Skip to Content

Press Releases

Rep. Cartwright Highlights Grant Program to Help Local Fire Companies Upgrade Equipment

FEMA Program Application Period Opens Next Week

Scranton, PA, January 31, 2020

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that the fiscal year 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) application period will open on Monday, February 3, 2020.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is a critical resource for first responders and the communities they serve,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “With these funds, they can purchase much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training resources. Our firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe, and they should have the best tools as they carry out their important work. I strongly encourage our local fire companies to apply for these grants.”

The application period opens Monday, February 3, 2020, at 8:00 AM ET. and end on Friday, March 13, 2020, at 5:00 PM ET. Interested applicants can begin preparing now by reviewing the guidance materials available on the FEMA website: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.

This year, the application is only available via the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s FEMA GO (FEMA Grants Outcomes) application portal, at https://go.fema.gov. FEMA will hold live webinar walk-throughs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during the application period to help applicants navigate the new online application. A more detailed webinar schedule can be found at https://www.fema.gov/afgp-workshop-schedule.

The purpose of FEMA’s AFG program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. To accomplish this goal, FEMA awards competitive grants directly to eligible fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for critical training and equipment.

Applicants with questions can contact Congressman Cartwright’s Economic Development Director, April Niver, at 484-523-5314 or the AFG Help Desk at firegrants@fema.gov or 1-866-274-0960.