Federal Emergency Management Agency June 22, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This Notice provides guidelines that describe the application process for grants and the criteria for awarding grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program year. It explains the differences, if any, between these guidelines and those recommended by representatives of the Nation's fire service leadership during the annual Criteria Development meeting, which was held October 20-21, 2011. The application period for the FY 2012 AFG Program year will be held June 11, to July 6, 2012, and will be announced on www.grants.gov. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 applications for AFG funding will be submitted electronically, using the application submission form and process available at https://portal.fema.gov. Before the application period, the ``FY 2012 AFG Guidance and Application Kit'' will be published on the AFG Web site (www.fema.gov/ firegrants). Additional information to assist applicants will be provided on the AFG Web site, including an applicant tutorial, list of frequently asked questions, a ``Get Ready Guide, and a Quick Reference Guide.'' The AFG Program makes grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations for the purpose of enhancing the abilities of first responders to protect the health and safety of the public as well as that of first-responder personnel facing fire and fire-related hazards. In addition, the authorizing statute requires that a minimum of 5 percent of appropriated funds be expended for fire prevention and safety grants to be made directly to local fire departments and to local, regional, State, or national entities recognized for their expertise in the fields of fire prevention and firefighter safety research and development.