DHS Provides More Than $490 Million To America’s Firefighters
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the start of the fiscal year 2007 application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. More than $492.3 million will be awarded this year to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency management organizations across the nation, bringing the total provided through this program since 2004 to roughly $2.2 billion.
AFG awards assist first-responder organizations in purchasing response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles. Awards are allocated through two AFG programs. The Operations and Safety program prioritizes funding for activities such as training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities. The Vehicle Acquisition program prioritizes funding for assets such as brush trucks, tankers and tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.
AFG awards are determined on a competitive basis. Fire service professionals representing the nine major fire service organizations select the applications that best fulfill AFG program priorities. Applicants will be encouraged to submit projects that involve more than one jurisdiction and further integrate regional response capabilities.
This application period ends May 4. Applications are available online at three locations: www.firegrantsupport.com, www.usfa.fema.gov, and www.grants.gov.