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AFG Grant Support

The Assistance to Fire fighters Grant (AFG) "Fire Grants" program has made $285 million in 2012 available to protect the health and safety of the public and fire fighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. Numerous departments have already received a Mobile FireTrainer® through a Fire Grant throughout the past nine consecutive years. KFT Fire Trainer has prepared the following information to assist those who are interested in obtaining a Mobile FireTrainer® MT-1000, ML-1000, Hazmat Tanker, Car FireTrainer®, or Portable Fire & HazMat FireTrainer® O-100 gas-fueled fire training system through this grant program.

What can be purchased with FIRE Act funds?

The grant program allows for several categories of items to be purchased with grant funds. Of particular importance is the "Operations and Fire fighter Safety Program - Training" category that allows for training equipment such as a KFT FireTrainer® gas-fueled fire training system.

The Mobile FireTrainer® is a computer-controlled, propane gas-fueled training system that allows the basic NFPA 1001 skills (forcible entry, search & rescue, SCBA confidence, fire suppression, ventilation, etc.) to be taught in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The system replicates class A, B and C fires and produces environmentally sound smoke.

Important note: Grant rules require the training system to be mobile on wheels.

What are the new (more favourable) grant match requirements?

The current match requirements are:

> 50,000 population Match = 20% of total
20,000 to 50,000 population Match = 10% of total
< 20,000 population Match = 5% of total

What are the top reasons why grant applicants fail?

  • Request is for low priority items
  • Lack of collaboration, partnerships, or "regional" approach
  • Do not check their work
  • Do not make a case for financial need
  • Do not provide a problem statement
  • Fail to make a case for cost-benefit
  • Do not itemize desired items
  • Request too many items ("shopping cart" proposal)
  • Do not follow directions (Source: Office for Domestic Preparedness, 2004 Workshop Presentation)

How can KFT help you with the grant application?

KFT is committed to providing our customers with supporting information needed to successfully write and receive a grant. This information, combined with your intimate knowledge of your fire department and a little determination, will set your organization on its way towards improved training capability.

KFT encourages you to explore the Preparedness Directorate's Office of Grants and Training website for more detailed information regarding grant applications:
http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/
Phone: (866) 274-0960 (Toll-free)

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