Many community agencies and corporations are willing to help fire training organizations and fire departments complete projects that will enhance firefighter training or beautify facilities. Here are some simple guidelines for solicitation.

You should remember that the value of the goods or services you're requesting should be reasonable. For example, if the company you're approaching for help is small and has a limited budget, don't ask them for $25,000 worth of goods or services. Instead, consider spreading that amount over three or four companies.In any case, your request to any organization shouldn't exceed $10,000.

To ensure consistency and the best results, you should develop a format or procedure that all of your requests will follow. You should start by sending the agency or corporation a letter on official stationery describing who you are, what you do and a thumbnail sketch of the project you want to get them involved in. End this letter by requesting to meet with their governing board or corporate officers to make a formal presentation. Next prepare a 15-minute presentation, making it as professional as you possibly can. Use any audiovisual aids, but don't overwhelm your audience with too many distracting audiovisuals.

The person making the presentation should be very knowledgeable about the subject. He or she must know, in depth, what the project is, why it's needed and how it will benefit the community in general. Remember, he or she will also be expected to answer any questions the audience may ask. The presenter should also believe in the project and be enthusiastic about it.

Before leaving the meeting, the presenter should determine an agency contact person. After allowing for a reasonable response period (two weeks), the presenter should follow up with the contact person if there has been no word from the potential contributor.

If an agency agrees to help, you must recognize its participation in the project. Following are two common ways of recognizing contributors.

1) Send them a thank-you letter when the project is completed. Be sure to include the approximate value of the goods and/or services they provided.

2) Install a small sign or plaque at the project site noting an agency's participation, or have the corporate or agency name listed on a general thank-you sign in a high-traffic area of your facility.

At the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Fire Academy, we have strong relationships with many local agencies and businesses. Here are just a couple of the ways we've tapped into local resources.

Each year, the governing body of the academy presents gold, silver and bronze Medals of Valor to deserving firefighters. Until recently, the academy didn't have a permanent display area to honor these recipients. It was decided to create a display area called "The Wall of Valor" that would contain a plaque with the name, year and department for each award.

In an attempt to creatively finance the project, we consulted one of our county's firefighters who has contacts in the metal-fabricating industry. He contacted a local company and a presentation was made. The company agreed to donate the needed lettering, which was valued at $3,000 to $4,000.

Three plaques were also needed, one for each class of award, to record the names of recipients. We contacted a local company that specializes in trophies and awards, and they agreed to provide the needed plaques and engrave them at no cost. This part of the project probably should have cost between $2,500 and $3,000. The fire academy's contribution to the entire project was less than $300.

We're currently working on rebuilding and upgrading one of our live fire training areas. One of our most popular live fire training drill structures, the liquid propane and propane gas fires area, was built in the late 1960s and was in dire need of a complete makeover.

To identify potential contributors, we contacted the Propane Dealers Association. Through them, we contacted a local dealer, made a presentation and the dealer agreed to cover the cost of the upgrade. Slated for completion this spring, the project will cost between $3,000 and $4,000. Total cost to Suffolk County: $0.

Most agencies and corporations will try to work with you if it's at all possible. When you're soliciting funds, the worst-case scenario is a flat-out "No." However, this almost never happens. Usually, an organization will refuse you by saying, "We would like to help you, but we can't at this time." In such cases, they've closed the door on a particular project, but left it open for future undertakings. Don't hesitate to contact them again.

Remember, the availability of local resources is limited only by your imagination.

Here is a partial list of community agencies and private corporations that may make donations for beautification or training projects.

Community agencies * Boy Scouts of America

* Girl Scouts of America

* Lions Club

* Kiwanis Club

* Rotary Club

* Civic associations

* Garden clubs

Private corporations * Local electric utility

* Local gas utility

* Local propane gas utility

* Local water company

* Local lumber yards

* Local construction companies

* Local business associations

* Local trade unions

* Regional construction companies working on local projects