The Department of Justice offers funding opportunities to…
Over 100 grant and other funding programs are open for law enforcement now. What grants will be best for your agency this year?
Apply for the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program by Mar. 12, 2021
Up to $355M in fire job grants available from FEMA under the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program.
The objectives of the SAFER Program are to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
Local fire departments accomplish this by improving staffing and deployment capabilities, so they may more effectively and safely respond to emergencies. With enhanced staffing levels, recipients should experience a reduction in response times and an increase in the number of trained personnel assembled at the incident scene.
Agencies awarded the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program receive funds to recruit and hire firefighters.
FEMA SAFER live webinars and other FEMA grant information
Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-20-GPD-083-00-99
Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number): 97.083
Grant Deadline: Mar. 12, 2021
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Staffing for Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
Program (SAFER) is one of 3 grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
The SAFER Program accomplishes this by providing funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments.
The SAFER Program represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS. Among the 5 basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Strategic Plan, the SAFER Program supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience.
In awarding grants, the FEMA Administrator is required to consider:
The objectives of the SAFER Program are to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
Local fire departments accomplish this by improving staffing and deployment capabilities, so they may more effectively and safely respond to emergencies. With enhanced staffing levels, recipients should experience a reduction in response times and an increase in the number of trained personnel assembled at the incident scene.
Agencies awarded the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program receive funds to recruit and hire firefighters.
Estimated Total Program Funding: $$355 million
Projected Number of Awards: 300
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. More
Grant applications are due no later than 5 p.m. EST, Mar. 12, 2021.
Apply for the FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program
The FY 2020 SAFER application period will open on Monday, February 8, at 8 a.m. ET and will close on Friday, March 12, at 5 p.m. ET.
Start planning your FY 2020 SAFER grant application now by reviewing FEMA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application guidance materials. These materials were produced specifically to help potential applicants begin to plan their 2020 grant applications ahead of the application period. These documents can be viewed on the SAFER Program website at FY 2020 SAFER Application Guidance Materials and/or downloaded to your computer:
Coming Soon
Fire Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the guidance materials listed above, call or email the Fire Grants Help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address is for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.The Fire Grants Help Desk is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.
FY 2020 SAFER LIVE WEBINARS
FEMA will host live Adobe Connect webinars to provide an overview of the FY 2020 SAFER grant program. The presentations will outline important information and reminders about cost share requirements, program priorities, eligible costs, how to navigate the grant application, and tips for preparing a SAFER application. FEMA Preparedness Officers will be available to answer your questions.
SAFER Webinar Schedule:
| Topic | Day of Week | Date | Time | Conference Line (300 lines max) |
| FY 2020 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity | Tuesday | 02/09/2021 | 1- 3 pm. ET | 800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044 |
| FY 2020 SAFER Hiring of Firefighters Activity | Wednesday | 02/10/2021 | 1- 3 pm. ET | 800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044 |
| FY 2020 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity | Wednesday | 02/17/2021 | 1- 3 pm. ET | 800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044 |
| FY 2020 SAFER Hiring of Firefighters Activity | Thursday | 02/18/2021 | 1- 3 pm. ET | 800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044 |
| FY 2020 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity | Tuesday | 02/23/2021 | 1- 3 pm. ET | 800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044 |
| FY 2020 SAFER Hiring of Firefighters Activity | Thursday | 2/25/2021 | 1 – 3 pm. ET | 800-320-4330 Conference Code: 849044 |
Live Webinars: Webinar sessions will be broadcast using an Adobe Connect webinar link. We suggest that you save this link to your web browser’s favorites. The Adobe Connect webinar link can be found at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/fy20saferwebinar/
To access the webinar, follow these steps:
If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, you may test your connection and audio at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.
APPLICATION PORTAL
The online SAFER grant application is available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s FEMA GO (FEMA Grants Outcomes) application portal at https://go.fema.gov.
All users must have their own FEMA GO account. Each account is specific to the authorized user and must not be shared with other personnel. A FEMA GO Account Creation User Guide can be viewed on the AFG Program website or downloaded to your computer.
Web Browser Information
FEMA GO will only support the most recent major release of the following browsers:
Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA GO.
SAM.GOV REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY AND RECEIVE GRANTS
All eligible applicants must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) before you can start 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. To register, or validate your SAM.gov information, please visit https://www.sam.gov/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:
The above information should be consistent throughout all registration documents.
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.
Should you need assistance with your SAM.gov account, there are several ways to get help:
If you have questions or concerns about your SAM.gov registration, please contact the Federal Support desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do.
Submitting Preparer Information
FEMA requires that all applicants identify any individual or organization that assisted with the development, preparation, or review of the application to include drafting or writing the narrative and budget, whether that person, entity, or agent is compensated or not and whether the assistance took place prior to submitting the 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, to be true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge. If you contract with a grant writer, and they either advise you to not list them in the preparer information section of the application, or refuse to be listed, please notify the SAFER program office.
Opens: Monday, January 25, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. ET
Closes: Friday, February 26, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET
Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-20-GPD-044-00-97
Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number): 97.044
Grant Deadline: February 26, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET
The FP&S Program provide financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, national, regional, state, local, tribal and non-profit organizations such as academic (e.g., universities), public health, occupational health, and injury prevention institutions for fire prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety research and development.
The FP&S Program represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS. Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Strategic Plan, the FP&S Program supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience. In awarding grants, the FEMA Administrator is required to consider:
The 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for the field of emergency management and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. The FP&S Program supports the goal of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation.
The objectives of the FP&S Program are to provide critically needed resources to carry out fire prevention education and training, fire code enforcement, fire/arson investigation, firefighter safety and health programming, prevention efforts, and research and development.
Agencies awarded the FY 2021 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S) receive funds toward programs that aid their departments and communities in fire safety and fire prevention efforts.
Estimated Total Program Funding: $35.5 million
Projected Number of Awards: 100
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA’s core values and guiding principles help us achieve it. More
Grant applications are due no later than 5 p.m. ET, Feb. 26, 2021.
Apply for the FY 2021 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S)
Does this sound familiar?
You find an amazing grant.
It’s full of crucial funding that would bridge gaps in your budget.
It’s perfect for your agency.
There’s just one thing.
You missed the deadline.
That doesn’t have to happen again.
Over 500 cities, towns, counties, regional planning organizations, and COGs have used GrantFinder to keep up with grants. This powerful, essential tool will help you find grant funding.
This is it, folks!
FY 2020 AFG has opened. The deadline to apply for America’s biggest fire grant is Feb. 12, 2021.
The objectives of the AFG Program are to:
AFG enhances public safety and firefighter safety by providing financial assistance for critical training and equipment directly to eligible:
2,000 awards are projected. Will one of them go to your department?
Grant Guidelines: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-20-GPD-044-00-98
Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number): 97.044
Application Period Opens: Monday, January 4, 2021, 8:00 a.m. ET
Application Deadline: Friday, February 12, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is one of 3 fire grant programs from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). AFG focuses on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
The FY 2020 AFG Program has 3 activities:
Each activity has its own eligibility requirements. These requirements are outlined in the NOFO: Appendix B: Programmatic Information and Priorities.
The objectives of the AFG Program are to:
AFG enhances public safety and firefighter safety by providing financial assistance for critical training and equipment directly to eligible:
The AFG Program represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS. Among the 5 basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the AFG Program supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience. In awarding grants, the FEMA Administrator is required to consider the following:
Agencies awarded the FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) receive direct grants to aid with procuring equipment and training,
Estimated Total Program Funding: $$319,500,000
Projected Number of Awards: 2,000
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:
Fire departments operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A fire department is an agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a state, local, tribal, or territorial authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population within a geographically fixed primary first due response area.
Nonaffiliated EMS organizations operating in any of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,2 or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A nonaffiliated EMS organization is an agency or organization that is a public or private nonprofit emergency medical service entity providing medical transport that is not affiliated with a hospital and does not serve a geographic area in which emergency medical services are adequately provided by a fire department. FEMA considers the following as hospitals under the AFG Program: Clinics, Medical centers, Medical college or university, Infirmary, Surgery centers, and/or any other institution, association, or foundation providing medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and/or treatment for the sick or injured.
A SFTA operates in any of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must be designated either by legislation or by a Governor’s declaration as the sole fire service training agency within a state, territory, or the District of Columbia. The designated SFTA shall be the only agency, bureau, division, or entity within that state, territory, or the District of Columbia, to be an eligible SFTA applicant under the AFG Program.
FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters More
Grant applications are due no later than 5 p.m. EST, Fri., Feb. 12, 2021.
Apply for the FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Funding Opportunity Number: RDRUS-CC-2021
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.863
Grant Deadline: Dec. 23, 2020
The Community Connect provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist.
Rural areas that lack any existing broadband speed of at least 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream are eligible.
Funds may be used for the construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for:
The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to the critical community facilities for 2 years.
Less than 10% of the grant amount or up to $150,000 may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public.
Matching funds of at least 15% from non-federal sources are required and can be used for operating costs.
Agencies awarded the USDA Community Connect Grants receive $100,000 to $3,000,000 in grant funding.
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines. Eligible applicants include:
USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. More
Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Dec. 23, 2020.
FEMA is providing a second opportunity for volunteer and combination fire departments to apply for funding under the Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program – COVID 19 Supplemental (AFG-S):
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available for $31 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant – COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) to help provide personal protective equipment to firefighters and first responders who are managing emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FEMA will begin accepting AFG-S applications at 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday October 6, 2020. The application period will close at 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, 2020 .The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Office (AFGP) has developed tools to help potential applicants plan their AFG-S application ahead of the application period. These documents can be viewed on the AFGP website at FY 2020 AFG-S COVID-19 Guidance Documents (https://www.fema.gov/media-collection/fy-2020-assistance-firefighters-grant-program-covid-19-supplemental-afg-s) and/or downloaded to your computer.
FY 2020 AFG-S Notice of Funding Opportunity
Cost Share Calculator: This calculator will help you understand and determine your organization’s cost share for AFG-S grants
By law, 25 percent of available AFG-S funds must be awarded to volunteer fire departments and another 25 percent must be awarded to combination fire departments. This second application period will be limited to those categories of fire departments to fulfill this requirement.
Volunteer and combination fire departments are eligible to apply in the FY20 AFG-S Round 2 even if they were awarded a grant under the first application period of the FY20 AFG-S. However, such applications must support new capabilities. Departments that applied in the first application period but were unsuccessful must reapply to be considered for funding in this second application period. Applications from the first application period will not automatically carry forward to Round 2 for automatic consideration.
The online application is available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal at https://go.fema.gov.
All users need their own FEMA GO account. Each account is specific to the authorized user and must not be shared with other personnel. A FEMA GO Account Creation User Guide can be viewed on the AFGP website or downloaded to your computer.
An application number will be assigned when the application is started. Be sure to write it down for future reference.
NOTE: When completing the Applicant Information section of the application, the “applicant name” should be the name of the fire department applying for the grant, not the name of the person who is completing the application.
FEMA GO is compatible with Internet Explorer (version 11 or higher), Firefox (version 73 or higher), or Chrome (version 80 or higher). Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA GO.
Please see FEMA’s Webinar Schedule page for information on upcoming live webinars related to the AFG-S application. Webinars will be offered on various dates through the month of October. The presentations will outline important information and reminders about program priorities, eligible costs, how to navigate the grant application, and tips for preparing an AFG-S application.
All eligible applicants must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) before they can both begin and 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/
Find more information on this funding opportunity at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters