FY 2010 FIRE Act Grant Application Period Begins April 26

April 23, 2010 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (FIRE Act) program guidance. The application period begins Monday, April 26, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications for these grants must be received by Friday, May 28, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

FIRE Act grant awards will provide approximately $390 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. These awards enable fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to obtain training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available to walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

The Assistance to Firefighters grant program is administered by DHS's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

For more information regarding FIRE Act grants, contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or email firegrants@dhs.gov. Throughout the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.