This section covers Section 2 of the 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) application tutorial. The tutorial is intended for fire departments and eligible organizations who are interested in AFG application assistance tools.
*Please note that this tutorial was produced for the FY 2011 AFG open application period. Applicants should always refer to the latest Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) when applying.*
Funding Opportunities
In Section II: Funding Opportunities, we will discuss the following topics:
- General guidance on Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program funding opportunities and priorities
- Funding program areas and fundable activities
- Eligible and ineligible uses of funding
- Priorities within each program area and/or activity
Note that AFG Program funding priorities differ for fire departments and nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations. Applicants should read the FY11 AFG Program Guidance - Section I (PDF 3MB, TXT 106KB) , Part I.B, for specific information identifying program priorities for their organization types.
General Guidance on Funding Opportunities & Priorities
The AFG Program provides funding opportunities in three main grant program areas:
- Operations and Safety
- Vehicle Acquisition
- Regional Projects
Each grant program area has specific and prioritized fundable activities. All funding activities for the FY 2011 AFG are designed to address the following priorities:
- First responder safety
- Enhancing national capabilities
- Risk
- Interoperability
High, Medium & Low Priorities
FEMA has identified High, Medium and Low priorities for each fundable activity. For some activities, priority levels differ according to the community served. Refer to the noted sections of the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B, for complete information.
Additional Considerations
Additional considerations, such as call volume, population served and other activity-specific factors, are also taken into account for each fundable activity. Refer to the noted sections of the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B, for complete information.
Fire Department Priorities
Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Activities
In the Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety program area, you may request funding for five different types of activities:
- Firefighter training
- Firefighter equipment
- Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Firefighter wellness and fitness
- Modifications to fire stations and facilities
Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Activities
Firefighter Training Activity
Grants may be used to fund a variety of training, including, but not limited to:
- Firefighter I and II certifications
- First responder/Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
- Driver/Operator
- Fire officer I-IV
- Hazardous Materials (Hazmat)
- Wildland firefighting
- Vehicle rescue
- CBRNE awareness
- Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command (ICS)
- Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
- Train-the-trainer courses
- Alternative few firefighting
- Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) awareness, performances, planning and management
- Safety Officer
Fire Department Priorities
Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Activities
Firefighter Training: Eligible Training Costs
Eligible training costs for fire departments include:
- Tuition
- Exam and course fees
- Certification and/or recertification expenses
- Purchase of training curricula
- Training equipment, including trailers and other mobile simulators
- Training props
- Training services, such as instructors
- Tow vehicles, if adequately justified, but expenses are limited to $6,000
- Compensation to volunteer firefighters for wages lost because of attending training
- Overtime expenses paid to career firefighters in order for them to attend training
Firefighter Training: Ineligible Training Costs
- Grant money cannot be used to cover the following training costs:
- Construction of facilities, such as classrooms, buildings, towers, etc.
- Firefighting equipment or PPE, such as SCBA for use in training exercises
- Flashover simulators
- Site preparation to accommodate any training activity, facility or prop
- Purchase or lease of real estate
- Remodeling not directly related to other grant activities
Firefighter Training: Priorities
The following types of training will receive higher competitive ratings:
- Training that is instructor-led, hands-on, leading to a national or state certification or leading to statutory compliance
- Training benefitting a higher percentage of personnel within a department or open to other departments in the region
- Training for large departments with a high number of active firefighters
Firefighter Training: More Information
For more information, including a list of Firefighter Training priorities by community type (urban, suburban and rural), see FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.1.a.i.
Firefighting Equipment Activity
AFG Program funds are available for equipment to enhance the safety or effectiveness of firefighting, rescue and fire-based EMS functions. Equipment requested must meet all mandatory requirements as well as any national and/or state DHS-adopted standards. Go to //www.nfpa.org for more information on standards.
When requesting training for any equipment, enter the training funding request under "Additional Funding" in the "Request Details" section.
Firefighting Equipment: Eligible Costs
Eligible expenditures include:
- Costs to acquire, assemble and install the requested equipment
- Extended warranties and service agreements
- Foam and associated equipment
- Hazardous materials response equipment
- Compressor systems and/or cascade systems to fill SCBAs
- Hose, nozzles adapters
- Training for requested equipment
- Boats 20 feet or less in length
- Mobile communications equipment (including mobile repeaters and mobile data systems)
- Traffic signal preemption
- CBRNE equipment
- Individual communications equipment, i.e., portable radios (limited to seated positions)
- Equipment shipping costs and sales tax
Firefighting Equipment: Ineligible Costs
The following expenditures are not eligible for funding:
- Construction of facilities, such as buildings or sheds to house communications, towers or other equipment
- Repeaters not installed or attached to existing infrastructure
- Sirens or other outdoor warning devices
- Signage of any kind
- Telephones, satellite phones and cell phones
- EMS expendable supplies (including, but not limited to medications, gloves, syringes and cervical collars)
- Vehicles and All-Terrain vehicles (ATV)
- Bomb disposal equipment and robots
- Mobile radios for personally owned vehicles (except chief fire officer's personal vehicle, if justified)
- Flashover simulators
Firefighting Equipment: Priorities
High Priority: First-time purchase to support your department's existing mission or replaces obsolete broken or inoperable equipment.
Medium Priority: Equipment needed to increase capabilities within your department's existing mission or to meet a new risk.
Low Priority: Equipment needed for a new mission to meet an existing risk and/or additional supplies or reserve equipment requests.
Firefighting Equipment: More Information
For more information, including information on remodeling/renovations of existing facilities and additional considerations in prescoring and panelist review, see FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.1.a.ii.
Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Activity
AFG Program funds are available to acquire primarily OSHA-required and NFPA-compliant Personal Protective Equipment for firefighting personnel.
Equipment requested must meet all mandatory requirements as well as any national and/or state DHS-adopted standards. Go to //www.NFPA.org for more information on standards.
When requesting training for any equipment, enter the training funding request under "Additional Funding" in the "Request Details" section. Applicants must indicate that the grant-purchased PPE will be utilized by adequately trained staff and/or request appropriate training for requested items.
Firefighter PPE: Eligible Costs
Eligible costs for PPE include:
- PPE for structural or wildland fire suppression including boots, pants, coats, gloves, hoods, goggles, helmets, coveralls and fire shelters
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved retro-reflective highway apparel
- Training for requested PPE SCBAs, spare cylinder and individual face pieces
- PPE for hazardous materials and other specialized incidents
- EMS activities (coats, trousers and jumpsuits must meet the NFPA or OSHA standards)
Firefighter PPE: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be used for:
- Three-quarter length rubber boots
- Bomb disposal suits
- Uniforms (formal/parade or station/duty) and uniform items (hats, badges, etc.)
- Personal communications equipment (i.e., radios, cell phones and pagers)
Firefighter PPE: Priorities
The following priorities have been determined for Firefighter PPE:
High Priority:
- Departments purchasing new PPE for the first time
- Replacing or updating obsolete PPE to the current standard
Medium Priority:
- Replacing torn, tattered or damaged PPE
- Replacing contaminated PPE
- Requesting PPE for a new risk
Low Priority:
- Replacing worn but usable PPE that is not compliant to the current NFPA standard and/or to handle a new mission or increase current inventory
Firefighter PPE: More Information
For more information, including SCBA priorities and training for requested equipment, see FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.1.a.iii.
Firefighter Wellness & Fitness Activity
Wellness and Fitness programs are intended to strengthen first responders so their mental, physical and emotional capabilities are resilient enough to withstand the demands of emergency services response. For the FY 2011 AFG, in order to be eligible for funding in this activity, fire departments must offer, or plan to offer, all four of the following:
- Periodic health screenings
- Entry physical examinations
- Immunizations
- Behavioral health programs
Firefighter Wellness & Fitness: Eligible Costs
Eligible costs for Firefighter Wellness and Fitness include:
- Procurement of entry-level physicals that meet NFPA 1582
- Annual medical/fitness health evaluations
- Immunizations, as required by the department or law
- Behavioral health programs
- Implementation of International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)/ International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) peer fitness trainer programs
- Costs for personnel, physical fitness equipment (including shipping charges and sales tax, as applicable) and supplies directly related to physical fitness activities
Firefighter Wellness & Fitness: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be applied to the following:
- Transportation expenses
- Fitness club memberships for participants or their families
- Non-cash incentives (T-shirts or hats of nominal value, vouchers to local businesses or time-off)
- Purchase of real estate
- Cash incentives
- Purchase of medical equipment that is not used as part of the Wellness and Fitness program
- Contractual services with anyone other than medical professionals (e.g., health care consultants, trainers and nutritionists) such as smoking cessation
- Medical exams that do not meet NFPA 1582
Firefighter Wellness & Fitness: Priorities
The following priorities have been determined for Firefighter Wellness and Fitness activities:
High Priority:
Departments that do not have any of the four basic programs (medical exams, immunizations, annual exams and behavioral health) and are looking to offer all four programs.
Medium Priority:
Departments that already have one or more of the four basic programs in place: medical exams, immunizations, annual exams and behavioral health and are looking to fund the remaining activities.
Low Priority:
Departments looking for physical fitness equipment that do not offer the four basic programs.
Firefighter Wellness and Fitness: More Information
For more information, including additional priority considerations and remodeling/renovations of existing facilities see FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.1.a.iv.
Modifications to Fire Stations Activity
FY 2011 AFG grants may be used to modify fire stations and other facilities, within the following parameters:
- New fire station construction is not allowed.
- Grant funds may only be used to retrofit existing structures built prior to 2003.
- No modification may change the structure footprint or profile.
- Total funding for all project and activities cannot exceed $100,000 per fire station
- No project with the potential to impact natural resources or historic properties can be initiated until FEMA has completed the required FEMA environmental and historic preservation (EHP) review.
Modifications to Fire Stations: Eligible costs
The only eligible modifications are:
- Direct sole-source capture exhaust systems
- Sprinkler systems
- Smoke and fire alarm notification systems
- Air quality systems
- Emergency generators
IMPORTANT:
Requests for modifications other than the initiatives listed on the screen will NOT be funded.
Modifications to Fire Stations: Ineligible Costs
AFG grant funding may not be used for:
- New fire station construction
- Station maintenance
- Resurfacing bay floors
- Interior remodeling not pertaining to the requested project(s)
Modifications to Fire Stations: Priorities
The following priorities have been determined for Modifications to Fire Stations:
High Priority:
Departments requesting sole-source capture exhaust systems, sprinkler systems or smoke/fire alarm notification systems for stations with sleeping quarters, including maritime/air operations facilities, that are occupied 24/7.
Medium Priority:
Departments with or without sleeping quarters requesting air quality systems and/or emergency generators.
Low Priority:
Departments requesting funding from the high or medium funding priorities list whose facilities are occupied 24/7 and do not have sleeping quarters; training facilities.
Modifications to Fire Stations: More Information
For more on Modifications to Fire Stations, including FEMA's environmental and historic preservation (EHP) review process, level of occupancy definitions and additional considerations for funding, see FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.1.a.v.
Firefighting Vehicles
The AFG Program provides grants for new firefighting vehicles, used fire apparatus originally designed for firefighting or refurbished apparatus originally designed for firefighting. The following criteria apply:
- Used apparatus must be compliant with NFPA 1901 or 1906 for the year the vehicle was manufactured.
- Refurbished apparatus must meet the current NFPA 1912 (Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing).
- In FY 2011, applicants that serve urban, suburban or rural communities may apply for more than one vehicle. Requests cannot exceed the financial cap based on population listed in the application.
- Obtaining a performance bond is recommended for any department/agency that is going to advance their own funds to the manufacturer prior to receipt of the vehicle.
- As required in the three previous grant years, FY 2011 AFG vehicle awardees are required to obtain a prepayment bond if the grantee plans to advance federal funds to the manufacturer.
Firefighting Vehicles: Eligible Costs
Grant money may be used for the following:
- Cost of vehicle
- Physicals to meet current NFPA 1582/U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 649 F
- Cost of associated equipment that is eligible under current NFPA 1901/1906
- Driver/operator training programs that meet current NFPA 1002 or its equivalent
- Transportation to inspect a requested vehicle during production (if justified in the Vehicles Narrative)
- Specialty access vehicles are a very low priority and must be requested under "Other" in the Vehicles section of the application, using the drop-down menu.
Firefighting Vehicles: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be used for the following:
- Refurbishment of converted vehicles not originally used or intended to be used for emergency operations
- Aircraft, bulldozers and construction-related equipment
- Vehicles contracted for or purchased prior to end of established application period
Firefighting Vehicles: Priorities
Due to inherent differences among urban, suburban and rural firefighting needs, the AFG Program has different priorities in the Firefighting Vehicles program area for departments that serve different types of communities. Please see FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.1.b, for a complete list of vehicle priorities by community type, vehicle definitions and requirements and additional consideration for funding.
Nonaffiliated EMS Organization Priorities
The AFG Program funds may be used to enhance emergency medical services provided by nonaffiliated EMS organizations. Fire-based EMS organizations are NOT eligible to apply as a nonaffiliated EMS organization.
The Criteria Development Panel recommended that it is more cost-effective to enhance or expand an existing EMS organization, by providing training or equipment, than it is to create a new service. Therefore, communities attempting to initiate EMS services will receive the lowest competitive rating.
Funding is available under two program areas:
- EMS Operations and Safety
- EMS Vehicles
EMS Operations & Safety
The EMS Operations & Safety category includes five activities:
- First responder/EMR training
- EMS equipment acquisition
- EMS personal protective equipment
- EMS wellness and fitness
- Modifications to EMS facilities
Applicants may apply for as many of the activities within this program area as deemed necessary.
EMS Training
The AFG Program provides grants to train EMS personnel. Since training is a prerequisite to the effective use of EMS equipment, organizations that request items more focused on training activities will receive a higher competitive rating than organizations that focus on equipment.
EMS Training: Eligible Costs
Funding may be used for the following type of training:
- First Responder/EMS
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Life Support (ALS)
- Hazmat operations
- Rescue operations
- Other related courses
- CBRNE awareness, performance, planning and management
Training funds may be used to pay for the following:
- Tuition, exam/course fees and certifications/certification expenses
- Purchase of training curricula, training equipment, training props and training services (instructors)
- Attendance at formal training forums or conferences providing continuing education credits, etc.
- Overtime expenses paid to first responders to attend training or to cover colleagues who are in training
EMS Training: Ineligible Costs
Training funds may not be used for:
- Construction of facilities, buildings, towers, etc.
- Purchase or lease of real estate
- Expendables (including, but not limited to gloves, gowns, bandages, etc.)
- Site preparation to accommodate any training activity, facility or prop
- Remodeling not directly related to other grant activities
High Priority:
- A higher competitive rating will be given to nonaffiliated EMS organizations that are planning to upgrade services to ALS level of response. Specifically, organizations that are seeking to elevate the response level from EMT-B to EMT-I will receive the highest priority, and organizations that are seeking to elevate the response level from EMT-I to Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) will receive a high priority.
Medium Priority:
- The second priority is to elevate emergency responders’ capabilities from Emergency Medical Responder to a BLS level of response, i.e., EMT-B.
Low Priority:
- Due to the time and cost, upgrading an organization’s response level from EMT-B to EMT-P is a lower priority. Organizations seeking training in rescue or Hazmat operations will receive lower consideration than organizations seeking training for medical services.
- The lowest priority is to fund first responder training. Organizations seeking to train a high percentage of the active first responders will receive additional consideration when applying under the EMS Training Activity.
EMS Training: More Information
For more information on EMS Operations & Safety funding, please see the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.2.a.i.
EMS Equipment
AFG Program funds are available for equipment to enhance the safety or effectiveness of EMS response. Equipment requested must meet all mandatory requirements as well as any national and/or state DHS-adopted standards or local standards.
Equipment requested should solve interoperability or compatibility problems as may be required by local jurisdictions. Equipment requested, particularly decontamination and Hazmat equipment, is fundable to the current level of an organization’s capabilities.
EMS Equipment: Eligible Expenses
Grant funds may be used to purchase:
- Basic life support equipment
- Advanced life support equipment
- Assembly and installation of the requested equipment
- Extended warranties and service agreements
- Pulse Oximeters
- Power lift cots
- Communications equipment, such as mobile and portable radios
- Hazmat and decontamination equipment
- Computers
- Wireless and broadband mobile data systems (MDTs)
- Automated external defibrillators
- Infectious disease control equipment
- Equipment for response to incidents involving CBRNE
- Tents, shelters, generators, lights, heating and cooling units
- Portable radios and mobile communications equipment, including mobile repeaters
- Base stations, computer-aided dispatch and fixed-site repeaters
- Equipment shipping costs and sales tax
- Training for requested equipment
EMS Equipment: Ineligible Expenses
Grant funds may not be used to purchase:
- Construction of facilities, such as buildings or sheds to house communications, towers or other equipment
- Repeaters that will not be installed or attached to existing infrastructure or a vehicle
- Sirens or other outdoor warning devices
- Telephones, satellite phones, and cell phones
- Vehicles and ATVs
- Bomb disposal equipment and robots
- EMS expendable supplies including but not limited to medications, gloves, syringes and cervical collars
- Signage of any kind
EMS Equipment: Priorities
High Priority:
Departments requesting to upgrade service from Basic Life Support (BLS) to Advanced Life Support (ALS).
Medium Priority:
Departments requesting to expand current service.
Low Priority:
Departments requesting new service or replacing used or obsolete equipment.
EMS Equipment: More Information
For more information on EMS Equipment funding, including priorities by level of response, compliance with standards, specifications for communications equipment, requirements for remodeling/renovating existing facilities and additional considerations for application scoring, please see the FY11 AFG Program Guidance , Part I.B.2.a.ii.
EMS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
AFG Program funds are available to acquire EMS PPE for first responder personnel. Equipment requested must meet all mandatory requirements, as well as any current national and/or state DHS-adopted standards or local EMS protocols.
If requesting training for any items in this section, please list them under “Additional Funding” in the “Request Details”
section of the application.
EMS PPE: Eligible Costs
Grant funding may be used to purchase:
- EMS turnout gear, extrication jumpsuits, rescue helmets, gloves and boots that meet NFPA or OSHA standards
for blood-borne pathogens - ANSI-approved retro-reflective highway apparel
- EMS PPE for hazardous materials and other specialized incidents
- SCBAs, spare cylinders, individual face pieces and PASS devices if the organization has formally adopted SOPs requiring SCBA availability (with adequate justification in the PPE Narrative)
- Training for requested PPE
EMS PPE: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be used to purchase:
- Uniforms (formal/parade or station/duty) and uniform items (hats, badges, etc.)
- Personal communications equipment (i.e., radios, cell phones and pagers)
- Non-EMS PPE such as body armor, wildland firefighting gear and firefighting turnout gear
- Bomb disposal suits
EMS PPE: Priorities
High Priority:
- Departments requesting new PPE for the first time
- Purchasing PPE for the first time and/or applicants replacing or needing to update obsolete PPE to the current standard
- Replacing SCBA compliant with NFPA 1981, pre-2002 edition
Medium Priority:
- Replacing torn, tattered or damaged PPE
- Replacing contaminated PPE
- Requesting PPE for a new risk
- Replacing SCBA compliant with NFPA 1981, 2002 edition (must be justified in PPE narrative)
Low Priority:
- Replacing worn but usable PPE that is not compliant to the current edition of the NFPA standard and/or to handle a new mission or increase current inventory
- Replacing SCBA compliant with NFPA 1981, 2002 edition (must be justified in the PPE narrative)
EMS PPE: More Information
For more information on EMS PPE funding, including information on training on use of requested equipment, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) priorities and other considerations for funding priorities, please see FY11 AFG Program Guidance , Part I.B.2.a.iii.
EMS Wellness & Fitness
Wellness and fitness programs are intended to strengthen personnel so their mental, physical and emotional capabilities are resilient enough to withstand the demands of emergency services response. To be eligible for funding under this activity, organizations must offer, or plan to offer, all four of the following programs:
- Periodic health screenings
- Entry physical examinations
- Immunizations
- Behavioral health programs
EMS Wellness & Fitness: Eligible Costs
Grant funding may be used for:
- Procurement of entry-level physicals that meet NFPA 1582 or equivalent
- Annual medical/fitness health evaluations
- Immunizations, as required by the department or law
- Behavioral health programs
- Implementation of IAFC/IAFF peer fitness trainer programs
- Costs for personnel, physical fitness equipment (including shipping charges and sales tax, as applicable) and supplies directly related to physical fitness activities
EMS Wellness & Fitness: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be used for:
- Transportation expenses
- Fitness club memberships for participants or their families
- Non-cash incentives (T-shirts or hats of nominal value, vouchers to local businesses or time off)
- Purchase of real estate
- Cash incentives
- Purchase of medical equipment that is not used as part of the Wellness and Fitness program
- Contractual services with anyone other than medical professionals (e.g., health care consultants, trainers and nutritionists) for programs such as smoking cessation
EMS Wellness & Fitness: Priorities
High priority:
Departments that do not have any of the four basic programs (medical exams, immunizations, annual exams and behavioral health) and request funds to offer all four programs.
Medium priority:
Departments that already offer one or more of the four basic programs—medical exams, immunizations, annual exams and behavioral health—and request funds to offer the remaining activities.
Low priority:
Departments requesting physical fitness equipment but do not offer the four basic programs.
EMS Wellness & Fitness: More Information
For more information on EMS Wellness & Fitness funding, including additional priority consideration and requirements for remodeling/renovating existing facilities, please see the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.2.a.iv.
Modifications to EMS Facilities
Grants may be used to modify EMS facilities. The construction of new facilities is not allowed. Grant funds may only be used to retrofit existing structures built prior to 2003 that do not have the requisite safety features. The following criteria apply:
- If requesting multiple items in this activity, funding cannot exceed a maximum of $100,000 per station.
- Remodeling to fulfill other grant initiatives is limited to $10,000.
- Eligible projects under this activity must have a direct effect on the health and safety of first responders.
- FEMA is legally required to consider the potential impacts of all grant-funded projects on environmental resources and historic properties. AFG Program projects that involve the installation of equipment, ground-disturbing activities and new construction, including communication towers or modification/renovation of existing buildings or structures must undergo a FEMA environmental historical preservation (EHP) review.
Modifications to EMS Facilities: Eligible Costs
Grant funding may be used to purchase:
- Direct sole-source capture exhaust systems
- Sprinkler systems
- Smoke/fire alarm notification systems
- Air quality systems
- Emergency generators
Modifications to EMS Facilities: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be used to purchase:
- Station maintenance
- Resurfacing bay floors
- Interior remodeling not pertaining to the requested project(s)
Modifications to EMS Facilities: Priorities
High Priority:
Departments requesting direct sole-source capture exhaust systems, sprinkler systems or smoke/fire alarm notification systems for stations with sleeping quarters, including maritime/air operations facilities, and are occupied 24/7.
Medium Priority:
Departments with or without sleeping quarters requesting air quality systems and/or emergency generators.
Low Priority:
Departments requesting funding from the high or medium funding priorities whose facilities are occupied 24/7 and do not have sleeping quarters; training facilities.
Modifications to EMS Facilities: More Information
For more information on Modifications to EMS Facilities funding, including level of occupancy definitions and additional consideration for funding, please see the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.2.a.v.
EMS Vehicles
Funds may be used to acquire new, used or refurbished EMS vehicles. Funds may also be used to refurbish a vehicle the organization currently owns. Refurbished apparatus must also meet currently applicable standards (NFPA, GSA KKK-1822F Specification Standards). The following criteria apply:
- Applicants requesting vehicles that do not have driver/operators trained to U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) National Standard Curriculum or equivalent and are not planning to have a training program in place by the time the vehicle is delivered, will not receive an award.
- To be eligible for funding, new vehicles purchased with AFG Program funds must be compliant with current General Services Administration standards, specifically KKK-A-1822E (Guide for Emergency Medical Services and Systems).
- Applicants that serve urban, suburban or rural communities may apply for more than one vehicle. Requests cannot exceed the financial cap based on population listed in the application.
- A performance bond is recommended for any department or agency that is going to advance its own funds to the manufacturer prior to receipt of the vehicle.
- As required in the three previous grant years, FY 2011 AFG Program vehicle awardees are required to obtain a prepayment bond if the grantee plans to advance federal funds to the manufacturer.
EMS Vehicles: Eligible Costs
Grant funding may be used for:
- Cost of vehicle
- Transportation to inspect a vehicle under consideration or during production (if justified in the Vehicles Narrative)
- Driver/operator training that meets U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) National Standard Curriculum or equivalent
- Physicals
EMS Vehicles: Ineligible Costs
Grant funding may not be used for:
- Vehicles contracted for or purchased prior to end of established application period
- ATVs and other specialty access vehicles
- Aircraft, bulldozers and construction-related equipment
- Refurbishment of converted vehicles not originally used or intended to be used for emergency operations
EMS Vehicles: Priorities
High Priority:
Ambulances or transport units to support EMS functions.
Medium Priority:
Non-transport (vehicles that do not transport a patient).
Low Priority:
Other specialty vehicles (EMS command vehicles).
EMS Vehicles: More Information
For more information on funding for EMS Vehicles, including compliance with standards and vehicle considerations, please see the FY11 AFG Program Guidance, Part I.B.2.b.
Regional Projects
A regional project is one in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from the activities implemented with the grant funds. Regional projects are designed to facilitate interoperability and efficiency among the participating jurisdictions.
Activities available for application under a regional project include:
- Training
- Equipment acquisition (such as communications equipment) that positively affect interoperability between jurisdictions
- PPE, including SCBAs
Requirements for a Regional Project
Regional projects must meet the following criteria:
- Any eligible applicant, whether a fire department or a nonaffiliated EMS organization, may act as a “host applicant” and apply for large-scale or regional projects on behalf of itself and any number of organizations in neighboring jurisdictions.
- In general, equipment purchased as a result of a regional project will be physically distributed to all the departments that are beneficiaries of the project. This physical distribution of the equipment to other first responder organizations is the single characteristic that distinguishes them from projects that are not regional in nature but may have an impact on a region via mutual aid.
- A regional host must include a list of all the participating organizations benefitting from a proposed regional project.
- Regional projects’ cost share will be based on the total population of the entire region, not the population of the host applicant. All non-federal cost share funds must be in cash; in-kind contributions are not acceptable.
- When requesting SCBA as a regional project, the host is required to list all prior SCBA grants received by regional partners.
- In order to apply for a regional project, the host organization must agree, if awarded, to be responsible for all aspects of the grant. The host agency is ultimately financially responsible for the regional grant’s required cost share.
The following examples would not qualify for regional project funding:
- A county fire department applying for a countywide communications system is NOT a regional project because it does not benefit multiple “seats-of-government.”
- Any project that does not affect interoperability, regardless of mutual or automatic aid agreements. If the requested assets would be physically located in the awardee's department and not distributed among all participants, they are not eligible for regional project funding.
Regional Equipment: Eligible Costs
Funding can be used for:
- Communications equipment to include infrastructure (dispatch centers), handheld portables, pagers, repeaters, etc.
- Other equipment that would be beneficial to the mission of all regional partners
- Standardization of EMS equipment throughout the region to meet local jurisdictional standards
Regional Equipment: Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Vehicles
- Wellness and fitness programs
- Aircraft, bulldozers and construction-related equipment
- Modifications to facilities
Regional Training: Eligible Costs
Funding can be used for:
- Training that benefits multiple jurisdictions
- Training props
- Training trailers to include manufactured burn trailers
- EMS training throughout the region to meet local jurisdictional standards
- Other training that would be beneficial to the mission of all regional partners
Regional Training: Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Flashover simulators
- Wellness and fitness programs
- Firefighting equipment
Regional PPE: Eligible Costs
Funding can be used for:
- SCBA (to include face piece, voice amp, harness/PASS device and one spare cylinder)
- Accountability systems
- EMS PPE that meets NFPA and OSHA blood-borne pathogen standards
- Firefighting PPE
Regional PPE: Ineligible Costs
- Jumpsuits and uniforms that do not meet basic NFPA and OSHA blood-borne pathogen standards
- Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) equipment
- Portable radios
Regional Projects: More Information
For more information on funding for Regional Projects please see the FY11 AFG Program Guidance (PDF), Part I.B.3.
Conclusion
This concludes Section II: Funding Opportunities. The following section, Section III, covers the grant application process.
Continue to Section 3 .
Go back to Section 1.