FEMA AND USFA ANNOUNCE WEBPOSTING OF 2003 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) have begun, with a web restructure, the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. USFA Administrator R. David Paulison has directed USFA staff to begin work on providing to local fire departments, grant writing technical assistance for the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter grants. The USFA will place at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants, the web structure needed to start the delivery of 2003 Assistance to Firefighters grant program. The application period is not open at this time. All current information will be available soon. This is only a web structure addition to allow for the posting of information.

"We have begun the planning process for the 2003 program. We do not know funding levels at this time, but we are beginning the workshop programs in anticipation of an application, review and announcement timeline similar to the 2002 program." USFA Administrator R. David Paulison said.

Since November, USFA Grant Program personnel have been working to develop and produce the materials needed by the fire service to understand and apply for 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards. While the funding levels are not known at this time, starting the workshop delivery at this time is critical to achieving the 2003 program schedule goals in coming months. In the near future, USFA will post a schedule of grant writing workshops, and other technical grant writing information. Please be advised, workshops may begin as early as the week of January 20, 2003.

"I ask the members of the fire service to be patient. Staff needs to begin scheduling, and start the delivery of the workshops throughout the United States. There will be more information in coming weeks, for the fire service regarding the 2003 program," said Chief Paulison.

The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. For a list of all 2001 and 2002 award recipients, as well as the most current information FEMA and the USFA about the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, visit the USFA web site at www.usfa.fema.gov/grants. There have not yet been funds appropriated to the program for FY03, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) USFA has begun to construct an implementation framework for a 2003 Assistance to Firefighters grant program. The application period is NOT open at this time. The application period is NOT open at this time.