PUBLIC FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM

In order to support the fire and life safety educational efforts of local fire companies, the MSFA in partnership with the Office of the State Fire Marshal is establishing the Public Fire and Life Safety Education Grant Program. This program is designed to provide assistance to MSFA member companies by providing funding assistance in the form of fire prevention publications and supplies for the development, continuation or enhancement of local public fire and life safety education efforts. It is recognized, effective public and life safety programs are one of the best ways to protect citizens and firefighters from injury and death caused by fire or other traumatic incidents.

Under the Public Fire and Life Safety Education Grant Program, MSFA member companies would be able to receive this funding support for the purchase of printed materials and other approved educational resource materials. Funding support will be awarded on a completive basis. Purchases made prior to being awarded funding will not be considered as part of the grant process. Purchases of products will be made after monies are provided through the MSFA in June.

The amount of funding available for 2012 is $50,500. The maximum funding support available to each member company's application request is: $500.00. Only one application per company will be accepted. Applications must be received via e-mail no later than midnight, April 13, 2012. Grant awards will be announced at the MSFA Convention in June 2012 and emails will be sent to email contact lists from applications received.

The Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Spring Seminar will be held on March 31, 2012 at MFRI in College Park. A segment of the program has been scheduled to address the steps necessary to apply for this grant program. Capacity for attendees is the first 100 to sign-up. Go to www.mfri.org and click on 'Seminars' to be a part of this important educational activity.
https://www.mfri.org/cgi-bin/webregister.cgi?SI=18053

ELIGIBILITY
• Grants may be requested for fire and life safety prevention education for MSFA member companies.

TIMELINE
• Applications must be received via e-mail at fpgrants@msfa.org no later than midnight, April 13, 2012.

GRANT REQUIREMENTS
• A 20% Match is required to facilitate the grant process. (Example: $500 grant requires $100 match from the fire company.) To take full advantage of the $500.00, please show the amount being spent is a minimum of $600.00.
• An evaluation letter explaining how the grant supported your program is required to complete the process. Please submit the evaluation letter within ninety (90) days of receiving items for your program.

1. The goal is to assist companies with allocation of funds necessary for a successful fire and life safety program.
2. Grant applications will be read, reviewed and voted on by the Public Fire and Life Safety Education Support Program Committee.
3. Only $50,500 is available and it is anticipated to be depleted quickly. Submit applications early for consideration.
4. Checks from MSFA will be written directly to the vendor(s) and member companies will submit their check for the difference with the MSFA check when placing the order. Items will then be delivered to the companies placing the order.
5. Questions may be directed to Robert Collins – MSFA president@phvfd.com or 240-299-2556 / Bruce Bouch – OSFM fyrfytr13@aol.com or 443-865-9878.

Instructions: Submit the completed attached application along with any additional information to be considered for the grant process to fpgrants@msfa.org by midnight April 13, 2012.

http://www.msfa.org/files/announce/FP_Grant_Program_MSFA_2012.doc