Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period is open

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson has announced that the application period for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program opened on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 8 a.m. ET and will close on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET.

The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire- related hazards. The program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and State Fire Training Academies. The funds provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. No. 116-260), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) include $460 million for the AFG Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program. Of that amount, $414 million will be awarded under the FY 2021 AFG Program to assist first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types. The remaining $46 million will be awarded under the to-be-announced FY 2021 FP&S Program.

“Fire Departments should take advantage of this grant program,” said Congressman Thompson. “These funds can go a long way in training and equipping first responders with the resources they need to carry out their duty.”

The funding notice and technical assistance documents for this program are available at www.grants.gov and on the FEMA website. Additional information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants is also available on the FEMA website.

Applicants requiring assistance should visit the FEMA website, call the FEMA AFG Program Help Desk at (866) 274-0960, and/or email them at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The AFG Program Help Desk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.

The Congressman’s Bolton office is located at 107 West Madison Street, Bolton, MS 39041. Telephone: (601) 866-9003.

US Representative Bennie G. Thompson

Bolton MS:

107 West Madison Street

Bolton, MS 39041

(601) 866-9003

(601) 866-9036 (Fax)

Washington DC:

2466 Rayburn HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515

(202) 225-5876

(202) 225-5898 (Fax)

---

---