The deadline is looming for law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency response agencies hoping to garner a piece of the nearly $16 million in equipment and training money to be awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Agencies applying for FEMA’s 2008 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) have until June 30 to submit their requests.

CEDAP is a competitive program that provides local agencies with equipment and equipment training in an effort to strengthen regional response and mutual aid capabilities and increase overall preparedness.

Eligibility for CEDAP is limited to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency responders with specific financial and capability needs. Equipment and training awards are offered in five categories: extrication devices; thermal imaging, night vision, and video surveillance tools; chemical, biological, and radiological detection tools; information technology and risk management tools; and covert vehicle tracking tools.

Awards are integrated with state planning processes for regional response and asset distribution. State agencies will review applications in their state to ensure equipment requests are consistent with their homeland security strategy.

Applicants can review the program at the Responder Knowledge Base. Completed applications must be submitted to DHS-FEMA no later than 5 p.m. EDT.