Q: If my department
was previously awarded a grant, but later canceled the request, can we
reapply?
A: Yes, the prior termination has no bearing on future
grant opportunities.
Q: If my department was awarded a
grant for fire or rescue equipment, does it lessen our chances to receive a
grant for a truck?
A: No, the two grants do not reflect on
each other.
Q: Does a large or small chassis count as a
truck award?
A: Yes, both would be considered truck
awards.
Q: If my department is not reporting wildland fires
in the Fire Department Directory, does that lessen our rating?
A: No, the rating for your fire department will not decrease due to lack
of reporting wildland fires in the FDD.
Q: Is my
department required to order wildland and/or structural PPE from the
Firesafe Program upon award of a cost-share grant?
A: A grant
recipient is not required to order wildland and/or structural PPE from the
Firesafe Program.
Q: If my department cancels a Training
Tuition grant request, does that penalize our department in any
way?
A: No, a cancellation does not affect future grant
requests.
Q: If my department is approved for a
Training Tuition grant and the dates of the training change, do we need to
submit a new application with the new dates?
A: Please complete
a Revision Request-Rural VFD Assistance Program (TFS-FO-410)
and submit it via email or
fax to 979-845-6160. In order for the revision to be approved, the Revision
Request must be submitted before the course start date.
Q:
What should my department do if the number of trainees change in connection
with a Training Tuition reimbursement grant?
A: Please
complete a Revision Request-Rural VFD Assistance Program (TFS-FO-410)
and submit it via email or
fax to 979-845-6160. In order for the revision to be approved, the Revision
Request must be submitted before the course start date.
Q: Does
the manufacturer of an apparatus have to be a Texas vendor?
A:
Please see Notice to Purchasers of New Fire Trucks (PDF, 6KB).
Q: If my department receives an award for a large or small chassis,
can we assemble an ambulance or other specialized vehicle?
A: All
vehicle awards must meet the Minimum Standards and Specifications for Firefighting
Vehicles (PDF, 9KB).
Q: Why would our fire department be
skipped on the Funding Meeting Summary?
A: To ensure a wide
distribution of funding, departments which are approved in one of the higher
dollar value categories (vehicles, truck chassis, slip-on units, etc.) will
not be considered for additional approvals during the same funding meeting
(except in the training and PPE categories).
Applicants in the
Fire Equipment and Rescue Equipment categories may be skipped if they have
received $10,000 or more in grant assistance during the previous 12 months.
Training Tuition grants are not included as part of this $10,000
prior approval amount.
If a department has multiple
requests in similar categories (such as fire equipment and rescue
equipment), approval may be granted for one request with the department
allowed to select its priority.
Q: How does our
department receive a grant for a preowned vehicle or
equipment?
A: Approval is given on a case by case basis.
TFS must give clearance prior to the purchase.
Preferred
maximum vehicle age
5 years for vehicles rated less than 22,000
pounds GVWR
Age limits vary for vehicles rated greater than 22,000
pounds GVWR
TFS must make an evaluation of preowned
equipment in advance. Following the evaluation, a grant for a
preowned vehicle or equipment will be authorized or denied.
Q: How long must a grant vehicle be maintained in firefighting
service by the original acquiring department?
A: All
vehicles acquired under this program must be maintained in firefighting service
for a period of 10 years from the reimbursement check date. If a cost-shared
vehicle is sold before the end of its 10-year service life under this program,
the possessor may be required to reimburse the program for 90% of the proceeds
from the sale of the vehicle. The possessor must notify the Texas A&M Forest
Service in advance and must obtain clearance to sell or transfer a grant vehicle
before the end of its 10-year service life. The Funding Committee may waive on a
case-by-case basis the requirement that 90% of the sale proceeds be returned to
the program.