Assistance to Firefighters Program (AFG) Panel Review Directional Signs

Cabezon Group provides grant management support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. One task is to coordinate grant application review sessions. At these sessions reviewers from across the nation help score grant applications, which leads to the eventual distribution of funds. The awarded grants help enhance the ability of fire departments to protect personnel as well as the public from fire and related hazards.

The Cabezon Group Creative Department has been producing interior directional signage for all AFG panels for several years. This year, instead of using the conventional creation of posters to point attendees in the right direction, the Creative Department took a more unique approach to traditional signs.

The signs still served the main purpose: to help panel sessions attendees find where they needed to be, but with a lot more visual flare.

Our new idea was a big hit with our clients, and consisted of a large wall cling of a fire station mascot Dalmatian holding a directional sign in his mouth. The other was a life-size cut of a firefighter dressed in gear holding a directional sign.

Needless to say, both were noticed.

Graphically, the pieces tied in the theme of the program and how it related to those attending the peer review sessions. We looked for something functional, yet fun to grab people’s attention – a conversation piece.

The project was a success as a unique approach to a traditional task. This solution was also cost effective as the signs are easily storable, can be applied to a wall or door, and are reusable in almost any venue especially for recurring meetings or events.