Application Period for FY 2008 FIRE Act Grants Begins March 3

February 29, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) Grants (AFG) beginning March 3, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EST) . The deadline for submitting applications is no later than April 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The AFG program, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2008, will ultimately award approximately $500 million.

2008 AFG applications are available online at the AFG Web site, the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA) web site and the Grants.gov web site. These web sites contain important information about 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 (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.

The IAFF encourages its affiliates to work with their fire departments to submit an application.

Eligible applicants for the FY 2008 AFG are limited to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations operating within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Interested applicants may submit two separate applications for consideration under each of the following two program areas:

• 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.