AFG fire grant news from FEMA
FEMA sends out regular updates on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Here is the latest from the October update—including some interesting details on how AFG funds are legally required to be allocated.
FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
Processing the FY 2021 AFGP award announcements is still underway. Even though FY 2021 ended Sept. 30, 2022, awards will continue to be made because of the $300 million in supplemental funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (AFG-$90 million, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response-$200 million and Fire Protection & Safety-$10 Million). Awards are expected to continue into November. As award determinations are finalized, notification will be sent to grant recipients. Award information will also be posted on the FEMA website as each round is announced.
Turndown letters will be sent out in concurrence with the final rounds of awards being announced. If you receive a turndown letter and would like more information, please contact your Regional Fire Program Representative.
AFG Award Listings: Assistance to Firefighters Grants | FEMA.gov
SAFER Award Listings: Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) | FEMA.gov
FP&S Award Listings: Fire Prevention and Safety | FEMA.gov
FY 2022 AFG Programs Status Update
The FY 2022 AFG, SAFER and FP&S application periods are slated to open after the first of the year. In preparation, it is recommended that you ensure that you are registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). SAM registration must be renewed annually, and failure to register or maintain active status could prevent your organization from applying. For those new to SAM.gov, it is imperative that you start now as this process can take up to four weeks to complete. Registering for an account in SAM.gov is FREE. You do not need to contract with an outside entity to register. If you need help with your SAM.gov registration, please visit the Help Page or call toll free (866) 606-822, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to ensure it is “Active” well in advance of the application period.
USFA Hosted Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control
On Oct. 11, Administrator Criswell participated in the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fire Prevention and Control Summit held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. USFA, a component of FEMA, partnered with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to host the summit. Speakers included President Biden, who attended virtually.
The summit marked the 75th anniversary of the 1947 President Truman Conference on Fire Prevention and Control that launched the America Burning report and established the USFA.
At the summit, a wide variety of speakers discussed:
- The impact of large structure fires on their communities and fire departments.
- The training that structural firefighters need to respond to the new hazards associated with wildfires in the urban interface.
- The recruitment and retention challenges faced by fire departments across the nation.
The summit can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.
Did You Know?
The grant funds provided to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program have certain allocations and restrictions. On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012 into law. This Act contained some of the most significant changes to the AFG program since its inception. One of the primary adjustments was within the allocations and restrictions of funds based on department type. Below is a list of how AFG funds are required to be distributed based on this legislation:
- Not less than 25% to career fire departments.
- Not less than 25% to combination fire departments (this includes paid on-call/stipend departments).
- Not less than 25% to volunteer fire departments
- Not less than 10% to open competition between career, combination, and volunteer fire departments.
- Not less than 10% to fund the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.
- Not more than 2% to non-affiliated EMS
- Not more than 3% to state fire training academies.
This legislation also established the concept of micro grants and added state fire training academies as an eligible applicant. Here are some additional restrictions that also must be considered as part of awarding each year’s AFG appropriation:
- Not more than 25% for purchasing vehicles.
- Not more than 25% for micro grants.
- Not more than $500,000 federal share per award for state fire training academies.
For more information on the AFG program, please visit the website.