AFG Support for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

As you are aware, FEMA is working closely with its state and local partners in supporting disaster response and recovery operations throughout the areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. More than 5,000 FEMA employees have been deployed, including many members of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) staff, both regional staff members and headquarters (HQ) staff members in Washington, DC.

However, the AFG Program continues to maintain operations. If you have current awards, your grant functions (payments, amendments, etc.) will be processed as quickly as possible. In addition, we anticipate resuming FY 2012 AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant award announcements within the next 2 weeks.

lf you are unable to reach specific AFG regional or HQ staff members during this period, please contact the AFG Help Desk for assistance. The Help Desk can be reached toll free at 1-866-274-0960 or by e-mail at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov

To follow FEMA's Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts, please visit the FEMA website at FEMA.gov | Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Update on FY2012 SAFER Funding

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, the SAFER Grants Program will award approximately $320,625,000 in competitive grants to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in two categories: Hiring of Firefighters and the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters. The grants will help fire departments and interest organizations increase the number of trained, certified, front-line firefighters capable of safely responding to emergencies in communities throughout the United States.

Award announcements began in September but were suspended temporarily at the end of the 2012 fiscal year to await the availability of funding under the Continuing Resolution. Once award announcements resume, they will continue on a rolling basis until all available FY 2012 funds have been awarded. Each week, the list of new 2012 SAFER awardees will be posted on the Awards pages of the AFG website.

Who Submitted SAFER Applications?

The AFG received a total of 1,552 applications for 2012 SAFER grants, with the majority of applicants (63 percent) requesting Hiring of Firefighters grants. The other 37 percent requested grants for the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters. Additional information is provided below about the organizations that requested FY 2012 SAFER funding.

FY 2012 SAFER APPLICANTS BY DEPARTMENT TYPE

Department Type      No. of Applications Submitted      Percentage

All Paid/Career                              393                                      26%

All Volunteer                                  359                                      23%

Combination                                  530                                      34%
(Majority Volunteer)

Combination                                  220                                      14%
(Majority Paid)

Volunteer Firefighter                       50                                        3%

TOTAL SUBMISSIONS                     1,552                                    100%

 

FFY 2012 SAFER APPLICANTS BY SERVICE AREA

Type of Service      No. of Applications Submitted      Percentage
Area

Rural                                         679                                      44%

Suburban                                  522                                      34%

Urban                                        304                                      20%

Not Applicable                              47                                      2%

TOTAL SUBMISSIONS                  1,552                                   100%

AFG 2012 Calendar

NOTE: All information, including dates and projected application periods are subject to change.  When a conference is listed, the AFG Program either will be exhibiting and/or giving a presentation or workshop.

November

• FY 2012 AFG and SAFER award announcements resume (tentative).

LATE FALL

• FY 2012 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant application period

AFG Home Page: www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant

AFG Help Desk: E-mail: firegrants@fema.dhs.gov
                           Telephone Toll-Free: 1-866-274-0960