both horizontally and vertically between, among,
and within participating first responder agencies. The primary
objective of the demonstration project should be to develop a first
responder training program that can be easily replicated in other large
metropolitan jurisdictions.
D. Project Implementation Plan
The applicant should include an overall implementation plan
outlining significant events, milestones, benchmarks, and outcomes. For
example, the applicant should describe the structure and timing of
special training programs to support first responder operations, the
design and development of strategic planning documents, scheduling of
stakeholder meetings/conferences, meetings with external agencies and
constituencies, and scheduled training exercises and the description of
scenarios to test operating procedures. The implementation plan should
be submitted using a timeline covering a 12 to 18 month period from the
date of the award.
E. Project Management
The applicant should submit a detailed description concerning the
management and structure of the project. For example, the applicant
should identify the qualifications and experience of the project
managers, the director, and the staff. Detailed information should be
provided concerning their roles and responsibilities.
F. Organizational Capability
The applicant should submit documentation concerning the
organizational experience from a programmatic and financial perspective
that demonstrates the ability of the applicant to manage the project.
G. Application Kits
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Department of
Justice Response Center at 1-800-421-6770 to request an application kit
for the Metropolitan Firefighter and Emergency Services National
Training Program for First Responders to Terrorist Incidents. An
application kit containing the necessary forms will be mailed upon
request. Within the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, please call
202-307-1480.
Dated: May 27, 1997.
Richard H. Ward,
Acting Director,
Bureau of Justice Assistance.
[FR Doc. 97-14203 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
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