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. Texas A&M Forest Service 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
Texas A&M Forest Service 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.