Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFGP)

 [Top]

---

Workshop Notes and Handouts

 

AFG Grants Program Guidance Documents

2011 AFG Program Guidance - 633 K

2009 Federal Register Notice - 76 K

AFG Journal

NFPA 1001/State Equivalent Training Standard for FY2008 June 2008

Vehicle Manufacturing Delays February 2008

• Click here - Get your question answered directly by AFGP staff
• FIREGRANTS@DHS.GOV

 [Top]

---

General Information Needed For Application

Standards and Laws

• General Duty Clause (Minnesota Statute 182.653 Subd. 2)  - Click here
• MN Law Requiring Two Apparatuses 069.11Sub(4) f. - Click here
• NOTE: This law pertains to qualifying for state aid.

• NIOSH, ANSI and MN-OSHA Laws - Click here
• OSHA Standards Minnesota OSHA Rules,  Minnesota OSHA Statutes
• NIOSH CBRNE SCBA Approved Respirators - Click here

• Insurance Service Organization (ISO) - Click here
• League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust LMCIT - Trends in Firefighter Injuries Report  - The following is a summary of findings from a recent LMCIT study of firefighter injuries in Minnesota. LMCIT is still considering options for publishing a full report and possible injury prevention techniques. More information on the study will be presented at LMCIT's annual loss control workshops, located around the state in March and April (there's a fire track as part of the workshops this year). Registration is open at www.lmnc.org. Questions on the study or findings can be directed to Ann Gergen, LMCIT Associate Administrator, at 651-281-1291 or agergen@lmnc.org.

• LMCIT’s firefighter injury evaluation includes data from 290 lost-time firefighter work comp claims from injuries that occurred between 2002 and 2006, excluding high-cost claims exceeding $50,000 (there are so few of these claims and the dollar amount is so great, including them would skew the findings).  Claims included in this analysis had a total incurred value of approximately $10.1 million.  Previous LMCIT research showed no significant differences in injuries based on firefighter status as full-time, paid-on-call, or volunteer.  Costs and claims from all firefighters have been combined for purposes of our analysis.

• List of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards - Click here

• List of Standards Adopted by the Department of Homeland Security

• NFPA 1901 Ch 5 Minimum equipment on engines/pumpers - Click here
• NFPA 1901 Ch 9 Minimum equipment on quints - Click here
• NFPA 1901 Ch 7 Minimum equipment on tenders - Click here
• NFPA 1901 Ch 8 Minimum equipment on aerials - Click here

• NFPA 1906 Ch   5 Vehicle requirements for wildland vehicles - Click here
• NFPA 1906 Ch 10 Minimum equipment on wildland vehicles - Click here

• Vehicle Awardees Must Comply with NFPA 1500 - read more
  

• NFPA has made all of their standards available on-line (with or without NFPA membership). You can view the standard(s) but you cannot print, download, or "cut & paste" the language.  Here is how it works: Go to:http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/list_of_codes_and_standards.asp
  Select the document you want to review.  Scroll down to the heading "Additional information about this document" and click on the link "Preview this document".
  Click on "I agree".

Federal Requirements

• Responder Knowledge Base - Click here
• EMS Vehicle Standards Requirements must meet the GSA KKK-A-1822E standard.
• SAFETEA-LU, the federal highway plan.
  
• The SAFECOM grant guidance materials are available in their entirety on the SAFECOM website (http://www.safecomprogram.gov) in the electronic library.  They can also be accessed through DHS Information Bulletin #113, posted at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/bulletins.htm drawing links between AFG and other G&T Programs.

• Get a D&B D-U-N-S Number  - Click here

• As of October 2003, departments applying for Federal grant programs must have a D-U-N-S number.

  To apply for a federal grant program, you will need to apply for a D-U-N-S® number. As of October 2003, departments applying for Federal grant programs must have a D-U-N-S® number. The Federal government uses the D-U-N-S® number to identify organizations that are applying for grant funding and to provide consistent name and address data for electronic grant applications. D-U-N-S® numbers are issued by the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. To apply for a D-U-N-S® number for your organization, complete the online application at:  www.dnb.com

• Your Fire Departments Identification Number  FDID Number
• Your Fire Departments Identification Number (FDID is the same as NFIRS)  FDID Number

Statewide Radio Coordination Board and Plan - Click here

Critical Infrastructure

Narrative Tips

• Specific requirement items in narratives click here

• AFG Narrative Samples MN Winners - Click here

• For Specific Tips To Match Questions (Important) - Click here

• Sample Winning Narratives From The Idea Bank - Click here

• SAFER Narrative Tips - Click here

Grant Writers and Grant Writing

The Panel Review Process

• The panel review process - Grant Process is Competitive

•  Past Award Rounds
  

• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2010
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2009
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2008
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2007
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2006
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2005
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2004
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2003
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2002
• AFGP Awards to Minnesota Fire Departments - 2001

How Long Should It take To Sign An Apparatus Contract?

• Additional Vehicle Items
• Workshop Handouts - What's New in 2010 Plus Vehicle - Click here
• NFPA 1901 says you have to have what? March 30, 2010 - read more
• Apparatus Purchasing: Beware of Outside Influences Feb 1, 2010 - read more
• Making Apparatus Specs Clear, Concise, and Consistent Jun 1, 2009 - read more
• Apparatus Specifications: Avoiding the Pitfalls Feb 1, 2008 - read more
• A Good “Boilerplate” Can Help Keep Your Apparatus Purchase From Becoming A Time Bomb! Jun 1, 2006 - read more
  

We recognize that normal build times for custom/semi-custom fire apparatus is 270 to 360 days depending on the type of vehicle and the various specifications included in the vehicle. 

We also recognize that the Federal government requires open and fair competition which can take 30 to 60 days.  Given these two ‘givens’, it is not always possible to have a vehicle purchased and delivered within the 12-month performance period provided with the grants.  BUT, there is very little excuse for not completing the project within 15 months. 

We are willing to work with grantees that need the extra three months IF the grantee does everything in their power to assure that the project is completed in the most expeditious manner. 

We see no reason why a vehicle grantee couldn’t meet the following schedule:  develop specs and advertise their purchase within the first 30 days of the performance period; receive and evaluate bid proposals within 60 days; and, sign a contract for purchase within 90 days.

In the past, we’ve heard the excuses like, “We’ve never had the opportunity to buy a new vehicle before, so we wanted to make sure the vehicle meets all of our needs.”  But wrestling over the placement of the chrome bell shouldn’t take the entire 12-month performance period. 

All awards are made on the premise of urgency, i.e., based on claims that if the applicant doesn’t replace this vehicle immediately, lives will be lost. 

If a grantee has the luxury of delaying action on their vehicle award, then we believe we have reasonable doubt about any statements in their application regarding the urgency.    

If a grantee doesn’t get a signed contract within 90 days, they should hope that their build time is relatively short. 

Currently, grantees that seek extensions to their period of performance when little or nothing has been done during the original POP are being denied and the grantee is being instructed to find a commercial vehicle that fits their scope of work.

Legislation Affecting the AFG Program

• http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/browse.html
• Office of Management and Budget --budget documents.
• AFG Program Information
• SAFER Program Information
• Fire Prevention and Safety Grants