Adam Hursh, FireRescue1 Contributor
Strong leadership within a fire department is essential for securing and managing grant funding. Fire chiefs, administrative officers and grant writers must take an active role in ensuring that the department adheres to all rules and requirements before, during, and after the application process.
- Educating personnel on grant requirements
Leadership should ensure that anyone involved in the grant process is familiar with the rules and guidelines. Attending grant workshops and webinars and reviewing official program documents can help avoid common mistakes.
- Developing a grant compliance checklist
A standardized checklist can help ensure all necessary steps are completed before submission. This checklist should include eligibility confirmation, document verification and adherence to formatting requirements.
- Assigning a dedicated grant coordinator
Designating a specific individual or team to oversee grants can improve accuracy and compliance. This person should be responsible for gathering the required data, writing the application, and meeting deadlines.
- Reviewing and proofreading applications
A second (or third) set of eyes can catch errors that might otherwise go unnoticed. Before submission, leadership should review applications for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to guidelines.
- Maintaining compliance with post-award requirements
Winning a grant is not the end of the process. Departments must follow through with purchasing equipment, conducting training and submitting required reports. Failure to do so can jeopardize future funding opportunities.
This excerpt reprinted with permission from FireRescue1.com from Lexipol. Read the entire article “Grant success for fire departments: Why following the rules matters” here.
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