Open Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After hosting two fire grant workshops for 2nd Congressional District fire and rescue departments in August, U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) announced the open period to apply for federal funding under the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP). The application period will begin on Mon. and will run through Dec. 6 with awards being announced in 2014.
“Day in and day out, the men and women of our fire and rescue units are the first responders to emergency events in our communities. In addition to our deep gratitude, they deserve our support and available federal resources to assist them in their efforts to keep us safe,” said LoBiondo, a member of the Congressional Fire Caucus. “Particularly in these difficult economic times, I strongly encourage the fire and rescue departments of South Jersey to take advantage of this critical funding source.”
AFGP competitive funding is used by the nation’s fire and rescue departments to increase the effectiveness of firefighting and emergency response operations and to improve personnel health and safety programs. The Fiscal Year 2013 program will distribute nearly $321 million to first responder organizations across the country.
Since the program began in 2001, 123 of New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District fire organizations have received more than $22 million under AFGP. Grant guidance will be available at www.grants.gov, and at www.fema.gov/firegrants/afggrants/index.shtm.