The 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program application period is open from Aug. 15 to Sept. 9. Paid, volunteer and combination fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations are eligible for the $405 million in FIRE Grant funds for new equipment and firefighter training.

The AFG supports multiple programs, from firefighting equipment like PPE to wellness and fitness programs, said Cathie Patterson, FEMA branch chief for the grant program. For 2011, FEMA included additional items eligible for funding, specifically behavioral-health programs for both fire and EMS departments, boats under 20 feet long, and extended warranties. In addition, priority will be given to replacing SCBA that are non-compliant with or manufactured prior to the 2002 edition of NFPA 1981. Ambulances also have a higher priority this year compared to previous years, Patterson said.

PODCAST: FEMA Branch Chief Discusses AFG Priorities

To help applicants, the grant guidance offers a graph that depicts funding priorities as high, medium and low. Patterson said the categories were added to make the guidance “a more user-friendly document,” she said.

Firefighter training also is a top priority, Patterson said. In fact, AFG decision-makers emphasized the importance of fire department training in the FY 2011 grant guidance. The guidance states that FEMA determined the most benefit is from instructor-led training that is hands-on and leads to a national or state certification. As a result, applications focused on national or state certification training, including train-the-trainer initiatives, receive a higher rating. In addition, instructor-led training that requires students to be tested regarding their absorption of the training materials fundamental to a certification will receive a high rating, she said.

To help applicants, the NFPA is offering AFG applicants complimentary online access to the 27 NFPA codes referenced in the grant program. Access is available through a special web portal until Sept. 9. The referenced codes cover equipment, training and operating procedures for first responders, according to the NFPA.

Related Links:

• AFG Program Guidance and Application Kit
• Get Ready Guide