STATE COLLEGE – Congressman John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville, reminded firefighters throughout Pennsylvania’s fifth congressional district that there is two weeks remaining to apply for Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG). The application period is open through April 4 at 5 p.m.
AFG aims to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders secure critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
The National Preparedness Directorate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The AFG, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2007, will ultimately award approximately $500 million.
Interested applicants can access the FY 2008 AFG application through the AFG Web site (), the U.S. Fire Administration’s Web site and the Grants.gov Web site. This website contains important information on the AFG, including the FY 2008 funding priorities and program guidance, a web-based tutorial on the application process, a listing of frequently asked questions, and other materials.
Fire departments that have questions regarding this grant opportunity should contact the Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or email to firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, Help Desk hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Additional Help Desk hours may be added if demand is high.
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 modifications to 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 2008 AFG will also allow eligible applicants to submit an additional application for a regional project through which multiple organizations, serving more than one local jurisdiction, may benefit directly from the activities implemented with the grant funds.
For assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Congressman Peterson’s district offices located in Titusville and State College. Their phone numbers are (814) 827-3985 and (814) 238-1776, respectively.