FEMA Adds a Week to AFG Application Period
Because Hurricane Irene affected so many communities on the East Coast, FEMA extended the deadline. Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. EDT is the new deadline to apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grants.
A total of $810 million has been approved for FY 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grants, and now FEMA has given departments an extra week to apply for one of them. FEMA said it granted the extension because Hurricane Irene had affected so many communities on the East Coast. The new deadline is Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. EDT.
The agency also said the hurricane did not disrupt its service, so grants applications and information submitted to date is intact. Tools to assist applicants are available at www.fema.gov/firegrants.
"This extension of time will allow our partners to address the immediate needs of their communities while providing adequate opportunity for them to apply for grant assistance under the AFG program," the agency's news release stated. "Hurricane Irene has affected a wide expanse of communities on the East Coast of the United States. FEMA recognizes that many of the eligible applicants for the AFG grant application period, that is presently open, are fire departments and non-affiliated EMS departments. FEMA understands that the most important focus should be on life and property."
The $810 million is split in this way:
- $405 million will support Fire and EMS Operations and Safety Grants, Firefighting and Emergency Vehicle Grants and Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S)
- $405 million will support SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response) grants.