Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. All applications are submitted to DHS and go through a non-partisan, merit based review ranked by factors established by a panel of fire service professionals.
Last week Congressman Higgins hosted Fire Grant workshops in Erie and Chautauqua Counties where participants were invited to learn first hand from a DHS Fire Grant Specialist how to put together a qualifying application. Over 80 representatives from local fire and EMS agencies participated in the workshops. This is the fourth consecutive year Congressman Higgins has sponsored the workshops.
“In the last three years alone fire companies in the 27th Congressional district have been awarded federal funds totaling over $6.7 million dollars,” said Congressman Higgins. “These funds provide tools to our first responders that improve efficiency on emergency calls and make our communities safer. I encourage local fire and EMS service providers to apply for these grants.”
Agencies can access a fire grant application through the AFG website at: www.firegrantsupport.com. In addition to the application, an outline of funding priorities, a program guidance, a web-based tutorial and a listing of frequently asked questions are also available online. Applicants with specific questions should contact the Fire Grant help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or email firegrants@dhs.gov. Help is available between 8:00am and 8:00pm Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:30pm. The application deadline is 5:00pm on April 4, 2008.
Approximately $500 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States will be available. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
There are 1.1 million active firefighters in the United States, 73 percent of which are volunteers.
For more information on the fire grant program, please contact Congressman Higgins’ Buffalo office at 716-852-3501.