AFG fire grant news from FEMA
Each month, FEMA shares 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 2023 AFG Programs Status Update
- NERIS Framework National Engagement
- Did You Know? – Hardship Waivers
- DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool Technical Assistance
- February Fire Prevention Message – Closed Door Messages
- Grants Management Training
- Closeout module available in FEMA GO
- AFGP Success Stories
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FY 2023 AFG Programs Status Update
Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Fiscal Year 2023 AFG Application Period is Open!
The FY 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Application period is underway and closes March 8, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET.
Plan your FY 2023 AFG application by reviewing the FY 2023 AFG NOFO today at AFG Grant Documents | FEMA.gov.
The AFG Program will conduct application development workshop webinars Feb. 9, 2024. The schedule is posted HERE.
The Criteria Development Panel recommended putting an emphasis on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for FY 2023 AFG to protect firefighter health and safety. It is strongly recommended that applicants attend an application development webinar or read the 2023 AFG Notice of Funding Opportunity before deciding what to apply for.
In addition to the workshops, the AFG program will be hosting periodic Q&A sessions over the last four weeks of the application period. For planning purposes, please find the schedule below. Once the session opens, the room can be accessed HERE.
| FY 2023 AFG Q&A Schedule | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Webinar Offering | Presentation Length(Minutes) | Attendee Login Link |
| Feb. 12, 2024 | 10 a.m.ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #1 | 120 | Registration Link |
| Feb. 14, 2024 | 3 p.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #2 | 120 | Registration Link |
| Feb. 16, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #3 | 120 | Registration Link |
| Feb. 20, 2024 | 3 p.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #4 | 120 | Registration Link |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | 10 a.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #5 | 120 | Registration Link |
| Feb. 26, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #6 | 120 | Registration Link |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | 3 p.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #7 | 120 | Registration Link |
| March 1, 2024 | 10 a.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #8 | 120 | Registration Link |
| March 5, 2024 | 10 a.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #9 | 120 | Registration Link |
| March 7, 2024 | 3 p.m. ET | FY 23 AFG Application Period Q&A Session #10 | 120 | Registration Link |
Reminder: You are allowed to hire a grant writer or work with outside entities to develop your application and/or manage your award. However, as the applicant or recipient of funds, you are responsible for the content of the application, reports, payment requests and any other documentation submitted on behalf of your agency. Please be sure to read anything completed by a third party prior to its submission to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
The SAFER program office will be conducting FY 2023 application workshops beginning March 19. More information is forthcoming, and the schedule will be posted on the AFGP Workshop Page soon.
The fiscal year (FY) 2023 SAFER application development workshops will provide the latest SAFER program updates and tips to assist applicants in developing their narrative for the upcoming application period. Each session will run approximately 90 min. Attendees can ask questions and network with FEMA Grant Specialists, and other SAFER applicants.
The SAFER application period is projected to open in March. Announcements will be made ahead of the start of the period.
Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grant
The FP&S program office will be conducting FY 2023 application workshops beginning March 18. More information is forthcoming, and the schedule will be posted on the AFGP Workshop Page soon.
The fiscal year (FY) 2023 FP&S application development workshops will provide the latest FP&S program updates and tips to assist applicants in developing their narrative for the upcoming application period. Each session will run approximately 90 min. Attendees can ask questions and network with FEMA Grant Specialists, and other FP&S applicants.
The FP&S application period is projected to open in March. Announcements will be made ahead of the start of the period.
Extended National Engagement Period for NERIS Draft Data Framework
The US Fire Administration and UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute are extending the national engagement period for the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) Draft Data Framework, in response to the substantial interest received. This important phase, initially set from Dec. 18, 2023, to Jan. 19, 2024, will now continue until Feb. 16, 2024.
You are invited to provide input on the newly developed data schemas vital to NERIS operations. These include:
- Fire Department Specification: Characterizing fire department capabilities and staffing.
- Computer Aided Dispatch: Capturing timing, location, and initial incident types.
- Incident Data: Ensuring detailed and accurate incident information for effective response and analysis.
Who Should Participate?
- Emergency response professionals and administrators;
- Software developers and data scientists in the field of emergency response;
- Public safety and emergency management officials;
- Representatives from government agencies; and
- Interested members of the public.
For more information, please visit the website HERE.
Did You Know?
AFGP Applicants Can Request Economic Hardship Waivers of Cost Share
In cases of demonstrated economic hardship, and upon the request of the recipient, the FEMA Administrator may waive or reduce an AFG Program cost share requirement for certain recipients (15 U.S.C. § 2229(k)(4)(A)). As required by statute, the FEMA Administrator established guidelines for determining what constitutes economic hardship and published these guidelines in Information Bulletin No. 427.
The applicant is required to submit documentation supporting their request for an Economic Hardship Waiver at the time of the application by attaching the supporting document to the grant application.
To receive an Economic Hardship Waiver the applicant must address the specific conditions as well as format the waiver request submission as specified in Section III – Guidance, Part D: Eligibility – Demonstrating Economic Hardship of Information Bulletin No. 427.
Failure to provide documentation at the time of application or address the conditions or following the prescribed format in Information Bulletin No. 427 may result in a denial of the waiver.
Technical Assistance – DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool
DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) offers a monthly webinar series on information regarding the Civil Rights Evaluation Tool for recipients of DHS financial assistance. This technical assistance tool aims at helping recipients comply with federal civil rights obligations as a condition of receiving federal financial assistance. Topics for the series include an Overview of the Civil Rights Evaluation Tool, Frequently Asked Questions, Developing a Nondiscrimination Policy and Complaint Procedures, Developing Language Access Policies and Procedures, and Developing Disability Access Policies and Procedures. Additional information can be found at the Civil Rights Resources for Recipients of DHS Financial Assistance.
February Fire Prevention Message
Closed Door Messages
Key messages:
- When escaping a fire, make sure to close the door behind you.
- If you cannot escape, get behind a closed door and call 911.
- Close before you doze – Always close your door before you go to sleep.
For more information, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website for Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction HERE.
Grants Management Training
Grants Management Technical Assistance
The 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 across disciplines to support integrating grant management functions;
- Review, navigate and apply the applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and FEMA Information Bulletins;
- Apply sound practices to increase efficiency and meet grant management priorities;
- Develop or revise policies, procedures and practices in critical areas of grants management; and
- Prepare for federal monitoring and sub-recipient monitoring.
Upcoming Course Offerings:
| Orientation Dates | Course Dates | Course Start Times | Course Host |
| Jan. 16, 17, or 18 | Jan. 22 – Feb. 15, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
| March 19, 20, or 21 | March 25 – April 8, 2024 | 10 a.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
| April 23, 24, or 25 | April 29 – May 23, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
| July 9, 10, or 11 | July 15 – Aug. 8, 2024 | 10 a.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
To Apply: National Emergency Training Center Online Admissions Application (fema.gov)
Questions: [email protected]
2024 Procurement Under Grants Training
FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of virtual trainings on the federal procurement rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients when purchasing in support of a FEMA award or declaration. The one-hour training sessions are being offered through June 2024.
Topics include:
- Standard Procurement Under Grants (PUG) Training – Provides an overview of the federal procurement under grants rules for recipients and subrecipients when purchasing under a FEMA grant.
- Exigency or Emergency Training – Educates recipients and subrecipients on the federal procurement under grants rules applicable when purchasing during exigent or emergency circumstances.
- Prepare Before a Disaster – Focuses on contracting actions recipients and subrecipients can take to prepare before a disaster strikes.
- Procurement Under Grants (PUG) Training- Mitigation Grants – Provides an overview of the federal procurement under grants rules for recipients and subrecipients when purchasing under a FEMA mitigation award.
Target Audience
These training sessions are appropriate for FEMA award recipients and subrecipients, including state, local, tribal, and territorial government personnel; nonprofit organization staff; eligible private entities; and other non-federal entities. This training is also appropriate for FEMA staff.
Delivery Format
The online training will be delivered through Adobe Connect. In advance of a training, please test your connection here. Training dates and access information are provided online at Purchasing Under FEMA Awards Training Schedule or in the linked training announcement. There is no limit to the number of participants in each training.
For additional information and resources on the federal procurement under grants rules, please visit the Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) website at www.fema.gov/grants/procurement.
Closeout Report Available in FEMA GO
The closeout module has been released in FEMA GO for recipients that have received AFG awards from 2018 to 2020. Recipients with awards that are no longer open will have 90 days to complete the module. If an award still has an open period of performance (POP), the recipient will have to wait until the POP ends to initiate the closeout process and will have 90 to 120 days to complete the process. Do not start your closeout if there is a chance that more funds or an amendment could be requested as these functions will no longer be available. A tutorial on the closeout process is available by clicking HERE.
For closeout help, contact your Regional Fire Program Representative or the AFG Helpdesk toll-free at 1-866-274-0960 or email [email protected]
AFGP Success Stories
Tuolumne County Fire Department – Tuolumne County, California
Awarded items: 2021 SAFER award to hire new firefighters.
Submitted by: Assistant Chief Andrew Murphy
The following two rescues occurred in less than a week of each other. The engine companies involved in these responses would not have been staffed if not for the SAFER Grant.
On March 7, 2023, FAE Gross and FAE Munoz were assigned to TCFD E511 at TCFD Mono Village Station 51. The second engine staffed that day at TCFD Station 51 was SAFER grant-funded E513 with FC Jason Podesta, FAE Acker, and FFII Glavenich. TCFD E513 began SAFER grant-funded staffing on the previous day.
At approximately 10:31 p.m., units were dispatched to a residential structure fire on Hess Avenue in Sonora, California. Within five minutes, the first two engines, E511 and E513 arrived simultaneously and verified two occupants remained in the building. TCFD E513 and TCFD E511 deployed two hose lines for rescue. E511’s crew immediately made entry through the side of the house into an attached living quarters to perform a right-hand search of the building.
The engine crews were met by an unidentified community member who had made entry into the home and rescued one of the trapped residents near the doorway. The search continued and the second resident was located by FAE Gross and FAE Munoz in a room behind a closed door.
TCFD E511 crew carried the person with disabilities through the building where fire activity was increasing and there was zero visibility due to the heavy smoke. Once outside the doorway, E511’s crew handed the victims to Tuolumne County Sheriff (TCSO) deputies, and they assisted with taking each victim to the Tuolumne County Ambulance unit at the bottom of the long driveway. All seven occupants were confirmed out of the building and evaluated for injury by Tuolumne County Ambulance. Ultimately one resident was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
On Sunday, March 12, 2023, FC Ruhl, Firefighter 1 (FF1) Hawkins, and FF1 Sage were assigned to Engine 553. At approximately 3:17 p.m., E553 was dispatched to powerlines down at Woods Creek Mobile Home Park following a nearby EF-1 tornado and associated downdrafts that struck the Jamestown area. Upon attempting to make access to the incident, they were met with vehicles trying to exit the one-lane bridge at the entrance to the park. FC Ruhl ordered FFI Hawkins and FFI Sage to make access and give a report on conditions. FFI Hawkins advised they had access for the engine and that it was a confirmed structure fire.
FC Ruhl made access with E553 into the scene and located power lines and several trees down. Bystanders advised the crew that there were two occupants still in the structure that was on fire. FF1 Hawkins and FFI Sage entered the structure and performed the rescue of the overcome occupants. Upon exiting the structure with each of the two victims, firefighters from the City of Sonora moved them to the treatment area. Two ambulances were previously requested and both patients were transported to the hospital. Firefighters then continued their arduous work and extinguished the fire. Ultimately, two dogs and one cat were also rescued from the burning home.
SHARE YOUR SUCCESS STORY
Do you have a Success Story regarding a FEMA Grant that you’d like to share with everyone? Contact us at [email protected] or through X @FEMAGrants using a private message.
Have Feedback?
The AFG Program Office always welcomes feedback from the AFG community. If there are topics or information that you may find helpful in future monthly updates from the AFG Program, please send any thoughts to the AFG Help Desk ([email protected]).