Carper, Coons, Carney Highlight Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Application Period

WASHINGTON – Today, Delaware’s Congressional Delegation of U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) highlighted the beginning of the application period for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grant Program. Applicants must submit their applications to FEMA no later than May 6, 2016. This year, $34 million is available for fire prevention and safety activities within the Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) Grant program.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the Fire Prevention & Safety grant program is a vitally important part of our efforts to prepare for and protect against the threat posed by fires and other hazards,” said Senator Carper, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “The Assistance to Firefighter Grant program has provided Delaware’s firefighters and first responders with critical resources they have used to make our communities safer. I encourage potential applicants across the state to make full use of these potentially life-saving grant programs this year, as well.”

“When disaster strikes, our firefighters are first on the scene to assess the situation and stop the destruction,” said Senator Coons. “That is why it’s imperative our state’s firefighters apply for these Fire Prevention & Safety Grant opportunities. Our local fire departments must have the resources and personnel they need to keep our communities safe from danger and I encourage the local fire departments up and down the state compete for these grants, which will be used to enhance fire prevention efforts for firefighters.”

“Delaware’s firefighters are a vital part of our public safety and the backbone of our community. It’s crucial that we’re providing them with the resources they need to protect us, including funding for training and fire prevention services,” said Congressman Carney, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I strongly encourage Delaware’s fire companies to apply, and I am happy to offer any assistance I can to help their applications succeed.”

The grant, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides funding for projects designed to enhance fire prevention activities of firefighters and the public. Since its creation in 2001, the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program aims to reduce injury and prevent death by directly fulfilling firefighting and emergency response capabilities of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations.

For more information on the grant and guidance for how to apply, visit: www.grants.gov, and https://www.fema.gov/fire-prevention-safety-grants.FEMA has also offered a “Get Ready Guide,” which helps to clarify the process for potential applicants and provide additional direction.