VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS; MUNICIPALITIES AND/ OR FIRE DISTRICTS ACTING ON BEHALF OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS, FIRE COMPANIES AND /OR EMERGENCY SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THAT MUNICIPALITY OR DISTRICT AND COMPRISED OF 50% OR MORE OF VOLUNTEERS; VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL, REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL

Fiscal Year 2012 Recruitment and Retention Grant Request for Applications (RFA) is soliciting applications for funding made available by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel.

The grant program seeks to promote the development of, or support existing, regional recruitment and retention efforts. The primary objectives are to support organizational leadership development through education and training and to develop and implement recruitment and retention programs and materials.

Only organizations that are located within, and serve the State of New York are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include: volunteer fire companies or fire departments; municipalities and/ or fire districts acting on behalf of fire departments, fire companies and /or emergency services organizations operating under the authority of that municipality or district and comprised of 50% or more of volunteers; volunteer emergency medical service organizations and local, regional or statewide organizations representing volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel.

Organizations that are not eligible for the Grant Program are fire departments, companies and /or emergency services organizations whose volunteer membership is less than 50% of their total manning strength; federal fire departments and those departments under contract with the Federal Government whose sole responsibility is fire protection on Federal property; For-profit fire departments and other emergency services organizations and organizations affiliated with NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services or a component thereof.

The formation of new regional recruitment and retention partnerships or supporting existing regional efforts is highly encouraged. A Submitting Partner and all Participating Partners must be identified and be eligible organizations.

Applications will also be accepted for Statewide Organizations who demonstrate that they serve a statewide interest and will provide benefits statewide.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM January 7, 2013. The applications must be submitted as an attachment by email to [email protected]. For an application and instructions contact: Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Robin Quintin, at the above address or call 1-800-837-9133 or e-mail: [email protected]