Gov. Blagojevich encourages law enforcement, fire and emergency response agencies to apply for response equipment through federal program

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today encouraged law enforcement, fire and emergency response agencies to apply for a direct federal assistance program that could provide tools to better protect and respond to their citizens in the event of a disaster. The program offers local responders, outside Cook County, the opportunity to compete for approximately $33.7 million in equipment and related training and technical assistance, which can improve their ability and capacity to respond to a major critical incident or to work with other first responders.

"Through the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, we've helped responders throughout the state get the equipment they need to protect and help their communities, including interoperable communications equipment that has dramatically increased their ability to communicate with each other during disasters," Gov. Blagojevich said. "This federal program complements our state efforts to equip responders, and I strongly encourage local law enforcement, fire and emergency response agencies to take advantage of this opportunity."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Directorate Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) offers specialized commercial equipment, equipment training, and equipment technical assistance directly to smaller jurisdictions and eligible metropolitan areas.

Last year, nearly 80 Illinois communities benefited from receiving response equipment through the CEDAP program.

Information and applications for the competitive federal assistance program are available online at www.rkb.mipt.org and must be submitted by May 29.

Jurisdictions within Cook County, including the City of Chicago, that have received Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funds for equipment are not eligible for this grant program. In addition, agencies that have received Assistance to Firefighters Grants since October 1, 2005 are also not eligible. Agencies that received grant assistance from FEMA under the Interoperable Communications Equipment program are not eligible for interoperable communications equipment under CEDAP.

Prospective applicants can direct questions regarding the CEDAP program to the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk at 1-800-368-6498 or via e-mail at askcsid@dhs.gov.