The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Grants and Training will accept applications for the FY 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grants from March 29 until May 4. The FIRE Grants, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2007, will award approximately $492.3 million.

Interested applicants can access the FY 2007 AFG application through the AFG Web site, the U.S. Fire Administration Web site, and the Grants.gov Web site. The AFG Web site includes the FY 2007 funding priorities and program guidance, a web-based tutorial on the application process, a listing of frequently asked questions, and other materials.

"America's firefighters play a pivotal role in keeping our communities safe and our country secure," said Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson. "Local fire departments respond to a wide array of emergencies every day that require special skills, the safest equipment and place responders at great risk of injury and death. The AFG program provides federal resources to supplement local commitments towards ensuring the ability of America's fire service to be ready for the full range of 21st Century risks."

Eligible applicants for the FY 2007 AFG are limited to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations operating within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Interested applicants may submit two separate applications for consideration under each of the following program areas:

• Operations and safety. Eligible activities for fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations are limited to training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.
• Vehicle acquisition. Eligible apparatus available to fire departments under this program area include, but are not limited to, pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, 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 are encouraged to submit projects that involve more than one jurisdiction and further integrate regional response capabilities.

Fire departments that have questions regarding this grant opportunity should contact the Help Desk at 866-274-0960 or e-mail firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, Help Desk hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Additional help desk hours may be added if demand is high.