Preparing for Wildfires | TIFMAS Grant Assistance Program TFS

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRES

FIRE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS: TIFMAS GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Grant Assistance Program provides reimbursement grants to career fire departments and combination fire departments not eligible for grant assistance under the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The program provides $1 million in grant assistance annually, with $800,000 dedicated to TIFMAS vehicles and $200,000 dedicated to all other grant categories.

FY 2019 Changes

Funding Meeting Summary: FY19 TIFMAS Meeting - January 24, 2019

TIFMAS Historical Funding Information

+ Eligibility

Those eligible include

Career fire departments that have no volunteer members and that are staffed with paid members only.
Recognized part-paid, part-volunteer fire departments operating on a not-for-profit basis, having 21 or more paid members.
Fire departments eligible for grants under the Rural VFD Assistance Program are not eligible for grants under the TIFMAS Grant Assistance Program.

Paid members are calculated based on the number of full-time paid and part-paid positions. Two part-paid positions are equivalent to one full-time paid position.

+ Apply for a TIFMAS Apparatus Grant

A TIFMAS apparatus grant awards 100 percent funding for a standardized NWCG Type I (Tactical Tender), Type III (Wildland Engine) or VI (Wildland Engine) vehicle. Use of the vehicle is governed by the terms set forth in the Supplemental Terms and Responsibilities Agreement (PDF, 108KB) between TFS and the fire department recipient.

Application

Complete Application for TIFMAS Grant Assistance - APPARATUS REQUEST (TFS-FO-430) (PDF, 209KB) and IRS Form W-9 (PDF) and e-mail to tifmasgrants@tfs.tamu.edu
Faxed applications can also be accepted at: 979-845-6160. Please call 979-458-6505 to confirm your fax was received.

TIFMAS apparatus grants are approved in October of each year. Grant applications not approved in October automatically roll forward to the next TIFMAS funding meeting. They remain on file and active until approved or cancelled in writing by the applicant.

A department may have a maximum of two applications on file for TIFMAS apparatus (including applications associated with a previous award).

To revise an application, complete the Revision Request -- TIFMAS Program (TFS-FO-411) and submit it via email or fax to 979-845-6160.

+ Apply for a TIFMAS Training Tuition Grant

TIFMAS grants for training tuition reimburse 100% of the actual cost of tuition not to exceed $129 per day up to a maximum of $645 per trainee per school. The ANNUAL MAXIMUM for all training tuition grant assistance per department is $12,500.

IMPORTANT: A W-9 form must accompany each application. Both forms must be signed and dated.

To apply, please complete and submit the following forms by email (preferred), mail, or fax.

Application for TIFMAS Grant Assistance - TRAINING TUITION (TFS-FO-420) (PDF, 223KB)
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (W9)

To revise your application, complete the Revision Request -- TIFMAS Program (TFS-FO-411) and submit it via email or fax it to 979-845-6160.

TIFMAS Grant Assistance Program Guidelines For Training Tuition Grant Assistance (PDF, 177KB)

+ Additional Guidelines

Applicant Rating Guide - Apparatus (PDF, 32KB)

Branch Assignments by County (PDF, 79KB)

TIFMAS Application Review Schedule (PDF, 95KB)

+ Contact

Texas A&M Forest Service
200 Technology Way, Ste 1162
College Station, Texas 77845
Attn: TIFMAS Grants

Phone: (979) 458-6505
Fax: (979) 845-6160
Email: tifmasgrants@tfs.tamu.edu

RELATED INFORMATION

FIRE DANGER
WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE
TIFMAS HISTORICAL FUNDING INFORMATION

TWPP OPEN FOR COMMENTS

Texas A&M Forest Service is in the process of updating the Texas Wildfire Protection Plan. The plan and supporting documents are currently posted online and available for public comment through March 6, 2020.

CAREERS

Texas A&M Forest Service offers careers that can take you anywhere from a wildfire line defending lives and homes, to a forest protecting and conserving Texas natural resources to a computer working on a new application to create solutions for Texans across the state.

COMMENTS REQUESTED: FOREST ACTION PLAN UPDATE

Texas A&M Forest Service is currently updating the Texas Forest Action Plan and is requesting comments to consider during its development. Please share your thoughts by clicking the image.

NEWSROOM

Coronavirus Update

As state agencies prepare for Coronavirus, Texas A&M Forest Service is working to ensure the safety of and service to the people of Texas.

We are adjusting work schedules and locations for our employees based on essential duties, wildfire risk and risk of Coronavirus contact and spread.

Michael Bennett arrested in timber theft investigation
Texas A&M Forest Service law enforcement investigators arrested James Michael “Mike” Bennett of Cleveland, Texas for Timber Purchase as a Trustee with Intent to Defraud on Feb. 13, 2020 in Montgomery County. Bennett, 55, was charged with a state jail felony as the timber was valued between $500 and $20,000.

Arrest made in Cherokee County timber theft investigation
Troy Lee Grice, 48, of Groveton, Texas was arrested Feb. 16, 2020 in Cherokee County for Timber Purchase as a Trustee with Intent to Defraud. The timber is valued between $100,000 and $200,000, making the crime a second degree felony.

TWPP OPEN FOR COMMENTS

CAREERS

COMMENTS REQUESTED: FOREST ACTION PLAN UPDATE

Texas A&M Forest Service is currently updating the Texas Forest Action Plan and is requesting comments to consider during its development. Please share your thoughts by clicking the image.

NEWSROOM

3/12/2020 2:40:00 PM
Coronavirus Update

As state agencies prepare for Coronavirus, Texas A&M Forest Service is working to ensure the safety of and service to the people of Texas.

We are adjusting work schedules and locations for our employees based on essential duties, wildfire risk and risk of Coronavirus contact and spread.

2/24/2020 4:15:00 PM
Michael Bennett arrested in timber theft investigation
Texas A&M Forest Service law enforcement investigators arrested James Michael “Mike” Bennett of Cleveland, Texas for Timber Purchase as a Trustee with Intent to Defraud on Feb. 13, 2020 in Montgomery County. Bennett, 55, was charged with a state jail felony as the timber was valued between $500 and $20,000.

2/23/2020 3:55:00 PM
Arrest made in Cherokee County timber theft investigation
Troy Lee Grice, 48, of Groveton, Texas was arrested Feb. 16, 2020 in Cherokee County for Timber Purchase as a Trustee with Intent to Defraud. The timber is valued between $100,000 and $200,000, making the crime a second degree felony.

FIRE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS: TIFMAS GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Application

TWPP OPEN FOR COMMENTS

CAREERS

COMMENTS REQUESTED: FOREST ACTION PLAN UPDATE

NEWSROOM

TWPP OPEN FOR COMMENTS

CAREERS

COMMENTS REQUESTED: FOREST ACTION PLAN UPDATE

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE