Vehicle Funding Information

When considering the issue of funding, General Purpose Vehicles critical incident response platforms are usually acquired by direct purchase by the end user. General Purpose Vehicles will always meet with and assist customers in finding the method that works best for them in their efforts to procure a GPV.

When evaluating law enforcement agencies, they have an element of flexibility in being able to fund GPVs through various avenues including, both independently and collectively, general funds, drug forfeiture funds, and cooperative multi-jurisdictional use. However, due to growing concerns regarding budget considerations and the need to properly equip first responders, federal, state, and local grants are readily available and have become valuable funding sources for needed equipment.

Homeland Security Grant Program

Funding for law enforcement authorities since 911 have been found in grants made available through the federal government with currently the most popular being the Homeland Security Grant Program initiative. The Homeland Security Grant Program includes a number of various grant vehicles that are indicated on the Department of Homeland Security web site, www.dhs.gov, and can be found under the category choices of first responders followed by grants. Here by selecting a state or territory you can seek out contact information for that specific area for Homeland Security Grant Program guidance. Under the heading “From the Press Room” articles on “Grant Guidance from FEMA” and “2008 Preparedness Grants” provide a good knowledge base providing resource information.

 

 

In the past, categories approved for funding by Homeland Security Grant Programs are defined under planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises. Listed under the equipment category there has been a specific piece of equipment called a CBRNE Incident Response Vehicle which is now sub-categorized as Vehicle, Specialized Mission, CBRNE. The term CBRNE stands for Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive. These vehicles are defined as specialized vehicles designed to support specific CBRNE mission area requirements. Examples include deployment vehicles, law enforcement / tactical intervention vehicles, Hazmat units, communications units, bomb response units, mobile morgue units, and special transport units such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), designed to accommodate special mission equipment and accessories. This category includes special-purpose vehicles for the transport of CBRNE terrorism response equipment and personnel to the incident site. ALL GPV vehicles fit this definition as presented under the Homeland Security Grant Program. In fact with the optional NBC Overpressure System which provides the crew immediate protection from exterior contaminants allowing direct entry into haz-mat or WMD environments if required, the capability of GPV vehicles exceeds the defined CBRNE Incident Response Vehicle requirements. Therefore, funding can and has be approved under this program for the procurement of GPV products.

 

Responders Knowledge Base

What is also referenced in the Homeland Security Grant Program document is the Responders Knowledge Base at www.rkb.us . This is the source for information on numerous equipment items that can be researched for procurement under the Homeland Security Grant Program. General Purpose Vehicles is listed on this site and although you may have to play with the site a little, when entering Incident Response Vehicles or Vehicle, Specialized Mission, CBRNE on the search section and going through the pages, you will find General Purpose Vehicles products listed with pictures and information. Also, on the Responder Knowledge Base site is a wealth of information on the 2008 Homeland Security Grant program and numerous other grant programs that are available and that may be of assistance. There is excellent material under grant resources and the “Knowledge Links icons”. This includes the 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit. An individual may register on the site or can enter as a guest to research the items and topics available.

 

 

In addition, what is also of significance is that in the past a CBRNE Incident Response Vehicle can be covered by grant monies from other different funding options under the Homeland Security Grant program. The more prominent ones include the SHSP (State Homeland Security Program), UASI (Urban Areas Security Initiative), LETPP (Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program), MMRS (Metropolitan Medical Response System), EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant), TSGP (Transit Security Grant Program), and PSGP (Port Security Grant Program). This is of importance as a GPV with its multiple uses and multiple mission role capability can support first responders individually or collectively in all these areas. In essence, GPV units fit into all the appropriate categories for CBRNE vehicles and easily match the requirements under these programs.

 

Those law enforcement agencies interested in supporting their first responders with a GPV in order to meet preparedness standards and intervene in critical incidents threatening citizens or community infrastructures should following review and familiarization with the State Homeland Security Program, contact their state agency overseeing the allocation of the grant funding. To access information on a state agency see the steps indicated below under Individual State Administering Offices.** As of now every state shows only FY07 information. The information for the FY08 grant will be forthcoming but contacts for the most part should be the same. At the bottom of this page there are additional web links that may be of assistance. There also is a large amount of additional relevant material available on grants and topics related to homeland security on the www.dhs.gov website that is worth researching.

 

This is an attempt at a basic but informative synopsis of the most major resources available for current funding and grant information. This is not all inclusive as each state can be relatively different in who oversees the allocation of funds and what state and / or local representatives comprise those boards approving the use of Homeland Security Grant money or other funding for equipment procurement. It does provide some websites of great value in the gathering of relevant information and guidance and will be helpful in starting the process moving forward in obtaining a General Purpose Vehicle.

 

Additional areas of information for funding purposes may be found on the following web sites:

 

**Individual State Administering Offices:

Information for these agencies can be found by going to the Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov click on “first responders” in the column on the left. Click on “grants’ in the column on the left. Click on “homeland security grants” under Open for Business – Grants. Click on your state for contact and grant information.

 

Federal Grants:

www.grants.gov

Includes: Grant Opportunities, Registering, Applying for Grants, Tracking Applications, and Applicant Resources.

 

Office of Justice Grant Programs:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/

Includes: First Responder Programs, Disaster / Response Programs, Non - Disaster Programs, Department of Justice, State Contacts and Grant Award Information.

 

 

 

GPV Vehicle Funding PDF File