- 1). Speak to the chief of the department and assess needs for the upcoming fiscal year for firefighter staffing, uniforms, rigs, apparatus, training and education programs.
- 2). Determine streams of revenue and how much is covered through taxes, donations and existing grants to pinpoint a dollar amount that will be your goal. You will want to note your financial need prominently in your grant application.
- 3). Gather the data you collected in Steps 1 and 2 and visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website and determine under what category your department would qualify for money awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
- 4). State your goals and provide a detailed narrative. You can strengthen your application by including letters of support from the community and elected leaders. Take excerpts from all or part of their letters (with permission, if necessary) and attach these to the grant.
- 5). Proofread your application carefully, making sure all dollar amounts are accurate and all necessary signatures have been obtained before submitting your application.
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