Texas Administrative Code
Title 4 - AGRICULTURE
Part 12 - TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE
Chapter 216 - RURAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Section 216.6 - Award Process

(i) Applications are assigned a numeric rating and sorted in numerical order.

(ii) The agency holds periodic meetings throughout each fiscal year to approve grant awards. The date, time and location for each meeting are published on the agency's website at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

(iii) Grant awards are based upon the application ratings and the date the applications were received, subject to funding limitations.

(iv) Fire departments that have outstanding issues with the State of Texas or the agency will not be considered for new grant awards until the issues are resolved.

(v) The agency's approval of applications for award during a public meeting is preliminary, contingent upon a final review of each application for eligibility, errors, duplications, and program compliance. Approvals are withdrawn in the event of an error or disqualifying condition. Following the final review, a grant award letter is sent to each approved grant recipient.

(vi) Grant awards have a specified termination date by which the recipient must complete its obligations and submit the necessary documentation to the agency for processing.

(vii) Applications not approved for funding are kept on file and considered during subsequent funding meetings.

(viii) The agency may award emergency grants to eligible fire departments that have suffered a catastrophic loss. A catastrophic loss is a sudden and unexpected event which seriously compromises the firefighting capability of an eligible fire department and which puts the local community at risk. Emergency grant awards are based on a department's application, agency assessment of impact and availability of program funds.

(i) Funds are divided by geographic branch, based upon the number of fire departments per branch, to establish target fund allocations. Allocations by branch may be adjusted by the agency based on the applications received.

(ii) The agency holds periodic meetings throughout each fiscal year to approve grant awards. The date, time and location for each meeting are published on the agency's website at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

(iii) Grant awards are based upon the application ratings, the date each application was received, the number and type of unfunded applications on file and the amount of funds available.

(iv) Fire departments that have outstanding issues with the State of Texas or the agency are not considered for new grant awards until the issues are resolved.

(v) The agency's approval of applications for award during a public meeting is preliminary, contingent upon a final review of each application for eligibility, errors, duplications, and program compliance. Approvals are withdrawn in the event of an error or disqualifying condition. Following the final review, a grant award letter is sent to each approved grant recipient.

(vi) Grant awards have a specified termination date by which the recipient must complete its obligations and submit the necessary documentation to the agency for processing.

(vii) Applications not approved for funding are kept on file and considered during subsequent funding meetings.

(viii) The agency may award emergency grants to eligible fire departments that have suffered a catastrophic loss. A catastrophic loss is a sudden and unexpected event which seriously compromises the firefighting capability of an eligible fire department and which puts the local community at risk. Emergency grant awards are based on a department's application, agency assessment of impact and availability of program funds.

(i) Funds are divided by geographic region, based upon the number of fire departments per region, to establish target fund allocations. Allocations by region may be adjusted by the agency based on the applications received.

(ii) The agency holds periodic meetings throughout each fiscal year to approve grant awards. The date, time and location for each meeting are published on the agency's website at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

(iii) Grant awards are based upon the application ratings, the dates the applications were received, the number and type of unfunded applications on file and the amount of funds available. Ratings shall take into consideration the frequency, size and severity of past wildfires in the department's jurisdiction; the potential for loss or damage to property resulting from future wildfires in the department's jurisdiction; and the department's need for emergency assistance under Texas Government Code § 614.103(a-1).

(iv) Fire departments that have outstanding issues with the State of Texas or the agency are not considered for new grant awards until the issues are resolved.

(v) The agency's approval of applications for award during a public meeting is preliminary, contingent upon a final review of each application for eligibility, errors, duplications, and program compliance. Approvals are withdrawn in the event of an error or disqualifying condition. Following the final review, a grant award letter is sent to each approved grant recipient.

(vi) Grant awards have a specified termination date by which the recipient must complete its obligations and submit the necessary documentation to the agency for processing.

(vii) Applications not approved for funding are kept on file and considered during subsequent funding meetings.

(viii) The agency may award emergency grants to eligible fire departments that have suffered a catastrophic loss. A catastrophic loss is a sudden and unexpected event which seriously compromises the firefighting capability of an eligible fire department and which puts the local community at risk. Emergency grant awards are based on a department's application, agency assessment of impact and availability of program funds.

(ix) The agency may award emergency grants, based on availability of program funds, to eligible fire departments who apply for the grant and whose equipment is damaged or lost in responding to a declared state of disaster under Texas Government Code § 418.014 in an area subject to the declaration for: