80 FR 15234 - Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 55 (March 23, 2015)

Page Range		15234-15239
FR Document		2015-06547

This Notice provides guidelines that describe the application process for grants and the criteria for awarding Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2014 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program year. It explains the differences, if any, between these guidelines and those recommended by representatives of the Nation's fire service leadership during the annual Criteria Development meeting, which was held October 27-28, 2014. The application period for the FY 2014 FP&S Grant Program year will be held March 16-April 17, 2015, and will be announced on the AFG Web site (www.fema.gov/firegrants), www.grants.gov, and U.S. Fire Administration Web site (www.usfa.fema.gov).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15234-15239]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06547]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-FEMA-2014-0035]

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; Fire Prevention and
Safety Grants

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of guidance.

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SUMMARY: This Notice provides guidelines that describe the application
process for grants and the criteria for awarding Fire Prevention and
Safety (FP&S) grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2014 Assistance to
Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program year. It explains the differences, if
any, between these guidelines and those recommended by representatives
of the Nation's fire service leadership during the annual Criteria
Development meeting, which was held October 27-28, 2014. The
application period for the FY 2014 FP&S Grant Program year will be held
March 16-April 17, 2015, and will be announced on the AFG Web site
(www.fema.gov/firegrants), www.grants.gov, and U.S. Fire Administration
Web site (www.usfa.fema.gov).

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2229.

DATES: Grant applications for the FP&S Grant Program will be accepted
electronically at https://portal.fema.gov, from March 16-April 17,
2015.

ADDRESSES: Assistance to Firefighters Grants Branch, Stop 3620, DHS/
FEMA, 800 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20472-3620.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Patterson, Chief, Assistance
to Firefighters Grants Branch, 1-866-274-0960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance
the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and
fire-related hazards. The FEMA Grant Programs Directorate administers
the FP&S Grant Program as part of the AFG Program.
FP&S Grants are offered to support projects in two activities:
1. Activities designed to reach high-risk target groups and
mitigate the incidence of death and injuries caused by fire and fire-
related hazards (``FP&S Activity'').
2. Projects aimed at improving firefighter safety, health and
wellness through research and development that reduces firefighter
fatalities and injuries (``R&D Activity'').
The grant program's authorizing statute requires that each year DHS
publish in the Federal Register the guidelines that describe the
application process and the criteria for grant awards. Approximately
1,200 applications for FP&S Grant Program funding are anticipated to be
submitted electronically, using the application submission form and
process available at the AFG e-Grant application portal: https://portal.fema.gov. Specific information about the submission of grant
applications can be found in the ``FY 2014 Fire Prevention and Safety

[[Page 15235]]

Program Funding Opportunity Announcement,'' which will be available for
download at www.fema.gov/firegrants and at www.regulations.gov under
Docket ID FEMA-2014-0035.

Appropriations

Congress appropriated $340,000,000 for AFG in FY 2014 pursuant to
the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2014, Public
Law 113-76. From this amount, $34,000,000 will be made available for
FP&S Grant awards, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 2229(h)(5), which states that
not less than 10 percent of available grant funds each year are awarded
under the FP&S Grant Program. Funds appropriated for all FY 2014 AFG
awards, pursuant to Public Law 113-76, will be available for obligation
and award until September 30, 2015.
From the approximately 1,200 applications that will be requesting
assistance, FEMA anticipates that it will award approximately 150 FP&S
Grants from available grant funding.

Background of the AFG Program

DHS awards grants on a competitive basis to the applicants that
best address the FP&S Grant Program's priorities and provide the most
compelling justification. Applications that best address the Program's
priorities will be reviewed by a panel composed of fire service
personnel.

Award Criteria

All applications for grants will be prepared and submitted through
the AFG e-Grant application portal (https://portal.fema.gov).
The FP&S Grant Program panels will review the applications and
score them using the following criteria areas:

Vulnerability
Implementation
Evaluation Plan
Cost Benefit
Sustainability
Financial Need
Funding Priorities
Experience and Expertise

The applications submitted under the R&D Activity will be reviewed
first by a panel of fire service members to identify those applications
most relevant to the fire service. The following evaluation criteria
will be used for this review:

Purpose
Potential Impact
Implementation by the fire service
Partners
Barriers

The applications that are determined most likely to be implemented
to enable improvement in firefighter safety, health, or wellness will
be deemed to be in the ``competitive range'' and will be forwarded to
the second level of application review, which is the scientific panel
review process. This panel will be comprised of scientists and
technology experts who have expertise pertaining to the subject matter
of the proposal.
The Scientific Technical Evaluation Panel for the R&D Activity will
review the application and evaluate it using the following criteria:

Project purpose(s), goals and objectives, and specific aims
Literature Review
Project Methods
Project Measurements
Project Analysis
Dissemination and Implementation
Cost vs. Benefit (additional consideration)
Financial Need (additional consideration)

Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply directly to FEMA under
this solicitation:
1. Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Activity: Eligible applicants
for this activity include fire departments, national, regional, state,
local, Native American tribal, and nonprofit organizations that are
recognized for their experience and expertise in fire prevention and
safety programs and activities. Both private and public non-profit
organizations are eligible to apply for funding in this activity. For-
profit organizations, federal agencies, and individuals are not
eligible to receive a FP&S Grant Award under the FP&S Activity.
2. Firefighter Safety Research and Development (R&D) Activity:
Eligible applicants for this activity include national, state, local,
Native American tribal, and nonprofit organizations, such as academic
(e.g., universities), public health, occupational health, and injury
prevention institutions. Both private and public non-profit
organizations are eligible to apply for funding in this activity.
The aforementioned entities are encouraged to apply, especially
those that are recognized for their experience and expertise in
firefighter safety, health, and wellness research and development
activities. Fire departments are not eligible to apply for funding in
the R&D activity. Additionally, for-profit organizations, federal
agencies, and individuals are not eligible to receive a grant award
under the R&D Activity.

Statutory Limits to Funding

Applications and awards are limited to a maximum federal share of
$1.5 million dollars, regardless of applicant type.

Cost Sharing

Grantees must share in the costs of the projects funded under this
grant program as required by 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(1) and in accordance
with 44 CFR 13.24 and 2 CFR 215.23, but they are not required to have
the cost-share at the time of application nor at the time of award.
However, before a grant is awarded, FEMA will contact potential
awardees to determine whether the grantee has the funding in hand or if
the grantee has a viable plan to obtain the funding necessary to
fulfill the cost-sharing requirement.
In general, an eligible applicant seeking an FP&S grant to carry
out an activity shall agree to make available non-federal funds to
carry out such activity in an amount equal to, and not less than, five
percent of the grant awarded. Cash match and in-kind matches are both
allowable in the FP&S Grant Program. Cash (hard) matches include non-
federal cash spent for project-related costs. In-kind (soft) matches
include, but are not limited to, the valuation of in-kind services. In-
kind is the value of something received or provided that does not have
a cost associated with it. For example, where an in-kind match (other
than cash payments) is permitted, then the value of donated services
could be used to comply with the match requirement. Also, third party
in-kind contributions may count toward satisfying match requirements
provided the grantee receiving the contributions expends them as
allowable costs in compliance with provisions listed above.
Grantees under this grant program must also agree to a maintenance
of effort requirement as required by 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(3) (referred to
as a ``maintenance of expenditure'' requirement in that statute). Per
this requirement, a grantee shall agree to maintain during the term of
the grant the grantee's aggregate expenditures relating to the
activities allowable under the FP&S Funding Opportunity Announcement at
not less than 80 percent (80%) of the average amount of such
expenditures in the two (2) fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in
which the grant amounts are received.
In cases of demonstrated economic hardship, and on the application
of the grantee, the Administrator of FEMA may waive or reduce certain
grantees' cost share or maintenance of

[[Page 15236]]

expenditure requirements. This policy applies to FP&S per Sec. 33 of
the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-498, as
amended) (15 U.S.C. 2229). For complete requirements concerning these
waivers, including a description of how a grantee may demonstrate
economic hardship and apply for a waiver, please refer to FEMA Policy
FP 207-088-01, dated April 8, 2014, at: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1398109239435-ec23997d8351382710896fa77d02bc7d/AFG+Economic+/Hardship+Waiver+Policy.pdf. Per 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(4)(C),
FP&S Grantees that are not fire departments are not eligible to receive
a waiver of their cost share or economic hardship requirements.

System for Award Management (SAM)

On July 29, 2010, the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) was
moved into the System for Award Management (SAM). The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance to federal agencies
requiring all prime recipients of federal grants to register in SAM.
SAM is the primary vendor database for the Federal Government to
collect, validate, store, and disseminate data from a secure
centralized system. SAM consolidated the capabilities found in CCR and
other federal procurement systems into one new system.
There is no charge to register in SAM.gov. Registrations must be
completed on-line at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. The
applicant organization is responsible for having a valid Dun and
Bradstreet (DUNS) number at the time of registration. Organizations
with an active record in CCR have an active record in SAM, but may need
to validate their information. For registration, go to https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

Application Process

Applicants may only submit one (1) application, but may submit for
up to three (3) projects under each activity (FP&S and R&D). Any
applicant that submits more than one (1) application may have all
applications for any duplicated request(s) deemed ineligible.
Under the FP&S Activity, applicants may apply under the following
categories:

General Education/Awareness
Fire & Arson Investigation
Code Enforcement/Awareness
National/State/Regional Programs and Studies

Under the R&D Activity, applicants may apply under the following
categories:

Clinical Studies
Technology and Product Development
Database System Development
Dissemination and Implementation Research
Preliminary Studies

Prior to the start of the FY 2014 FP&S Grant Program application
period, FEMA will provide applicants with technical assistance tools
(available at the AFG Web site: www.fema.gov/firegrants) and other
online information to help them prepare quality grant applications. AFG
will also staff a Help Desk throughout the application period to assist
applicants with navigation through the automated application as well as
assistance with any questions they have. Applicants can reach the AFG
Help Desk through a toll-free telephone number (1-866-274-0960) or
electronic mail ([email protected]).
Applicants are advised to access the application electronically at
https://portal.fema.gov. The application also will be accessible from
the grants.gov Web site (http://www.grants.gov). New applicants are
required to register and establish a username and password for secure
access to their application. Applicants that applied to any previous
AFG or SAFER funding opportunities were required to use their
previously established usernames and passwords.
In completing an application under this funding opportunity,
applicants will be asked to provide relevant information on their
organization's characteristics and existing capabilities. Those
applicants are asked to answer questions about their grant request that
reflect the funding priorities, described below. In addition, each
applicant will complete narratives for each project or grant activity
requested.
The following are the funding priorities for each category under
the FP&S Activity:

General Education/Awareness--Under the General Education/
Awareness category there are two funding priorities:
[cir] The first priority will be given to programs that target high
risk population to conduct both door-to-door smoke alarm installations
and provide home safety inspections (including sprinkler awareness), as
part of a comprehensive home fire safety campaign.
[cir] The second priority will be given to programs that include
sprinkler awareness that affect the entire community, such as educating
the public about residential sprinklers, promoting residential
sprinklers, and demonstrating working models of residential sprinklers.
Code Enforcement/Awareness--projects that focus on first time
or reinstatement of code adoption and code enforcement.
Fire & Arson Investigation--projects that aim to aggressively
investigate every fire.
National/State/Regional Programs and Studies--projects that
focus on residential fire issues and/or firefighter behavior and
decision-making.

Under the R&D Activity, in order to identify and address the most
important elements of firefighter safety, FEMA looked to the fire
service for its input and recommendations. In June 2005, the National
Fallen Firefighters' Foundation (NFFF) hosted a working group to
facilitate the development of an agenda for the nation's fire service,
and in particular for firefighter safety. In May 2011, the NFFF again
hosted a working group to update the agenda with current priorities. A
copy of the research agenda is available on the NFFF Web site at http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/symposium.html.
Projects that meet the intent of this research agenda with respect
to firefighter health and safety, as identified by the NFFF working
group, will be given consideration under the R&D Activity. However, the
applicant is not limited to these specific projects. All proposed
projects, regardless of whether they have been identified by this
working group, will be evaluated on their relevance to firefighter
health and safety, and scientific rigor.
The electronic application process will permit the applicant to
enter and save the application data. The system does not permit the
submission of incomplete applications. Except for the narrative
textboxes, the application will use a ``point-and-click'' selection
process or require the entry of data (e.g., name and address).
Applicants will be encouraged to read the FP&S Funding Opportunity
Announcement for more details.

Criteria Development Process

Each year, DHS convenes a panel of fire service professionals to
develop the funding priorities and other implementation criteria for
AFG. The Criteria Development Panel is comprised of representatives
from nine major fire service organizations who are charged with making
recommendations to FEMA regarding the creation of new funding
priorities, the modification of existing funding priorities, and the
development of criteria for awarding grants. The nine major fire
service organizations represented on the panel are:

[[Page 15237]]

Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD)

The FY 2014 criteria development panel meeting occurred January 8-
9, 2014. The content of the FY 2014 FP&S Funding Opportunity
Announcement reflects the implementation of the Criteria Development
Panel's recommendations with respect to the priorities, direction, and
criteria for awards. All of the funding priorities for the FY 2014 FP&S
Grant Program are designed to address the following:

First responder safety
Enhancing national capabilities
Risk
Interoperability

Changes for FY 2014

FY 2014 FP&S Funding Opportunity Announcement.

(1) The ``Guidance and Application Kit'' has been reformatted to
match the DHS Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) template.
(2) Sprinkler awareness was added as a priority under the General
Education/Awareness category.
(3) The period of performance for applicants under the FP&S
Activity was extended to up to 24 months. Applicants will now have the
option to select either a 12 month period of performance or 24 month
period of performance, based on the complexity of the project.

Application Review Process and Considerations

The program's authorizing statute requires that each year DHS
publish in the Federal Register a description of the grant application
process and the criteria for grant awards. This information is provided
below.
DHS will review and evaluate all FP&S applications submitted using
the funding priorities and evaluation criteria described in this
document, which are based on recommendations from the AFG Criteria
Development Panel.

Peer Review Process

Technical Evaluation Process--Fire Prevention and Safety Activity

All eligible applications will be evaluated by a Technical
Evaluation Panel (TEP). The TEP is comprised of a panel of Peer
Reviewers. The TEP will assess each application's merits with respect
to the detail provided in the Narrative Statement on the activity,
including the evaluation elements listed in the Evaluation Criteria
identified above.
The panel of Peer Reviewers will independently score each project
within the application, discuss the merits and/or shortcomings of the
application, and document the findings. A consensus is not required.
The highest ranked applications will receive further technical review
to assess strengths and weaknesses, how readily weaknesses may be
resolved, and the likely impact of the proposed activities on the
safety of the target audience.

Technical Evaluation Process--Research and Development Activity

R&D applications will go through a two-phase review process. First,
all applications will be reviewed by a panel of fire service experts to
assess relevance, meaning the likely impact of the proposed R&D
application to enable improvement in firefighter safety, health, or
wellness. They will also assess the need for the research results and
the likelihood that the results would be implemented by the fire
service in the U.S. Applications that are deemed likely to be
implemented to enable improvement in firefighter safety, health, or
wellness will then receive further consideration by a science review
panel. This panel will be comprised of scientists and technology
experts who have expertise pertaining to the subject matter of the
proposal.
Reviewers will independently score applications and, if necessary,
discuss the merits or shortcomings of the application in order to
reconcile any major discrepancies identified by the reviewers. A
consensus is not required.
With input from these panels, for the highest ranked applications,
FEMA will review each application's strengths and weaknesses, how best
the strengths fit the priorities of the FP&S Program, and how readily
the weaknesses may be resolved to support likely impact of the project
to improve firefighter safety, heath, or wellness.

Technical Review Process

Projects receiving the highest scores then will undergo a technical
review by a subject matter specialist to assess the technical
feasibility of the project and a programmatic review to assess
eligibility and other factors.
After the completion of the technical reviews, DHS will select a
sufficient number of awardees from this application period to obligate
all of the available grant funding. It will evaluate and act on
applications within 90 days following the close of the application
period. Award announcements will be made on a rolling basis until all
available grant funds have been committed. Awards will not be made in
any specified order. DHS will notify unsuccessful applicants as soon as
it is feasible.

Evaluation Criteria for Projects--Fire Prevention and Safety Activity

Funding decisions will be informed by an assessment of how well the
application addresses the criteria and considerations listed below.
Applications will be reviewed by the TEP using weighted evaluation
criteria to score the project. These scores will impact the ranking of
a project for funding.
The relative weight of the evaluation criteria in the determination
of the grant award is listed below.

Vulnerability Statement (20%): The assessment of fire risk is
essential in the development of an effective project goal, as well as
meeting FEMA's goal to reduce risk by conducting a risk analysis as a
basis for action. Vulnerability is a ``weak link'' demonstrating high
risk behavior, living conditions or any type of high risk situation or
behavior. The Vulnerability Statement should include a description of
the steps taken to determine the vulnerability (weak link) and identify
the target audience. The methodology for determination of vulnerability
(how you found the weak link) should be discussed in-depth in the
application's Narrative Statement.
[cir] The specific vulnerability (weak link) that will be addressed
with the proposed project can be established through a formal or
informal risk assessment. FEMA encourages the use of local statistics,
rather than national statistics, when discussing the vulnerability.
[cir] The applicant should summarize the vulnerability (weakness)
the project will address in a clear, to-the-point statement that
addresses who is at risk, what the risks are, where the risks are, and
how the risks can be prevented.
[cir] For the purpose of the FY2014 FP&S FOA, formal risk
assessments consist of the use of software

[[Page 15238]]

programs or recognized expert analysis that assess risk trends.
[cir] Informal risk assessments could include an in-house review of
available data (e.g., National Fire Incident Reporting System) to
determine fire loss, burn injuries or loss of life over a period of
time, and the factors that are the cause and origin for each
occurrence.
Implementation Plan (20%): Projects should provide details on
the implementation plan which discusses the proposed project's goals
and objectives. The following information should be included to support
the implementation plan:
[cir] Goals and objectives.
[cir] Details regarding the methods and specific steps that will be
used to achieve the goals and objectives.
[cir] Timelines.
[cir] Where applicable, examples of marketing efforts to promote
the project, who will deliver the project (e.g., effective
partnerships), and the manner in which materials or deliverables will
be distributed.
[cir] Requests for props (i.e., tools used in educational or
awareness demonstrations), including specific goals, measurable
results, and details on the frequency for which the prop will be
utilized as part of the implementation plan. Applicants should include
information describing the efforts that will be used to reach the high
risk audience and/or the number of people reached through the proposed
project.
Evaluation Plan (20%): Projects should include an evaluation
of effectiveness and should identify measurable goals. Applicants
seeking to carry out awareness and educational projects, for example,
should identify how they intend to determine that there has been an
increase in knowledge about fire hazards, or measure a change in the
safety behaviors of the audience. Applicants should demonstrate how
they will measure risk at the outset of the project in comparison to
how much the risk decreased after the project is finished. There are
various ways to measure the knowledge gained including the use of
surveys, pre- and post-tests or documented observations.
Cost-Benefit (10%): Projects will be evaluated based on how
well the applicant addresses the fire prevention needs of the
department or organization in an economic and efficient manner. It
should show how to maximize the level of funding that goes directly
into the delivery of the project. The costs associated with the project
must also be reasonable for the target audience that will be reached,
and a description of how the anticipated benefit(s) of their projects
outweighs the cost(s) of the requested item(s) should be included.
Providing justification for costs assists the Technical Evaluation
Panel with this review.
Sustainability (15%): Each project will also be evaluated to
determine whether the overall activity will be sustained (continued)
beyond the grant performance period and whether it has a greater
potential for long-term benefits. Examples of sustainable projects can
be shown through the long-term benefits derived from the delivery of
the project, the number of non-Federal partners likely to continue the
effort, or the demonstrated long-term commitment of the applicant.
Financial Need (10%): Applicants should provide details on the
need for financial assistance to carry out the proposed project(s).
Included in the description might be other unsuccessful attempts to
acquire financial assistance or specific examples of the applicant's
operational budget.
Funding Priorities (5%): Applicants will be evaluated on
whether or not the proposed project meets the stated funding priority
(listed below) for the applicable category.
[cir] General Education/Awareness Priority: Comprehensive home fire
safety campaign with door-to-door smoke alarm installations or
residential sprinkler awareness projects/activities.
[cir] Fire/Arson Investigation Priority: Projects that aim to
aggressively investigate every fire.
[cir] Code Enforcement/Awareness Priority: Projects that focus on
first time or reinstatement of code adoption and code enforcement.
[cir] National/State/Regional Programs and Studies Priority:
Projects that focus on residential fire issues, and/or firefighter
safety projects or strategies that are designed to measurably change
firefighter behavior and decision-making.
Experience and Expertise (additional consideration):
Applicants that demonstrate their experience and ability to conduct
fire prevention and safety activities, and to execute the proposed or
similar project(s), will receive additional consideration.

Evaluation Criteria for Projects--Firefighter Safety Research and
Development Activity

Funding decisions will be informed by an assessment of how well the
application addresses the criteria and considerations listed below.
All applications will reviewed by a fire service expert panel using
weighted evaluation criteria, and those applications deemed to be in
the ``competitive range'' will then be reviewed by a scientific peer
review panel evaluation using weighted evaluation criteria to score the
project. Scientific evaluations will impact the ranking of the project
for funding.
In addition, other Science Panel considerations are indicated in
the list below:

Fire Service Evaluation Criteria

Purpose (25%): Applicants should clearly identify the benefits
of the proposed research project to improve firefighter safety, health,
or wellness, and identify specific gaps in knowledge that will be
addressed.
Implementation by Fire Service (25%): Applicants should
discuss how the outcomes/products of this research, if successful, are
likely to be widely/nationally adopted and accepted by the fire service
as changes that enhance firefighter safety, health, or wellness.
Potential Impact (15%): Applicants should discuss the
potential impact of the research outcome/product on firefighter safety
by quantifying the possible reduction in the number of fatal or non-
fatal injuries, or on wellness by significantly improving the overall
health of firefighters.
Barriers (15%): Applicants should recognize that all research
contains some level of risk and that the proposed outcomes may not be
realized. The applicant needs to identify and discuss potential fire
service and other barriers to successfully complete the study on
schedule, including contingencies and strategies to deal with barriers
if they materialize. This may include barriers that could inhibit the
proposed fire service participation in the study or the adoption of
successful results by the fire service when the project is completed.
Partners (20%): Applicants should recognize that participation
of the fire service as a partner in the research, from development to
dissemination, is regarded as an essential part of all projects.
Applicants should describe the fire service partners and contractors
that will support the

[[Page 15239]]

project to accomplish the objectives of the study. The specific roles
and contributions of the partners should be described. Partnerships may
be formed with local and regional fire departments, and also with
national fire-related organizations. Letters of support and letters of
commitment to actively participate in the project should be included in
the appendix of the application. Generally, participants of a diverse
population, including both career and volunteer firefighters, are
expected to facilitate acceptance of results nationally. In cases where
this is not practical, due to the nature of the study or other
limitations, these circumstances should clearly be explained.

Science Panel Evaluation Criteria

Project goals, objectives, and specific aims (15%): Applicants
should address how the purpose, goals, objectives, and aims of the
proposal will lead to results that will improve firefighter safety,
health, or wellness. For multi-year projects, greater detail should be
given for the first year.
Literature Review (10%): Applicants should provide a
literature review that is relevant to the project's goals, objectives,
and specific aims. The citations should be placed in the text of the
narrative statement, with references listed at the end of the Narrative
Statement (and not in the Appendix) of the application. The review
should be in sufficient depth to make it clear that the proposed
project is necessary, adds to an existing body of knowledge, is
different from current and previous studies, and offers a unique
contribution.
Project Methods (20%): Applicants should provide a description
of how the project will be carried out, including demonstration of the
overall scientific and technical rigor and merit of the project. This
includes the operations to accomplish the purpose, goals and
objectives, and the specific aims of the project. Plans to recruit and
retain human subjects, where applicable, should be described. Where
human subjects are involved in the project, the applicant should
describe plans for submission to the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
(for further guidance and requirements, see Appendix A--Application
Guidelines and Program Priorities, Section IX. Human Subjects
Research).
Project Measurements (20%): Applicants should provide evidence
of the technical rigor and merit of the project, such as data
pertaining to validity, reliability, and sensitivity (where
established) of the facilities, equipment, instruments, standards, and
procedures that will be used to carry out the research. The applicant
should discuss the data to be collected to evaluate the performance
methods, technologies, and products proposed to enhance firefighter
safety, health, or wellness. The applicant should demonstrate that the
measurement methods and equipment selected for use are appropriate and
sufficient to successfully deliver the proposed project objectives.
Project Analysis (20%): The applicant should indicate the
planned approach for analysis of the data obtained from measurements,
questionnaires, or computations. The applicant should specify within
the plan what will be analyzed, the statistical methods that will be
used, the sequence of steps, and interactions as appropriate. It should
be clear that the Principal Investigator (PI) and research team have
the expertise to perform the planned analysis and defend the results in
a peer review process.
Dissemination and Implementation (15%): Applicants should
indicate dissemination plans for scientific audiences (such as plans
for submissions to specific peer review publications) and for
firefighter audiences (such as Web sites, magazines, and conferences).
Also, assuming positive results, the applicant should indicate future
steps that would support dissemination and implementation throughout
the fire service, where applicable. These steps are likely to be beyond
the current study, so those features of the research activity that will
facilitate future dissemination and implementation should be discussed.
All applicants should specify how the results of the project, if
successful, might be disseminated and implemented in the fire service
to improve firefighter safety, health, or wellness. It is expected that
successful R&D Activity Projects may give rise to future programs
including FP&S Activity Projects.
Cost vs. Benefit (additional consideration): Cost vs. benefit
in this evaluation element refers to the costs of the grant for the
research and development project as it relates to the benefits that are
projected for firefighters who would have improved safety, health, or
wellness. Applicants should demonstrate a high benefit for the cost
incurred, and effective utilization of federal funds for research
activities.
Financial Need (additional consideration): In the Applicant
Information section of the application, applicants should provide
details on the need for federal financial assistance to carry out the
proposed project(s). Applicants may include a description of
unsuccessful attempts to acquire financial assistance. Applicants
should provide detail about the organization's operating budget,
including a high-level breakdown of the budget; describe the
department's inability to address financial needs without federal
assistance; and discuss other actions the department has taken to meet
their staffing needs (e.g., state assistance programs, other grant
programs, etc.).

Other Selection Information

Awards will be made using the results of peer-reviewed applications
as the primary basis for decisions, regardless of activity. However,
there are some exceptions to strictly using the peer review results.
The applicant's prior AFG, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER), and FP&S grant management performance will also be
taken into consideration when making recommendations for award. All
final funding determinations will be made by the Administrator of FEMA,
or the Administrator's delegate.
Fire departments and other eligible applicants that have received
funding under the FP&S program in previous years are eligible to apply
for funding in the current year. However, DHS may take into account an
applicant's performance on prior grants when making funding decisions
on current applications.
Once every application in the competitive range has been through
the technical evaluation phase, the applications will be ranked
according to the average score awarded by the panel.
The ranking will be summarized in a Technical Report prepared by
the AFG Program Office. A Grants Management Specialist will contact the
applicant to discuss and/or negotiate the content of the application
and SAM.gov registration before making final award decisions.

Dated: March 3, 2015.
W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2015-06547 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-12-P

15238 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices

programs or recognized expert project. The costs associated with the Evaluation Criteria for Projects—
analysis that assess risk trends. project must also be reasonable for the Firefighter Safety Research and
Æ Informal risk assessments could target audience that will be reached, Development Activity
include an in-house review of and a description of how the Funding decisions will be informed
available data (e.g., National Fire anticipated benefit(s) of their projects by an assessment of how well the
Incident Reporting System) to outweighs the cost(s) of the requested application addresses the criteria and
determine fire loss, burn injuries or item(s) should be included. Providing considerations listed below.
loss of life over a period of time, justification for costs assists the All applications will reviewed by a
and the factors that are the cause Technical Evaluation Panel with this fire service expert panel using weighted
and origin for each occurrence. review.
• Implementation Plan (20%): Projects evaluation criteria, and those
should provide details on the • Sustainability (15%): Each project applications deemed to be in the
implementation plan which will also be evaluated to determine ‘‘competitive range’’ will then be
discusses the proposed project’s whether the overall activity will be reviewed by a scientific peer review
goals and objectives. The following sustained (continued) beyond the panel evaluation using weighted
information should be included to grant performance period and evaluation criteria to score the project.
support the implementation plan: whether it has a greater potential for Scientific evaluations will impact the
Æ Goals and objectives. long-term benefits. Examples of ranking of the project for funding.
Æ Details regarding the methods and sustainable projects can be shown In addition, other Science Panel
specific steps that will be used to through the long-term benefits considerations are indicated in the list
achieve the goals and objectives. derived from the delivery of the below:
Æ Timelines. project, the number of non-Federal Fire Service Evaluation Criteria
Æ Where applicable, examples of partners likely to continue the effort,
marketing efforts to promote the or the demonstrated long-term • Purpose (25%): Applicants should
project, who will deliver the project commitment of the applicant. clearly identify the benefits of the
(e.g., effective partnerships), and proposed research project to improve
• Financial Need (10%): Applicants firefighter safety, health, or wellness,
the manner in which materials or
should provide details on the need for and identify specific gaps in
deliverables will be distributed.
Æ Requests for props (i.e., tools used financial assistance to carry out the knowledge that will be addressed.
in educational or awareness proposed project(s). Included in the • Implementation by Fire Service
demonstrations), including specific description might be other (25%): Applicants should discuss
goals, measurable results, and unsuccessful attempts to acquire how the outcomes/products of this
details on the frequency for which financial assistance or specific research, if successful, are likely to be
the prop will be utilized as part of examples of the applicant’s widely/nationally adopted and
the implementation plan. operational budget. accepted by the fire service as changes
Applicants should include • Funding Priorities (5%): Applicants that enhance firefighter safety, health,
information describing the efforts will be evaluated on whether or not or wellness.
that will be used to reach the high the proposed project meets the stated • Potential Impact (15%): Applicants
risk audience and/or the number of funding priority (listed below) for the should discuss the potential impact of
people reached through the applicable category. the research outcome/product on
proposed project. firefighter safety by quantifying the
Æ General Education/Awareness
• Evaluation Plan (20%): Projects Priority: Comprehensive home fire
possible reduction in the number of
should include an evaluation of fatal or non-fatal injuries, or on
safety campaign with door-to-door
effectiveness and should identify wellness by significantly improving
smoke alarm installations or
measurable goals. Applicants seeking the overall health of firefighters.
residential sprinkler awareness
to carry out awareness and • Barriers (15%): Applicants should
projects/activities.
educational projects, for example, recognize that all research contains
should identify how they intend to Æ Fire/Arson Investigation Priority: some level of risk and that the
determine that there has been an Projects that aim to aggressively proposed outcomes may not be
increase in knowledge about fire investigate every fire. realized. The applicant needs to
hazards, or measure a change in the Æ Code Enforcement/Awareness identify and discuss potential fire
safety behaviors of the audience. Priority: Projects that focus on first service and other barriers to
Applicants should demonstrate how time or reinstatement of code successfully complete the study on
they will measure risk at the outset of adoption and code enforcement. schedule, including contingencies
the project in comparison to how and strategies to deal with barriers if
Æ National/State/Regional Programs they materialize. This may include
much the risk decreased after the
and Studies Priority: Projects that barriers that could inhibit the
project is finished. There are various
focus on residential fire issues, and/ proposed fire service participation in
ways to measure the knowledge
or firefighter safety projects or the study or the adoption of
gained including the use of surveys,
strategies that are designed to successful results by the fire service
pre- and post-tests or documented
measurably change firefighter when the project is completed.
observations.
• Cost-Benefit (10%): Projects will be behavior and decision-making. • Partners (20%): Applicants should
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

evaluated based on how well the • Experience and Expertise (additional recognize that participation of the fire
applicant addresses the fire consideration): Applicants that service as a partner in the research,
prevention needs of the department or demonstrate their experience and from development to dissemination,
organization in an economic and ability to conduct fire prevention and is regarded as an essential part of all
efficient manner. It should show how safety activities, and to execute the projects. Applicants should describe
to maximize the level of funding that proposed or similar project(s), will the fire service partners and
goes directly into the delivery of the receive additional consideration. contractors that will support the

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices 15239

project to accomplish the objectives of validity, reliability, and sensitivity • Financial Need (additional
the study. The specific roles and (where established) of the facilities, consideration): In the Applicant
contributions of the partners should equipment, instruments, standards, Information section of the application,
be described. Partnerships may be and procedures that will be used to applicants should provide details on
formed with local and regional fire carry out the research. The applicant the need for federal financial
departments, and also with national should discuss the data to be assistance to carry out the proposed
fire-related organizations. Letters of collected to evaluate the performance project(s). Applicants may include a
support and letters of commitment to methods, technologies, and products description of unsuccessful attempts
actively participate in the project proposed to enhance firefighter safety, to acquire financial assistance.
should be included in the appendix of health, or wellness. The applicant Applicants should provide detail
the application. Generally, should demonstrate that the about the organization’s operating
participants of a diverse population, measurement methods and equipment
including both career and volunteer budget, including a high-level
selected for use are appropriate and
firefighters, are expected to facilitate breakdown of the budget; describe the
sufficient to successfully deliver the
acceptance of results nationally. In department’s inability to address
proposed project objectives.
financial needs without federal
cases where this is not practical, due • Project Analysis (20%): The applicant
to the nature of the study or other assistance; and discuss other actions
should indicate the planned approach
limitations, these circumstances for analysis of the data obtained from the department has taken to meet
should clearly be explained. measurements, questionnaires, or their staffing needs (e.g., state
computations. The applicant should assistance programs, other grant
Science Panel Evaluation Criteria
specify within the plan what will be programs, etc.).
• Project goals, objectives, and specific analyzed, the statistical methods that
aims (15%): Applicants should Other Selection Information
will be used, the sequence of steps,
address how the purpose, goals,
and interactions as appropriate. It Awards will be made using the results
objectives, and aims of the proposal
should be clear that the Principal of peer-reviewed applications as the
will lead to results that will improve
Investigator (PI) and research team primary basis for decisions, regardless
firefighter safety, health, or wellness.
have the expertise to perform the of activity. However, there are some
For multi-year projects, greater detail
planned analysis and defend the exceptions to strictly using the peer
should be given for the first year.
• Literature Review (10%): Applicants results in a peer review process. review results. The applicant’s prior
should provide a literature review • Dissemination and Implementation AFG, Staffing for Adequate Fire and
that is relevant to the project’s goals, (15%): Applicants should indicate Emergency Response (SAFER), and
objectives, and specific aims. The dissemination plans for scientific FP&S grant management performance
citations should be placed in the text audiences (such as plans for will also be taken into consideration
of the narrative statement, with submissions to specific peer review when making recommendations for
references listed at the end of the publications) and for firefighter award. All final funding determinations
Narrative Statement (and not in the audiences (such as Web sites, will be made by the Administrator of
Appendix) of the application. The magazines, and conferences). Also, FEMA, or the Administrator’s delegate.
review should be in sufficient depth assuming positive results, the
applicant should indicate future steps Fire departments and other eligible
to make it clear that the proposed
project is necessary, adds to an that would support dissemination and applicants that have received funding
existing body of knowledge, is implementation throughout the fire under the FP&S program in previous
different from current and previous service, where applicable. These steps years are eligible to apply for funding in
studies, and offers a unique are likely to be beyond the current the current year. However, DHS may
contribution. study, so those features of the take into account an applicant’s
• Project Methods (20%): Applicants research activity that will facilitate performance on prior grants when
should provide a description of how future dissemination and making funding decisions on current
the project will be carried out, implementation should be discussed. applications.
including demonstration of the All applicants should specify how the Once every application in the
overall scientific and technical rigor results of the project, if successful,
competitive range has been through the
and merit of the project. This includes might be disseminated and
technical evaluation phase, the
the operations to accomplish the implemented in the fire service to
applications will be ranked according to
purpose, goals and objectives, and the improve firefighter safety, health, or
wellness. It is expected that the average score awarded by the panel.
specific aims of the project. Plans to
recruit and retain human subjects, successful R&D Activity Projects may The ranking will be summarized in a
where applicable, should be give rise to future programs including Technical Report prepared by the AFG
described. Where human subjects are FP&S Activity Projects. Program Office. A Grants Management
involved in the project, the applicant • Cost vs. Benefit (additional Specialist will contact the applicant to
should describe plans for submission consideration): Cost vs. benefit in this discuss and/or negotiate the content of
to the Institutional Review Board evaluation element refers to the costs the application and SAM.gov
(IRB) (for further guidance and of the grant for the research and registration before making final award
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

requirements, see Appendix A— development project as it relates to decisions.
Application Guidelines and Program the benefits that are projected for Dated: March 3, 2015.
Priorities, Section IX. Human Subjects firefighters who would have improved
safety, health, or wellness. Applicants W. Craig Fugate,
Research).
• Project Measurements (20%): should demonstrate a high benefit for Administrator, Federal Emergency
Applicants should provide evidence the cost incurred, and effective Management Agency.
of the technical rigor and merit of the utilization of federal funds for [FR Doc. 2015–06547 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am]
project, such as data pertaining to research activities. BILLING CODE 9111–12–P

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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:47:39
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:47:39

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of guidance.
Dates		Grant applications for the FP&S Grant Program will be accepted electronically at https://portal.fema.gov, from March 16-April 17, 2015.
Contact		Catherine Patterson, Chief, Assistance to Firefighters Grants Branch, 1-866-274-0960.
FR Citation		80 FR 15234

80 FR 15234 - Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYFederal Emergency Management Agency

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 55 (March 23, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency