The Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) remains largely unchanged from the previous year’s program based upon input from members of the America’s fire services and other stakeholders. The FY AFG program continues to promote a risk-based funding approach consistent with other programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS). In FY 2008 we will also continue our commitment to regional projects in order to promote regional integration, interoperable communications, mutual aid agreements, and equipment compatibility.

The criteria development panel recommended that the AFG emphasize the importance of training in the FY 2008 program. As such, the FY 2008 application will contain questions regarding the applicant’s training certification level and interest in attaining higher levels of proficiency. The answers will not affect the preliminary screening of any application, but they will be available for consideration by the technical review panelists in their evaluation. We anticipate that the technical review panelists will not recommend awarding grants for applications where membership is not fully trained (commensurate with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 or an equivalent State standard) and where the applicant is not seeking funding to attain a minimum level of training for their membership.

However, in FY 2008, DHS will no longer provide advance funding for the purchase of vehicle chassis. DHS will only allow a limited advance of funds not to exceed 25 percent of the Federal share on vehicle grants to cover any pre-delivery costs. Also, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and rescue boats, previously eligible under the equipment category, will no longer be eligible for funding. Finally, regional communications projects will not be funded unless their State’s Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) has been reviewed and approved by DHS.

All FY 2008 AFG applicants must submit a justification for their project(s) that provides details regarding the project and the project’s budget, the benefits to be derived from the project, the applicant’s financial need, and how the project would affect the applicant’s daily operations in protecting lives and property within their community.