FY2022-2023

Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (Download)

 

A. Program Description

Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Project Number

43006

CSFA Title

Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

FY2022-23 Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program

Program Overview and Priorities

Project Overview

The Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program (FFAGP) was established by Florida Statute 633.135 and F.A.C 69A-37.502 to improve the emergency response capability of volunteer fire departments and combination fire departments and provide financial assistance to improve firefighter safety and enable such fire departments to provide firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue services to their communities.

Project Priorities

Grant funding is only available for instructor reimbursement for Skills Sign-offs, PPE, SCBA’s, safety related equipment and tools, wildland fire fighting and urban interface protective equipment, and cost share subsidy for AFG apparatus awards.

For specific information on program priorities and objectives for the FY2022-23 FFAGP, refer to Florida Administrative Code 69A-37.502.

 

B. Award Information

Award Amount and Important Dates

Total Available Funding for the Notice of Funding Opportunity: $1,000,000

Period of Performance Start Date: July 1, 2022

Period of Performance End Date: June 30, 2023

 

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants and Criteria

Eligible applicants are fire service providers organized and operating in the state of Florida as a volunteer or combination fire department and meeting all the following requirements:

• A fire service provider,
• Organized as a fire department for a consecutive period of not less than five (5) years,
• Recorded as a fire department in the Division’s online electronic database,
• Has a Florida fire department identification (FDID) number?
• Will submit fire incident data for a period of twelve months following the date of grant award,
• Compliant with the Florida Firefighters Occupational Health and Safety Act,
• Submitted the Florida Fire Service Needs Assessment Survey.

Cost Share or Match

There is no cost share or matching funds required by the eligible applicant for the Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program. 

 

D. Application and Submission Information

Key Dates and Times

Opening Date for Submitting Applications: July 11, 2022, 8 am EDT

Closing Date for Submitting Applications: July 29, 2022, 5 pm EDT

Application Submission

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants for the Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program must complete the following items and submit the Grant Application to:  FirefighterGrant@MyFloridaCFO.com

• Grant Application (DFS-K4-2174)     PDF FORMAT     or     MSWORD FORMAT
• Florida Fire Service Needs Assessment (DFS-K4-2191)     CLICK FOR LINK TO ELECTRONIC SURVEY
• Request a Fire Department Safety Compliance Inspection from the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, Safety Section by sending an email to: FireFighterSafety@MyFloridaCFO.com

 

E. Application Review Information

The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (BFST) will rank all complete and submitted application based on how well they match the program priorities.  Answers to the application’s activity specific questions and Florida Fire Service Needs Assessment Survey provide information used to determine each application’s ranking relative to the stated program priorities. 

Review and Selection Process

Applications are scored competitively by (no less than three) peer reviewers.  These peer reviewers will assess each application’s merits with respect to the detail provided in the Narrative Statement on the activity, including the evaluation elements listed in the Narrative Evaluation Criteria below. The panel will independently score each project within the application, discuss the merits and/or shortcomings of the application, and document the findings. A consensus is not required.

Narrative Evaluation Criteria

1. Financial Need

Applicants should describe their financial need and how consistent it is with the intent of the Program. This statement should include details describing the applicant’s financial distress, summarizing budget constraints, unsuccessful attempts to secure other funding, and proving the financial distress is out of their control.

 

2. Project Description and Budget

This statement should clearly explain the applicant’s project objectives and its relationship to the applicant’s budget and risk analysis. The applicant should describe the various activities applied for with respect to any program priority or facility modifications, making sure they are consistent with project objectives, the applicant’s mission and national, state, and/or local requirements.

Applicants should link the proposed expenses to operations and safety, as well as the completion of the project goals.

Turndown Notifications         

All applicants who do not receive an FY2022-23 Grant award will receive a notification letter by email from BFST within 60 days of grant application closing date.

 

F. Award Administration Information

Award Notification

All applicants who are awarded a FY2021-22 Grant award will receive a notification award letter by email from BFST with 60 days of grant application closing date.  The recipient will have 30 days from notification to email BFST whether to accept or decline the award. 

Award Agreement Information

If the recipient decides to accept the grant award, they will be required to sign a grant agreement between Department of Financial Services and the recipient.  The Contract provides the requirements for services and performance as outlined in the Scope of Work including deliverables, Specific Grant Award, Audit Requirements, and Public Records Requirements.