The Department of Homeland Security has announced that the 2008 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) application period will be open until June 30 at 5 pm EDT.

CEDAP was established by Congress to ensure that emergency-services sector (ESS) departments and agencies could acquire specialized equipment and training. Eligible applicants include fire departments, law-enforcement agencies and other emergency responders who demonstrate that the equipment will be used to improve their ability and capacity to respond to a major critical incident or work with other first responders. Awardees must not have received equipment or funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative or the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program for which the award date is October 1, 2006, or later.

The FY 2008 CEDAP complements the Federal Emergency Management Agency's other major grant programs to enhance regional response capabilities, mutual aid and interoperable communications by providing technology and equipment, along with training and technical assistance required to operate the equipment, to ESS entities in smaller jurisdictions and certain metropolitan areas.

This competitive program is a direct assistance program rather than a grant program. CEDAP awards are not monetary awards. Applicants may select one item from a menu of available equipment choices. Successful applicants will receive the item specified in their application. Equipment available in FY08 will include but isn’t limited to:

Extrication devices
Hydraulic tools
Night vision kits
Mini-thermal monoculars
Binoculars with night vision
Forensic video-enhancement tools (with camera)
Chemical detectors
Biological-agent detectors
Radioactive detector kits
GPS-based advanced vehicle-tracking systems
Risk-analysis software
Case- and records-management software

Since its inception in 2005, approximately $103 million in equipment and related training has been awarded through CEDAP to fire departments, law-enforcement agencies and other emergency responders.

Prospective applicants may review program guidance and complete an application on the Responder Knowledge Base website at www.rkb.us.

The IAFC encourages eligible departments to review the CEDAP application materials and consider applying for equipment to protect personnel and enhance response capabilities.