Has your department incurred additional expenses for personal protective equipment(PPE, to include masks, gowns, eyeshields, faceshields, etc.) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? As part of the CARES act, funding will soon be available to reimburse for expenses since January 1, 2020, and for the acquisition of additional PPE to manage the additional needs of your department. This funding will be available through a special allocation of grant funds managed through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Make sure that you are tracking your expenses so that you are ready to apply when the application period opens.

The CARES Act authorizes $100M in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment and related supplies for our nation’s first responders. As fire departments provide lifesaving emergency medical response to more and more communities impacted by COVID-19, FEMA AFG is offering an additional funding opportunity for the fire service community to purchase urgently needed protective equipment and supplies.

Here’s what you need to know:
1. FEMA AFG received $100M in stimulus funding under the CARES Act.
2. Included in this stimulus is personal protective equipment (PPE) for the COVID-19 response efforts.
3. A new AFG application period will be opening soon.
4. Please be on the lookout for that announcement which will include additional details.