2003 Fire Grant Program Open For Applications
Release Date: March 10, 2003
Release Number: R10-03-25
Seattle, WA -- Building upon last year's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program successes in enhancing fire department first response capabilities, FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration are proud to announce that the FY 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program application period begins today. Last year, almost $18 million was awarded to fire departments in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington State. The application process closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on April 11, 2003, and FEMA Regional Director John Pennington encourages fire departments to submit an application to one of four eligible program areas:
- Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program.
Eligible activities under this function are limited to training, wellness
and fitness, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment,
and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
- Fire Prevention Program. Eligible activities under this function include, but are not limited to, public education and awareness activities, fire codes enforcement activities, fire inspector certifications, purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems, wildland mitigation, and arson prevention and detection activities.
- Emergency Medical Services Program. Eligible activities under this function for fire-based EMS units are limited
to equipment, training, and wellness and fitness initiatives. Vehicles,
such as ambulances, are not eligible in this programmatic area.
- Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program. Eligible apparatus under this program include, but are not limited to, pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats. You may apply for only one vehicle per year.
According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, fire departments can develop a comprehensive program to address all of their needs by applying for multiple eligible activities within a programmatic area. "For example, if a department determined its needs were in the area of fire operations and firefighter safety, the department could apply for any one of the activities under that program, or any combination of activities, or all of the activities listed within that program," said Pennington. "If a department needs a vehicle, it can apply under the vehicle acquisition program."
Retired Clackamas County (Oregon) Fire Chief and current FEMA Region 10 Fire Program Specialist Rob Carnahan, agrees. "We've just completed our 25th FEMA Region 10 Fire Grant Application Process workshop, and explained the application process to over 750 fire program personnel," said Carnahan. "The web-based application process is extremely 'user-friendly' with built-in 'help screens' and 'drop-down menus.'"
The 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program application is automated and is now available on-line at www.usfa.fema.gov. The USFA has established a help desk to assist with the application process. The help desk number is 866-274-0960 and will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST Monday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST on Sunday.
Paper applications will be accepted, but are discouraged because of the inherent delays associated with processing paper applications. If you do not have access to the Internet, call 866-274-0960 to request a paper copy of the application via U.S Postal mail services.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. All current 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program information announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at www.usfa.fema.gov/grants.
Last Modified: Monday, 10-Mar-2003 16:32:47