The application period for the Department of Homeland Security’s Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program 2008 ends June 30.

Eligible applicants include law enforcement agencies, fire, 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/funding under the Urban Areas Security Initiative or the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program for which the Award Date is Oct. 1, 2006, or later. Organizations must submit applications through the Responder Knowledge Base Web site.

The FY2007 CEDAP provided equipment, equipment training, and equipment technical assistance valued at approximately $33.7 million to first responder organizations. This competitive program is a direct assistance program, not a grant program, and FEMA will provide the equipment and technical assistance directly to the selected jurisdictions. This means that CEDAP awards are not monetary awards; applicants may select one item from the menu of available equipment choices, and successful applicants will receive the item they specified in their application.

Prospective applicants should direct any questions to the centralized scheduling and information Desk at 1-800-368-6498 or via e-mail at askcsid@dhs.gov.