Metropolitan Firefighter and Emergency Services National Training Program for First Responders to Terrorist Incidents

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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