The Crown Point, Indiana Police Department's Adopt-A-Cruiser program: Crown Point  needed 10 additional cruisers to initiate a take-home-cruiser program.  The purpose of the take-home-cruiser program was, at a minimal cost, to increase police presence in the community to deter crime  by allowing off duty officers to take their cruisers home.  The department had sufficient funds to enter  a lease-purchase program to obtain the 10 additional cars but insufficient funds to equip each as a cruiser.  Minimal cost of equipping a car with a light bar, radio and paint striping was estimated to be $1500.  $15,000 was needed for all 10 cars.  To obtain funding, the department initiated an "adopt-a-cruiser" program.  The program provided the community an opportunity to fight crime by providing the $1500 needed to equip a take-home-cruiser.  Donors who adopted a cruiser,  were recognized and credited for their support by having their names discretely displayed on the trunk of their adopted cruiser, "Equipped by:  ABC Cleaners."  Press releases announced the program.   The  program was a success, raising more than twice the amount needed.  Significant support came from the business community.  Local merchants  saw an opportunity to help their community fight crime while obtaining some very positive, high-profile, long-term advertising for their businesses.  The donor's name remains on the adopted cruiser during its 3-5 year life span.   How can you use the "adopt-a" method for raising funds for your critical needs?   This tip provided by Richard J. Condon & Associates

Hundreds of thousands of people attend the Air & Sea Show in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida  every year.  Parking is at a premium at the beach where the event is staged.  Parking spaces can go from $5 to $20 depending on location.  An area nonprofit specializing in drug prevention, has turned the parking problem into an annual fundraising opportunity.   It has gotten the support of a large mall only 1/4 mile from the beach area where the event is staged.   The mall donates the use of hundreds of its parking spaces to the nonprofit every year during the two day Air & Sea Show.  The nonprofit sets up and operates a pay parking lot at the mall for Air & Sea Show attendees.  All proceeds from the parking lot go  to the nonprofit in support of its drug prevention programs.  Think of  events in your area that require a lot of parking.  Businesses, particularly those closed on the weekend, may be willing to donate the use of their parking lot to your organization to help it raise funds for programs and equipment.     This tip provided by: Richard J. Condon & Associates

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a federal government publication that provides information on every federal grant and other assistance program.  The General Services Administration, the agency responsible for the Catalog,  has put a key word searchable version of the Catalog on the internet.   Go to: www.cfda.gov    Once you're there click "search for the assistance programs" hyperlink..  When the page changes then click on the "search by keyword"  hyperlink.    When the page changes you will see  a box where you can enter  a key word or words that describes the type of assistance that you are seeking.  For example,  enter the words "technology and grants."   Once you have found a program that may provide assistance, call the agency contact to determine if assistance is presently available.  This tip provided by Richard J. Condon & Associates.

Another website for finding information on Federal Programs of all types: www.firstgov.gov   

You can acquire supplies and equipment needed for a community program by setting up a "gift registry" at a store or stores that sell the needed items.  Publicize the gift registry and give local residents an opportunity to support the  program by buying any item on the gift registry and donating it to the program.  The store can hold donated items for your later pick-up.  Publicize the gift registry and your program by asking a local utility company to put a notice in with  monthly utility bills.  Also issue a press release asking local TV and newspapers to publicize the effort.  Additionally,  ask participating stores to put up a sign or make flyers available to their customers and ask them to provide further support  by donating a percentage of each sale  purchased to your program.  Don't forget to publicly  acknowledge and thank all those who assist, stores and residents.  This tip provided by Richard J. Condon & Associates.

For information on the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant  (AFG) program visit  www.fema.gov and click on the U.S. Fire Administration's hyperlink.  AFG news is also published on the National Volunteer Fire Council's website www.nvfc.org    The NVFC website also provides samples of successful AFG application narratives.  Click on the "resources" link and then on the "grants and funding" link.  On this page look on the left for the narratives link.

One California fire department has organized an annual community auction to raise money for its needs.  Residents, businesses, groups, etc. clean out their garages, closets, attics of things no longer needed that have value and bring them to the auction.  All these items are auctioned off with the proceeds going to the fire department for the community's public fire safety education needs.  Additional money can be raised by offering food, fire department hats and tee-shirts, and other items for sale.  To ensure success,  fun activities such as foot races or entertainment should be offered in addition to the auction.  Consider having a local radio station or television station co-sponsor the event with a well known personality conducting the auction.  Local businesses will probably provide seed funding and assistance to help make the effort successful.

Target, WalMart, K-Mart and other chain stores all have corporate giving programs that will provide support for public safety.  Ask your local store manager for further information.

State and Local Domestic Preparedness Grants and Training -  The Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) at the Department of Homeland Security offers equipment and training grants to help state and local first responder agencies prepare for domestic terrorism incidents.   Contact:  ODP at 202-307-9887  or online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm 

Newton Police Department in Iowa is getting a lot of help from residents who attend its Citizens Police Academy.  Each Academy graduating class presents a gift to the Department (e.g. DWI Video Camera, Vest, etc.)  After hearing from Citizen Police Academy graduates that they wanted to stay involved, the department formed an not-for-profit Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.  The Association has been raising funds and other resources within the community to assist the department in its law enforcement mission.

A police officer who recently attended a workshop reports that his department made several thousand  dollars selling old equipment on E-Bay.  They're using their profits to purchase other needed items.

CSB Safety Videos - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) aims to achieve continued interest in its chemical accident investigations by keeping the fire protection community informed of the latest CSB news releases and safety videos.  CSB safety videos provide a graphic overview of agency investigations and the resulting recommendations - all aimed a chemical accident prevention.  Over 45,000 safety videos have been distributed by the CSB.  All videos are free of charge and can be ordered online at www.safetyvideos.gov.  Simply click on one of the video titles and select "Request a DVD of this video" from the menu on the left-hand side of the video player.  Filll out the appropriate information and the CSB will mail you a safety video DVD.