Applications for the popular Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) offered by the federal government will be accepted beginning Monday, Nov. 3 and ending Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

    "This is an important FEMA grant that can help protect firefighters in harm’s way and help them do their job protecting lives, homes and businesses in our communities,” said Smith, a long-time member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Every fire department should take a hard look at this grant.  Congress created it to be flexible and it has been historically well-funded.”

    Smith, who voted to create the equipment grant program in 2000, noted that under the AFG program, millions of dollars have come to New Jersey firefighters for such equipment as radios, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), turn out gear (firefighting suits, boots and helmet), and even fire vehicles such as ladders and pumpers.

    “Many local fire companies in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties have received multiple grants over the years,” Smith said. “But even if a previous application has been rejected, or if other grants in past years have been received, I encourage applicants to consider trying again this year. They can contact my office if they need assistance. We have been able to overcome some hurdles for applicants. The most important thing is to not miss the Dec. 5 deadline.”

    The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Operations and Safety Grant Program. It is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

    The purpose of AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations (EMS) to protect both the health and safety of the public and first-responder personnel. A competitive process—overseen by fire service subject matter experts—awards grants to applicants whose requests are aligned with the priorities of the AFG Program. For more about the FY 2014 AFG Program please visithttp://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant. For additional information on the FY 2014 AFG program please visit our web site at: http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant, or contact the AFG Program Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or via email at firegrants@dhs.gov.

    For towns of less than 20,000, there is a 5 percent applicant match. For towns of over 20,000 residents (but less than one million) there is a 20 percent applicant match.

    Nationally, $340 million is available via the FY 2014 funds appropriated by Congress, of which $34 million is allocated to fund the FY 2014 Fire Prevention & Safety grant program. The remaining $304 million is available, funding for vehicles limited to 25 percent of the total 2014 AFG appropriation.

    Interested organizations are eligible to submit up to three applications under the following categories for FY 2014: Operations and Safety for professional training, wellness and fitness programs equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities, and supplies that support firefighting and non-affiliated EMS operations and safety; Vehicle Acquisition for: pumpers, aerials, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances; and Regional Grants in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction would benefit directly from the activities requested with grant funds.

    Congress created the program to upgrade capabilities of local firefighters to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, such as vehicular accidents. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $6.1 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. During fiscal year (FY) 2014, the AFG will award another $304.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

    Congressman Smith, who represents New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District in the House of Representatives, has offices in Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties.  Inquiries regarding the AFG program should be directed to the Monmouth County office is located at 112 Village Center Drive, Raintree Towne Center, 2^nd floor.  The phone number is (732) 780-3035. 

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