661—259.304 (100B) Application process.
	 259.304(1) Applications for funds.
	  a.   	 Application for either allocated funds or competitive funds shall be submitted to the fire service training bureau on a form specified by the fire marshal.
	  b.   	 Each lead agency may submit a completed application for allocated funds.
	  c.   	 Any lead agency may submit a completed application for competitive funds. An application for competitive funds shall be submitted separately from an application from the same lead agency for allocated funds.
	  d.   	 Each completed application shall be signed by an official of the lead agency authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the lead agency and shall be signed by an official of each partner of the lead agency, each of whom shall be a person authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the partner agency.
	  e.   	 Each application shall be accompanied by at least two letters of support from public or private agencies employing emergency responders and located in the area to be served by the regional emergency response training center.
	  f.   	 Each application shall include signed assurances stating that the lead agency, the partner agency or agencies, if any, and the regional emergency response training center shall comply with all federal and state laws applicable to the administration of any funds awarded, the planning, design, and construction of the regional emergency response training center, and the operation of the center after construction is completed.
	  g.   	 All information required on the application shall be completed, and all attachments required by the fire marshal shall be submitted with the application. An application shall not be considered complete unless the application is in compliance with this paragraph.
	  h.   	 The deadline for submission of each completed application for funding during a state fiscal year is September 15 of that fiscal year.
Exception:  If funds remain available for distribution through the regional emergency response training center program after all applications received by the September 15 deadline have been processed, the state fire marshal may conduct an additional application process during the same fiscal year. If such an additional application process is conducted, an announcement of the availability of funds, specifying the deadline for receipt of applications and other instructions for applying for funds, shall be provided to all regional emergency response training centers and shall be published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin.
	 259.304(2) Initial applications. The initial application received from a lead agency on behalf of a regional emergency response training center shall include the following information:
	  a.   	 Proposed location of the regional emergency response training center.
	  b.   	 Justification for the proposed location. The justification shall include descriptions of each of the following and explanations of how each was taken into account in the selection of the location:
	 (1) 	 The availability and proximity of quality classroom space with adequate audiovisual support.
	 (2) 	 The availability and adequate supply from area emergency response service entities of equipment which supports training.
	 (3) 	 A site where limited, safe open burning would not be challenged or prohibited due to environmental issues or community concerns.
	 (4) 	 Proximity to a medical facility.
	 (5) 	 The availability of water mains, roadway, drainage, electrical service, and reasonably flat terrain.
	 (6) 	 Accessibility to area fire departments.
	  c.   	 List of training facilities needed for the regional emergency response training center to provide training to fire fighters and other emergency responders. If any needed facility already exists and is owned by the lead agency or a partner agency, this fact shall be identified. Funds allocated through the regional emergency response training center program may not be used to duplicate an existing facility owned by a lead agency or any of its partners. However, funds may be used to replace a facility which is obsolete or out of repair, provided that the facility being replaced will not be used for the same purpose as a new facility constructed with these funds.