The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program office is reminding fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical organizations that the FY 2007 FIRE Grant application period will end at 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 4.

AFG makes available competitive grants for equipment, training, firefighter and first responder safety and response vehicles. AFG applications are automated and accessible via the AFG Web site at www.firegrantsupport.com. The site contains important information on the AFG, including the FY 2007 funding priorities and program guidance, a Web-based tutorial on the application process, a list of frequently asked questions and other materials. Fire departments that have questions regarding this grant opportunity should contact the Help Desk at 866-274-0960 or e-mail firegrants@dhs.gov. For the remainder of the application period, Help Desk hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.

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, one for each program area below:

• Operations and Safety Program Area: 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 Program Area: 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.

The FY 2007 AFG also allows eligible applicants to submit an additional application for a regional project in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction will benefit directly from the activities implemented with the grant funds.