Senator Sander’s Recruitment and Retention Grant

The application period has now closed.  Grant applications are being reviewed.

The Workforce Investment Act Grant Committee (“Sanders Grant”) is pleased to announce the availability of limited funding to enhance and improve the recruitment and retention of Vermont fire and emergency medical responders.

History:

Over the past few years, two Town Hall style meetings were held in Randolph Vermont. At those meetings many issues were presented of which Recruitment and Retention of Fire and EMS responders rose to the top of the action item list.

Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Bernard Sanders and on behalf of Vermont’s Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services the Vermont Department of Public Safety was awarded a one time grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training and Administration. Further, last fall, the Joint Fiscal Committee (JFC) of the Vermont State Legislature approved the receipt of the $100,000 grant, thereby making the grant available for use. 

Since the approval by the JFC, a committee of representatives from the Vermont State Firefighter’s Association, the Vermont Fire Chief’s Association, the Vermont Career Chief’s Association, the Vermont Ambulance Association, the Vermont Technical High School Programs and the Vermont Department of Public Safety has been working on the processes necessary to distribute the funding.

Scope: 

With the national trend of losing first responders at an annual rate of at least 10% in mind, the overarching scope of the project is to recruit and retain firefighters and emergency medical responders for Vermont’s communities. There are 4 eligible areas for competitive funding, as set up by the grant committee.

1. The first is to support new or enhance existing FIRE Junior / Cadet Programs in attracting new and / or retaining existing junior / FIRE cadets.
2. The second is to support new or enhance existing EMS Junior / Cadet Programs in attracting new and / or retaining existing junior / EMS cadets.
3. The third is to support new or enhance existing recruitment campaigns by local fire and EMS departments.
4. The fouth is to support a tuition grant program for new EMS (volunteer / call) responders when attending a Vermont Department of Health recognized Emergency Medical Technician - Basic program of instruction. 

Descriptions of Funding Areas:

Support of new or existing Junior / Cadet Programs: (#1 and 2 above)

This portion of the grant is set aside to support or enhance existing FIRE or EMS in house “cadet” programs with activities usual and customary for such groups such as (but not limited to):  training materials, recruitment efforts e.g. “Pizza Night”, administrative supplies, postage etc.

FD and EMS Recruitment Campaigns

This portion of the grant is set aside to support or enhance Fire Department or EMS organization member recruitment campaigns, including (but not limited to): signage, mailings, “open houses” at the fire station, handout materials, recruitment meetings, training materials, postage etc.

EMT-B Tuition Support

This portion of the grant is set aside to support tuition expenses for 25 new EMS volunteer / call responders successfully completing a Vermont Department of Health recognized EMT-B program.

ELIGIBILITY:

For the Cadet Program Funding EMS or FIRE:

1.  The hosting EMS Junior / Cadet organization must be active and a current licensed responder organization.

2.  The hosting EMS organization will file the application for the funding

3.  The hosting organization of the FIRE Junior / Cadet program must be a Vermont Fire Department.

4.  The Hosting FD will file the application for the funding.

FD and EMS Recruitment Campaigns

1.  The organization must be an active and current Vermont Fire Department or EMS organzation.

2.  The hosting organization will file the application for the funding

For the EMT Basic Scholarship grant funding:

1.  The hosting EMS organization must be active and a current licensed responder organization.

2.  The new responder’s organization will file the grant application.

Grant Performance Period:

From February 10, 2012 – June 30, 2013

Grant Application Timeline:

Grant Funding Announcement: January 20, 2012

Application Period: January 20 - February 10, 2012

Grant Committee Application Review Meeting: February 15, 2012

Award letters sent: February 20, 2012

Grant Application Process:

Note: Be concise, complete and creative in the development and explanation of your project as awards will be largely based on the perceived effectiveness and impact of your project.

For a copy of the Application form:

Download the Grant Application by clicking here, completely fill out Grant Application, postmark it by February 10, 2012 and mail to:

Ms. Sara Small
State of Vermont
Department of Public Safety
Attention: Grants Unit
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2101

Questions?

On the Application Form:                                                    On the programs:
Ms. Sara Small (as above)                                                  Chief Jim Litevich
Phone:  802-241-5396                                                         Vermont Fire Academy
                                                                                         Phone:  1-800-615-3473