Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Frequently Asked Questions

Step-by-step instructions for registering with SAM can be found at Step 2: Register with SAM | GRANTS.GOV.

User guides for the AFG Program can be found at: FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO).

Operating budget information should be based on your current budget year, fiscal or calendar. At the time of application, if the entity is in its 2025 budget year, then the operating budgets for 2025, 2024 and 2023 should be listed. If the entity is in its 2024 budget year at the time of the application, then the operating budgets for 2024, 2023 and 2022 should be listed.

Direct Costs

Direct costs can be identified specifically with a particular final cost objective, such as a federal award, or other internally or externally funded activity, or that can be directly assigned to such activities relatively easily with a high degree of accuracy.

Typical direct costs include:

• Direct labor costs (i.e., the compensation of employees who work specifically on completing the objectives of a federal award);
• Direct labor employees’ related fringe benefit costs;
• Travel of direct labor employees; and
• Materials, supplies, or other items purchased for use on a specific federal award.

Indirect costs

Indirect costs are incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved. Indirect costs are allowable under AFG as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.414.

Typical indirect costs include:

• Depreciation on buildings and equipment;
• The cost of operating and maintaining facilities; and
• General administration and general expenses, such as the salaries and expenses of executive officers, personnel administration, and accounting.

Relevant National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards that should be referenced in your applications may be viewed at NFPA.org. Those are also listed in the applicable NOFO.

SAFECOM guidance regarding communications equipment is available at SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants, April 2023 (cisa.gov). AFG-funded radios (mobile and portable) must be P-25 compliant. The procurement of equipment that does not meet P-25 compliance is unallowable; there are no waivers for P-25 compliance.

The available funding for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AFG is $291.6 million.

The total amount appropriated under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-47, Title III, Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (2024 DHS Appropriations Act) is $324 million. However, to meet the statutory requirements of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, $32.4 million (10%) of these “available grant funds” will be awarded later under the FY 2024 Fire Prevention and Safety program, which will have a separate Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application period.