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.

Funding Meeting - May 20, 2020

Special Announcement - FY20 Program Changes

Funding Meeting Summary: FY20 TIFMAS Meeting - May 20, 2020

Funding Meeting List: FY20 TIFMAS Meeting

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) 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)

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

HURRICANE LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE

Hurricane Delta made landfall near Creole, Louisiana around 6P on Friday, October 9 as a Category 2 storm, however no hurricane-force winds occurred in Texas. Instead the storm brought maximum sustained winds of 39 to 57 mph to approximately the same region affected by Hurricane Laura 6 weeks prior. Although the impact to East Texas timber was minimal, landowners can contact TFS if they are in need of assistance.

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Create your own scavenger hunt bingo game and help make a difference for all Texans. By encouraging members of your community to get out, explore, and make observations about forests and trees near them, you're helping Texans make a personal connection to forests.

MY LAND MANAGEMENT CONNECTOR

Are you a Texas landowner? Meet your land management goals with My Land Management Connector (MLMC), a free web application created by Texas A&M Forest Service. With MLMC, landowners can find qualified service providers that serve their area and connect with neighboring landowners to save on service costs. Create your account today.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS: TIFMAS GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM