The 2004 program will reflect closely the 2003 numbers in that $750 million will be awarded in direct department assistance for fire operations and firefighter safety, fire prevention and firefighting vehicles and the special Fire Prevention and Safety Grants.
Starting June of 2003, through March of 2004, a total of 8630 fire departments received over $695 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters. There were 35 rounds in this last process.
About 20,300 applications for Assistance to Firefighter Grants Program, 2004, were submitted via the Internet to USFA/FEMA by the 5 p.m. deadline Friday, April 2. Those applications requested in excess of $2.3 billion.
Last year, 19,949 applications for the 2003 AFGP, requested about $2.5 billion.