No. We do not plan to extend the application period at this time. However, we will continue to monitor application flow and, if warranted, make adjustments to the application period.
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How do I apply for a grant on line?

The online application is located at https://portal.fema.gov. Information about the funding priorities and evaluation criteria is available online at the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Website at www.firegrantsupport.com.
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How do I get questions about the online application answered?

Call 1-866-274-0960 and state your question. During the application period (September 6 to October 7), the Help Desk will be staffed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday; however, these hours may change as the application period progresses. The toll-free number also will accept voicemail messages after hours or if the line is busy. Questions also may be sent to a toll-free fax line at 1-866-274-0942, or e-mailed to FireGrants@dhs.gov.

Tutorial for Applicants (available in early Septmber 2005): An online tutorial also is available to assist applicants in completing the automated application. This tutorial explains the grant program priorities and eligibility criteria and provides tips for navigating the application screens. There are two versions of the tutorial: enhanced and text. The enhanced version is designed for people with high-speed Internet connections and features a narrator. The text version is designed for those with dial-up modem Internet connections and has no sound.
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How do I obtain more information about the Fire Prevention and Safety Program?

It is important to review the Program Guidance on the AFG Website at firegrantsupport.com. This document can be found by

• Go to www.firegrantsupport.com or https://portal.fema.gov
• Click on "Fire Prevention and Safety Grant" in the main menu.
• Click on "Program Guidance."

I've forgotten my UserID and/or Password. How do I find these out?
If you are the Primary Contact for your department's grant(s), and you have forgotten the UserID and/or Password, you can use the Forgot Password utility available on the login screen (the screen that appears when you click on e-grant application). Click on “FORGOT PASSWORD” and answer the two security questions, then submit your request. The screen should tell you that you successfully submitted your request and that a temporary password is being emailed to your address. Go into your email and retrieve the user ID and temporary password. If the message is not there, look in the junk mail file. If it is not in your junk mail file then your email address is not compatible with the DHS system. You will have to set up a new email account. (You may want to use the free email accounts such as yahoo, hotmail , etc.)

If you are unable to answer the security questions, or your primary contact email address has changed, you will need to follow the procedure outlined in the FAQ, “ How do I gain access to my department's previous year's application when the previous primary contact is no longer available or does not remember the username and password? ”

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Please note: This information can only be changed by authorized personnel.

Send us a letter explaining the need to change the main contact information. The letter must be on fire department letterhead and signed by the Chief of the department. To expedite this change you can fax a copy of the letter to Mr. William Dunham at 866-274-0942. The letter should be addressed to:

DHS/FEMA/Grant Programs Directorate
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
William Dunham - Room 5066D
Tech World Bldg - South Tower 5th Floor
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472

The following information must be included in the letter:

• Grant Number
• Previous Main Contact Person's Name
• Explanation of why access to the grant is needed
• New Contact Person's Name
• New Contact Person's Mother's Maiden Name
• Date of Birth
• E-mail Address
• Two Phone Numbers

Soon after faxing the letter to Mr. Dunham you will receive an email from us with your temporary password. If you do not receive this email within two days of faxing your request, look in your Junk Mail file. The electronic emails are sometimes filtered and sent directly to junk mail.

If that does not work, go onto the web site at www.firegrantsupport.com and choose e-grant application. You will get an application sign-in screen. Click on “FORGOT PASSWORD” and answer the two security questions and submit your request. The screen should tell you that you successfully submitted your request and that a temporary password is being emailed to your address. Go into your email and retrieve the temporary password. Again, if the message is not there, look in the junk mail file if it is not in your email box.

When you click on submit and the computer tells you that you gave incorrect information you need to call Mr. Dunham at (202) 786-9813.

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Are fire departments eligible to receive these grants?

Yes, under the governing statute (Title XVII Assistance to Firefighters), fire departments may apply for the Fire Prevention and Safety Activity. However, fire departments are not eligible in the grant program's other activity, namely, Firefighter Safety Research and Development. We encourage fire departments (and all applicants) to read the description of eligible activities and evaluation criteria contained in the Program Guidance to determine the degree to which your project fits the evaluation criteria.
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If I was awarded a grant in 2003 or 2004 in the Fire Prevention category, am I eligible for this program?

Yes. Eligibility for this program is not linked to previous grant years. However, it is important to ensure that your proposal matches the Fire Prevention and Safety Program eligibility and evaluation criteria.
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If I was turned down for a competitive grant in the Fire Prevention category in 2003 or 2004, will I be eligible for a grant in this Program?

Yes. Again, the evaluation criteria for the Fire Prevention and Safety grant differs from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Be sure to modify your request if necessary to address the criteria for this program.
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If we won an award this year in the competitive portion of the grant in Fire Operations and Safety or Firefighting Vehicle program, are we eligible for a Fire Prevention and Safety grant?

Yes, you are eligible. However, the combined funding of grant awards through AFG "Fire Grants" and Fire Prevention and Safety grants to any single fire department is limited to an amount of Federal share (shown below) for each year, and is based on the population that the fire department protects.

• Populations greater than 1 million: Maximum Federal Share: $2,750,000
• Populations from 500,000 to 1 million: Maximum Federal Share: $1,750,000
• Populations less than 500,000: Maximum Federal Share: $1,000,000

Yes, however your application must not mirror the award you received this year. It may enhance your current grant, or you may propose a different activity within the FY 2005 Fire Prevention and Safety grant.
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Does this program have a cost share match?

No. There is no cost share requirement on behalf of the applicant for the FY 2005 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants.
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Is this a competitive program, and will all applications be funded?

Although applications will not be competing against one another, they will be reviewed against the program priorities and evaluation criteria. We will use technical panels to provide input to DHS in making funding decisions.

We anticipate that we will have more requests than the funding will support. We will fund as many as is practicable, focusing on those that most closely align with the funding priorities and evaluation criteria. In general, proposals that meet the funding priorities and adequately address most of the criteria will be more likely to receive favorable consideration. DHS reserves the right to fund a variety of projects. This means that we do not want to fund one type of project, such educational props.
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The Program Guidance says there are two activities eligible for funding. Can I apply for grants in both activities?

All eligible organizations, with the exception of fire departments, may apply for grants in both the Fire Prevention and Safety and the Firefighter Safety Research and Development activities, but you must do so in one single application. Only one application will be accepted from any organization. If you submit more than one application, your requests will be disqualified.

Fire departments are eligible for grants only in the Fire Prevention and Safety Activity.
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The Program Guidance has a list of eligible projects. Am I limited to the choices on this list?

No. The projects listed are intended to serve as examples. We encourage you to develop innovative projects that meet the needs of your target audience.
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Who is eligible to receive a Fire Prevention and Safety grant?

In the Fire Prevention and Safety Activity, grants will be awarded to national, regional, state, local, or community organizations (including fire departments). Private and public nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding for these grants.

In the Firefighter Safety Research and Development Activity, the following types of organizations and individuals are eligible to apply: private and public nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, non-Federal governmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and individual researchers, e.g., doctoral candidates. Under the grant program's statute, fire departments are not eligible to receive grants in the Firefighter Safety Research and Development Activity. They are eligible only in the Fire Prevention and Safety Activity.

For-profit organizations and Federal agencies are not eligible for grants in either activity.
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Can I apply for personnel protective gear or other equipment under safety?

No. Fire suppression equipment, supplies, vehicles, firefighting training, personal protective gear, or wellness and fitness projects are not eligible for these fire prevention and safety grants. These requests should be made under the application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program in the Spring.
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What is the difference between construction and renovations?

To be eligible, renovations must be essential to the successful completion of the grant scope of work. Renovations to an existing facility are allowable only if the costs comply with the final rule as published in the Federal Register (i.e., limited to minor interior alterations costing less than $10,000). As noted in the Program Guidance, installation of fire suppression, fire alarms, or detection systems are not considered renovations, and accordingly, are not subject to the limits outlined for renovation costs. The costs, however, need to be reasonable and justified. Fire departments that are considering installation of suppression, fire alarm, or detection systems in a fire department facility are encouraged to apply under the Assistance to Firefighters grant program under Modification to Facilities.

Construction costs are not eligible under the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. Construction includes major alterations to a building that changes the profile or footprint of the structure.
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Are administrative or indirect costs allowed?

Miscellaneous administrative expenses used to carry out the project are eligible and should be listed under "other." Please include a detailed explanation of these costs in your application's Narrative Statement.

Indirect costs are not eligible unless your organization has an indirect cost agreement already established with the Federal government. If you are unsure whether you have an indirect cost agreement in place, contact the financial officer for your organization.
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Why do I need a DUNS number?

Since October 1, 2003, the Federal Government has required that all applicants for Federal grants and cooperative agreements, with the exception of individuals other than sole proprietors and foreign entities, have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. The Federal Government uses the DUNS number to better identify related organizations that are receiving funding under grants and cooperative agreements, and to provide consistent name and address data for electronic grant application systems. Additional information about DUNS numbers can be found on the D&B Website: https://eupdate.dnb.com/requestoptions/government/ccrreg/. The process is free. If you have already registered for a DUNS number for the AFG grant, you must use the same number for this application.
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How do I apply for a DUNS number?

You can obtain a DUNS number within 24 hours by calling 1-866-705-5711. A DUNS number can also be requested online, however, D&B estimates it may take 2-3 weeks to process online orders. We strongly encourage you to register for this number prior to the application period.
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When will decisions be made regarding awards, and when will funds be disbursed?

The application period will run until 5 p.m. (EDT), October 7, 2005. It is anticipated that the award process will begin in December 2005.
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What is the Program Acronym?

The Program Acronym is FP&S.
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Can I apply using a paper application?

We strongly discourage submitting a paper application. The online application ensures successful completion of all required fields. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. This type of error is much more likely with the paper application and will result in a disqualification of the application.

However, if you wish to submit a paper application, call the Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 to request that a paper application be mailed to you. You may use only the version of the paper application that we send to you in the mail.
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Can I print and mail an electronic application?

No. We do not accept any printed versions of the electronic applications. If you must apply by mail, call our Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 to request that a paper application be mailed to you.
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Where do I mail the paper application packet?

Mail paper applications to the address listed in the Program Guidance:

DHS/FEMA/Grant Programs Directorate
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Brian A. Cowan, Director
Tech World Bldg - South Tower 5th Floor
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472


For security purposes, mail to DHS is processed at a remote facility prior to delivery. Please plan your mailing date accordingly, as it may take several extra days to reach our office.
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Will DHS fax or e-mail to me a copy of the application form?

No, we will not fax or e-mail an application. If an applicant does not have access over the Internet to the AFG Website, the applicant may contact us directly to request a copy via mail. Those applicants interested in receiving a paper application by mail should phone 1-866-274-0960.
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Will you acknowledge receipt of my application packet?

Yes, upon successful submittal, the online application will provide a confirmation page that you can print and keep on file pending award determination. We recommend that you write your login information on this confirmation page so that you can keep them together. Confirmation of receipt of paper applications will only be provided if the applicant submits a self-addressed stamped envelope inside the paper application packet. Confirmation of application receipt will not be given over the phone.
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How do I get reimbursed for the grant-writer's fee?

On the Preparer Information screen of the application, you will be asked to indicate if a grant-writer's fee is associated with your request, and if so, to fill in the amount. IN ADDITION, you must request the grant-writer's fee as a separate budget item for one of your projects. Simply filling out the dollar figure on the Preparer Information form WILL NOT add that fee to your project budget.
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