When can I apply?
From 8 a.m. (EDT), July 30, 2007 , until 5 p.m. (EDT) on August 31, 2007 .
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When is the grant application due?
The application deadline is August 31, 2007 . Applications must be received by 5 p.m. EDT. Applications received after the close of the application period will not be accepted.
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May I submit more than one grant application?
No, you may submit only one funding application to SAFER. If an applicant is found to have submitted more than one application for SAFER funding, all of its applications will be deemed ineligible.
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What are the hardware (system) and software requirements for accessing and filing the online grant application?
Most computers will work with the application without difficulty if they have access to the Internet and have a Web browser installed. Both Netscape and Internet Explorer Web browsers will work if they are version 4.0 or higher.
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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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Can I print and mail an electronic application?
No. We do not accept any printed versions of the electronic applications that are mailed in. 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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If I do not have access to a computer, will I still be able to apply?
We strongly encourage applicants to apply online. All you need is Internet access from any PC. Because you will get a username and password, you can login from anywhere and work on the application. You can save it and return later to continue working on the application from any computer that has Internet access.

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. Remember, the online deadline for applications is August 31, 2007 , but applications submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than August 27, 2007 , or received by us on or before close of business (5 p.m. EDT) on August 31, 2007 . We will not accept late, incomplete, or faxed applications.
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Where do I send a paper application?
Faxed applications will not be accepted. To meet the deadline, mailed applications must be postmarked no later than August 27, 2007 , or otherwise received by 5 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2007 . Remember to send the application early enough to ensure that it is received by 5 p.m. on August 31, 2007 .

U.S. Fire Administration Grant Program Technical Assistance Center
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727-8998
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Can I fax my application in or submit it by e-mail?
No. The only applications that will be accepted are those that are received on or before the application deadline from applicants who submit using the automated application or the approved paper application. The SAFER Grant Program Office will supply a copy of the approved paper application to anyone who requests it.
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When I go to the Website for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (www.firegrantsupport.com), how do I reach the application page?
On the left side of the screen you will see a list of menu items. Click the "E-Grant Application" link, and this will take you directly to the Login screen for the grant application.
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How can I change the personal contact information on my grant?
For the Primary Contact – There can be only one Primary Contact for your department/agency. Changing the Primary Contact on one grant will cause the Primary Contact to be changed on all other department grants submitted under the same UserID. (Note: a department should not change their original UserID.) If you don't wish to do this, consider changing Alternate Contact information for a particular grant instead (see next paragraph). To update personal information such as Primary Contact name, address, phone numbers, e-mail address , or change password, grantees should login to their grant and at the "Status" screen click on "Edit Profile," which is located at the upper part of the screen. If the profile that appears needs to be updated, type in the correct information and click on "Save" at the bottom of the page. A note will appear that reads, "Your profile has been updated. Thank You." You might think you're done at this point, but you're not! You must log out of your application for the new information to take effect. To do this, click on the "Authorized Applications" link on the upper left-hand side of the "Thank You" page, and then click on "Firefighters Grants" on the new page so that the new information will be set and updated.

For Alternate Contacts – Alternate Contacts can differ from grant to grant if your department/agency has more than one AFG grant. To change the Alternate Contact name, or update any alternate contact personal information, grantees must log into their grant. From the Status screen, select Manage Grant from the drop-down menu in the Action field. Click on Update Alternate Contacts on the menu bar on the left side of the screen. Type in the updated personal information. Please provide specific instructions regarding which Alternate Contact is to be replaced, then click on Save and Continue at the bottom of the page. As this request changes information that is contained within the actual grant application, it is processed as a Revision Request by Grants Management staff and must be entered manually. The updated information may not appear for several weeks.
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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 FEMA 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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How do I gain access to my department's previous year's application when I'm going to be the primary contact on the new application, and I don't know the username and password from the previous year's application (i.e., lost password, previous contact is no longer available)?
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 1-866-274-0942. 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 on 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
• 2 telephone numbers

Please note: This information can only be changed by authorized personnel. Generally the Fire Chief is considered the authorized personnel.

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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Can I use my password from a previous grant application?
Yes. You should use the same password and identifiers that you used for a previous application, especially if you won an award in a prior program year.
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Do I have to provide my bank account number to apply for a grant?
Yes. You must provide your current bank account number and routing number for our records and to facilitate funds transfer should you receive an award. The Website of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is on a secure server. Applicant information is not released to anyone. If you are concerned about security, contact the Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960.
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What is a bank routing number and do I need one?
The bank “routing number” is a multi-digit set of numbers that correlate banks and accounts. Every bank has multiple routing numbers that are used to determine how money is placed into accounts. The “routing number is actually part of your 15 digit account number. The type of account that you have currently set up may not be suitable for transferring grant funds, however. Please check with your bank and confirm that your account is set up to accept wire transfers on an “ACH” basis. The specific “routing number” that you need to include is the “routing number” that your bank uses to make wire transfers on a next day availability basis. This routing number is referred to as the “ACH routing number” (Automated Clearing House”. Accounts that are set up as Savings accounts and/or money market accounts can not be used for the purpose of transferring grant funds. Additionally, the listed “Payee and “Signature” on the account must be the same as those designated on the account.
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