Higgins, Gillibrand to host grant workshop for local firefighters

Congressman Brian Higgins and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand invite local firefighters to an upcoming firefighters grant program workshop in Western New York. The workshop will be held Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m., at Niawanda Park Pavilion, 600 Niagara St., City of Tonawanda.

A Department of Homeland Security Regional Fire Program specialist will be on hand to provide information about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The workshop will help potential applicants understand the purpose of the FY 2013 AFG program, changes since fiscal year 2012, funding priorities, award evaluation, and a brief description of other AFG funding opportunities.

The AFG program provides competitive grants to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the U.S. 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.

For more information on the fire grant program, visit the federal fire grant website at: http://www.fema.gov/firegrants. Contact Congressman Higgins' office at 716-852-3501 or Sen. Gillibrand's office at 716-854-9725 if you have any questions.