October 14, 2008

September 5: Received an invoice from American fire Equipment CO regarding the jump suits.  The invoiced price was $4357.50.  We have not yet paid this invoice, and are currently awaiting delivery of the jump suits that was supposed to happen within a week of ordering them.

September 19: A grant request was made to DHS in the amount of $55,000.00

(Fifty Five thousand dollars.)   The treasurer was also notified of the payment request.

October 6: The treasurer notified me that we had not received any money from the feds.

October 7: DHS was contacted to inquire about the payment request.

Spoke with one individual who stated the grant had been denied on  September 19^th.  I informed  him that  we had not been notified that our payment request was denied. 

Later in the day I received a call back from DHS \ FEMA.  I spoke with another individual who  stated that the grant management was under the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and had been recently turned over to FEMA.  (Federal Emergency Management Agency.) They further advised that due to the change over from one hand to the other, they were approximately one week behind in processing grant payment requests. They went on to say the grant payment requests have usually been processed within 7-10 days.  My question to him was, “ We could expect payment within a week?”, and he said give it 2 weeks. 

October 10:  Captain Guastini emailed Shipman’s fire equipment CO.  (Don Centracciao) and inquired about the price of 2 additional sets of turn out gear.  Don’s email stated the $2200 was good until the end of December 2008.

October 11: Received email confirmation from DHS, confirming the payment request for $55,000 had been approved, and we could expect an electronic payment within 3-5 business days.

We have not yet paid for the jumpsuits, and as of October 14,  we have not received the jumpsuits.  On October 9, Captain Guastini spoke with Wayne from American Fire.  He still cannot, and will not commit to a delivery date.

Remaining funds issue:

  $61,156.00 Fed portion 

+  $ 3219.00 WC portion

  $64,375.00 Grant Total

  $55,000.00  Invoice on turn out gear (have petitioned the feds for this money)

  + $4357.50   Invoiced  price on jump suits (Have not yet petitioned the feds for this $)              

  $59,357.50 total to date

  $64,375.00  grant total

- $59,357.50  money spent to date

  $   5017.50   balance

We have not yet petitioned the feds for the $4357.50.

As previously noted there is a balance of $5017.50. 

We obtained a quote from Coventry Safety Equipment CO in the amount of $327.50 for 25 hard hats, safety goggles, and leather gloves to be used for brush fires.  This will be used to complement the wild land jump suits we purchased. 

That leaves a remaining balance of $4690.00

We have been in contact with Shipman’s fire equipment CO.  to find out the price for 2 additional sets of turnout gear.  The price remains the same as the original 25 sets.  We could purchase 2 sets at $2200.00.

That would leave us with a remaining balance of $290.00.

   $5017.50 remaining balance

 - $ 327.50  Coventry safety          

- $4400.00 2 additional sets of turn out gear from shipman’s.

   $ 290.00  Remaining balance.

We will have to speak with Don Centracciao regarding the remaining $290.  We could purchase an additional set of boots, or a helmet.

If the Chief and board approve the above, I will petition the feds for the 4357.50 for the jump suits, and also ask to spend the remaining funds on 2 additional sets of turn out gear, and items from Coventry Safety.

Respectfully submitted

Robert Mann, Captain