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.    

     

     

     Special Announcements:

    • The maximum reimbursement for TIFMAS training tuition grants has been increased to $133 per day, up to a maximum of $665 per trainee per school. The annual maximum for all training tuition grant assistance per department remains $12,500.
    • Critical Stress Incident Management (CISM) courses are now eligible for training tuition grants.

      

     FY 22 Funding Meeting - October 27, 2021     

     

    Funding Meeting Summary  

    Funding Meeting List  

     


     + 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 between Texas A&M Forest Service 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 $133 per day up to a maximum of $665 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.
     
    1. Application for TIFMAS Grant Assistance - TRAINING TUITION (TFS-FO-420) (PDF, 223KB) 
      • Written application for a training tuition grant must be received by Texas A&M Forest Service before the course start-date for both in-person and online courses. An application received on or after the course start-date is not eligible for grant assistance.     
       
    2. 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)

     

    Program ElementReview CycleExpiration of Award
    Training Tuition On Demand 30 days after the published completion date of the individual training course or school
    Online Training TuitionOn Demand3 months from the approval date

     

     Please Note:

    • Failure to provide the necessary documentation to support payment of the grant award within the specified grant period will result in cancellation of the award.
    • Extensions must be requested by the fire department and approved in writing by Texas A&M Forest Service. Each individual extension may be granted for a period not to exceed 6 months.
    • Failure to comply with the grant requirements may result in ineligibilty for future grants.
     + Additional Guidelines

     

     + 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