Press Release
Federal Grant Opportunity for Local Firefighters Now Open for Applications
The fiscal year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to benefit fire departments and nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations is now open for applications said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).
The fiscal year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to benefit fire departments and nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations is now open for applications said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). “Firefighters and emergency responders work to aid and protect our citizens 24 hours-a-day. This federal grant program helps local fire departments and emergency responders to replace outdated equipment, acquire vehicles and train personnel so they can improve their ability to perform vital services in our community,” said Smith, who has long supported federal grants for firefighters and last year held multiple workshops for fire department and first responders to help them learn more about and better compete for grant opportunities. Last year NJ Fourth District towns received a total of $587,366 in AFG federal grants to benefit firefighters and emergency responders located in the towns of Florence, East Windsor, Millstone, Howell, Hightstown, Mansfield, Plumsted and Spring Lake Heights. In fact, since 2002, 73 grants totaling over $4.5 million have been awarded to local firefighters and EMS organizations in the Fourth District. Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security, the AFG Program will provide grants on a competitive basis to rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. In addition, the AFG allows non-affiliated EMS organizations to apply for grants. “I will continue to work with fire districts throughout New Jersey’s Fourth District and help them as they pursue these critical federal grant opportunities,” said Smith who was recently honored by firefighters from Join Base New Jersey for his continued support of the installations that make up the megabase and the personnel that are stationed there. The FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations act for the Department of Homeland Security (PL 110-161) provided approximately $500 million for the AFG program. The grant program opened at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2008. Program guidance and application instructions are available at: www.firegrantsupport.com For more information, contact FEMA’s e-grants assistance help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or firegrants@dhs.gov |