Brought to you by FireGrantsHelp

1. AFG
8 Simple Rules for Applying to
Brought to you by FireGrantsHelp

2. So what is AFG?
• AFG is offered by FEMA
• FEMA awarded $680 million in fire
grants last year (AFG, SAFER,
FP&S)
• FY15 AFG Grant Program opens on
December 7th, 2015 and closes on
January 15th, 2016
• AFG grant will fund $306 Million this
year
AFG - Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
(We’re so glad you asked!)
A penny for your
thoughts, $306 million for
your dreams!

3. Rule #1: Know your DUNS Number
• Your application must contain a DUNS
number
• It should match your SAM.gov Entity
Record
• If you don’t know your DUNS, ask
your Finance Office!
It’ll look something like this

4. Rule #2: Get Registered for SAM
Your SAM registration status must
be active:
• When you apply
• When you are awarded
• Throughout the duration of your
federal award
Registration can take up to
4 weeks
(Let’s get started now!)

5. Rule # 3: Activate Your FEMA
Portal Account
You must have an active FEMA
registration status
You can’t apply to AFG if you’re not
registered
Call the AFG Help Desk if you need help!
Money doesn’t grow on
trees…that’s why we have
grants

6. Rule #4: Know your Facts
Ask questions like:
• How many firefighters does
your department have that
respond to alarms?
• What percentage of your firefighters are trained
to NFPA Standard 1001 Fire Fighter I and II?
• If your department is not 100% certified, what are
your plans to get there?

7. Rule #5: Know your Budget
Find out:
• What was your call volume for 2014?
• What was your Operating Budget for
2014?
• How does this compare with the
Operating Budgets for the past
three to five years?
• How do your actual income and
expenses compare to your budgets?
If you’re still using one of these to
do math, click for help

8. Rule #6: Know your Needs
• Assess your equipment/PPE/vehicle
inventory
• What is out of compliance?
• What meets current standards?
Bringin’ home the bacon boots

9. Rule #7: Understand how your
Application will be Judged
The review process consists of:
• Electronic Scoring – numbers are
crunched by a computer
• Peer Review Panel – reviewers read
and score your narrative
• Technical Review – FEMA staff to
make sure it meets the NOFO
guidelines and other criteria
Need help with
your grant
application?
Click Here!

10. Rule #8: Plan Accordingly
• Narratives are important BUT they will only be read
if the computer scores your application high enough.
The Electronic Scoring is 50% of your total application
score!
• The moral of the story: There is no room for error.

11. Still have questions?
We can help!
(Because this stuff is hard!)
To work with the best of the best
Our Grant Writers have:
• Been awarded $75
million in grant awards
• Beaten the national
average by 60%
For more useful tools,
tips, and resources
check out our AFG
Information Center
Page here