Obtaining enough funding for firefighter trucks is something that does not come easy for many fire stations. Fire departments have a critically important role. However,  state and local funding does not always cover their needs. Grant funding has been available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program since 2001. However, it is highly competitive: only 25% of grant funding may go to vehicle purchases.

Get Funding for Firefighter Trucks

Fire stations have many things to worry about from covering themselves with firefighter general liability to estimating the funds they have to spend. Here are three issues to focus on when writing grants to increase your likelihood of obtaining grant funding for fire trucks.

Apparatus Class

While you may think that the class of apparatus you are applying for is a minor point, it is an important issue that can mean the difference between your application rising to the top of the stack or sinking to the bottom. AFG has specific apparatus designations. Ensure you read through them and become familiar with your department’s needs before applying for a vehicle. Likewise, the size of the vehicle’s pump and the water tank is of primary importance.

Age and Classification

Just as apparatus type is crucial information for grant-writing, classifying the vehicle you are replacing is equally essential. When you look into classification, it may surprise you to realize that the vehicle you have in your bay is not an actual engine. Your application will ask for the age of the newest and oldest vehicle you own within the class you are applying for funds.

Priority Matrix

A third factor to examine is the AFG vehicle priority matrix. Also, you need to determine if your location is urban, rural, or suburban. Then review the vehicle listings under the appropriate category. Ensure that the vehicles you apply for have a high priority on the matrix for your geographic category. The AFG rarely funds requests as medium or low priority.

Narrative Evaluation Criteria

As you complete the narrative portion of your application, ensure you focus on the published criteria:

• Financial Need (25%): describe budget constraints, financial distress, and other attempts to find funding.
• Project Description (25%): describe activities, priorities, mission, objectives, and state/local requirements. Include information about how the project relates to the budget.
• Cost Benefit (25%): describe how the operations and safety needs will be addressed, including cost-effectiveness and asset sharing. Ensure the request is consistent with the mission and identify the funding benefits.
• Effect on Operations (25%): describe the planned use of the requested items, benefits to the community, and ways the requested item will enhance the department’s overall effectiveness. Explain code enforcement, mitigation strategies, and commitment to reducing fire risk.

The competitive nature of the AFG grant process should not deter departments from applying for needed fire vehicles. By demonstrating a high level of need and ensuring that applications focus on anticipated benefits, you can increase your chances of receiving a grant.

About Provident Fire Plus 

At Provident Fire Plus, we offer custom tailored packages to best protect firefighters and volunteer firefighters. We understand the risks that emergency response teams are subjected to on a daily basis, and have worked to serve these dedicated professionals for over 87 years. For more information about our products and policies, we invite you to contact our experts today at (855) 201-8880.