Higgins announces grant opportunity for local fire departments

Federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant deadline is Dec. 6

Congressman Brian Higgins has announced the Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period is now open. He invites local fire departments to apply.

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 the Department of Homeland Security and go through a non-partisan, merit-based review ranked by factors established by a panel of fire service professionals.

More than $320 million was appropriated in 2013 for the AFG program, including the fire prevention and safety program.

The application period for AFG grants opened Monday. All applications must be submitted by Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.

In July, Higgins hosted a grant workshop in the City of Tonawanda for local firefighters at which a Department of Homeland Security regional fire program specialist was on hand to provide information about the AFG Program. 

More information on the fire grant program is available through the federal fire grant website at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.