Fire education/outreach grants extended

The County of San Diego has approved a six-month extension of a grant period for Federal fire education and outreach program grants.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 August 1 to approve the extension of the grant period from August 3, 2007, to February 3, 2008. The Federal Emergency Management Agency had previously approved a six-month extension in June.

The original grant period covered a one-year span from August 4, 2006, to August 3, 2007. In October 2006 the Board of Supervisors authorized the county’s Farm and Home Advisor’s Office to accept $323,780 of FEMA and U.S. Fire Administration grants to develop a wildland fire education and outreach program.

The objective of the grant was to create a program which promoted and provided education to residents and communities. The program includes a Website, a mobile information kiosk, a series of cards, a video series for presentations to community groups or other organizations, training, and outreach.

Before the Farm and Home Advisor’s Office spent the funds, the county department requested policy clarifications from FEMA. The Farm and Home Advisor’s Office also requested administrative amendments to budget line items before initiating the programs. The delay in the expenditures resulted in unspent funds and thus the need for the extension.