A Guide for Securing Assistance to Firefighters Grant Funds for a Training Management System

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) funds critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies and support community resilience. This program is comprised of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grants and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The Administering Federal authority is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The following categories are eligible for AFG funds:

• Data Collection & Records Management
• Emergency Response & Public Safety
• EMS & Trauma Equipment
• Fire Suppression
• Hazmat & CBRNE Response
• Information Sharing & Systems Integration
• Interoperable Communications
• Response Vehicle
• Technology & IT
• Town, City or County Government
• Training & Continuing Education

Here Are Six Tips for Crafting a Successful AFG Grant:

1. Conduct a risk assessment and identify critical gaps in your training processes and infrastructures that impact your firefighter readiness.

2. Align your risk assessment findings and remedies with the requested items in your AFG grant.

3. AFG funds should align with a detailed list of items and services that are included in your grant application. Request a thorough quote from your vendor(s) before submitting your application and include the following:

• Training software subscription fees
• Professional services to implement and train administrators, proctors, and other users on the software system
• Server hardware and set-up services
• Laptops, tablets, and/or other hardware that will be used in your academy, field training, and testing programs. Include associated items, like portable cases to protect the hardware when transporting, hotspots to connect devices in field, and any internal IT fees that your agency will incur to implement the software.

4. Request a two-year AFG performance period that covers implementation ramp up and subscription costs.

5. Vector Solutions’ training management systems are designed for the unique needs of fire service training and record keeping and meet multiple AFG categories, including:

• Training & Continuing Education
• Data Collection & Records Management
• Information Sharing & Systems Integration (if your agency has additional systems that they wish to integrate)

6. Include the specific software functions and problems being addressed that help remedy issues identified in your risk assessment to provide a strong justification for your request.

AFG Contact Information and Links

• Application URL: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants
• Regional Contacts: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/regional-contacts#
• FEMA Email: [email protected]
• FEMA Phone Number: 866.274.0960