Fire grant news from FEMA
Each month, we supply information regarding the management of current Assistance to Firefighters Grants, as well as helpful details on upcoming grant opportunities.
In this month’s update:
- FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
- FY 2022 AFG Programs Status Update
- Report Reminders for period ending June 30, 2023
- 2022 AFG Post-Application Listening Sessions Results
- Did You Know? – SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity
- July Fire Prevention Message – Fireworks: Leave it to the professionals
- Grant Management Training – GMTA Fundamentals of Grants Management Course
- AFGP Success Stories
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FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
The final FY 2021 award announcements were made on June 2, 2023. Turndown letters will be sent shortly. 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
Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Round 1 of the FY 2022 AFG was awarded on June 9, 2023
Awards are expected to continue for the next 8-10 weeks. Turndown letters for those applications that did not go to peer-panel review are expected to go out soon. If you receive a turndown letter and would like more information, please contact your Regional Fire Program Representative.
Most high scoring applications are still in the technical review or award recommendation phase. Through this process it is likely that applicants will receive correspondence regarding pre-award costs requests (see article below) and/or be prompted to complete an Environmental and Historical Preservation (EHP) screening form. Click to download the EHP Screening Form. Completed forms must be sent to [email protected] for consideration.
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
Highest Scoring Applications in Technical Review Phase
Peer Panel Review was held the week of March 17-21, 2023. The highest scoring applications have moved into Technical Review, where program specialists will examine the applications for eligibility, cost reasonableness, and accuracy. Once technical review is completed, the highest scoring applications will be recommended for award and move through the final processes before the award can be issued.
Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S)
Highest Scoring Applications in Technical Review Phase
Peer Panel Review was held the week of May 8-12, 2023. The highest scoring applications have moved into Technical Review, where program specialists will examine the applications for eligibility, cost reasonableness, and accuracy. Once technical review is completed, the highest scoring applications will be recommended for award and move through the final processes before the award can be issued.
Semi-Annual Programmatic Performance Report (PPR)
Due July 30
Recipients who received an award through the FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO) system must prepare and submit the PPR through FEMA GO for the following programs:
- Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG);
- Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants; and
- *Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants.
General instructions for completing a PPR are available online at FEMA GO Programmatic Performance Report Guide.
PPR requirements have changed from FY 2018, FY 2019, and FY 2020 AFG NOFO per Information Bulletin 468. Future PPR deadlines will be Jan. 30 and July 30 of each calendar year the grant period of performance is open.
Recipients must submit programmatic performance reports as a condition of their award acceptance. Future awards and funds drawdown may be withheld if these reports are delinquent.
*SAFER grant recipients should be cognizant of the separate forms for the Hiring and the Recruitment & Retention activities and ensure selection of the correct form before submitting.
Federal Financial Report (FFR) (SF-425)
Due July 30
Recipients are required to submit a Federal Financial Report (FFR or SF-425) semi-annually. The FFR must be submitted through FEMA GO based on the calendar year beginning with the period after the award is made. Grant recipients are required to submit an FFR throughout the entire period of performance of the grant and for closeout. Reports that are due:
- No later than July 30 (for the period Jan. 1 – June 30)
- No later than Jan. 30 (for the period July 1 – Dec. 31)
- Also, within 120 calendar days after the end of the Period of Performance
Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail.
A detailed instructional guide for submitting an SF-425 report can be found on the Grants.gov website at Post-Award Reporting Forms | GRANTS.GOV. On the Grants.gov website, please select the Instructions document for “Federal Financial Report (SF-425).”
2022 AFG Post-Application Listening Sessions
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program held its annual post-application listening sessions the week of April 24. The discussions included the usability of online systems such as the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), the National Fire Incident Reporting System, and FEMA GO; availability of technical assistance; application completion and submission; and any other identified issues. In return, we hope to use your comments and suggestions to improve the AFG program. As promised, listed below are the results from those sessions:
- FEMA GO
- Application submission
- Application too complex and requires too much information
- Can’t delete unsubmitted applications
- System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
- Cumbersome and difficult to use
- Spam emails
- Customer service issues
- Turndown Notifications
- Need notifications as soon as possible
- Unaware that turndown consults were available
- Application Development
- Lack of personnel or experience to complete application
- Application is burdensome for smaller departments with limited staff
- Grant writers are too expensive
- Technical Assistance
- More guidance on writing narratives
- Lack of understanding of program priorities
- Lack of response from fire program specialists
- Grants management training
If you were unable to attend, please send any suggestions or comments you may have regarding the FY 2022 AFG application period to [email protected].
Did You Know?
The SAFER Grant has a Recruitment and Retention Activity for Combination and volunteer fire departments.
The purpose of the SAFER Grant is to provide financial assistance directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of the SAFER Grant is to assist fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities so they may respond to emergencies and ensure communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Eligible applicants for the recruitment and retention activity are Combination fire departments, volunteer fire departments, and national, state, local, or tribal organizations that represent the interests of volunteer firefighters. The purpose of the recruitment and retention activity is to help fund programs and incentives to recruit new and retain current volunteer staff. There is no cost share, and the period of performance can be up to four years. High priority program areas for recruitment and retention are:
- Establishing a Recruitment and Retention Coordinator
- Marketing programs
- FF I&II Training
- Leadership Development
- Train the Trainer
- Tuition Assistance
- PPE for new recruits
More information on the SAFER Recruitment and Retention activity can be found HERE.
July Fire Prevention Message
Fireworks: Leave it to the professionals.
Key messages:
The only safe way to view fireworks is by attending public displays and leaving the lighting of fireworks to the professionals.
Grants Management Training
Grants Management Technical Assistance
K0705 Fundamentals of Grants Management is a virtual course offered by FEMA to grant recipients. Although not a requirement for accepting an AFG award, the course is designed to assist organizations strengthen their grant management practices. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Improve collaboration among policy, program and financial staff to integrate grant management functions;
- Identify applicable regulations and navigate and apply the Code of Federal Regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200;
- Apply proven business practices related to the grant lifecycle to increase efficiency and meet grant management priorities, such as strategic planning, organization, program implementation, staff training, monitoring, reporting and audits;
- Develop or revise policies, procedures, and practices in critical areas of grants management, such as monitoring, procurement, source documentation, payments, and equipment inventory; and
- Prepare for federal monitoring and sub-recipient monitoring.
Upcoming Course Offerings:
| Orientation Dates | Course Dates | Course Start Times | Course Host |
| June 28, 29, & Jul. 6 | July 10 – Aug. 3, 2023 | 10 a.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
| Aug. 2, 9, & 10 | Aug 14 – Sept. 7, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
To Apply: National Emergency Training Center Online Admissions Application (fema.gov)
Questions: [email protected]
AFGP SUCCESS STORIES
Township of Spring Fire & Rescue Services – West Lawn, PA
Awarded items: Battery Operated Vehicle Extrication Equipment
Submitted by: Chief Colin Hackman
The Township of Spring Fire & Rescue Services needed portable, battery-operated vehicle extrication tools. The department was awarded an AFG grant for a battery-operated cutter and spreader.
On Oct. 29, 2021, the department was dispatched to assist Western Berks Fire Department with a motor vehicle crash with entrapment on Papermill Road in Lower Heidelberg Township. The department responded with the newly purchased battery-operated extrication equipment. The incident involved one vehicle that left the roadway and went down and embankment into the woods. Due to the location where the vehicle came to rest, the battery-operated cutter and spreader were pivotal in the successful extrication of one patient in critical condition and another that was deceased.
The availability of the battery-operated cutter and spreader purchased with AFG funds was instrumental in the outcome of this incident.