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Department of Safety and Professional Services
Department of Safety and Professional Services
Grant Information

Youth Firefighter Training Grant FAQs

  1. What can I apply for?

    Grant funds must be used for expenses listed in the grant announcement and attachment A, which may include student recruitment, training materials, personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies. An example list, which is not exhaustive, is available in Attachment A.  Each application will be reviewed for eligibility and graded based on scoring requirements.

  2. How much can I apply for?

    A grant request may be as little as $500, and as much as $25,000. The amount awarded may be less than the amount requested.

  3. What happens if I’m unable to meet my obligations or goals in recruitment?

    Grantees will be required to submit regular program updates related to their project as outlined in their grant contract.  It includes quantifiable outcomes and impacts for the fire department, any metrics used, and curriculum/training materials.

  4. How are the grants scored?

    Grant proposals will be rated on a 64‐point scale, based upon the following point values: Project Need Statement 28 points, Program Design, Cost & Implementation 20 points, Program Objectives & Outcomes 12 points, and Program Equity and Inclusion Outcomes 4 points.  Grants will be awarded based upon ranking and availability of budgeted funds. Grants that score below 32 points will not be eligible for funding.

  5. Who is scoring the grants?

    Grants are scored by subject matter experts within DSPS.

  6. Where are the funds coming from to award the grants?

    The DSPS received approval to use revenue that DSPS generates.  No 2% Fire Dues monies are being utilized to fund this grant.

  7. Are we eligible if we do not yet have a program established with a High School and Tech. School but are working toward developing one?

    The lead applicant must document collaboration and agreements with any participating or supporting agencies or organizations.  (Participation or support of multiple organizations is encouraged.  Successful applicants will have one year to meet their obligations under the grant award agreement.

  8. Is there a cost/share component to the grant? (Is the grantee expected to fund a percentage of the request expense if awarded the grant?)

    DSPS does not require a match for this grant; however, this grant will only reimburse reasonable direct non‐capital expenses related to creating and delivering the program. DSPS expects that the grant recipient will be making monetary and non‐monetary contributions to ensure the success of the program. Certain costs will be considered an in‐kind contribution to the program and can be identified but not included in the grant budget. The following are examples of items that are would be in‐kind contributions to the program from either the grant recipient or other program partners:

    1. Comfortable and safe training facilities

    2. Grant management activities such as reporting, tracking, and invoicing

    3. Indirect, shared, or overhead costs

    4. Transportation for students to the training location

    5. Food/meals/beverages

    6. Use of equipment owned by or purchased by the grantee or partners

    7. Monetary incentives for students or completion awards

    8. Insurance coverage for participants in grant related activities

  9. What age groups can the grant funds be used towards?

    Grant funds can be used towards middle and high school age students.  Applications must explain the project, number of students, target audience (age ranges), coursework to be provided, curriculum, and outcomes.  It is encouraged that departments focus efforts on youth that can be recruited into the fire service with incentives in the form of high school and/or college credit.

  10. Can full-time fire departments apply for a grant?

    No. Eligible applicants include volunteer and combination (part time volunteer) fire departments.  Full time departments may participate in the training program that uses grant funds, but the application must demonstrate that the proposed program will mainly bolster volunteer or part-time departments.

  11. Are grant funds available for both public and private schools in conjunction with Fire Departments and Tech Schools?

    Yes.  Middle or High Schools, and Technical Colleges are required to collaborate with a Volunteer or Combination Fire Department(s) and collaborative efforts must be documented through written agreements and provided with grant applications.