Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program Application Period Opening

 Grants can help many small and local firefighter organizations. We need a grant like this for our fire department. When we checked into it we learned we need a special number before we could apply and that the process to obtain that number was pretty difficult. So we would need to pay $600 to have someone help us get that in and then it will take 30+ days to receive that so we could work on the application for a grant. We are likely too late for this year. Government might want to make the process a little easier for smaller entities that don't have grant writers or large resources to pay for special grant services. If we don't consider options for small departments, those who need it the most won't get it while those that are well funded will have an easier time applying to multiple grants. 

Congressman Bergman press email release.....

Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program Application Period Opening

Washington - This Advisory is notification that the application period for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program is now open, and will close on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET. The purpose of the FP&S Program is to reach high-risk target groups and reduce deaths and injuries caused by fire and fire-related hazards. Funding under FP&S also supports Firefighter Safety as well as Research and Development (R&D) activities. The allocation of FP&S awards is a highly competitive process. Awards are determined based on an applicant’s ability to both address FP&S program priorities and provide the most compelling justification for their need. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. No. 116-93) includes $355 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and the FP&S Program. Of that amount, $319.5 million will be awarded under the FY 2020 AFG Program to assist first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types. The FY20 FP&S Program will award $35.5 million to strengthen community fire prevention programs and enable scientific research on innovations that improve firefighter safety, health and wellness. Fire departments or other applicants requiring assistance, please visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters; call the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program Help Desk at (866) 274-0960; or email them at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The AFG Program Help Desk is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.