The application period for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) opened on Monday, February 3, 2020, at 8:00 AM (Eastern). The application period for the FY 2019 AFG Program closes on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 5 p.m. (Eastern).
The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116-6) includes $350 million for the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) Grant Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program. The amount of $315 million will assist first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types under the AFG Program, and the remaining $35 million will be allocated to fund the FY19 FP&S Program.
The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA). The funds provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.
Applicant tools, including the Notice of Funding Opportunity, for this program will be available at www.grants.gov and at www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program. Further, the “Get Ready Guide”, available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/185574 may also be useful for potential applicants and is provided to answer questions and to help prepare grant applications.
Contact Information: For fire departments / applicants requiring assistance please visit www.fema.gov/grants, or contact the AFG Help Desk at firegrants@fema.gov or 1-866-274-0960. For congressional inquiries, contact Chris Rizzuto at (202) 786-9450, Kennedi Locus at (202) 447-5848 or Andrew White at (202) 782-9650.