The application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program will be open from Aug. 15 to Sept. 9. This program has over $404 million available for career, volunteer and combination fire and non-affiliated EMS departments to apply for basic equipment, training, and wellness and fitness needs.

The Department of Homeland Security has made a few important adaptations to the program for FY 2011:

New Guidance: FEMA has reformatted the AFG Guidance and Application Kit to create two separate documents. Section I of the kit is designed to help grantees during the application period. Section II is intended to help grantees understand the rules and regulations associated with administering the federally funded grant awards. Both sections of the grant guidance and other AFG documents are available on FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants webpage.

Scoring Changes: Applications will receive two reviews that comprise their total score. The first review, which counts for 50% of the total score, will measure the request to see if it meets the funding priorities. The second review is the panel score, which also is 50% of the total application score.

Funding Priorities and Eligible Items: Funding priorities are now categorized as high, medium and low. DHS has made the following items eligible for the AFG program: behavioral health programs, replacements for SCBA not compliant with or manufactured before the 2002 edition of NFPA 1981, boats under 20 feet and extended warranties. Personal protective equipment is now eligible for regional project funding. In fire-based EMS, ambulances will share the same priority (high) as pumpers in scoring. Flashover simulators are not eligible for funding.

Applicants may apply for more than one vehicle. However, driver/operator training/certification is required.

Extended warranties and service agreements are allowable if acquired at the time of the original purchase.

This year, prime recipients of AFG grants are required to register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system. Fire and EMS non-affiliated departments are encouraged to register with the CCR system.

To register:

• Obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. If you already have a DUNS number, skip to #2.
• Once you have a DUNS number, register online.

For questions, applicants can contact the AFG Help Desk at 866-274-0960 or FireGrants@dhs.gov. Applicants also can find and contact their FEMA Regional Representative online.