A
Active Firefighter
A fire department member in good standing who is qualified to respond to
and extinguish fires and has actively participated in firefighting in the
past year.
Activity
The functional elements of a program. Example: training and personal protective
clothing are activities within the Operations and Firefighters Safety Program.
Affiliated EMS Organization
Affiliated EMS organizations are supported by a hospital. This support includes
any portion of an EMS organizations’ operation including equipment,
salaries, vehicles, facilities etc. Occasional re-supply of expendables
is allowed.
Applicant Share
The amount of the grant award the applicant must pay if it is awarded Federal
funding. For the Fire Grant Programs, the funds must be raised from non-Federal
sources and cannot be in-kind donations.
Application Number
When an application has been successfully submitted to the Assistance to
Firefighters Grant Program (including Fire Grants, SAFER, and Fire Prevention
& Safety), it will be assigned an application number. Applicants should
keep a record of this number.
Application Package
A formal communication offered by the government that contains the application
notice for one or more discretionary grant or cooperative agreement programs
and all the information and forms needed to apply for those programs.
Application Period
This is the period of time during which applications for funding will be
accepted. The specifics of the application period will be detailed in the
application package.
Assurances
A list of requirements found in different Federal laws, regulations, and
executive orders that applicants agree to observe as a condition of receiving
Federal assistance.
Audit
A financial review which may be undertaken by an independent public accounting
firm, the Inspector General’s Office, the General Accounting Office
(GAO), and/or Office of Management and Budget.
Automated Application
The AFG grant applications (including Fire Grants, SAFER, and Fire Prevention
& Safety) are automated and available via the Internet. The application
form is available on the Internet and may be submit via the Internet. Built-in
Help screens and drop-down menus assist the applicants in completing their
requests.
Automatic-Aid Agreement
A pre-arranged dispatch agreement where fire departments are dispatched
simultaneously on the initial alarm or where fire departments participate
in “closest-unit” response dispatching.
Award Amount
The total amount of funding, both the Federal and local shares, resulting
from an award or loan commitment made by the Federal agency. The combined
shares of a grant, i.e., both Federal and local cost-shares.
Award Number
The identifying number for a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement
award issued by the awarding Federal agency. For the purposes of the AFG
program, the application number will become the award number upon issuance
of the grant.
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B
Benefits
Includes compensation that is over and above salaries or wages that are
paid to employees or on behalf of the employees during employment. This
would include compensation for periods of authorized absences from the job,
such as vacation leave, sick leave, military leave, and the like, provided
such costs are absorbed by all organization activities in proportion to
the relative amount of time or effort actually devoted to each; and also
includes employer contributions or expenses for social security, employee
insurance, workmen’s compensation, pension plan costs, and the like,
provided such benefits, whether treated as indirect costs or as direct costs,
shall be distributed to particular awards and other activities in a manner
consistent with the pattern of benefits accruing to the individuals or group
of employees whose salaries and wages are chargeable to such awards and
other activities. Overtime expenses, other than those meeting FLSA requirements
(page 7), are not eligible as benefits costs.
Budget Object Class
Functional budgeted areas in which expenditures may be classified, such
as personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, expendable supplies, contractual
costs, construction or renovation costs, other costs (that cannot be adequately
listed in the listed classifications), and indirect charges.
Budget Period
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs, the budget
period is the Federal fiscal year. It is the fiscal year in which the awarded
funds were obligated by the awarding agency.
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C
CBRNE
Chemical, biological, radiological, neurological, and explosive weapons.
An example of CBRNE-specific equipment is a monitor; a CBRNE-specific pharmaceutical
would include items such as autoinjectors.
Call Volume
The number of fire, emergency, and other service-related requests a fire
department receives over a specified period.
Career Fire Department
An agency or organization in which all members receive financial compensation
for their services (organizations that provide reimbursement on a paid-on-call
basis are considered to be a “combination fire department” for
the purposes of this program).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a government-wide compendium
of Federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance
or benefits to the American public. It contains financial and non-financial
assistance programs administered by departments and establishments of the
Federal government. The CFDA number for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants
(including Fire Prevention and Safety Grants) is 97-044. The CFDA number
for SAFER grants is 97-083.
Certification
A confirmation or assurance attesting to the fact that a statement is true
and accurate.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general
and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal
Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
Combination Fire Department
An agency or organization in which at least one active firefighter receives
financial compensation for their services (including paid-on-call) and/or
at least one active firefighter does not receive financial compensation
for their services, other than life, health, and workers’ compensation
insurance.
Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government
or a political subdivision of a State or other authority that has zoning
and building code jurisdiction over a particular area.
Competitive Range
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the applications
that receive the highest scores during the preliminary screening and forwarded
on to the second level of review are considered to be in the competitive
range.
Competitive Review Process
The process used by a Federal agency to select discretionary grant and cooperative
agreement applications for funding, in which subject matter specialists
review and evaluate applications for assistance and make recommendations
to the funding agency regarding the disposition of the request.
Comprehensive Building Code
An adopted law or ordinance whose purpose is to provide minimum standards
to safeguard life or limb, health, property, and public welfare by regulating
and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and
occupancy, location, and maintenance of all buildings and structures within
a jurisdiction. Organizations that are considered to meet this criteria:
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) Uniform Building Code,
the Building Code Officials and Administrators (BOCA) National Building
Code, Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) Standard Building
Code, Council of American Building Officials (CABO) One and Two Family Dwelling
Code, and the International Building Code.
Congressional District
A territorial division of a state, town, or city, etc., made for administrative,
electoral, or other purposes from which a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
is elected.
Construction
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, any material
changes to a structure that would affect the footprint or profile of a building.
Cooperative Agreement
Cooperative Agreements are assistance mechanisms and subject to the same
administrative requirements as grants; however, they are different from
either a grant or a contract. Cooperative Agreements allow more involvement
and collaboration by the government in the affairs of the project compared
to a grant, but provide less direction of project activities than a contract.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
A quantitative procedure that assesses the desirability of a project by
taking a view of avoided future damages compared to the cost of a project.
The outcome of the analysis is a cost-benefit ratio, which demonstrates
whether the net present value of benefits exceeds the net present value
of costs.
Cost-Effectiveness
A systematic quantitative method for comparing the costs of several alternative
means to achieve the same benefits of a given objective and the benefits
in the context of avoided future damages and losses. Cost-effectiveness
is generally determined by performing a cost-benefit analysis.
Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure includes any system or asset that, if disabled or
disrupted in any significant way, would result in catastrophic loss of life
or catastrophic economic loss. Some examples of critical infrastructure
include the following:
- Public water systems serving large population centers.
- Primary data storage and processing facilities, stock exchanges, or
major banking centers.
- Chemical facilities located in close proximity to large population centers.
- Major power generation facilities that exceed 2,000 MW and support the
regional electric grid.
- Hydroelectric facilities and dams that produce power in excess of 2,000
MW or could cause catastrophic loss of life if breached.
- Nuclear power plants.
- Major underground gas, water, phone and electrical supplies that, if
cut off, would affect a large population.
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D
Deadline Date
The date by which an applicant must submit their discretionary grant (or
cooperative agreement) application to be considered for funding by the Federal
agency.
Default
Failure to perform what is required, or to fulfill an obligation, such as
the requirements of a grant. Defaulting on a Federal grant may require the
return of all or a portion of the Federal funds disbursed under the grant.
Delinquent Debt
Overdue or failure to satisfy a financial obligation to a person or entity.
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the debt in question
is debt to the Federal government. The concern applies only to the applicant
organization, not the individual that is filling out the application or
the authorized representative(s) of the organization. Categories of debt
include delinquent audit disallowances, loans, and taxes.
Department of Homeland Security
The Federal agency responsible for leading a unified national effort to
secure the United States of America. Its mission is to prevent and deter
terrorist attacks and protect against, and respond to, threats and hazards
to the Nation. Ensures safe and secure borders, welcomes lawful immigrants
and visitors, and promotes the free-flow of commerce.
Discretionary Grant
An award of financial assistance in the form of money, or property in lieu
of money, by the Federal government to an eligible grantee, usually made
on the basis of a competitive review process.
Drag Rescue Device
The “drag rescue device” allows for rapid removal of downed
firefighters. The strap is accessed through a flap found along the rear
top of collar in structural firefighting coats. It is designed for assisting
in dragging incapacitated firefighters, not rated for any vertical lifting.
It creates a “Figure 8” around the chest.
DUNS Number
The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-character
identification number that is required of all Federal grant recipients.
DUNS numbers are provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet.
The Federal government uses the DUNS number to better identify related organizations
that are receiving funding under grants and cooperative agreements and to
provide consistent name and address data for electronic grant applications.
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E
E-grants
An automated, online grant process that allows the grantees to administer
their grant utilizing a computer rather than with paper documents.
Emergency Medical Services
The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system is responsible for providing
pre-hospital (or out-of-hospital) care by paramedics, emergency medical
technicians (EMTs), and medical first responders. The goal of EMS is to
provide early treatment to those in need of urgent medical care, and ultimately
rapid transportation to a facility to provide more definitive treatment.
Employer Identification Number
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit number assigned by
the Internal Revenue Service. This number is of the format XX-XXXXXXX. The
IRS uses the number to identify taxpayers that are required to file various
business tax returns.
Emergency Medical Services Organization
A public or private organization that provides direct emergency medical
services, including medical transport.
EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-P
National recognized levels of training and certification for emergency medical
technicians and other first responders: Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
(EMT-B), Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I), Emergency Medical
Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P).
Entry-Level Physical
A physical fitness test given to individuals applying for the position of
firefighter to determine if they meet the minimum physical fitness requirements
necessary to perform the job.
Equipment
Equipment needed directly for fire suppression or to deliver emergency medical
services or to otherwise enhance the safety or effectiveness of firefighting
or rescue activities.
F
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency, a function within the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security that is charged with responding to Presidentially declared
disasters.
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Code
The FIPS Code is the unique 5-digit number that is assigned to each county
in the United States. This number is comprised of a 2-digit State code followed
by a 3-digit county code.
Federal Register
The Federal Register is the daily supplement to the Code of Federal Regulations.
It serves as the mechanism to provide official notification to the public
about Federal documents or proposals having general applicability. These
may include Presidential proclamations and Executive Orders, and Federal
agency rules, regulations, and notices. The FR also serves to notify the
public and interested parties about an agency's intent to prepare an environmental
impact statement, or about proposed changes to an agency's rules and regulations.
It also provides the mechanism for obtaining comments from affected parties
regarding the proposed action by the agency.
Federal Share
The amount of project funding the Federal government agrees to provide to
a grantee on the assumption that the applicant also will provide a share
of the total funding needed to complete the project.
Federally Funded Fire Department
A fire department that receives operational funding from the Congress of
the United States, or whose sole responsibility of providing fire suppression,
fire prevention, and rescue services on property owned or under the control
of an agency or department of the Federal government.
Fire Department
An agency or organization that has a formally recognized arrangement with
a State, territory, local, or tribal authority (city, county, parish, fire
district, township, town, or other governing body) to provide fire suppression
on a first-due basis to a fixed geographical area. Fire departments may
be comprised of members who are all volunteer, all career, or a combination
of volunteer and career.
Fire Flow
The result of calculations made to determine the number gallons of water
per minute needed to extinguish a fire.
Fire Inspectors/Fire Codes
Firefighters trained and certified to interpret national fire codes and
standards.
Fire Prevention and Safety Grant
The primary goal of the AFG Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program is
to reach high-risk target groups to mitigate the high incidences of death
and injuries. Additionally, for fiscal year 2005, Congress amended the authorization
to include Firefighter Safety Research and Development. Examples of eligible
items for funding include the conduct of public education, arson prevention
and awareness, code enforcement/awareness, wildfire prevention/education,
juvenile fire setter intervention, burn prevention, media/PR campaigns,
sprinkler awareness, or smoke alarm distribution. Examples of eligible firefighter
safety research and development programs include data collection and analysis,
sociological projects, and problem-focused technology studies.
Firefighter
An individual having the legal authority and responsibility to engage in
fire suppression; being employed by a fire department of a municipality,
county, or fire district; being engaged in the prevention, control, and
extinguishing of fires; and/or responding to emergency situations in which
life, property, or the environment is at risk. This individual must be trained
in fire suppression, but may also be trained in emergency medical care,
hazardous materials awareness, rescue techniques, and any other related
duties provided by the fire department.
Firefighter I
A course leading to certification that addresses the standards covered in
NFPA 1001 (2002) Chapter 5, with the exception of those objectives related
to response to hazardous materials at the awareness level (NFPA 472). The
Firefighter I will receive knowledge and skills to function as an integral
member of a firefighting team under direct supervision in hazardous conditions.
Firefighter II
A course leading to certification that addresses the standards covered in
NFPA 1001 (2002) Chapter 6, with the exception of those objectives related
to response to hazardous materials at the operations level (NFPA 472). The
Firefighter II will receive the knowledge and skills to function under general
supervision.
Firefighter Safety Research and Development
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs, an activity
in the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program that focuses on improving
firefighter health and life safety through research and development projects.
Firefighting
Fire suppression.
Firefighting Vehicles
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs, Firefighting
Vehicles include fire apparatus used as primary emergency response vehicles
in fire suppression and/or rescue activities. Such apparatus would include
pumpers; tanker/tenders; aerials, brush/attack units; mini-pumpers; rescue
vehicles; combination vehicles (e.g., quint apparatus, rescue-pumpers);
or other firefighting vehicles that meet applicable standards established
by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards such
as U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
Formula Grant
A grant for which the awarded amount is established by a formula based on
certain criteria that are written into the legislation and program regulations;
this funding is directly awarded and administered in the Federal agency's
program offices.
Fringe Benefits
See ‘Benefits’ above.
Fuel-Reduction
An activity designed to reduce the level of hazardous fuels (such as downed
trees or excessive brush growth), thereby protecting communities from fire.
Full-Time Firefighting Position
A firefighting position that is funded for at least 2,080 hours per year,
or 40 hours per week for 52 weeks per year.
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G
Grant Award Notification
Official document signed by the authorized official stating the amount and
the terms and conditions of an award for a discretionary grant or cooperative
agreement.
Grant Programs
Programs of discretionary or formula grants and/or cooperative agreements
administered by the Federal agency.
Grantee
An individual or organization that has been awarded financial assistance
under one of the Federal discretionary grant programs.
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H
Host Applicant
An individual fire department, or nonaffiliated EMS organization, that applies
for a regional project on behalf of itself and any number of neighboring
fire departments.
Hospital
Hospital is defined as an organization, clinic, medical center, medial college
or university, infirmary, surgery center, or any other institution, association,
or foundation that provides medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and treatment
for the sick or the injured.
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Incident Command System
A component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The combination
of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating
within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in domestic incident
management activities. It is used for a broad spectrum of emergencies, from
small to complex incidents, both natural and manmade, including acts of
catastrophic terrorism. ICS is used by all levels of government—Federal,
State, local, and tribal, as well as by many private-sector and nongovernmental
organizations.
Indirect Cost Rate
A percentage established by a Federal department or agency for a grantee
organization that the grantee uses to compute the dollar amount it charges
to the grant for reimbursement of indirect costs incurred from doing the
work of the grant project.
Indirect Costs
Costs that have been incurred for common or joint objectives that cannot
be readily identified with a particular cost objective. A cost may not be
allocated to an award as an indirect cost if any other cost incurred for
the same purpose, in like circumstances, has been assigned to an award as
a direct cost. Typical examples of indirect costs for many non-profit organizations
may include depreciation or use allowances on buildings and equipment, the
costs of operating and maintaining facilities, general administration, and
other general expenses, such as the salaries and expenses of executive officers,
personnel administration, and accounting.
Indirect costs shall be classified within two broad categories: "Facilities"
and "Administration." "Facilities" is defined as depreciation
and use allowances on buildings, equipment and capital improvement, interest
on debt associated with certain buildings, equipment and capital improvements,
and operations and maintenance expenses. "Administration" is defined
as general administration and general expenses such as the director's office,
accounting, personnel, library expenses and all other types of expenditures
not specifically chargeable to the grant.
Initial Full Alarm Assignment
Those personnel, equipment, and resources ordinarily dispatched upon notification
of a structural fire.
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J
Job-Share Position
A full-time position that is occupied by more than one person. For example,
a fire department may hire two part-time staff persons at 28 hours each
to fulfill the scheduled work hours of one 56-hour shift position.
Juvenile Firesetter Intervention
A program designed to reduce the number of fires and burn injuries caused
by children experimenting with fire.
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L
Legal Name
Name of primary organizational unit that will carry out the assistance activity.
The legal name includes complete address of the applicant and name and telephone
number of the person to contact regarding matters related to this application.
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Matching Funds
The amount of project funding that a grantee agrees to provide in return
for being awarded partial Federal funding of the same project.
Modify Facilities
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, modifications
to fire stations are minor renovations that do not affect the footprint
or profile of the facility being modified. Eligible activities are limited
to the following: (1) installation of sprinkler systems, (2) installation
of vehicle exhaust systems, (3) installation of smoke and/or fire alarm
notification systems, and (4) the installation of emergency facility generators.
Monitoring
Activities performed by Federal staff members to review and evaluate specific
aspects of a grantee's activities under a discretionary grant or cooperative
agreement. These activities include (1) measuring a grantee's performance,
(2) assessing a grantee's adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and
the terms and conditions of the award, (3) providing technical assistance
to grantees, and (4) assessing whether a grantee has made substantial progress.
Mostly/Majority Career Fire Department
A department is considered mostly career if 50 percent or more of their
active firefighting membership is salaried staff.
Mostly/Majority Volunteer Fire Department
A department is considered mostly volunteer if more than 50 percent of their
active firefighting membership is NOT compensated for their service other
than a nominal stipend and/or insurance.
Mutual-Aid Agreement
A prearranged agreement where assisting fire departments are dispatched
only when the first-arriving unit on a scene calls for assistance or when
specially requested by dispatch.
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N
Narrative Statement
The grant applicant’s written description of the proposed grant project
and containing all the requisite information as prescribed by the grant
program’s guidance.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)
A nonprofit foundation that is leading a nationwide effort to honor America’s
fallen firefighters and provide resources to assist their families.
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-498) authorizes
the National Fire Data Center in the United States Fire Administration (USFA)
to gather and analyze information on the magnitude of the Nation's fire
problem, as well as its detailed characteristics and trends. The Act further
authorizes the USFA to develop uniform data reporting methods, and to encourage
and assist State agencies in developing and reporting data. To carry out
the intentions of the Act, the National Fire Data Center has established
the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
A nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce the worldwide burden
of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating
scientifically based consensus codes and standards, research, training,
and education.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The NFIP is a program that makes Federally backed flood insurance available
in those States and communities that agree to adopt and enforce flood-plain
management ordinances to reduce future flood damage.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A system mandated by HSPD-5 that provides a consistent nationwide approach
for state, local, and tribal governments. This system allows the private-sector
and nongovernmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together
to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless
of cause, size, or complexity. To provide for interoperability and compatibility
among state, local, and tribal capabilities, the NIMS includes a core set
of concepts, principles, and terminology. HSPD-5 identifies these components
as the Incident Command System; multi-agency coordination systems; training;
identification and management of resources (including systems for classifying
types of resources); qualification and certification; and the collection,
tracking, and reporting of incident information and incident resources.
NFPA 1002
NFPA standard that identifies the minimum job performance requirements for
firefighters who drive and operate fire apparatus, in both emergency and
non-emergency situations.
NFPA 1710
NFPA standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career
Fire Department (Section 5.2.4.2 – Initial Full Alarm Assignment Capability).
This standard primarily applies to all-career fire departments and combination
departments at the combination department’s election.
NFPA 1720
NFPA standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to Public by Volunteer
Fire Departments (Section 4.3 – Staffing and Deployment). This standard
primarily applies to all-volunteer fire departments, but may also apply
to combination departments if the combination department does not elect
to comply with the NFPA 1710 standard.
Nonaffiliated EMS Organization
A public or private nonprofit emergency medical services organization that
provides direct emergency medical services to a specific geographic area
on a first-due basis, but is not affiliated with a hospital and does not
serve a geographic area where emergency medical services are adequately
provided by a fire department.
Non-Federal Funds
Financial resources provided by sources other than the Federal government.
The term does not include funds provided to a State or local government
through a Federal grant, unless the authorizing statute for that grant explicitly
allows the funds to be used as a match for other Federal grants.
Nonprofit Organization
A tax-exempt organization that serves the public interest. In general, the
purpose of this type of organization must be charitable, educational, scientific,
religious or literary. It does not declare a profit and instead utilizes
all revenue available after normal operating expenses in service to the
public interest. This may be a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(4) designate.
Non-supplanting
The SAFER grant will not provide assistance to fund positions that are currently
funded by the applicant. In other words, grantees cannot use Federal grant
dollars to substitute for their own budget. Awardees must maintain the number
of firefighters they stipulated at the time of application, plus the funded
SAFER positions, throughout the period of performance.
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O
Obligation
An entry made by a member of a discretionary grant team in the Federal agency's
automated accounting system that authorizes payments of Federal grant funds
to a grantee.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
A government agency in the Department of Labor whose responsibility is to
assure and maintain a safe and healthy work environment by setting and enforcing
standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships;
and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The executive agency that advises the President on the Federal budget. OMB
helps the President formulate his spending plans; evaluates the effectiveness
of agency programs, policies, and procedures; assesses competing funding
demands among agencies, and sets funding priorities. OMB ensures that agency
reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with
the President's budget and with administration policies. In addition, OMB
oversees and coordinates the administration's procurement, financial management,
information, and regulatory policies. In each of these areas, OMB's role
is to help improve administrative management, to develop better performance
measures and coordinating mechanisms, and to reduce any unnecessary burdens
on the public.
OMB Circulars
Administrative policy documents issued by OMB that give instruction to Federal
agencies on a variety of topics, including the administration of Federal
grants and cooperative agreements.
Operational Budget
The budget that supports fire-related programs and/or emergency response
activities (salaries, maintenance, equipment, apparatus, etc.).
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Paid-On-Call
A form of compensation to part-time firefighters or other emergency responders
in which the responders only report to work and receive compensation when
contacted by a dispatcher.
Peer Review Panel
A group of volunteers with fire service specialists who review and evaluate
funding requests submitted to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
and provide recommendations regarding the disposition of the applications.
Performance Report
An interim report of the specific activities the recipient of a discretionary
grant or cooperative agreement has performed during the budget or project
period. For example, in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, awarded
applicants are required to prepare a mid-year progress report and a closeout
report at the end of the grant period.
Period of Performance (POP)
The total amount of time (sometimes several years) during which the Federal
agency authorizes a grantee to complete the approved work of the project
described in the application. Performance periods of more than 1 year are
divided into budget periods.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment includes such clothing and equipment required
by applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
and needed to enhance the operational safety of the firefighter.
Population
The number of individuals that reside in a geographic area. The population
figure should be based on the most recent official census and only include
those individuals who permanently reside within the jurisdiction served.
Population figures should not include daily or seasonal population surges.
Pre-award Costs
Expenses or obligations incurred before the effective date of the grant.
Primary/First-Due Response Area
A geographical area proximate to a fire or rescue facility normally served
by the personnel and apparatus from that facility in the event of a fire
or other emergency.
Pro-Rata Basis
Proportionally determined method of analysis.
Problem-Focused Technology Studies
Research on new equipment or technologies that can be incorporated into
the fire service to improve fire safety, particularly firefighter safety.
Program Guidance
A document that summarizes the funding priorities of a particular AFG program.
It explains how to apply for grant funding, what items can be requested,
and how applications will be evaluated.
Program Narrative
The grant applicant’s written description of the proposed grant project
and containing all the requisite information as prescribed by the grant
program’s guidance.
Program Office
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the office
that has the responsibility of administering the various assistance to firefighters
programs.
Program Regulations
Regulations that implement legislation passed by Congress to authorize a
specific grant program; they include applicant and participant eligibility
criteria, nature of activities funded, eligibility of certain costs, selection
criteria under which applications will be selected for funding, and other
relevant information.
Program Review
A financial and programmatic review initiated by the AFG Program Office.
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Regional Application
An application submitted by a “host applicant” or fire department
that, if awarded, will benefit a number of third-party organizations in
the region.
Regional Project
A project with one host organization that benefits multiple organizations
serving more than one local jurisdiction.
Regulations
Federal rules of general applicability that are authorized by Federal laws
or other Federal authority and contained in the CFR.
Renovation
A modification plan that is limited to minor interior alterations costing
less than $10,000.
Request Details
The section of the online application in which the applicant describes the
specific items and/or personnel being requested.
Retention Rate
A department’s retention rate is calculated by dividing the number
of volunteer firefighters by their total years of service.
RIC Universal Air Connection (UAC)
The RIC UAC provides a standard connection that allows a rescue breathing
air supply to be connected to a victim fire fighter or other emergency services
responder's SCBA to replenish the breathing air in the SCBA breathing air
cylinder when the victim can not be rapidly moved to a safe atmosphere.
Risk Assessment
A formal risk assessment consists of employing software programs or recognized
expert analysis to assess risk trends. Examples of informal assessments
include a manual study of fire loss, burn injuries, or life loss over a
period of time, and the causative factors for each occurrence.
Rural Community
A community that generally has a significant portion of its response area
that is undeveloped. There are few or no fire hydrants, virtually no multistory
buildings, sparse population, and small number of commercial areas.
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SAFER-Funded Positions
The newly created position funded by the SAFER grant.
SAFER Grants
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). Congress appropriated
funding to the Office of Grants and Training of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security to carry out the activities of the SAFER grants. The authority
for SAFER is derived from the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of
1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) as amended by the re-designation of the second
section 33 and section 34 as sections 35 and 36, respectively, and inserting
a new section 34, entitled Expansion of Pre-September 11, 2001, Fire Grant
Program of the U.S. Fire Administration.
Staffing Analysis
An analysis conducted to determine the minimum number of personnel required
to meet fire flow requirements and to perform support tasks 24–7 (search
rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, etc.).
Staffing and Deployment
The minimum staffing requirements to ensure that a sufficient number of
members are available to operate safely and effectively as defined in NFPA
1710 and 1720, as well as OSHA Respiratory Protection standard 1910.134(g)(4)(i)
and 1910.134(g)(4)(ii).
Staffing Level
The current number of firefighting personnel available to respond to fire
and other emergencies.
State
For the purpose of these grants, “State” is defined as the 50
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
State Point of Contact (SPOC)
State-designated representatives that coordinate and review proposed Federal
financial assistance and direct Federal development for each State that
has designated such an entity to perform this function. The official list
of those entities can be found at the OMB Website: www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/spoc.html
Statewide or local firefighter interest organizations
Statewide and local firefighter interest groups are organizations that are
in existence to support or represent the interests of firefighters in front
of legislative bodies at the local, State, and Federal levels. Such organizations
include State or local firefighter and/or fire chiefs associations, fire
department auxiliaries, volunteer firefighter relief organizations, and
associations. DHS shall make the final determination as to whether an applicant
is an appropriate firefighter interest group.
Structure
A walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank, that
is principally aboveground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a
manufactured home on a permanent foundation.
Submit Application Result Screen
A screen from the online Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program application,
which confirms that the user has successfully submitted a grant application.
It provides an ID number for tracking the application.
Suburban Community
A community that generally has populated areas of greater density than a
rural department but not as dense as an urban area. It may be near an urban
area but this isn’t always true. There are hydrants in some or all
parts of the response area and the response area may have several buildings
with heights of three stories or more. (These would be buildings in which
people live or work.) Generally there are some undeveloped areas in a suburban
community.
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Technically Feasible
Term used to describe a project or action that utilizes design and construction
methods and materials, which are approved, codified, recognized, fall under
standard or acceptable levels of practice, or otherwise are determined to
be generally acceptable by the design and construction industry.
Thermal Protective Performance (TPP)
TPP measures how well a fabric protects the wearer against second-degree
burns in a flash fire. The higher the TPP value, the more thermal protection
the fabric provides relative to other fabrics. The NFPA minimum requirement
of a TPP rating of 35 equates to 171/2 seconds until 2nd degree burn occurs
in a flashover situation.
Third-Party Organization
In terms of a regional application, the organizations that will benefit
from a regional application if the project is approved for funding.
Training
To make proficient with specialized instruction and practice.
Tutorial
For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the tutorial
is an online document provided to allow applicants to become familiar with
the grant application and the AFG program. The tutorial provides tips for
navigating the online application, changes in the program for this year,
and a review of lessons learned in the past.
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United States Fire Administration (USFA)
An office within the Preparedness Directorate of the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
A Federally funded program designed to assist jurisdictions considered to
be at high risk for incidents involving weapons of mass destruction.
Urban Community
A community that is generally described as a city. It has a dense population
in many areas, fire hydrants, well-developed commercial areas, and many
multistory buildings. Most urban communities have little or no undeveloped
areas.
Username
A unique identifying log-in name for an online application.
USAR
Teams that are federally sponsored and sanctioned for urban search and rescue.
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Volunteer Fire Department
An agency or organization in which no member receives financial compensation
(salary, wages, or stipend per call) for their services other than life
and health insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. We consider
a department to be “mostly volunteer” if more than 50 percent
of its membership is made up of personnel who do not receive financial compensation
for their services.
Volunteer Firefighter Interest Organization
Volunteer firefighter interest organizations are made up of firefighters
or fire officers that collectively represent the interest of members of
several volunteer fire departments or volunteer firefighter members of fire
departments from the entire State or locality. Examples of these organizations
include county or statewide firefighter associations or chiefs associations,
and other organizations that represent active volunteer firefighters. For-profit
organizations are not eligible.
Volunteer Incentives
Activities or initiatives that encourage volunteers to continue to participate
in fire department programs and activities.
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Weapons of Mass Destruction
Any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death
or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people.
Wellness and Fitness Programs
Activities that promote the general health and physical wellbeing of an
individual.
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