Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG)

Background
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program aims to enhance the safety of firefighters and the public regarding fire-related hazards by providing financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTAs). Since its inception, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.7 billion in funding to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

Grant Details
The AFG Program provides funding for critical training and equipment necessary for emergency response. Key tasks include equipping and training emergency personnel to recognized standards; outfitting responders with compliant personal protective equipment; retrofitting or modifying facilities to protect personnel from health hazards; acquiring emergency response vehicles; designing and implementing health, wellness, and resiliency programs; enhancing operational efficiencies; fostering interoperability; and supporting community resilience. The program has specific goals including reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage associated with fire-related hazards.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include fire departments operating in any U.S. state or territory, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, State Fire Training Academies designated by legislation or governor's declaration as the sole fire service training agency within a state, and non-federal airport or port authority fire or EMS organizations with a formal arrangement for first-due services. Applicants must maintain their aggregate expenditures at not less than 80% of the average amount spent in the two fiscal years prior to receiving an AFG grant.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for grants awarded under this program is 24 months. Extensions may be allowed under certain circumstances.

Grant Value
The total available funding for the FY 2024 AFG Program is $291,600,000 with a projected number of awards totaling approximately 2,000.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be performed in various locations across all 50 states as well as in U.S. territories including the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.