The Department of Homeland Security has released a Notice of Guidance for the FY 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The purpose of the notice is to describe the criteria and funding priorities of the program prior to announcements of awards.

Recipients of the first round of FY 2006 grant awards are expected to be announced in approximately four weeks. The Notice of Guidance as published in the Federal Register can be viewed in PDF format here.

For FY 2006, Congress appropriated $539.6 million to carry out the activities of the AFG Program. DHS is authorized to spend up to 5% of the appropriated amount to administer the program. In addition, DHS sets aside no less than 5% of the funds for the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, national, state, local or community organizations or agencies, including fire departments, for the purpose of carrying out fire prevention and injury prevention programs. This leaves approximately $485.6 million to fund the AFG awards.