FY 2024 AFG Program: Specific Allocation Amounts and Categories Eligible for Funding

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program for FY 2024 offers a substantial opportunity for fire departments, emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies to secure funding to enhance safety and operational capabilities. FEMA has prioritized funding to ensure first responders have the resources needed to protect their communities effectively. Below is a detailed breakdown of allocation amounts and funding categories.

Total Allocation for FY 2024

FEMA has allocated a significant budget for the AFG program, aiming to address critical needs in the firefighting and emergency response sectors. The exact funding pool varies annually, with millions earmarked to support eligible projects and initiatives.

Categories Eligible for Funding

The AFG program funds projects in three primary activity areas:

1. Operations and Safety
   This is the largest category of funding, designed to enhance the overall safety and operational effectiveness of fire departments and EMS organizations. Subcategories include:
   • Training:
     Funding for training programs aimed at improving skills, certifications, and operational knowledge. Examples include firefighter certifications, HAZMAT training, and EMS-related training programs.
   • Equipment:
     Grants to acquire essential equipment such as personal protective equipment (PPE), breathing apparatuses, and communication tools.
   • Wellness and Fitness:
     Emphasis on programs that improve the health and wellness of personnel. This year, significant focus is on full physicals and wellness screenings to ensure responders are fit for duty.
   • Modifications to Facilities:
     Projects that renovate or retrofit existing structures to meet safety standards, such as installing exhaust systems or sprinklers.
2. Vehicle Acquisition
   Funding under this category supports the procurement of essential vehicles like fire engines, ambulances, and specialized response vehicles. The program emphasizes replacing older, non-compliant vehicles to improve efficiency and safety.
3. Regional Projects
   Designed to encourage collaboration between multiple organizations, these grants fund initiatives benefiting a broad region rather than a single entity. Examples include shared training facilities or mutual aid communications systems.

Funding Limits and Cost-Share Requirements

• Funding Caps:
  Maximum award amounts are determined based on the population served by the applying organization. For example:
  • Small departments (serving populations under 100,000) typically receive smaller grants compared to those serving larger communities.
• Cost Sharing:
  Recipients must contribute a cost share, which is a percentage of the project’s total cost. The percentage varies based on the community’s population size. For instance:
  • Populations under 20,000: 5% cost share.
  • Populations between 20,000 and 1 million: 10% cost share.
  • Populations over 1 million: 15% cost share.

Use FEMA’s Cost Share Calculator to estimate contributions.

High-Priority Focus Areas for FY 2024

While the AFG program funds a wide range of activities, specific high-priority areas receive additional consideration this year:

• Health and Wellness Programs:
  A renewed focus on funding full physicals and wellness initiatives reflects the growing need to address occupational health risks faced by firefighters and EMS personnel.
• Community Risk Reduction (CRR):
  Initiatives like public safety education and home safety equipment distribution also remain high priorities.
• Environmental Safety Improvements:
  Projects reducing carcinogen exposure and other hazardous conditions align with FEMA’s commitment to responder safety.