Assistance to Firefighters Grant banner with DHS logo https://admin.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USDHSFEMA/2012/03/75359/arrow_original.png SUBMIT YOUR FY 2012 AFG APPLICATION ASAP! DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, JULY 6, 5 P.M. EDT https://admin.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USDHSFEMA/2012/03/75359/arrow_original.png WEB BROWSER REMINDERS https://admin.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USDHSFEMA/2012/03/75359/arrow_original.png IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT AFFECTING REQUESTS FOR BROADBAND-RELATED COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT FUNDING SUBMIT YOUR FY 2012 AFG APPLICATION ASAP! The AFG application deadline of Friday, July 6, is approaching fast. But it isn’t too late. You still have time to submit your application for essential firefighting and emergency medical services (EMS) training, equipment, vehicles, and more. No deadline extensions are anticipated. Due to the scheduled opening of the FY 2012 SAFER application period on July 16, it will not be possible to extend the AFG application period beyond the deadline of Friday, July 6, 5 p.m. EDT. AFG Help Desk Support. If you have questions about the FY 2012 AFG application, call the AFG Help Desk at 1- 866-274-0960, or send an e-mail to firegrants@dhs.gov. WEB BROWSER REMINDERS • For best results, use Internet Explorer when completing your online AFG application. Alternate browsers, such as Firefox and Safari, may have limited functionality in the application. • Avoid opening multiple web browsers or multiple windows when completing and submitting your AFG application; this has caused technical problems for some users. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT AFFECTING REQUESTS FOR BROADBAND-RELATED COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT FUNDING On June 15, 2012, FEMA issued Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin No. 386 (IB386) to clarify and provide guidance to GPD grantees and applicants regarding the use of DHS/FEMA grant funds for communications projects that operate in the 700 megahertz (MHz) public safety broadband spectrum. This action is being taken to ensure that grant-funded projects comply with the provisions of current laws concerning the public safety broadband spectrum. Because of recent legislation, DHS/FEMA advises that Applicants that “…do not have authority to operate in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum (e.g., via FCC regulatory action and/or agreement with FirstNet) should not submit requests for, and will not be permitted to use, FEMA preparedness funding for broadband-related acquisition and deployment until they have such authority to operate in the spectrum.” Question 1 Does GPD Information Bulletin No.386 (06-15-2012) affect my AFG application? Answer It affects your application if you plan to submit a request for funding a new 700 MHz broadband communications project, or to expand an existing 700 MHz broadband project, that will operate in the public safety broadband spectrum. Per GPD Information Bulletin No. 386, these projects are currently ineligible for AFG funding. Examples of Projects Currently Not Eligible for AFG Funding: • An application to create a new 700 MHz broadband communications center • An application to expand an existing 700 MHz broadband communications center Examples of Projects Still Eligible for AFG Funding: • New non-broadband, non-700 MHz land mobile radio (LMR) systems and other communications projects • Replacing and/or expanding existing non-broadband, non-700 MHz LMR systems and other communications investments Question 2 I already submitted a FY 2012 AFG application with a 700 MHz broadband communications project. May I revise and resubmit my application? Answer Yes. It is recommended that you revise your application because these projects are currently ineligible for AFG funding. Only applicants that submitted applications requesting funding for any 700 MHz broadband projects (or 700 MHz broadband components) will be permitted to revise and resubmit their applications; no other applicants will be allowed to revise submitted applications. To be considered eligible, all requests for application modification must come through the “Mail Center” for your application. To revise and resubmit your application, carefully follow the instructions below. 1. Login to the AFG E-Grant Application Portal where you first submitted your application; be sure to use the same User ID and Password. 2. You will see the “Status” screen. Click on the “Mail Center” link, which is located in the upper right-hand section of the screen. 3. In the Mail Center, you will create and send a new message: --In the message’s Subject line, refer to the new rule from FEMA. --In the body of the message, be sure to include your application number and a brief statement requesting that your application be released for modification and resubmission because it contains broadband communications requests. NOTE: AFG will approve ONLY requests to revise applications that (1) contain broadband communications requests, AND (2) have been submitted through the applicant’s online Mail Center. 4. Within 24 hours of submitting your request, you will receive an e-mail message saying that your submitted application has been released. Now you will be able to open your application and make the necessary changes in the Request Details, Budget, and Narrative Statement sections. Be sure to save your changes on every application screen modified. 5. Re-check your application to be sure all sections of your application have been revised as intended and correctly communicate your revised request. 6. Resubmit your application. Ensure that you receive the confirmation e-mail message, which verifies your application was successfully resubmitted. 7. The deadline for resubmitting all applications is Friday, July 6, 2012, by 5 p.m. EDT. Question 3 If I want to revise my application, will I be granted a filing extension? Answer No. At this time, we are not able to grant any extensions to the application period. Revised applications must be resubmitted by the AFG application deadline of July 6, at 5 p.m. EDT. AFG 2012 CALENDAR NOTE: All information, including dates and projected application periods are subject to change. When a conference is listed, the AFG Program either will be exhibiting and/or giving a presentation or workshop. JUNE • June 11, 2012: FY 2012 AFG Application period opens • FY 2011 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants: Award announcements are underway and will continue until all available grant funds have been committed. JULY • July 6, 2012, 5 p.m. EDT: Deadline for FY 2012 AFG applications • July 16, 2012: FY 2012 SAFER Grant Application period opens • FY 2011 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants: Award announcements are expected to begin and continue until all available grant funds have been committed. AUGUST • AFG Program Staff presentations: “AFG Town Hall Discussion” and “Best Practices for Recruitment and Retention (SAFER) and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S): Getting Your Grant Funded,” at Fire–Rescue International, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO.August 1-4, 2012. • August 10, 2012, 5 p.m. ET: Deadline for submitting FY 2012 SAFER Applications.OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. THANK YOU.