|
Dear Grant Recipient,
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) is pleased to provide this update for May 2022. Each month, we supply information relative to the management of current grants, as well as helpful details on upcoming grant opportunities.
-
FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
-
Grant Management Training
-
Programmatic Performance Report Submission
-
AFGP Final Performance Report (Closeout) Update
-
AFGP Success Stories
FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is finalizing the initial review phases for FY 2021 AFG, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant applications. As outlined in each grant program’s respective funding notice, applications are reviewed through a multi-phase process. Once award determinations are finalized, notification will be sent to grant recipients. Award information will also be posted on the FEMA website as each round is announced (see links below).
Grants Management Training
The K0705 Fundamentals of Grants Management is a virtual course offered by FEMA to grant recipients. Although not a requirement for accepting an AFG award, the course is designed to assist organizations strengthen their grant management practices. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
-
Improve collaboration among policy, program and financial staff to integrate grant management functions;
-
Identify applicable regulations and navigate and apply the Code of Federal Regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200;
-
Apply proven business practices related to the grant lifecycle to increase efficiency and meet grant management priorities, such as strategic planning, organization, program implementation, staff training, monitoring, reporting and audits;
-
Develop or revise policies, procedures, and practices in critical areas of grants management, such as monitoring, procurement, source documentation, payments, and equipment inventory; and
-
Prepare for federal monitoring and sub-recipient monitoring.
Upcoming Course Offerings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency/FEMA Region 3
|
|
|
|
|
Maine Emergency Management Agency/FEMA Region 1
|
Programmatic Performance Report Submission
For the first time, grant recipients in the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program will submit their Programmatic Performance Reporting FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal. The Programmatic Performance Report requests information on the grant’s status, summary of project expenditures, and any potential issues that may affect project completion.
Recipients who received and manage an award in the FEMA GO portal must now prepare and submit a performance report through FEMA GO for the following programs:
-
Assistance to Firefighters Grants (including the AFG-S Program);
-
Fire Prevention and Safety Grants
-
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants.
PPR submission timelines have been modified for FYs 2018, 2019, and 2020 grant recipients per Information Bulletins 468 (AFG), 470 (FP&S), 471 (SAFER). The first PPR submission should be completed by April 30, 2022. Future PPR submission deadlines will be January 30 and July 30 of each calendar year while the grant period of performance is open.
Recipients must submit programmatic performance reports as a condition of their award acceptance. Future awards and funds drawdown may be withheld if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail.
AFGP Final Performance Report (Closeout) Update
The Final Programmatic Performance Report functionality is estimated to be available in the FEMA GO portal by fall 2022 for FY 2018 and later AFGP grant recipients.
In the meantime, grant recipients are encouraged to gather grant documents (quotes, receipts, canceled checks, and bank statements), as these documents will make the completing the final programmatic performance report easier. Make note of how the grant funding was used and how your organization benefited for your closeout narrative.
Topeka Fire Department, Topeka, Kansas
Awarded items: Thermal Imaging Cameras
On March 5, 2022, at a little before 2 a.m., the Topeka Fire Department responded to a fire in a neighboring township for mutual aid. There were relatively high winds, so it was a wind driven fire, and a defensive fire even before the township units arrived. There was a lot of smoke blowing from the south to the north, and visibility was often near zero.
When my company arrived, we were assigned to deploy a line from one of our engine companies who also responded to protect a house on the north side, which was an exposure. Using our Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC), secured through an AFG grant, allowed us to determine there were no hot spots on that house and it was not in real danger.
We then turned our attention to a house on fire and used our TIC to find where the fire was located. We discovered two different locations along the roof line where fire was present but not visible with all the smoke constantly obscuring our vision. The TIC was the only way to see the location of the fire along the north side of the roof line. It allowed us to direct our water stream at those locations and take action on the fire with great accuracy.
- Stevenson Skrzypek, Lieutenant, Station 8
On February 5, 2022, at 11:35 p.m.., a fourplex structure fire came in on SW Jackson St. E-5 arrived on scene and reported a working fire on the top apartment Charlie-Delta corner. E-5 advised they were met by a person who had just 20 minutes prior delivered food to a homeless person living in the apartment that now had a working fire in it. Our crew (Aerial 5) arrived on-scene and was assigned primary search on the Alpha-Delta downstairs apartment. Captain Stafford was training Apparatus Operator Keller by letting him get some seat time due to making lieutenant soon. A-5 at this time had two new TICs on our truck. Keller and I had them on when we entered the structure. A quick search of the lower apartment was negative. While on our search, we came across stairs going up to the second story apartment. Completing our downstairs search with Keller leading the way and me following, we proceeded up the stairs. I was using my camera to check our route up the stairs. Halfway up, I noticed in front of Keller, the stair treads missing through the screen on the camera. I yelled at Keller to stop and that there were no stair treads in front of him. Keller was able to catch himself in time, keeping him from falling 12ft to the floor below. If it wasn’t for the new and clearer TICs, I feel that we both would have fallen. I give full credit to the new camera that we had just purchased through the AFG grant.
- Paul Stafford, Captain, Station 5
SHARE YOUR SUCCESS STORY
Do you have a Success Story regarding a FEMA Grant that you’d like to share with everyone? Contact us at gpd-comms@fema.dhs.gov or through Twitter @FEMAGrants using a private message.
The AFG Program Office always welcomes feedback from the AFG community. If there are topics or information that you may find helpful in future monthly updates from the AFG Program, please send any thoughts to the AFG Help Desk (firegrants@fema.dhs.gov).
Do you want the most up-to-date information on FEMA Grant programs? Follow us on Twitter @FEMAGrants
|
