Washington, DC) August 22, 2005 - The Department of Homeland Security today posted at the website for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program the guidance for applications for this year's Fire Prevention and Safety grants. The application period is presently scheduled to begin on September 6, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to accept applications for these grants until the end of the application period, October 7, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The program guidance provides potential applicants with the competitive
basis and evaluation criteria for their applications. This year in addition to the fire prevention and safety grants, non fire department organizations will also be able to apply for firefighter safety research grants.

The applications will be automated and will be accessible from the website for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program at www.firegrantsupport.com.

The website also provides useful information on the funding priorities and process that are discussed in the Program Guidance for the Fire Prevention and Safety grants. A list of Frequently Asked Questions will be added, and will be updated as the staff learn the areas of inquiry that are most often presented. An applicant tutorial on the fire prevention and safety grants, designed to instruct users on the preparation and submittal of competitive applications, will also be available at www.firegrantsupport.com. Applicants who have questions regarding the fire prevention and safety grant opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

The AFG is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Office
of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.