This resource guide provides a brief summary of assistance available from various state and federal agencies to help tribes, communities and other agencies plan and implement community fire protection.

Additional information on cost-share and assistance programs for a variety of forestry projects (in addition to fire and fuels reduction) is available in a directory produced by UC Cooperative Extension Forestry. You may access the directory on the California Forest Stewardship Program world wide web site http://ceres.ca.gov/foreststeward/html/financial.htm or request it by phone from the Forest Stewardship Helpline at 1-800-738-TREE.

AGENCY TO COMMUNITIES/TRIBES/FIRE ASSOCIATIONS

Goal(s) of Program: To organize, train and equip local forces in rural areas and communities to prevent, control and suppress fires threatening life, resources and other improvements.

Assistance or Services Available: 50/50 matching federal grant. Funding for organizing, training and equipping volunteer/rural fire districts.

Agency: U.S.D.A. Forest Service Cooperative Fire Funding (Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, CFAA). The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) administers this program.

Who is eligible: Local fire departments, Indian tribal fire departments, fire chiefs' associations.

Limitations & requirements: Funding cannot exceed 50% of actual expenditures. This assistance is available only to communities under 10,000, but groups of smaller communities may join together in a combined effort to service more than 10,000 people. Funds cannot be used for fire stations or capital improvements. The use of funds for new fire engines and other apparatus is not encouraged. Requests for HAZMAT, extrication, or medical aid equipment are not fundable.

Successful applicants must complete their approved project(s) using local funds within a 13-month time period starting in July and then bill CDF within the grant agreement time frames in order to receive the funds. Expenditures made outside of the 13-month time period will not be covered by the grant.

Contact:	Jim Troehler	Dennis Orbus
Phone:	916.653.6179	916.364.2851
Email:	Jim_Troehler@fire.ca.gov	dorbus@fs.fed.us
Address:	CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection Cooperative Fire Programs P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460	U.S. Forest Service 3735 Neely Way Mather, CA 95655

Funding cycle: Applications are due to local CDF Unit Headquarters by January 31 for funding that becomes available the following July. This is an annual program.

Funds available at this time: An estimated $588,000 is available for the State's Fiscal year 2002-2003. Maximum award is $20,000 and minimum award is $500. The maximum may be lowered depending on the actual funding received, the number of applications received, the total value of all applications, and the nature of the applications.

AGENCY TO AGENCY

Goal(s) of Program: Development and transfer of new and improved fire control technologies; effective and efficient prevention, suppression and pre-fire programs.

Assistance or Services Available: 50/50 matching federal grant. The funds are used by CDF in programs that have direct fire protection activities relating to any of the following purposes: development and transfer of new and improved fire control technologies, organization of shared fire suppression resources and achievement of more efficient state fire protection, acquisition and loan of federal excess property, organizational improvement, and technology transfer.

Agency: U.S.D.A. Forest Service Cooperative Fire Funding (Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, CFAA). The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) administers this program.

Who is eligible: CDF Units, Regions and Fire Protection Programs, Contract Counties through their CDF Region.

Limitations & requirements: Priority is given to projects that enable the CDF to achieve its strategic planning goals and objectives that are of statewide significance. CDF usually uses salaries, wages, and staff benefits as matching funds.

These funds cannot be used to augment General Funded programs, but may be appropriately applied to short-lived projects, and activities that will enhance existing programs. The funds cannot be used for non-fire projects/activities such as medical, hazardous materials, search, rescue, etc.

Contact:	Jim Troehler	Dennis Orbus
Phone:	916.653.6179	916.364.2851
Email:	Jim_Troehler@fire.ca.gov	dorbus@fs.fed.us
Address:	CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection Cooperative Fire Programs P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460	U.S. Forest Service 3735 Neely Way Mather, CA 95655

Funding cycle: Project proposals from CDF Regions and Headquarters programs are due to CDF's Sacramento Cooperative Fire Programs in the Fall for funding that becomes available the following July. This is an annual program.

Funds available at this time: An estimated $1,000,000 is available for the State's fiscal year 2002-2003. Projects generally range from $6,000 to $150,000.

AGENCY TO AGENCY

Goal(s) of Program: Hazardous fuels mitigation reduction to reduce the fire threat in the wildland urban interface (WUI)

Assistance or Services Available: 50/50 matching federal grant. The funds are used by CDF for projects in three categories: 1) reduce hazardous fuels, 2) perform information and education programs targeting mitigation and prevention, and 3) risk reduction and hazard mitigation for homeowners and their communities.

Agency: U.S.D.A. Forest Service Cooperative Fire Funding (Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, CFAA). A task group representing the Council of Western State Foresters and U.S.D.A. Forest Service western cooperative fire coordinators selects projects for funding. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) receives funding for its projects through the USDA Forest Service.

Who is eligible: CDF Units, Regions and Fire Protection Programs, Contract Counties through their CDF Region.

Limitations & requirements: Funds are specifically earmarked for WUI projects. This earmarked funding is a new program to SFA. Funds must be utilized in the three categories cited above. CDF usually uses salaries, wages, and staff benefits as matching funds. A detailed budget by agency/organization involved in the project is required to identify level of involvement and ensure that matching funds are in compliance with laws and regulations.

Contact:	Rich Schell
Phone:	916.653.7472
Email:	Rich_Schell@fire.ca.gov
Address:	CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection Fire Plan P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Funding cycle: Applications are submitted to CDF's Northern and Southern Region offices, then on to CDF's Sacramento Fire Protection in late summer or early fall with submission to the western states task group in October or November. This is an annual program, dependent upon federal funding.

Funds available at this time: $1.4 million has awarded to CDF for 29 projects for the State's 2000-2001 Fiscal Year.

AGENCY TO TRIBE/AGENCY/COUNTY/CITY/NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Goal(s) of Program: Preparation of community Firesafe plans to reduce fire hazards and utilize byproducts of fuels management activities in a value added fashion. Demonstrate economic use of small diameter and underutilized forest products.

Assistance or Services Available: Up to 80% of total cost of project may be covered. Grants, agreements and contracts are available instruments to support fire planning within areas of high forest fire threat, provide training, technical and financial assistance to identify existing markets and develop new markets for underutilized wood products; prepare market assessments, feasibility studies, provide marketing assistance, develop project plans, business plans, partner with universities or non-profit organizations to purchase wood processing equipment to demonstrate economic use of underutilized materials..

Agency: U.S.D.A. Forest Service

Who is eligible: Counties, cities, state or local government agencies, federally recognized tribes, and non-profit organizations such as Resource Conservation and Development areas, Resource Conservation Districts, Economic Development Districts may apply

Limitations & requirements: Funding is intended to support community Firesafe planning and removal and utilization of biomass within areas of high forest fire threat. Projects must be supported by the area's federal, state, tribal or county fire protection agency in order to be considered for funding, and emphasize local employment where appropriate. Funding requests should range from $10,000 to $75,000 in value.

Contact:	Local U.S.D.A. Forest Service Office, or Bruce Goines, USFS
Phone:	707.562.8910, bgoines@fs.fed.us
Internet:	www.r5.fs.fed.us/fpm/cooperative_index.htm
Address:	1323 Club Drive Vallejo, CA 94592

Funding cycle: Submit two-page concept papers to local National Forest office by late November for the current federal fiscal year. After screening, eligible projects will be invited to submit complete applications in January. By May projects funded for the Fiscal Year will be announced.

Funds available at this time: Approximately $2,800,000 was available in FY 2001.

Short description of a successful project: Community Fire Safe Plans, small diameter utilization projects, business plans or fuel reduction project plans. Projects involving biomass to energy applications, composing, pulp, landscaping mulch, animal bedding, value added wood processing to posts, poles, or other applications; round timber construction demonstrations such as visitor centers, kiosks, park shelters; wood in transportation structures such as vehicular or pedestrian bridges constructed from round timbers.

AGENCY TO CDF AND CONTRACT COUNTIES

Goal(s) of Program: To assist communities with fire prevention planning, education and hazardous fuel reduction projects

Assistance or Services Available: 50/50 matching funds or services in kind. Funding for planning, education and hazardous fuel reduction for Community Protection/Community Assistance efforts. These projects are to be planned and implemented based on the California Fire Plan.

Agency: Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Title IV funding authorized under the National Fire Plan. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) will administer this program.

Who is eligible: Communities adjacent to lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and listed in the Federal Register as "High or Medium Risk" from wildfire.

Limitations & requirements: Projects are to be planned through the California Fire Plan. Projects supporting the California Fire Plan and access to information will also be considered. The projects will identify education/prevention efforts or hazardous fuels projects for implementing a community protection strategy with community input and involvement.

Contact:	Pat Kidder	Rich Schell
Phone:	916.978.4511	916.653.7472
Email:	pkidder@ca.blm.gov	Rich_Schell@fire.ca.gov
Address:	Bureau of Land Management 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825	CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, Fire Plan P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Funding cycle: October 1, 2001 for fiscal year 2002 projects. This will be an annual program based on availability of Title IV funding each year. Projects selected will have 18 months from time of approval for completion unless mutually agreed to different time frames. Task order to fund projects will be completed by March of 2001.

Funds available at this time: Federal fiscal year 2001 saw funding for 14 projects and close to $1,400,000. Funding for federal fiscal year 2002 will be coordinated with the other federal agencies supporting the National Fire Plan with up to $2,750,000, which was requested by BLM in California.

AGENCY TO LOCAL FIRE SAFE COUNCILS, RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, INDIAN TRIBES, HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND SIMILAR GROUPS

Goal(s) of Program: To assist and fund local non-profit groups in fire protection planning, prevention/education, or hazardous fuel reduction projects to reduce the wildfire threat from California's Communities at Risk.

Assistance or Services Available: 90/10 cost shares. Funding and assistance for community fire protection planning, fire prevention/education or hazardous fuel reduction projects.

Agency: The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Title IV funding authorized under the National Fire Plan. The funding will be allocated based on recommendations from the California State Fire Safe Council, who will solicit and prioritize initiatives from Local Fire Safe Councils, Resource Conservation Districts, Indian Tribes, Home Owners Associations and other similar groups.

Who is eligible: Local Fire Safe Councils, Resource Conservation Districts, Indian Tribes, Home Owners Associations and other similar groups with developed strategies for community protection/community assistance, that are associated with the "Communities at Risk" identified as "High" or "Medium" risk by the California Fire Alliance and are close to federal lands.

Limitations & requirements: The Group Applying must contribute (cost-share) 10% of the total costs or services in kind. Must apply through a competitive process set up by the State Fire Safe Council. The Group Applying must have the ability to receive funding, track funding and complete the project with 18 months of being funded. The Group Applying must be able to receive funding from a non-profit organization and meet fiscal accounting requirements. There is not limit on the amount of funding to be requested by the group applying.

Local Fire Safe Councils, Resource Conservation District, Indian Tribe, Home Owners Association and other similar group in coordination with the Protecting Agency should use the California Fire Plan's community involvement process for development of community protection/community assistance strategies. Requests for funding should be based on projects outlined in the California Fire Plan for education/prevention and hazardous fuels removal projects.

Contact:	Pat Kidder	State Fire Safe Council, CDF Liaison-Bryan Zollner
Phone:	916.978.4511	916.653.5817
Email:	pkidder@ca.blm.gov	Bryan_Zollner@fire.ca.gov
Address:	Bureau of Land Management 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825	State Fire Safe Council

Funding cycle: 2001 was the first year for this BLM program. The State Fire Safe Council will solicit project proposals for federal fiscal year 2002 in February 2002.

Funds available at this time: For federal fiscal year 2001, a total of $4,000,000 was requested and obligated. 101 projects were funded out of a total of 151 received. Matching funding averaged over 33% from successful participants. Projects ranged from $1000 to $300,000.

The Bureau of Land Management in California for Federal fiscal year 2002 has requested $4,000,000 to be allocated through this process.

AGENCY TO TRIBES/LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Goal(s) of Program: To organize, train and equip local fire fighting forces in rural areas and communities to prevent, control and suppress fires threatening life, resources and other improvements.

Assistance or Services Available: 90/10 matching federal grant for training, personal protective equipment, and firefighting equipment for rural fire departments.

Agency: The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) using Title IV funding authorized under the National Fire Plan.

Who is eligible: Local fire departments, Indian tribal fire departments, fire chief's associations. Available only to communities under 10,000 population.

Limitations & requirements: Funding cannot exceed 90% of actual expenditures. The fire departments must be within BLM's Designated Protection Area and responsible for initial attack with BLM. Funds may not be spent on new engines or apparatus. Maximum grant per department is $20,000.

Contact:	Ed Wehking
Phone:	916.978.4431
Email:	ewehking@ca.blm.gov
Address:	Bureau of Land Management 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825

Funding cycle: May 2001 through September 2001. At present, in is not certain similar funding will be available in 2002.

Funds available at this time: $420,000.

AGENCY TO TRIBE/COMMUNITY

Goal(s) of Program: Treat fuels to reduce wildfire risk.

Assistance or Services Available: Funding for hazardous fuels reduction, fuel break construction and similar treatments.

Agency: National Park Service, Pacific West Region

Who is eligible: Communities adjacent to lands administered by the National Park Service.

Limitations & requirements: There is no cost share requirement.

Contact:	Local Park Fire Management Officer, or Tom Nichols
Phone:	510.817.1371, fax 510.817.1487 (Nichols)
Email:	Tom_Nichols@nps.gov
Address:	National Park Service 1111 Jackson Street, Suite 700 Oakland, CA 94607

Funding cycle: Apply by July for funding in the current year.

Funds available at this time: For federal fiscal year 2002, the National Park Service has about $9 million available nationally.

WHO TO COMMUNITIES

Goal(s) of Program: To assist communities with treatment of fuels and reduction of wildfire risk.

Assistance or Services Available: Funding for hazardous fuels reduction, fuel break construction and similar treatments.

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California/Nevada Operations Office.

Who is eligible: Communities adjacent to lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Limitations & requirements: There is no cost share requirement.

For more information, contact local refuge Fire Management Officer, or

Contact:	Richard Hadley	Pam Ensley
Phone:	916.414.6464	503.231.6174
Email:	Richard_Hadley@fws.gov	Pam_Ensley@fws.gov
Address:	US Fish & Wildlife Service California/Nevada Operations 2800 Cottage Way, Suite 2610 Sacramento, CA 95825	US Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Regional Office Eastside Federal Complex 911 N.E. 11th St Portland, OR 97232-4181

Funding cycle: Apply by July for funding in the current year.

Funds available at this time: For Federal fiscal year 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has $1.4 million available for use in the state of California.

WHO TO LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Goal(s) of Program: To organize, train and equip local fire fighting forces in rural areas and communities to prevent, control and suppress fires threatening life, resources and improvements.

Assistance or Services Available: Federal grants for training, personal protective equipment and fire fighting equipment for rural fire departments.

Agency: The Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California/Nevada Operations, using Title IV funding authorized under the National Fire Plan.

Who is eligible: Local fire departments and fire chief's associations adjacent to land administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Limitations & requirements: There is no cost share requirement.

For more information, contact local refuge Fire Management Officer, or

Contact:	Richard Hadley	Pam Ensley
Phone:	916.414.6464	503.231.6174
Email:	Richard_Hadley@fws.gov	Pam_Ensley@fws.gov
Address:	US Fish & Wildlife Service California/Nevada Operations 2800 Cottage Way, Suite 2610 Sacramento, CA 95825	US Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Regional Office Eastside Federal Complex 911 N.E. 11th St Portland, OR 97232-4181

Funding cycle: May 2001 through September 2001. Additional funding may be available in 2002.

Funds available at this time: For Federal fiscal year 2001, $40,000 is available for use in the state of California.

AGENCY TO COUNTY

Goal(s) of Program: To help fund programs such as community wildfire planning, fire prevention and education, and projects such as fuels reduction, utilization of biomass, watershed protection and restoration. Such projects may be coordinated with projects funded from other sources to increase their combined effectiveness.

Assistance or Services Available: Funding in lieu of taxes from federal lands. Similar funding was formerly provided under the Receipts Act.

Agency: The U.S.D.A. Forest Service provides funding to counties through the State of California under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, Public Law 106-393.

Who is eligible: Counties in which the U.S.D.A. Forest Service administers national forests.

Limitations & requirements: Generally, there are two categories of funding. Title II funds may be used for projects on federal lands. Title III funds may be used for efforts such as fire planning, organizing fire safe councils, fire prevention and awareness programs and projects on non-federal lands.

Contact person: Local U.S.D.A. Forest Service office.

Funding cycle: Funds are made available each year. Projects should be identified before September 30 for the following fiscal year. Funds become available in October or November for use during that fiscal year. The federal fiscal year is October 1 through September 30.

Funds available at this time: Funding varies by county and is tied to a specific formula related to past receipts to the Forest Service. For fiscal year 2001, funding for the State of California could be as much as $12.8 million.

AGENCY TO TRIBAL & COMMUNITY FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Goal(s) of Program: To train firefighting personnel; to purchase fire fighting vehicles and equipment; and to implement fire prevention programs.

Assistance or Services Available: 70%-90% cost share with matching cash. Assistance is in the form of grants, contracts or cooperative agreements.

Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/United States Fire Administration (USFA) under the Firefighter Investment and Response (FIRE) Act.

Who is eligible: Local fire departments that are recognized by the state or other appropriate political entity.

Limitations & requirements: Certain expenditure levels and reporting are required.

Contact:	FEMA	Michael Stanley, OES Senior Emergency Services Coordinator Hazard Identification and Analysis
Phone:	Toll free 866.274.0960 or 301.447.1608	916.845.8160, pager: 916.594.3071
Fax:	Toll free 866.274.0492	916.845.8386
Email:	USFAGrants@fema.gov
Internet:	www.usfa.fema.gov

The USFA website also has a 7 page brochure Developing and Writing Grant Proposals available for downloading.

Funding cycle: Applications are due in spring for grants to be awarded by September 30.

Goal(s) of Program: To reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from natural disasters by assisting California communities develop and implement hazard mitigation projects.

Agency: The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) administers these programs using Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation funds.

Assistance or Services Available: OES assists communities in hazard identification, local planning and project development.

Eligible Projects: OES has supported the funding of Vegetation Management, Fuel Reduction, Defensible Space and Fire Education projects. Available grant funds are limited and are provided on a 75%-25% cost share basis. OES determines program priorities based on the State Mitigation Plan and recommends projects for funding up to the amount available.

Who is eligible: Local, State and Tribal governments and certain private non-profit agencies.

Limitations & Requirements: Applications for funding are accepted only after the declaration of a federal disaster by the President. Awards are based on the priorities established by OES and based on Local and State Mitigation Plans. Eligible projects must comply with federal cost effectiveness and environmental requirements.

Contact:	John Rowden
Phone:	916.845.8150
Email:	John_Rowden@oes.ca.gov
Address:	The Governor's Office of Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation Unit P.O. Box 419023 Rancho Cordova, California 95741-9023

Funding Cycle:
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Post-disaster grants tied to Presidential declarations.

Pre-disaster Mitigation Program: This program began as the Project Impact Communities initiative. Local communities are grant recipients. The previously funded communities are still completing their work plans, some of which include urban/wildland fire mitigation elements. The Congress is still determining funding for the Pre-disaster Mitigation Program.

Funds Available at this time: No funds are available at this time. New funding will occur with the next Presidential disaster declaration.