FEMA Publishes Webinar Presentation on Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program

PHILADELPHIA – FEMA Region III recently hosted four webinars on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) to help explain the program and provide guidance to potential applicants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 awards. In addition to encouraging participation from local fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) departments across the nation, Region III is publishing the webinar online for applicants to view. The slide deck can be accessed at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/126678.

“The Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program is just one of FEMA’s grant programs but it has an immediate effect at the local level,” stated FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “These grants provide critical equipment, supplies, vehicles, and other life saving devices to our first responders in communities across the country.”

The primary goal of the AFG is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operations efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

Interested applicants should Read through the FY 2016 AFG Application Guidance Materials before applying. In addition, other FEMA regional offices and Headquarters may offer additional webinars that are open to applicants across the nation. The full schedule is available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/118928 and will allow applicants to gain information on the program and ask questions of national experts. The presentation is available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/126678. Applicants may apply through the AFG Application Portal at https://www.fema.gov/e-grant-application-access. Applicants will need a registered System for Award Management (SAM) ID.

The FY2016 AFG grant application period is open until November 18, 2016 at 5:00 pm EST. Applicants with questions on their applications or the process may contact the AFG Program Help Desk toll-free at (866) 274-0960 or by email at firegrants@dhs.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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