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First Responders: Equipment Assistance Program Available

Director Bettenhausen Encourages California First Responders to Apply for Federal 2008 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program

Sacramento - The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the schedule for the (FY) 2008 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP), through the National Preparedness Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The FY 2008 CEDAP compliments the FEMA National Preparedness Directorate's other major grant programs to enhance regional response capabilities, mutual aid, and interoperable communications by providing technology and equipment, together with training and technical assistance to public safety agencies in smaller jurisdictions and certain metropolitan areas.

"The money from this grant program will serve to improve the State's capabilities and I strongly encourage State and local law enforcement agencies and other emergency responders to apply," said Matthew Bettenhausen, Director of the California Office of Homeland Security. "This is another way we are working to bring Federal money back to California. By taking advantage of these types of grants California first responders will be better prepared and can better leverage dollars to enhance what we're already doing at the State level."

Eligible applicants include State or local law enforcement agencies and other emergency responders. In addition, FY 2008 CEDAP awardees cannot have received funding and/or equipment under the Urban Areas Security Initiative grant program, or the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program for which the award date was October 1, 2006 or later.

Applicants must demonstrate in their application that the equipment will be used in working relationship with other first responders (for example: plans for sharing of equipment, joint training or use of equipment, or joint operational planning).

Some examples of eligible items include the Advanced Vehicle Tracking System (AVTS), a covert wireless GPS-based tracking system designed for law enforcement for vehicle and high-value asset tracking, and Stedi-Eye Stabilized Day/Night Binocular, which removes 99% of all vibration from a shaking body or hand or from platform vibration from a moving aircraft, boat, or vehicle.

Applications may be submitted via the Responder Knowledge Base (www.rkb.us) starting at 6:00 a.m. PDT on Friday, May 30th, and continuing until 2:00 p.m. PDT on Monday, June 30th. Note that the equipment choices and practice application for CEDAP 2008 are not yet available for review.

Questions regarding the CEDAP program should be referred to the Centralized Scheduling Information Desk (CSID) at 800-368-6498.

For further information on the CEDAP program, please contact Amber Lane at (916) 322-2743 or at amber.lane@ohs.ca.gov.

For further information regarding the Governor's Office of Homeland Security please visit the www.ohs.gov website.