The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced the application period for the 2003 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants under the FIRE Grant program opens Thursday, Oct. 16. FEMA will accept applications online through Nov. 13 at https://portal.fema.gov.

A part of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, the grants seek to address the nation’s fire problem, particularly the death and injury rates to young children, seniors and the firefighters called to respond to fires.

“If citizens are educated on fire safety and take steps to prevent or lessen the impact of fires and other threats, then we’ll be better position to avert a tragedy like we experienced in Mapleton Depot, Pennsylvania, last night when seven family members lost their lives to fire,” said Michael D. Brown, undersecretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness in a statement released Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Click here for the most current information regarding Fire Prevention and Safety Grant applications.

Fire department personnel with questions about the program may contact FEMA's Grant Program staff at 1-866-274-0960 or via email at usfagrants@fema.gov. For information about all USFA programs, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.