By Gary Giacomo
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking input on how to enhance the management and administration of its preparedness grant programs. These grants include the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, and Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) among others. Comments are due no later than 5 p.m. EST on Nov. 7.
During fiscal year 2023 FEMA’s preparedness grant programs will provide more than two billion dollars in funding to state, local, tribal Nations, and territorial governments, as well as transportation authorities, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities as outlined in the funding notice for each program.
CSFA administers SAFER grants in California and provide theoretical and practical hands-on training at little or no cost throughout the state, as well as personal protective gear for volunteer firefighters. In addition, local fire departments rely on FEMA-funded grants to support staffing and department level training and protective equipment.
FEMA is specifically seeking suggestions on how to:
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- Improve the management and administration of grant programs by simplifying application processes and improving customer service; and
- Ensure greater accessibility and equity for under resourced populations.
Submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions for submitting comments and use Docket ID: FEMA-2023-0024. Submitting this information makes it public; you may wish to read the Privacy and Security Notice. Comments can also be submitted to FEMA by emailing [email protected].
