Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Update

FY 2023 AFG Programs Status Update

Major Program Priority Changes Coming for FY 2023 AFG 

The FY 2023 AFG application period is expected to open in January 2024. More information will be forthcoming as definitive dates are set. The Criteria Development Panel has recommended major changes to the FY 2023 AFG program priorities. These changes will put an emphasis on PPE which is necessary to protect firefighter health and safety.  

In anticipation of the 2023 AFG application period, below is a list of things that you can do NOW to start preparing for the upcoming FY 2023 AFG Application Period. 

• Verify your organization’s SAM.gov account is Active. 
• Ensure grant writing staff have accounts and appropriate permissions in FEMA GO. 
• Conduct a Risk Assessment to determine your greatest needs. Compare your needs to the priorities of the program once the FY23 funding notice is released to identify what you should request. 
• Poll vendors to start determining the costs of items you plan to request. 
• If requesting a vehicle, establish your committee and develop specifications. 
• Use the Application Checklist to gather the information needed to complete the application. 
• Use the Self-Evaluation Sheets to start drafting the four scored sections of the application narrative. These documents provide the exact criteria that panelists will be looking for in your narrative at the panel review. There is one for Operations and Safety and another for Vehicle applications. 
• Use the Narrative Development Guide to help identify ways that you can address the criteria outlined in the Self-Evaluation Sheets. 
• Write your narrative. It is easily pasted into the application once the application period opens. This will allow ample time for others to review what you’ve written and provide feedback. 
• Contact your Regional Fire Program Representative with any questions.

Did You Know?

Although the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is administered by FEMA, funding priorities and programmatic criteria for evaluating Program applications are established based on the recommendations from the Criteria Development Panel (CDP). Each year, FEMA convenes a panel of fire service professionals to develop funding priorities for the AFG Program. The panel makes recommendations about funding priorities as well as developing criteria for awarding grants.  

The nine major fire service organizations represented on the panel are:  

• International Association of Fire Chiefs  
• International Association of Fire Fighters  
• National Volunteer Fire Council  
• National Fire Protection Association  
• National Association of State Fire Marshals  
• International Association of Arson Investigators  
• International Society of Fire Service Instructors  
• North American Fire Training Directors  
• Congressional Fire Service Institute  

The CDP is charged with making recommendations to FEMA regarding the creation or modification of previously established funding priorities as well as developing criteria for awarding grants. The content of each year’s funding notice reflects implementation of the CDP’s recommendations with respect to the priorities, direction, and criteria for awards.  

Grants Management Training

Grants Management Technical Assistance 

The K0705 Fundamentals of Grants Management is a virtual course offered by FEMA to grant recipients. Although not a requirement for accepting an AFG award, the course is designed to assist organizations in strengthening their grant management practices. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to: 

• Improve collaboration among policy, program, and financial staff to integrate grant management functions;   
• Identify applicable regulations and navigate and apply the Code of Federal Regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200; 
• Apply proven business practices related to the grant lifecycle to increase efficiency and meet grant management priorities, such as strategic planning, organization, program implementation, staff training, monitoring, reporting, and audits; 
• Develop or revise policies, procedures, and practices in critical areas of grants management, such as monitoring, procurement, source documentation, payments, and equipment inventory; and 
• Prepare for federal monitoring and sub-recipient monitoring. 

Upcoming Course Offerings: 

To Apply: National Emergency Training Center Online Admissions Application (fema.gov) Questions:fema-gpd-training@fema.dhs.gov