[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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