Fire Grant News – FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
The FY2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant application period is underway and will close on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 5:00 P.M. ET. FEMA recommends that you start your application today by reviewing the FY2016 SAFER Application Assistance Tools. These tools were produced specifically to help potential applicants plan their FY2016 SAFER applications.
Please make sure that you have thoroughly reviewed the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), prior to beginning your application, as there are substantial changes to the FY2016 SAFER Grant Program. The SAFER Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will also be an important tool as they provide more detailed information on the changes and new requirements. The Self-Evaluation tools will be beneficial as you begin to develop the narrative portion of your application.
FY2016 SAFER Application Assistance Tools
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- Application Checklist: This checklist will help you prepare your SAFER grant application
- Self-Evaluation – Hiring of Firefighters: Career, combination, and volunteer fire departments
- Self-Evaluation – Recruitment and Retention – Fire Departments: Combination and volunteer fire departments
- Self-Evaluation – Recruitment and Retention – Interest Organizations: National, State, Local, or Tribal Volunteer Firefighters Interest Organizations
- FY2016 SAFER Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – UPDATED
- Economic Hardship Waiver Information
- FY2016 SAFER Grant Program Webinar Presentation – NEW
SAFER Grants Help Desk
If you have questions about the NOFO or technical assistance tools listed, call or e-mail the SAFER Grants help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is [email protected].
FY2016 SAFER Program Overview Webinar Presentation
Thank you to those who attended the FY2016 SAFER webinars. We had a great turnout and appreciate you taking the time to join us. The presentation is now available and the FAQ’s have been updated to include and/or clarify questions asked during the webinars. If you still have unanswered questions, please feel free to contact the SAFER Grants help desk.
Submitting Preparer Information
FEMA requires that all applicants disclose the name, address and contact information of the person or organization, to include contracted grant writers, who are responsible for preparing the SAFER application. Please ensure that this information is accurate at the time of submission.
As a reminder, all applicants must attest that all information contained within the application, including preparer information, must be true, complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. If you contract with a grant writer, and they either refuse, or provide advice to not list them in the preparer information section of the application, please notify the SAFER program office.
Attention To Detail and Completeness of Your Application
SAFER is one of the most highly competitive grant programs offered through the Federal government. It is important to ensure the accuracy of the information submitted as part of your application, to include, but not limited to, your department’s demographic information, call volume, staffing levels, comprehensive budget breakdowns, recruitment and retention rates, if applicable, as well as the required narrative statements.
Recruitment and Retention Regional Applications: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Requirement
FY2016 regional awardees will be required to produce, upon FEMA’s request, a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or similar document.
This document will serve to demonstrate that all parties identified as part of the application have agreed to participate in the application, understand their roles and responsibilities as part of any award, and to further identify the distribution and use of any grant funded assets or services.
The MOU must be signed and dated by all participating entities.
Additional guidance regarding the requirement for MOU’s may be found in the FY2016 SAFER Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
SAM.gov Registration Is Required to Apply and Receive Grants
Just a reminder that all eligible applicants must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) before you can submit an application.
Per 2 CFR § 25.205, FEMA may not make an award to an entity until the entity has complied with the requirements to provide a valid DUNS number and maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information. SAM.gov consolidates federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).
To register, or validate your information, please visit: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/
SAM.gov Registration Tips: Please ensure the following items are current in SAM and the DUNS number used in SAM is the same one you use for all FEMA applications:
- Organization’s name
- Address
- Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Banking information (type of account (checking or saving), routing number, and account number
- Many websites may look official in appearance but are not. As a reminder, registration in the SAM.gov is FREE
- SAM.gov registration is only active for one year and must be renewed annually.
- This information should be consistent in all registration documents
Should you need assistance with your SAM.gov account, there are several ways to get help:
- Submit your SAM.gov question online to the Federal Service Help Desk at: https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do
- Call the Federal Service Help Desk toll free at 866-606-8220
- SAM Quick Start Guide For New Grantee Registration
- SAM Video Tutorial for New Applicants
SAM.gov tools were created by the General Services Administration to assist those registering with the System for Award Management (SAM). If you have questions or concerns about your SAM.gov registration, please contact the Federal Support desk at: https://www.fsd.gov
- AFG Home Page: www.fema.gov/firegrants
- AFG Regional Representatives: http://www.fema.gov/fire-grant-contact-information
- AFG Help Desk: E-mail: [email protected]
- Telephone Toll-Free: 1-866-274-0960