Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program provides financial support to fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies (SFTAs) across the United States. The program aims to enhance firefighter and public safety in response to fire and fire-related hazards by funding essential equipment, training, wellness initiatives, and operational improvements. The total available funding for FY 2024 is $291.6 million, distributed across approximately 2,000 projected awards. Eligible recipients can use the grants for various purposes, such as purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), fire vehicles, facility upgrades, and health programs.

Applicants must be fire departments, non-affiliated EMS organizations, or SFTAs operating within the 50 U.S. states, territories, or recognized tribal entities. Additional eligibility applies to non-federal airport and port authority fire or EMS organizations if they provide emergency services outside their jurisdiction. Each eligible activity—Operations and Safety, Vehicle Acquisition, and Regional Projects—has specific requirements, which are detailed in the program’s guidelines. Recipients are required to report through the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and must comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Cost-sharing requirements vary by the population served, with contributions ranging from 5% to 15% of the federal award. Exceptions to these requirements may apply for communities experiencing economic hardship, with FEMA considering waivers on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must also maintain at least 80% of their prior two years' average expenditures on eligible activities to qualify for the grant, as part of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) provision.

Applications open on November 12, 2024, and must be submitted by December 20, 2024, through FEMA’s Grants Outcomes System (FEMA GO). FEMA uses a multi-phase review process that includes pre-scoring based on program priorities, peer review, and technical evaluation. Evaluation criteria include financial need, project description, cost-benefit analysis, and the anticipated impact on operations and public safety. Successful applicants will receive awards by April 30, 2025, with funding distributed by September 30, 2025.

Award recipients are required to provide performance data to FEMA to ensure that program objectives are being met. This includes tracking metrics on PPE compliance, vehicle replacements, training levels, and wellness programs. The program also mandates that funds cannot be used for specific purposes, such as construction or certain telecommunications equipment prohibited under federal law. Further information, including budget limits and program-specific priorities, is outlined in the detailed NOFO document available on Grants.gov.