The Department of Homeland Security is holding applications through March for two-hour workshops to help fire departments prepare applications for grants under the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

Grants totaling $600 million are available to fire departments under the program this fiscal year. DHS announced the one-month application period was tentatively set for March 7 — April 8.

The rules for FIRE grants this year are very similar to those from last year. One change is that Congress has directed the program office to award a limited number of grants to EMS organizations that are not affiliated with a fire department.

The FIRE Grants program Web site at www.firegrantsupport.com has updates to the workshop schedule, a copy of the Power Point presentation used at the workshops, FY 2005 Program Guidance, frequently asked questions and a link to the online application tutorial.

For more information about the program, e-mail firegrants@dhs.gov or call 866-274-0960.