General
Q: If my department is not reporting wildland fires in the Fire Connect Program, does that lessen our rating?
A: No, the rating for your fire department will not decrease due to lack of reporting wildland fires in the FDD.
Q: How do we go about updating the size of our Primary 911 Protection Area?
A: Please visit our page on Primary 911 Protection Areas to learn what we define as a primary protection area and how to change this information.
Q: Once I've applied, how do I know where I stand?
A: You can get a general idea of where you stand by examining the most recent funding meeting list.
Historical Funding Information
Q: When is the cutoff for applying for the next funding meeting?
A: The cutoff for applying is always 30 days prior to the funding meeting. We recommend that whenever a need arises, please apply then, rather than waiting. While it is important to get your application in as soon as possible, we are currently funded at $16.2 million and have over $200 million in requests. Therefore, while we would like to fund every request, it unfortunately takes some time to help every department in need.
Q: If my department
was previously awarded a grant, but later canceled the request, can we
reapply?
A: Yes, the prior termination has no bearing on future
grant opportunities.
Q: Why would our fire department be passed over on the Funding Meeting List?
A: To insure a wide distribution of funding, departments which are approved in one of the higher dollar value categories (vehicles, truck chassis, slip-on units, etc.) are not considered for additional approvals during the same funding meeting. Applicants may be skipped if they have received $10,000 or more in grant assistance during the previous 12 months. Departments that come up for a truck award will be awarded the truck regardless of the $10,000 rule. Training tuition grants are not included as part of this $10,000 prior approval amount.
Q: Is my department required to order wildland and/or structural PPE from the Firesafe Program upon award of a cost-share grant?
A: A grant recipient is not required to order wildland and/or structural PPE from the Firesafe Program.
Q: If I received an FFP slip-on unit, does that affect me receiving a grant through the Rural VFD Assistance Program (HB 2604)?
A: Yes. If you have received more than $10,000 in assistance in the current year, you may be passed over and will be eligible again in 12 months. FFP slip-on unit grants do not, however, affect truck or training grants.
Trucks
Q: If my department was awarded a
grant in another category, does it lessen our chances to receive a
grant for a truck?
A: No, grants in other categories do not reflect on vehicle requests.
Q: Does a large or small chassis count as a
truck award?
A: Yes, both would be considered truck
awards.
Q: Does the manufacturer of an apparatus have to be a Texas vendor?
A: Please see Notice to Purchasers of New Fire Trucks (PDF, 6KB).
Q: If my department receives an award for a large or small chassis, can we assemble an ambulance or other specialized vehicle?
A: All vehicle awards must meet the Minimum Standards and Specifications for Firefighting Vehicles (PDF, 9KB).
Q: How does our department receive a grant for a preowned vehicle or equipment?
A: Approval is given on a case by case basis. TFS must give clearance prior to the purchase.
Preferred maximum vehicle age
5 years for vehicles rated less than 22,000 pounds GVWR
Age limits vary for vehicles rated greater than 22,000 pounds GVWR
TFS must make an evaluation of preowned equipment in advance. Following the evaluation, a grant for a preowned vehicle or equipment will be authorized or denied.
Q: How long must a grant vehicle be maintained in firefighting service by the original acquiring department?
A: All vehicles acquired under this program must be maintained in firefighting service for a period of 10 years from the reimbursement check date. If a cost-shared vehicle is sold before the end of its 10-year service life under this program, the fire department may be required to reimburse the program for 90% of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle. The fire department must notify the Texas A&M Forest Service in advance and must obtain clearance to sell or transfer a grant vehicle before the end of its 10-year service life. The Funding Committee may waive on a case-by-case basis the requirement that 90% of the sale proceeds be returned to the program.
Training
Q: How long does it take to get an approval letter for training tuition requests?
A: We work diligently to ensure an approval letter is sent within one week of receiving an application. If there is a large number of applications in a given week, the approval process could take a little longer.
Q: If my department cancels a Training
Tuition grant request, does that penalize our department in any
way?
A: No, a cancellation does not affect future grant
requests.
Q: If my department is approved for a
Training Tuition grant and the dates of the training change, do we need to
submit a new application with the new dates?
A: Please complete
a Revision Request-Rural VFD Assistance Program (TFS-FO-410)
and submit it via email or
fax to 979-845-6160. In order for the revision to be approved, the Revision
Request must be submitted before the course start date.
Q:
What should my department do if the number of trainees change in connection
with a Training Tuition reimbursement grant?
A: Please
complete a Revision Request-Rural VFD Assistance Program (TFS-FO-410)
and submit it via email or
fax to 979-845-6160. In order for the revision to be approved, the Revision
Request must be submitted before the course start date.