During the March 6–April 7 application period for FY 2006 FIRE Grants, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Office received 18,160 applications seeking more than $2.3 billion in funding. Data related to those applications have been posted on the AFG Web site.

The applications have been assessed based on a variety of statutory and programmatic aspects, including breakdowns by urban, suburban and rural classifications, and requests by state. Peer review of about half of the received applications will begin next week, with FY 2006 award announcements expected to begin in June.