FIRE Act Grant Application Period Begins April 15

April 13, 2009 – The application period for Fiscal Year 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (FIRE Act) ) program begins at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted program guidance online. Applications for these grants must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

The IAFF encourages its affiliates to work with their fire departments to apply for these grants.

To be distributed in phases, FIRE Act grants will ultimately provide $510 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. FIRE Act awards, which are designed to improve response capabilities and more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards, help local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial provides valuable grant information, assistance in preparing and submitting competitive applications and includes an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

For more information or assistance, contact the Assistance to Firefighters Grants help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or email firegrants@dhs.gov. The help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT throughout the application period, but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

The FIRE Act program is administered by the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.