Funders, government agencies and fire and EMS organizations alike understand

that training is the key to providing effective and efficient services to their coverage
area. Training delivers the critical knowledge that first responders need to operate
in a safe environment. Further, training improves morale and allows for personal
growth among members, and it fosters organizational stability.

But while many departments seem to have no problem seeking financial assistance
to purchase new apparatus or equipment, they are often less inclined to apply for
funds to properly train their officers and firefighters. In some cases, this is simply
due to a lack of knowledge about the availability of such funds.

With that in mind, we’d like to share some information about the various sources of
financial assistance for training activities. To simplify the search, we have separated
potential funding opportunities by grant program, along with tips for filing a
competitive application to that funder. Then we’ll look at some other ways to fund
training.

When applying for training-focused grants, he training you request to have funded
should align with your coverage and the services you provide. (Photo/Chris
DelBello)

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ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT (AFG) PROGRAM

The AFG program provides training grants to meet the educational and
performance requirements of fire departments and non-affiliated EMS personnel.
AFG has indicated that the highest priority is given to training that provides
instructor-led hands-on training.

The training you request should align with your coverage and the services you
provide. If you are a small rural department with critical infrastructure that is typical
of that type of location, then applying for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
training is going to receive a low score from AFG. However, the same department
applying for Firefighter I certification training will receive a higher score.

EMT training should align with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which designs and specifies a National Standard
Curriculum for EMT training and the National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians (NREMT), a private, central certifying entity whose primary purpose is
to maintain a national standard. (NREMT also provides certification information for
paramedics who relocate to another state.)

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Keep in mind that applications for all simulators, tow vehicles, and all mobile or
fixed fire/evolution props (e.g., burn trailers, forcible entry or rescue/smoke mazes)
are located under the AFG equipment activity, not under the training activity.

STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE GRANT (SAFER)

PROGRAM

If you are applying for SAFER grant funding to recruit and/ or retain volunteer
firefighters, you should also consider their training needs as part of your overall
application. Training is not an eligible cost under a SAFER Hiring of Firefighters
application. However, under the Recruiting and Retention category, SAFER will fund
numerous training activities:

 New member basic training that is not covered under a department’s normal
operating budget and is required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to
meet minimum firefighter certification (e.g., CPR, First Responder, EMT,
Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2).
 Leadership/career development training when used as a retention incentive
that is not covered under a department’s normal operating budget. Courses
must provide continuing education units (CEUs) or certificates of completion
to be eligible.
 Instructor/train-the-trainer training that is not covered under a department’s
normal operating budget.
 Reimbursement to members for lost wages, mileage/transportation, lodging
and/or per diem while attending required basic training are also eligible.
Reimbursement must be based either on the department’s established rate
or the federal rate for travel.

FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY (FP&S) GRANTS

Another source of funding for training programs is the FP&S grants offered
annually through FEMA. The FP&S grant program has a smaller operating budget
($30-$35 million annually) than either AFG or SAFER. Activities under FP&S are also
more limited in scope than the other two FEMA directed programs.

Because a major component of any fire prevention program is education, local or

regional projects designed to educate or train personnel in the area of public
education are eligible under this activity. An example of this would be training and
certifying your fire prevention personnel to the level of Fire and Life Safety
Educator.

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Eligible application categories under FP&S grants also include Code Enforcement
and Arson Investigation. Thus, financial support for conducting inspections,
including code books, and/or code enforcement officer training assistance, are
eligible activities. In a similar fashion, arson investigator training and arson
prevention training are authorized activities.

OTHER SOURCES OF TRAINING FUNDING

Due to the increased focus on training in the fire service, there are literally
hundreds of training resources available to fire and EMS departments. For example,
rural fire departments may want to approach the agency that operates the
Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) or Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) in their state for
training funds for wildland firefighter training. And the National Volunteer Fire
Council (NVFC) offers online courses and an annual training summit.

There are financial institutions, corporations and community foundations that

provide funds for training. This year, CHEMTREC initiated a grant program to fund
training and equipment for volunteer departments in communities of 25,000 or
less. Corporations like VFIS offer online and field training to both firefighters and
instructors. Provident Insurance Solutions also offers a similar program.

Some sources, like VFIS or Provident, provide training utilizing their own qualified
instructors. Others, like CHEMTREC, make grant money available to fund training
activities.

Your first choice may be to look at an agency that can provide the training directly
to your personnel. This eliminates the need for you to apply for training funds, to
search for an instructor and to find a certified training program.

If you are looking at a non-federal source to provide your training program, I

suggest you first plan the type of event you want to hold. You need to develop a
justification for the program as well as a budget. Some important items to consider
include whether you have the facility to house the training or you need to secure
one. What will the cost be for the training site? Do you have an in-house instructor
or will you need to secure one? What costs will be associated with the instructor?
Wil you provide refreshments on breaks and/or a luncheon for the training event.
What will be the outcome of the training and how will you evaluate its
effectiveness?

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PLAN EARLY FOR TRAINING – AND ITS FUNDING

As always, my best advice is to start planning early. The federal grant programs are
all offered annually – and have short application periods. Other sources of funding
usually operate their budgets on a calendar year. Applying in January will stand a
much better chance of getting funded than applying for funds in October when the
budget is nearly depleted. Similarly, agencies that offer direct training should be
contacted as early as possible to ensure that they have room in their budgets and
an instructor who is available.

Editor’s Note: What programs have you used to fund training programs? Share your
stories in the comments below or with editor@firerescue1.com.

About the author

Jerry Brant is a senior grant consultant and grant writer with FireGrantsHelp and EMSGrantsHelp. He has 46
years of experience as a volunteer firefighter in west-central Pennsylvania. He is a life member of the Hope Fire
Company of Northern Cambria, where he served as chief for 15 years. He is an active member of the Patton
Fire Company 1 and serves as safety officer. Brant graduated from Saint Francis University with a bachelor’s
degree in political science. In 2003, he was awarded a James A Johnson Fellowship by the FannieMae
Foundation for his accomplishments in community development, and in 2019, he was honored as with the
Leroy C Focht Sr. Memorial Award from the Central District Volunteer Fireman's Association. He has successfully
written more than $70 million in grant applications. Brant can be reached via email.