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 2023 AFG Programs Status Update
- FY 2024 AFG Programs Status Update
- FEMA GO Login.gov Training
- Did You Know? – AFG Criteria Development Panel
- DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool Technical Assistance
- July Fire Prevention Message – Fireworks: Leave them to the Professionals.
- Grants Management Training
- Closeout module available in FEMA GO
- AFGP Success Stories
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FY 2023 AFG Programs Status Update
Fiscal Year 2023 AFG Applications
The FY 2023 AFG application period closed on March 8, 2024. A total of 7,962 applications were submitted with a total requested federal share amount of $3.72 billion. Pre-score and panel review of all applications is complete. Technical review of high scoring applications is ongoing. This is one of the final stages of review before applications are recommended for award. Awards are expected to start soon.
Fiscal Year 2023 SAFER Applications
The FY 2023 SAFER application periods closed on April 12, 2024. A total of 2,161applications were submitted with a total requested federal share of just more than $3.124billion. Pre-score and panel review of all applications is complete. Technical review of high scoring applications is ongoing. This is one of the final stages of review before applications are recommended for award. Awards are expected to start soon.
Fiscal Year 2023 FP&S Applications
The FY 2023 and FP&S application period closed on April 12, 2024. A total of 1,027applications were submitted with a total requested federal share just more than $163 million.Pre-score and panel review of all applications is complete. Technical review of high scoring applications is ongoing. This is one of the final stages of review before applications are recommended for award. Awards are expected to start soon.
FY 2024 AFG Programs Status Update
FY 2024 Criteria Development Panel
The AFGP Criteria Development Panel (CDP) is meeting this week to discuss all of the AFGP programs. For more information on CDP and the important role they play in the direction of the programs, please refer to the “Did You Know” section below.
Fire Grants and Safety Act Update
On June 18, 2024, the Senate passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which is a bill to reauthorize the AFGP and US Fire Administration through FY 2028. The Act also extended the sunset date for AFGP from Sept. 30, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2030. The next is for the President to sign the bill into law.
New FEMA GO Training for Login.gov Transition
To prepare users for the planned integration of FEMA GO with Login.gov, the training team updated the FEMA GO Startup Guide to include step-by-step instructions on how to sign in with Login.gov. As of July 2, 2024, external users of the FEMA GO system will be required to access FEMA GO using login.gov. The Startup Guide includes important information about:
- Best Practices to Create a Login.gov Account
- New FEMA GO User Account Creation
- Internal FEMA Employees
- Account Scenarios
- Managing Emails
- Managing Email Notifications
For questions related to the adoption of login.gov, users are encouraged to contact the FEMA GO Help Desk. The FEMA GO Help Desk hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The Help Desk accepts phone calls at (877) 585-3242 and emails at [email protected].
Did you Know?
Although the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is administered by FEMA, funding priorities and programmatic criteria for evaluating Program applications are established based on the recommendations from the Criteria Development Panel (CDP). Each year, FEMA convenes a panel of fire service professionals to develop funding priorities for the AFG Program. The panel makes recommendations about funding priorities as well as developing criteria for awarding grants.
The nine major fire service organizations represented on the panel are:
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- International Association of Fire Fighters
- National Volunteer Fire Council
- National Fire Protection Association
- National Association of State Fire Marshals
- International Association of Arson Investigators
- International Society of Fire Service Instructors
- North American Fire Training Directors
- Congressional Fire Service Institute
The CDP is charged with making recommendations to FEMA regarding the creation or modification of previously established funding priorities as well as developing criteria for awarding grants. The content of each year’s funding notice reflects implementation of the CDP’s recommendations with respect to the priorities, direction and criteria for awards.
Technical Assistance – DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool
DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties offers a monthly webinar series on information regarding the Civil Rights Evaluation Tool for recipients of DHS financial assistance, including fire grants. The Civil Rights Evaluation Tool is a technical assistance tool due every two years aimed 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.
July Fire Prevention Message
Key message: Fireworks: Leave them to the Professionals.
- The best way to stay safe from fireworks is to not use them. Instead, attend a public fireworks display put on by professionals.
- Fireworks are dangerous to people and pets. Using them puts your property at risk.
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
K0705 Fundamentals of Grants Management is a virtual course FEMA offers by to grant recipients. Although not a requirement for accepting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 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 |
| 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]
Closeout Report Available in FEMA GO
The closeout module has been released in FEMA GO for all recipients. 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 days (FY 2019 and before grants) or 120 days (FY 2020 and after grants) 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 (866) 274-0960 or email [email protected]
AFGP Success Stories
Skippack Emergency Medical Services – Skippack, Pennsylvania
Awarded items: Cardiac Monitors
Submitted by: Deputy Chief Vickie Petriw
Skippack EMS received an AFG award for three cardiac monitors that replace three monitors that were obsolete. These new monitors have been used in many life-saving events since they were put into service. We have had several incidents in which the monitors allowed an EKG to be transmitted directly to the hospital when the monitor was indicating that the patient was having an ST elevation myocardial Infarction (STEMI). These transmissions allowed the ER doctor to review the EKG and have the catheterization lab ready for the patients. Upon arrival at the hospital, these patients were taken directly to the catheterization lab without delaying treatment while being evaluated in the ER. There were two particular patients that benefited from this new capability and both had positive outcomes with no permanent disability.
Skippack could not have purchased all three of these monitors at once without the AFG award. These awards are extremely important to fire and EMS because they allow agencies to purchase essential, life-saving equipment that would not be financially possible otherwise.