Grant Writing for the Fire & Emergency Services

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This course educates fire and emergency services personnel on how to write a successful grant narrative in an effort to secure funding for their local fire/EMS department. Participants will also be introduced to a variety of funding opportunities, including government and private grants.

If applicable, please download any handouts before beginning the course.

John Kowalski

John Kowalski is a marketing strategist with 24+ years’ experience working with start-ups, mid-sized and Fortune 500 companies. His passion is to use creative marketing to provide ROI and value. With a progressive approach, he applies marketing expertise, process, and change disciplines to help organizations excel. He is a volunteer firefighter and lieutenant with the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department in Signal Mountain, TN. Kowalski is in the process of shifting his career direction to help fire and emergency service organizations elevate their departments.

Jeff Cash

Jeff Cash, CFO, has over 43 years in the fire service and is the retired City Manager/Fire Chief of the City of Cherryville, North Carolina, his hometown. Currently, Chief Cash serves as the Training and Education Coordinator for Volunteer Fire Insurance Services of North Carolina (VFIS of NC). Jeff also serves in the track services division, including fire protection/emergency medical services for the Speedway Motor Sports, (Charlotte Motor Speedway). He holds a degree in Fire Protection. He is a Past President of the NC State Firefighters Association. He has received the following recognitions: Cherryville FD Firefighter of the Year, Western NC Association Fire Officer of the Year, NCSFA Firefighter of the Year, NC Association of Fire Chief’s Career Chief of the Year, NC Society of Fire & Rescue Instructors, Instructor of the Year, the IAFC-VCOS-John Buckman Leadership Award, and the NVFC-James Monihan Leadership Award. He also received the North Carolina American Legion Fire Service Person of the Year Award. Recently, upon his retirement, he was awarded the NC Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper.

He served on the Executive Committee (Secretary-Treasurer) of the National Volunteer Fire Council as North Carolina’s Director. Chief Cash is a previous member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Board of Directors. He also served as a principal committee member of NFPA 1021 and a Board member of the IAFC-Safety Health & Survival Section (NVFC Liaison). He is an active fire service instructor, teaching since 1983. Chief Cash has testified twice before US Congressional Committees on Fire Service issues. Chief Cash has spoken or taught in 36 states. Chief Cash also serves on the Caromont Health System Board of Directors, as Chairman.