AFG Grant Reviewers Scour Remaining Requests
EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Large signs on doors leading to a section of J Building at the National Fire Academy here this week warned potential visitors: DO NOT ENTER.
The secrecy didn't have to do with a presidential visit or a high-level USFA or FEMA gathering.
It was designed to keep the 80 reviewers in a quiet setting as they scoured over 3,000 applications for AFG grants. Officials also say it's vital to the integrity of the program that outsiders not be wandering around while the groups are working.
Earlier this year, 300 grant reviewers -- nominated by the various fire service organizations -- met in Towson to look at the 11,000 requests. The requests being scrutinized this week were left over from that session, said Tom Harrington, DHS program specialist.
Harrington, who heads the peer review sessions, said the people called back this week are seasoned. They know the drill. And, they also agree to keep their discussions among themselves as well as how they scored various applications.
Harrington and his staff assign each participant a number, a room assignment and a table. They change daily in order to keep the system fair.
"We have a really good cross-section of people here," Harrington said. "We have active firefighters, retired people, chiefs, former chiefs, volunteers, career, combination..."
They came from Arkansas, Texas, Hawaii and Alaska and other states to volunteer their services. However, one firefighter from Alaska couldn't make it because of bad weather.
Harrington said he has offered some who have complained about being overlooked to be part of the review process. "Some have taken me up on it, and come up," he said.
To keep the program's integrity above board, Harrington's staff also watches to see how the reviewers are scoring. "We want to make sure that we don't have someone in there who is showing a bias toward volunteer departments or career departments or combination departments..."
If they do see a trend emerging, the reviewer can be counseled or asked to leave. And, Harrington said he has no problem sending someone packing if they're not being totally objective.
It's not an easy job being a reviewer. Each reads 30-40 applications daily. The groups usually convene between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and quit at about 5 p.m.
Subject matter specialists -- people with fire service background -- are on hand in a nearby room in case there's a question. Harrington is the first to admit with a laugh that he's a bit of a bureaucrat, not a firefighter.
This year there were 20,000 grant requests, compared to 21,000 in 2008.
USFA Administrator Kelvin Cochran and Deputy Administrator Glenn Gaines visited each group Wednesday afternoon, and thanked them for their hard work.
A former panelist, Cochran said he knows it's a tough job.
Gaines, who also has an extensive history with the grants program, said he's pleased to see the caliber of people involved. "We have to hold these reviewers to the highest standards. It means the integrity of the entire program."
When the personnel head back to their various states on Saturday morning, the review of the 2009 AFG grant program will be finished.
