Document ID: FEMA-2021-0012-0001
Agency: fema
Document Type: Notice
Title: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Posted Date: 2021-04-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19629-19634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07576]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID: FEMA-2021-0012]

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 
1974, as amended, the Administrator of FEMA is publishing this notice 
describing the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant 
(AFG) Program application process, deadlines, and award selection 
criteria. This notice explains the differences, if any, between these 
guidelines and those recommended by representatives of the national 
fire service leadership during the annual meeting of the Criteria 
Development Panel, which was held December 11, 2019. The application 
period for the FY 2020 AFG Program was January 4, 2021 through February 
12, 2021, and was announced on the AFG website at: https://
www.fema.gov/

[[Page 19630]]

grants/preparedness/firefighters, as well as at www.grants.gov.

DATES: Grant applications for the FY 2020 AFG Program were accepted 
electronically at https://go.fema.gov, from January 4, 2021, through 
February 12, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Branch, DHS/FEMA, 400 C 
Street SW, 3N, Washington, DC 20472-3635.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AFG Program awards grants directly to 
fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services (EMS) 
organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTAs) for the 
purpose of enhancing the health and safety of first responders and 
improving their abilities to protect the public from fire and fire-
related hazards.
    Applications for the FY 2020 AFG Program were submitted and 
processed online at https://go.fema.gov. Before the application period 
started, the FY 2020 AFG Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 
was published on FEMA's AFG Program website. The AFG Program website 
provides additional information and materials useful for FY 2020 AFG 
Program applicants including Frequently Asked Questions, Application 
Checklist, Get Ready Guide Narrative, Self-Evaluation Sheets for 
Vehicle Acquisition and Operations Safety, and a Cost Share Calculator. 
Based on past AFG Program application periods, FEMA anticipates 
receiving 10,000 to 15,000 applications for the FY 2020 AFG Program, 
and the ability to award approximately 2,000 grants.

Congressional Appropriations

    For the FY 2020 AFG Program, Congress appropriated $355 million 
(Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. 116-93). From this 
amount, $319.5 million will be made available for FY 2020 AFG Program 
awards. In addition, Section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and 
Control Act of 1974, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2229), requires that a 
minimum of 10 percent of available funds be expended for Fire 
Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program grants. FP&S Program awards will 
be made directly to local fire departments and to local, regional, 
State, or national entities recognized for their expertise in the 
fields of fire prevention and firefighter safety research and 
development. Funds appropriated for FY 2020 will be available for 
obligation and award until September 30, 2021.
    The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 further directs 
FEMA to administer these appropriations according to the following 
requirements:
     Career fire departments: Not less than 25 percent of 
available grant funds.
     Volunteer fire departments: Not less than 25 percent of 
available grant funds.
     Combination fire departments and departments using paid-
on-call firefighting personnel: Not less than 25 percent of available 
grant funds.
     Open competition (career, volunteer, and/or combination 
fire departments and departments using paid-on-call firefighting 
personnel): Not less than 10 percent of available grant funds awarded.
     EMS providers including fire departments and nonaffiliated 
EMS organizations: Not less than 3.5 percent of available grant funds 
awarded, with nonaffiliated EMS providers receiving no more than 2 
percent of the total available grant funds.
     SFTAs: Not more than 3 percent of available grant funds 
shall be collectively awarded to SFTA applicants, with a maximum of $1 
million per applicant.
     Vehicles: Not more than 25 percent of available grant 
funds may be used for the purchase of vehicles; 10 percent of those 
vehicle funds will be dedicated to the funding of ambulances. Vehicle 
funds will be distributed as equally as possible among urban, suburban, 
and rural community applicants.
     Micro grants: This is a voluntary funding limitation 
choice made by the applicant for requests submitted within the 
operations and safety activity; it is not an additional funding 
opportunity. Micro grants are awards that have a Federal participation 
(share) that does not exceed $50,000. Only fire departments and 
nonaffiliated EMS organizations are eligible to choose micro grants, 
and the only eligible micro grants requests are for training, 
equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and wellness and 
fitness activities. Applicants that select micro grants as a funding 
opportunity may receive additional consideration for award. If an 
applicant selects micro grants in their application, they will be 
limited in the total amount of funding their organization can be 
awarded; if they are requesting funding in excess of $50,000 Federal 
participation, they should not select micro grants.

Background of the AFG Program

    Since 2001, the AFG Program has helped firefighters and other first 
responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, 
emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect 
emergency personnel and the public from fire and related hazards. FEMA 
awards grants on a competitive basis to the applicants that best 
address the AFG Program's priorities and provide the most compelling 
justification. Applications that best address AFG Program priorities, 
as identified in the Application Evaluation Criteria, will be reviewed 
by a peer review panel composed of fire service personnel.
    The AFG Program has three program activities:

 Operations and Safety
 Vehicle Acquisition
 Regional Projects

    The priorities for each activity are fully outlined in the NOFO.

Application Evaluation Criteria

    Prior to making a grant award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. 3354, 
as amended by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Public Law 
116-117 (2020), 41 U.S.C. 2313, and 2 CFR 200.206 to review information 
available through any Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designated 
repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial 
integrity information. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may 
include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant: (1) 
Financial stability; (2) quality of management systems and ability to 
meet management standards; (3) history of performance in managing 
Federal awards; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability 
to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.
    FEMA will rank all complete and submitted applications based on how 
well they match program priorities for the type of jurisdiction(s) 
served. Answers to activity specific questions provide information used 
to determine each application's ranking relative to the stated program 
priorities.
    Funding priorities and criteria for evaluating AFG Program 
applications are established by FEMA based on the recommendations from 
the Criteria Development Panel (CDP). CDP is comprised of fire service 
professionals who make recommendations to FEMA regarding the creation 
of new, or the modification of previously established, funding 
priorities, as well as developing criteria for awarding grants. The 
content of the NOFO reflects implementation of CDP's recommendations 
with respect to the priorities and evaluation criteria for awards.

[[Page 19631]]

    The nine major fire service organizations represented on the CDP 
are:

 International Association of Fire Chiefs
 International Association of Fire Fighters
 National Volunteer Fire Council
 National Fire Protection Association
 National Association of State Fire Marshals
 International Association of Arson Investigators
 International Society of Fire Service Instructors
 North American Fire Training Directors
 Congressional Fire Service Institute

Review and Selection Process

    AFG Program applications are reviewed through a multi-phase 
process. All applications are electronically pre-scored and ranked 
based on how well they align with the funding priorities outlined in 
this notice. Applications with the highest pre-score rankings are then 
scored competitively by (no less than three) members of a Peer Review 
Panel. Applications will also be evaluated through a series of internal 
FEMA review processes for completeness, adherence to programmatic 
guidelines, technical feasibility, and anticipated effectiveness of the 
proposed project(s). Below is the process by which applications will be 
reviewed:

i. Pre-Scoring Process

    The application undergoes an electronic pre-scoring process based 
on established program priorities listed within the NOFO and answers to 
activity specific questions within the online application. Application 
narratives are not reviewed during pre-scoring. Request details and 
budget information should comply with program guidance and statutory 
funding limitations. The pre-score is 50 percent of the total 
application score.

ii. Peer Review Panel Process

    Applications with the highest pre-score will undergo peer review. 
The peer review is comprised of fire service representatives 
recommended by the organizations represented on the CDP. The panelists 
assess the merits of each application based on the narrative section of 
the application, including the evaluation elements listed in the 
Narrative Evaluation Criteria below. Panelists independently score each 
project within the application, discuss the merits and/or shortcomings 
of the application with their peers, and document the findings. A 
consensus is not required. The panel score is 50 percent of the total 
application score.

iii. Technical Evaluation Process

    The highest ranked applications are considered within the fundable 
range. Applications that are in the fundable range undergo both a 
technical review by a subject matter expert, as well as a FEMA AFG 
Branch review prior to being recommended for an award. The FEMA AFG 
Branch will assess the request with respect to costs, quantities, 
feasibility, eligibility, and recipient responsibility prior to 
recommending an application for award. Once the technical evaluation 
process is complete, the cumulative score for each application will be 
determined and FEMA will generate a final ranking of applications. FEMA 
will award grants based on this final ranking and the statutorily 
required funding limitations listed in this notice and the NOFO.

Narrative Evaluation Criteria

1. Financial Need (25 Percent)

    Applicants should describe their financial need and how consistent 
it is with the intent of the AFG Program. This statement should include 
details describing the applicant's financial distress, summarized 
budget constraints, unsuccessful attempts to secure other funding, and 
proof that their financial distress is out of their control.

2. Project Description and Budget (25 Percent)

    This statement should clearly explain the applicant's project 
objectives and the relationship between those objectives and the 
applicant's budget and risk analysis. The applicant should describe the 
activities, including program priorities or facility modifications, 
ensuring consistency with project objectives, the applicant's mission, 
and any national, State, and/or local requirements. Applicants should 
link the proposed expenses to operations and safety, as well as the 
completion of the project goals.

3. Cost Benefit (25 Percent)

    Applicants should describe how they plan to address the operations 
and personal safety needs of their organization, including cost 
effectiveness and sharing assets. This statement should also include 
details about gaining the maximum benefits from grant funding by citing 
reasonable or required costs, such as specific overhead and 
administrative costs. The applicant's request should also be consistent 
with their mission and identify how funding will benefit their 
organization and personnel.

4. Statement of Effect on Daily Operations (25 Percent)

    This statement should explain how these funds will enhance the 
applicant's overall effectiveness. It should address how an award will 
improve daily operations and reduce the applicant's risks. Applicants 
should include how frequently the requested items will be used, and in 
what capacity. Applicants should also indicate how the requested items 
will help the community and increase the organization's ability to save 
additional lives or property. Jurisdictions that demonstrate their 
commitment and proactive posture to reducing fire risk, by explaining 
their code enforcement (to include Wildland Urban Interface code 
enforcement) and mitigation strategies (including whether or not the 
jurisdiction has a FEMA-approved mitigation strategy) may receive 
stronger consideration under this criterion.

Eligible Applicants

    Fire Departments: Fire departments operating in any of the 50 
States, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any 
federally-recognized Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
    A fire department is an agency or organization having a formally 
recognized arrangement with a State, territory, local, or Tribal 
authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or 
other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population 
within a geographically fixed primary first due response area.
    Nonaffiliated EMS organizations: Nonaffiliated EMS organizations 
operating in any of the 50 States, as well as the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any 
federally-recognized Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
    A nonaffiliated EMS organization is an agency or organization that 
is a public or private nonprofit emergency medical services entity 
providing medical transport that is not affiliated with a hospital and 
does not serve a geographic area in which emergency medical services 
are adequately provided by a fire department.
    FEMA considers the following as hospitals under the AFG Program:

 Clinics
 Medical centers

[[Page 19632]]

 Medical colleges or universities
 Infirmaries
 Surgery centers
 Any other institutions, associations, or foundations providing 
medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and/or treatment for the sick or 
injured.

    State Fire Training Academies: SFTAs operating in any of the 50 
States, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must be 
designated either by legislation or by a Governor's declaration as the 
sole fire service training agency within a State, territory, or the 
District of Columbia. The designated SFTA shall be the only agency/
bureau/division, or entity within that State, territory, or the 
District of Columbia.

Ineligibility

     To avoid a duplication of benefits, FEMA reserves the 
right to review all program activities or grant applications where two 
or more organizations share a single facility. To be eligible as a 
separate organization, two or more fire departments or nonaffiliated 
EMS organizations will have different funding streams, personnel 
rosters, or Employer Identification Numbers (EINs). If two or more 
organizations share facilities and each submits an application in the 
same program area (e.g., Equipment, Modify Facilities, PPE, Training, 
and/or Wellness and Fitness Programs) FEMA will carefully review each 
program for eligibility.
     Fire-based EMS organizations are not eligible to apply as 
nonaffiliated EMS organizations. Fire-based EMS training and equipment 
must be requested by a fire department under the AFG Program component 
program of Operations and Safety.
     Eligible applicants may submit only one application for 
each activity (e.g., Operations and Safety, Regional, etc.), but may 
submit for multiple projects within each activity. Under the Vehicle 
Activity, applicants may submit one application for vehicles for their 
department and one separate application to host a Regional vehicle. 
Duplicate applications (more than one application in the same activity) 
may be disqualified.
     An Operations and Safety applicant may submit one 
application for an eligible project (ie.g., turn out gear); it may not 
submit a Regional application for the same project.

Statutory Limits to Funding

     Congress has enacted statutory limits to the amount of 
funding that a grant recipient may receive from the AFG Program in any 
single fiscal year based on the population served (15 U.S.C. 
2229(c)(2)). Awards will be limited based on the size of the population 
protected by the applicant, as indicated below. Notwithstanding the 
annual limits stated below, the Administrator of FEMA may not award a 
grant in an amount that exceeds one percent of the available grant 
funds in such fiscal year, except where it is determined that such 
recipient has an extraordinary need for a grant in an amount that 
exceeds the one percent aggregate limit.
     In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with 
100,000 people or fewer, the amount of available grant funds awarded to 
such recipient shall not exceed $1 million in any fiscal year.
     In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with 
more than 100,000 people, but not more than 500,000 people, the amount 
of available grant funds awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $2 
million in any fiscal year.
     In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with 
more than 500,000, but not more than 1 million people, the amount of 
available grant funds awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $3 
million in any fiscal year.
     In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with 
more than 1 million people but not more than 2.5 million people, the 
amount of available grant funds awarded to such recipient is subject to 
the one percent aggregate cap of $3.55 million for FY 2020, but FEMA 
may waive this aggregate cap in individual cases where FEMA determines 
that a recipient has an extraordinary need for a grant that exceeds the 
aggregate cap; if FEMA waives the aggregate cap, the amount of grant 
funds awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $6 million for any 
fiscal year.
     In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with 
more than 2.5 million people, the amount of available grant funds 
awarded to such recipient is subject to the one percent aggregate cap 
of $3.55 million for FY 2020, but FEMA may waive this aggregate cap in 
individual cases where FEMA determines that a recipient has an 
extraordinary need for a grant that exceeds the aggregate cap; if FEMA 
waives the aggregate cap, the amount of grant funds awarded to such 
recipient shall not exceed $9 million for any fiscal year.
     FEMA may not waive the population-based limits on the 
amount of grant funds awarded as set by 15 U.S.C. 2229(c)(2)(A).
    The cumulative total of the Federal share of awards in Operations 
and Safety, Regional, and Vehicle Acquisition activities will be 
considered when assessing award amounts and any limitations thereto. 
Applicants may request funding up to the statutory limit on each of 
their applications.
    For example, an applicant that serves a jurisdiction with more than 
100,000 people, but not more than 500,000 people, may request up to $2 
million on their Operations and Safety Application, and up to $2 
million on their Vehicle Acquisition request. However, should both 
grants be awarded, the applicant would have to choose which award to 
accept if the cumulative value of both applications exceeds the 
statutory limits.

Cost Sharing and Maintenance of Effort

    Grant recipients 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 applicable Federal regulations at 2 CFR part 200, 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 
validates that the grant recipient has provided sufficient evidence 
that the cost-share requirement will be fulfilled during the period of 
the grant award.
    In general, an eligible applicant seeking a grant shall agree to 
make available non-Federal funds equal to not less than 15 percent of 
the grant awarded. However, the cost share will vary as follows based 
on the size of the population served by the organization, with 
exceptions to this general requirement for entities serving smaller 
communities:
     Applicants that serve populations of 20,000 or less shall 
agree to make available non-Federal funds in an amount equal to not 
less than 5 percent of the grant awarded.
     Applicants serving areas with populations above 20,000, 
but not more than 1 million, shall agree to make available non-Federal 
funds in an amount equal to not less than 10 percent of the grant 
awarded.
     Applicants serving areas with populations above 1 million 
shall agree to make available non-Federal funds in an amount equal to 
not less than 15 percent of the grant awarded.
    The cost share for SFTAs will apply the requirements above based on 
the total population of the State.
    The cost share for a regional application will apply the 
requirements above based on the aggregate population of the primary 
first due response areas

[[Page 19633]]

of the host and participating partner organizations that execute a 
Memorandum of Understanding as described in Appendix B, Section J, 
Regional projects, of the FY 2020 AFG Program NOFO.
    On a case-by-case basis, FEMA may allow a grant recipient that may 
already own assets (equipment or vehicles), acquired with non-Federal 
cash, to use the trade-in allowance/credit value of those assets as 
``cash'' for the purpose of meeting the cost-share obligation of their 
AFG Program award. In-kind, cost-share matches are not allowed.
    Grant recipients 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). A grant recipient shall agree to maintain during the term of 
the grant the applicant's aggregate expenditures relating to the 
activities allowable under the NOFO at not less than 80 percent of the 
average amount of such expenditures in the two fiscal years preceding 
the fiscal year in which the grant amounts are received.
    In cases of demonstrated economic hardship, and at the request of 
the grant recipient, the Administrator of FEMA may waive or reduce a 
grant recipient's cost share requirement or maintenance of expenditure 
requirement. AFG Program applicants for FY 2020 must indicate at the 
time of application whether they are requesting a waiver and whether 
the waiver is for the cost share requirement, for the maintenance of 
effort requirement, or both. As required by statute, the Administrator 
of FEMA is required to establish guidelines for determining what 
constitutes economic hardship. FEMA has published these guidelines at 
FEMA's website: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Eco_Hardship_Waiver_FPS_SAFER_AFG_IB_FINAL.pdf.
    Prior to the start of the FY 2020 AFG Program application period, 
FEMA conducted applicant internet webinars to inform potential 
applicants about the AFG Program. In addition, FEMA provided applicants 
with information at the AFG Program website: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters to help them prepare quality grant 
applications. The AFG Program Help Desk is staffed throughout the 
application period to assist applicants with the automated application 
process as well as assistance with any questions.
    Applicants can reach the AFG Program Help Desk through a toll-free 
telephone number during normal business hours (1-866-274-0960) or 
electronic mail firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.

Application Process

    Organizations may submit one application per application period in 
each of the three AFG Program activities (e.g., one application for 
Operations and Safety, one for Vehicle Acquisition, and/or a separate 
application to be a Joint/Regional Project host). If an organization 
submits more than one application for any single AFG Program activity 
(e.g., two applications for Operations and Safety, two for Vehicles, 
etc.), either intentionally or unintentionally, both applications may 
be disqualified.
    Applicants accessed the grant application electronically at https://go.fema.gov. The application is also accessible from the U.S. Fire 
Administration's website http://www.usfa.fema.gov and http://www.grants.gov. New applicants must register and establish a user name 
and password for secure access to the grant application. Previous AFG 
Program applicants must use their previously established user name and 
passwords.
    Applicants are expected to answer questions about their grant 
request that reflect the AFG Program funding priorities, described 
below. In addition, each applicant must complete four separate 
narratives for each project or grant activity requested. Grant 
applicants will also provide relevant information about their 
organization's characteristics, call volume, and existing 
organizational capabilities.

System for Award Management (SAM)

    Per 2 CFR 25.200, all Federal grant applicants and recipients must 
register at https://SAM.gov. SAM is the Federal Government's System for 
Awards Management, and registration is free of charge. Applicants must 
maintain current information in SAM that is consistent with the data 
provided in their AFG Program grant application and in the Dun & 
Bradstreet (DUNS) database. FEMA may not accept any application, 
process any awards, or consider any payment or amendment requests, 
unless the applicant or grant recipient has complied with the 
requirements to provide a valid DUNS number and an active SAM 
registration. The grant applicant's banking information, EIN, 
organization/entity name, address, and DUNS number must match the same 
information provided in SAM.

Criteria Development Panel Recommendations

    If there are any differences between the published AFG Program 
guidelines and the recommendations made by the CDP, FEMA must explain 
them and publish the information in the Federal Register prior to 
awarding any grant under the AFG Program. For FY 2020, FEMA accepted, 
and will implement, all but two of the CDP's recommendations for the 
prioritization of eligible activities.

Adopted Recommendations for FY 2020

    The FY 2020 AFG Program NOFO contains some changes to definitions, 
descriptions, and priority categories. Changes to the FY 2020 AFG 
Program NOFO include:
     Under Sections D--Application and Submission Information, 
E--Application Review Information, F--Federal Award Administration 
Information, G--DHS Awarding Agency Contact and Resource. Information, 
and H--Additional Information:
    [cir] Various grants management changes due to the recent OMB 
revision to 2 CFR In particular, changes regarding SAM registration, 
performance measures, procurement, closeout, and termination are 
included.
     Under Federal Award Information:
    [cir] Period of performance for AFG Program awards is 24 months.
     Under Supporting Definitions:
    [cir] Paid on-call/Stipend departments are added to the definition 
for Combination Fire Department.
     Under Application Tips:
    [cir] Explanation of AFG Program-approved seated riding positions 
was added.
     Under Training Activity:
    [cir] Rental of Audio/Visual equipment was added as eligible 
activity.
     Under Operations and Safety Activity:
    [cir] Radio over internet Protocol (RoIP) communication equipment 
was added as a Medium Priority.
    [cir] Integrated thermal imaging cameras were added to the 
ineligible list under the PPE category.
     Under Modifications to Facility Activity:
    [cir] Intruder alerting systems and deployment notification systems 
were added as ineligible.
     Under Regional Applications:
    [cir] Guidance requiring purchases from same vendor added.
     Under Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation 
(EHP):
    [cir] Updated process for EHP added.
     Under Award Administration Information (Appendix C):

[[Page 19634]]

    [cir] Updated process for Economic Hardship Waiver added.
    [cir] Excess Funds Restrictions specifies High Priority items as 
eligible under this option.
    [cir] Updated instruction on supporting documentation is added for 
advance and reimbursement payment request.

Recommendations Not Adopted for FY 2020

     The CDP recommended that fire departments implement a 
requirement where National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards 
listed as 1582 physicals become a requirement for all awards. FEMA 
recommends evaluating the impact of this requirement prior to 
implementation. Data on fire departments' abilities to meet this 
standard was collected in the FY 2020 application. It will not be 
considered during the application review.
     The CDP recommended that FEMA adopt new definitions for 
career and combination departments to align with NFPA changes in the 
1710 and 1720 standards. FEMA is unable to adopt this recommendation as 
it conflicts with statutory definitions.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2229.

Robert Fenton,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2021-07576 Filed 4-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-64-P